Featured Article: Thankful

Thankful 
by Carrie M.

As we are quickly approaching Thanksgiving, I find myself thinking about

everything I am thankful for in my life. Of course there all the obvious things such as

my kids, my parents, my home, my family. But I have recently learned to be thankful for

so much more in my life.


God has taught me to be thankful for everything from the good, bad, ugly and

gorgeous! It has not only helped my attitude and outlook on life, but I am a much better

mother. Don’t get me wrong, there are many times each day when I get frustrated but

when I stop and think about the positive things in this moment, I feel a sense of peace.

Our children test us daily in our job as Mom, not to mention all of the other

pressures that go under our job description. When I first became a stay at home mom

the pressures of role pushed me into a very dark place where the happy moments were

few and far between. It seemed like the only thing I was thankful for was making it

through the day. Today is a very different story. God has taught me to take a deep

breath and be thankful for the positives in all situations. Of course I still have rough

days but now I can see light in the darkness.


A few nights ago I was awaken by the cries of my two year old in his room. My

initial thought was “Ugh, I am so tired. What is wrong with him and how can I fix it

immediately.” I stumbled down the hall, opened his door and he said in a whimpering

voice “Mommy, I need you.” My annoyance quickly turned to compassion as I walked

over, kneeled down next to his bed and started rubbing his back. I looked at his sweet

face and immediately thanked God for waking me up for this moment. Because even

though I am exhausted, I was so grateful to be able to comfort my sweet boy and I knew

that these moments were not going to happen forever. Soon he won’t need me to

cuddle him but I am thankful that I have the memory of this time when he does.

The next time you are feeling annoyed, anxious, frustrated or all of the above,

take a deep breath and close your eyes and look to God for guidance. He will show you

the positives in the situation. Thank Him for the precious gift to be able to stay at home

with your children and watch them grow. Thank Him for their health. Thank Him for

their smiles, cuddles, innocence and love. Thank Him for you and giving you this

opportunity to make amazing people and priceless memories.


Originally published in the November 2013 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter.

Featured Article: One Mom's Trash Might Be Her Child's Treasure

One Mom's Trash Might Be Her Child's Treasure

by Sara K.

I am a big fan of forgiveness, I am human and make mistakes often, which require an apology. Every time my kids go anywhere they bring something back home with them. I never knew paper could be so suffocating.  Drawings from church, school, even kid's museums find their way on my counter.  It seems everywhere they go beautiful "masterpieces" are made from paper. That's what my kids call them, "masterpieces". Since they are all masterpieces, my children think they must be treasured forever. Multiply that by three and I have trees glaring at me every time I walk out the door.

They often show me these wonderful drawings and then leave them on the table when they move on to something else. I am left to figure out what to do with the latest masterpieces. I admit, more often than not I throw the papers away, I can't keep them all, even trying to keep one a month, makes to much clutter, requires storage I don't have. No harm done they don't remember it, and life goes on, right? Sometimes if they are especially attached to something that child will put it on the fridge or cork board in their room. With school finishing up, more "masterpieces" are being brought home as the teachers clean off their own bulletin boards. 

Last week my daughter brought me a picture of a flower garden drawn with markers, on notebook paper. I made my normal compliments and she went on to the next thing. When I needed the counter space to make dinner I'm sure it, along with so many of the days "masterpieces" went into the trash. Two days later, my daughter asked about that flower garden drawing, while I was talking on the phone and preparing dinner. Dread played across my face while she started shuffling through papers in the basket at the kitchen desk then looking through the trash, finding that day's masterpieces discarded. I quickly got off the phone, while listening to her grumble about a paper destroyed because it was wet from coffee grinds. I mentally started to prepare my confession and get myself ready for the scream scene that surely lay ahead. Watching big crocodile tears stream down her face, I cleared my throat and began to talk.

"Mckinley, I think mom threw that picture out." Knowing that's where it had to be, if she couldn't find it, as that was the destiny of most papers in my household. "What do you mean?" she replied her voice shaking, on the verge of a complete meltdown. "That was my best picture....ever! YOU even said how nice the flowers looked and how the clouds were big and puffy!" I love how children can make you feel like scum. I looked at her, took her hands out of the trash can and began talking. "I'm sorry. The picture's not there. The trash man came yesterday, the picture is gone. I made a mistake please forgive me." She replied through sobs before stomping to her room "I can't forgive you! You threw away my favorite picture...every!" Pleading and following her I asked if she could make another one like it, and got a big NO! I continued to apologize and asked what I could do to make it up to her. After some groveling she allowed me to help her on a new picture after dinner. We also agreed that I would try to take a picture of the masterpieces with my phone, so if they got thrown away we could still enjoy looking at them.

Sometimes it's important as moms to humble ourselves and confess mistakes to our kids. They mirror our actions, confessing that I might have thrown it away, and asking for forgiveness is something I would expect from them. I'm not perfect, nor do I want them to think I am, because no one is perfect all the time. I need to model when I make a mistake humble myself through confession and ask for forgiveness. I don't want them to try to be perfect all the time, it's impossible. I also learned that I don't own their feelings. I could have told her from my grown up perspective she was being ridiculous, that we can't keep everything. But to her, it was an important thing, just like my shopping list is and important thing for me. I had to allow her time and space to hurt, I had to take responsibility for the hurt she felt. She had a right to be upset about the picture, and with me. It was important to her and I discarded it without her knowledge, that doesn't make her wrong, just normal.

The following week she found her treasured drawing in a folder in her bookshelf, where she often places her masterpieces. I'm glad she found it, and we had a good time drawing and coloring our own flower garden picture.

Originally published in the Summer 2014 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter.

Featured Article: Embrace Your Beautiful Mess

Embrace Your Beautiful Mess
By Sara K.

Life is full of messes. Some last a day while others last a season or more. It's the messiness that makes of many of the memories. Whenever I find myself in a messy season, I am always reminded of this verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you, the plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV Jeremiah 29:11).

It may seem like you have a string of multiple messes, but God has a plan for you. I often find myself drawing on His strength. God gives us strength when we feel helpless, he helps us through "seasons of life" that seem unbearable. Throughout my marriage my husband frequently traveled for work, when my daughter was six weeks old he had an eighteen day business trip in London. During that time I had to return to work after maternity leave. My baby girl didn't transition well to a bottle. Needless to say I was stressed out. I wasn't sleeping because she would be up all night eating and boycotted the bottle during the day. Nothing I was doing helped. I was at the end of my rope when I received a call to come and get the kids from child care. My then two year old son, who was going through a biting phase, had broken skin on a little boy's nose, because the boy had a toy he wanted. I cried all the way home, and prayed to Him.

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (NIV Jeremiah 31:25).

God helped me once I asked. 

"The LORD Is my stregth and my sheild; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me." (NIV Psalms 28:7)

I needed to rely on Him, on His strength to help me through this messy season in my lfe. I know everyone has a similar story, a messy season that is tucked in the back of their mind. By the time my hubsband got home, my dugher started to smile, my son was adjusting back to daycare, stopped biting other children. God is always there. Embrace your mess, and rely on him for strength for it is part of HIs beautiful plan for you.

Originally published in the October 2014 INdian Creek MOPS Newsletter.

Featured Article: Growing Memories

Growing Memories
By Carrie M.

One of my favorite things to do in the spring is plant our vegetable garden with my kids. This is a tradition my husband started with our family as he used to grow a vegetable garden with his mom as a kid. I have heard many stories about him and his mom going out to the garden with a salt shaker and eating tomatoes right off the vine. It is a wonderful way to spend time outside as well as teach them that our fruits and vegetables come from the ground, not just the grocery store. What better way to teach kids about the environment then playing in the dirt?

We started our garden in February with some seeds and a small greenhouse. This is a great way for kids to learn about how plants grow from a tiny seed to a giant (and yummy) plant. Getting them involved from the beginning not only makes them feel involved in something fun but it helps them take ownership in the care for "their" plants. When the weather starts warming up we start getting our soil ready. This is a favorite for my kids because this is when they get to play in the dirt and find lots of critters. Worms and roley polies can entertain a young child for hours. This is also a great learning opportunity for me to teach them why worms are wonderful to have in a garden. Once the soil is ready we plant our seedlings that we started inside and plant some other seeds right in the soil. 

Every day we go out to the garden to see how our plants are doing. WE make sure they have enough water, do some weeding and see if anything is ready to eat. Last year, Case (5 1/2) helped me plant strawberry plants along our garden fence. I am happy to report that no strawberries made it in the house. When my kids plant and pick the vegetables in the garden, they want to eat them. If you have picky eaters, this is a great way to get them to try new things. They all have their favorite things to eat in the garden, so a lot of our harvest doesn't make it in the house. Since they love to eat things right off the vine, I learned many ways to garden without pesticides and growth hormones.

A garden is one of the best ways to teach life lessons on nature, nutrition, responsibility, and God's gifts to us. As my kids grow, so does their love for our garden. Each year they all get a little more involved with our garden. Whether you have acres to work with or a 4x4 area the possibilities are endless. I encourage everyone to take some time to play in the dirt with their kids this spring. You will grow more than just plants, you will grow lifelong memories with your kids. Happy Spring!

Originally printed in the March 2014 MOPS newsletter.

Featured Article: A Spring Renewal

A Spring Renewal

By Sara K.

As the days get longer and the sounds of chirping birds fill the morning air, my whole demeanor changes, knowing spring is near. The warm sun rejuvenates my soul and fills me with contentment. Spring represents new growth. From the leaves forming on tree branches to the flowers starting to bud. I love watching everything become green and plush after a long winter. As I open the windows to let light and air filter in, I picture my house taking a deep breath and smiling too. As a mom I make daily mistakes with my kids. My patience grows think as the kinds energy gets all bundled up from the months of being cooped up in the house. They feed off of my sun deprived mood, and bickering begins before the coffee is often made. It casts a dark cloud of glooma on our day, one that I am shameful to say I often start.

The mornings are always a time of stress in our house. I was upset last week; we were running low on time, groceries, and patience. Milk accidentally spilled when my oldest two kids were in a squabble over the position of the cereal container. I started to open my mouth, upset that, I would have to figure out what they would eat before school now that all of the milk was gone, and I used the last of the bread for lunches, not to mention we had 15 minutes before the bus would be making its way up the street. But before I let anything come out, I saw my kids, the way they cringed as they looked at me, bracing for a verbal lashing that was sure to be the result of their tug of war with the now ruined box of cereal. They were gearing up for a war, ready to come back with a finger point blame, after my lecture was complete. I stopped dead in my tracks, ashamed of the look I saw, on those three faces the fact that they cringed. I took a deep break, asked God for forgiveness and then said it's OK, and started cleaning it up while brainstorming another breakfast option. So many times, I have let the mishap of spilled milk set my day. But who does that help, and yelling out at my kids while I'm frustrated certainly doesn't make me feel better. After the kids left with a hug and an apology from me for yelling at them during past morning disputes, I decided I needed a new plan.

Spring helps me remember that we are made new in Christ. I am taking on this spring with a renewed hope and attitude. With the new season approaching I have decided to choose joy. I have made an intentional effort to start each day with a renewed attitude to be happy. I want to start each day like the sun and shine warmth down on my kids. god has given me such a special job. I have three little people running around this world who call me mom. These three sets of eyes depend on me, for my support, mood, love, reassurance as they learn to figure out who they are. My attitude reflects the mood in my house. I have decided to strive for that joyous feeling when the air warms my skin and I see daffodils sprouting from the base of the tree. I was able to put this to the test this morning while tow of my kids quietly ate breakfast, my youngest didn't want anything to do with food. He was even letting the neighbors know his intentions with his loud voice. But I kept my positive attitude and repeated his options while given time to process. The others remained positive as well, following my footsteps and he turned around. A situation which could have easily soiled the morning, dissolved. While it might not turn out the same way next time, I am thankful for God who continues to show me the importance of a sunny attitude even during a rain shower.

Originally published in the April 2014 Indian Creek MOPS Newsletter.

Featured Article: Memory Keepers

Memory Keepers
By Sara K.

As I looked around the family room I grew up in, staring at empty plates on tables with half eaten delights and wrapping paper littering the corners of the room I thought about the big clean up job that lay ahead for my mother and I. I had the opportunity to spend Christmas this year at my parents' house with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. As the holidays drew near, my mom got weekly calls of relatives from different states that would be making making the trip home for the holiday. Over 40 people filled the house for about five hours of fellowship. I helped my mom prep for the big crowd, maintained appetizer trays during the day, and now looked at what was going to be a couple of hours of clean up but I grinned thinking of how much fun it was to see everyone.

I know each of you had a similar experience, spending a lot of time prepping for Christmas, putting up a tree, making cookies, and other holiday treats, mailing Christmas cards, entertaining and yes a lot of cleaning. Whether it was dishes, wrapping paper, or getting ready to entertain guests, the holidays can create a lot of work and stress to moms. I watched my mom on Christmas hug everyone as they entered her home, smile at each person and thank them for coming and it struck me, she has created this tradition as her mom did before her. She opens her home to our family even though it takes a lot of work because we mom are the "Memory Keepers" for our family. We are the ones to help make the memories our children will grow up with and equate with the holidays. We do this because as moms we want to make everyone smile; we want to make fond memories for our children, relatives, and friends to remember. This is why we may stay up all night wrapping presents or putting toys together so we can see the joy in our children's eyes when they find that special gift waiting for them. While many of the preparations go unnoticed, know that you are creating these memories for your family. These fun memories which may seem like so much work at the time can make a lasting impact in your child's mind. My kids were so excited to see their cousins, and my Aunt Michelle, who had traveled with her family from Michigan, took pictures of the chaos, so she could remember the moment. 

As a mom I feel like I'm constantly being torn in a few different directions and never have enough hours in the day, but when I look back at the pictures I see how fast they are growing up. I realize how important these memories are to make, memories that make our family unique. Even the little things like making forts in the family room, I have started to photograph because they are memories. 

Before we left my parents' house to make the trip back to Kansas City, I made sure I gave my mom a big hug and thanked her for all of the wonderful memories she has created for our family. I am looking forward to what memories we will make as a family in 2014.

Originally published in the January 2014 MOPS newsletter.

Featured Article: Things They Don't Tell You About Motherhood

Things They Don't Tell You About Motherhood

By Sarah L.

Expecting your first baby is such an exciting time. You do everything possible to prepare for this new life you are responsible for. You read books about birth and parenting, you take classes, and you listen to advice from friends and relatives about parenthood. You prepare the nursery, do your research to find the best car seat, wash and put away all the tiny baby clothes, daydream about holding your sweetie, and you start feeling you are prepared and ready for motherhood.

The pregnancy goes by in a rush, the first few exhausting months of life with a newborn are a blur and somehow you recover and it dawns on you - there are things that they do not teach you in classes or books. They go way beyond the hospital, and happen when you are alone in the middle of the night or when no one is around.

Now you know they don’t tell you how hard babies can be or that they will most likely poo, pee, puke, and drool on what is left of your already limited postpartum wardrobe leaving you absolutely nothing decent to wear in public.  They don’t tell you that despite others’ efforts to help; you are the only one who can soothe your baby and get him to go to sleep because there is no place like a mother’s arms and quite possibly you are his food source.

They don’t tell you that your sweet innocent baby will turn into a defiant, angry toddler or that you will reach levels of exhaustion that you never knew existed.  Even more surprising you will continue to function as an almost normal human being for weeks, even months on end. No one will notice because they are all exhausted too.

One day you will be surprised to find that you will turn your back for a minuscule moment of time and then you will find that someone has quite proudly peed in your shoes OR unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper OR colored on your new ottoman with permanent marker OR given herself a haircut with scissors you could swear were well hidden.  You will also be surprised to find that because your toddler is so stinking cute, you won’t stay mad very long at all.

There are moments of embarrassment deeper than any other, not to mention the new levels of fatigue, pain, and loneliness that you didn’t think were possible. As you pick up the same toys, cook the same meals, clean the same toilets, and fold the same clothes over and over and over again you will realize your life has become quite dull and mundane.

BUT there are other moments they don’t tell you about too, like the joy of seeing your squirming, pink baby for the first time. The awe you feel of the miracle that you and your husband have created this tiny person that you are now totally responsible for. And at that moment you feel love deeper than any other you have ever felt. You find yourself staring at your child as she sleeps, whether they are 3 days old or 3 years old, thinking how angelic and beautiful they look and you make yourself resist grabbing her and squeezing her, so that you don’t disturb her sweet peacefulness.  

They don’t tell you how your heart feels like it will jump out of your chest when you see your toddler teetering at the top of a staircase or the pain you feel when you see him get hurt.  They never tell you about that day when your child comes home from school with his feelings hurt and you feel a new and scary urge to track that person down and explain to them, not so calmly, how wonderful your baby is and make them apologize and understand.  You will want to fix it and you will feel utterly out of control and helpless.

There is the first time you watch them do something they love and you won’t be able to stop the smile from spreading across your face. The moment when you realize they have grown up right before you and tears threaten to escape from your damp eyes before you can stop them. Suddenly you have a revelation - My Baby is a Kid!!

You will celebrate each new tooth and then celebrate a few years later as they fall out one by one, not even remembering how much pain, crying, crabbiness, and sleepless nights they caused as they broke through. The days drag and the years fly by almost without you even noticing. You wish them to pass and then wish them back again the next minute.  They just don’t tell you how awesome motherhood is in a strange combination of wonderful and exhausting and painful and rewarding and emotional and surprising. Or how fast it all goes.

So whether you are a mom of 1 child or 5 children, of a newborn or a 15 year old; you are in the know. You know the things they don’t tell you, the things they can’t tell you because they are just too hard to explain. Some things you just have to figure out on your own and do your own way.  It is something you have to experience to understand.

So, of all the things I have experienced as a mom these last 8 ½ years, in the blur of all the wonderful, horrible, and hilarious things, what would I tell a new mother so she would know? So she wouldn’t wait too long figure it out?

Enjoy these moments right now, whatever stage you are in, enjoy!  Don’t look back at times past. Don’t waste time wishing for chubby fingers and snugly babies. Don’t look forward to this stage passing because there is always a new and different stage that is just as challenging.

Live right now!  Enjoy it! Savor the small things like the giggles, the silliness, the messes, and then laugh about the things that don’t seem funny.  Cherish them, because even if you have only been a mother for a month, you already know how fast that month went by and how many things can change in such a short time. A month will turn into a year which turns into a decade in the blink of an eye.  Our children will grow and lose their chubby hands, their legs will get long and skinny and bruised, their attitudes will get big, they will push for independence, and they will become real grown up people with their own personalities and their own identities. They will make their own decisions both good and bad. Decisions we have no control over. Embrace it. Don’t hold them back by looking back at times past or wishing for the future and the hope of “easier” days. Accept and enjoy where they are right now.

Hug your preschooler and all your other kids too. Hug them tight and enjoy this moment. You won’t be sorry, because tomorrow this moment will be gone forever. These are the things they don’t tell you about motherhood. It’s not easy but it is worth it.

Originally published in the May 2014 Indian Creek MOPS Newsletter

Featured Article: "Savior Please"

"Savior Please"
By Jenni B.

During this Fall break I've enjoyed spending time with my family, attempting to savor every moment and lock it away in my internal picture file. But unfortunately since it's been extremely cold and snowy which means limited energy burning sessions outside, the kids are getting a bad case of cabin fever.

I finally had reached my last straw and my cup was on empty. As I was standing there I heard a song on the radio. And at that moment, I lost it. Standing in my kitchen bawling my eyes out. Those lyrics that touched me so I'd like to share with you. The song is by Josh Wilson called "Savior Please". 

"Savior, please take my hand. 
I work so hard, I live so fast. 
This life begins, then it ends. 
And then I do the best that I can,
but I don't know how long I'll last.
I try to be so tough,
but I'm just not strong enough.
I can't do this alone,
god I need you to hold on to me.
I try to be good enough,
but I'm nothing without your love.
Savior, please keep saving me.
Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast.
Will you begin right where I end?
And be the God of all I am because you're all I have.
Hallelujah! Everything you are to me is everything I'll ever need.
And I am learning to believe
'casue you're the one who's saving me"

Isn't this the ultimate "mom song"? As a mom, I try to be everything to everyone and do everything I can for the. Sometimes I push myself so hard so fast that I am left with nothing. This song reminds me that no matter how depleted , stressed out or unappreciated I may feel, our Savior never shifts.

Originally published in the October 2012 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter.

Featured Article: Making Memories

Making Memories by Sarah L.
Originally published in the Summer Newsletter 2013

Have you ever thought about what memories you are making with your kids?  It is hard having little ones running around the house because there is always something to do. A mom is never, ever "done" with chores. There is the laundry, cooking, cleaning, potty training, nursing, diaper changing, errands....It can be both overwhelming and boring at the same time.

With something always on the "To-Do" list it is easy to get caught up in the list of things we need to get done and forget to spend time making memories with the kids. At one of the May MOPS meetings the Mentor Mom challenged us to think about what matters long term. Does a clean house matter or does spending time playing with the kids matter? The answer is obvious but it sure is hard to do when you are caught up in the moment and overwhelmed with housework.

Since I have two kids in elementary school and one still in diapers I have seen how quickly time goes by.  I also know I can't stop it either. If we don't stop and savor these moments they will pass by unnoticed. How do you find a balance?

I came up with a plan I think will work for my family. Each day we will do something fun. It doesn't have to be grand or expensive, it could be baking cookies, going on a walk and exploring nature, cloud watching, dancing, tickling, snuggling, making homemade Popsicles, or having a movie night.  Then once a week, we will just forget the chores and have fun. On this day we will go to the park and have a picnic, go to the movies, the zoo, have a play date, or try something new. We will schedule time together, maybe even put it on our "To-do" list. We created a Summer Bucket List of fun ideas we want to do this summer. At least once a week we are going to check something off our list and in the meantime we will be making memories that will last a lifetime.  I challenge you not to let the summer go by without making some lasting memories with your kids. Enjoy this short stage of motherhood or it will be over before you know it. The laundry can wait but our babies won’t.

The kids and I will be working hard on our summer bucket list and I will try to post the highlights for you.

Featured Article: A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess
By Sarah L.

A beautiful mess? I admit it, my house is a mess. On any given day there are discarded shoes by the garage door, school papers on my kitchen table, random Legos everywhere, a sock here, a sippy cup there, and a beloved stuffed animal laying on the floor waiting for nap time. My house is not dirty necessarily. I do clean and I clean often but there is no doubt that it is very messy. Sometime between child # 2 and child # 3 I just let the idea of having a clean, sorted, and organized house go.

Admitting that I have a messy house is surprisingly not the hard part. It sort of comes with the job of motherhood. The thing that is very hard to admit is that sometimes I feel like a mess and not a beautiful one either. The theme for the MOPS 2013-14 year is "A Beautiful Mess". I don't know about you, but the words beautiful and mess don't seem to go together.

I certainly know what a mess looks like but what does a beautiful mess look like? "The theme reminds moms that beauty can come out of their difficult spots." Can you think of a time when beauty came out of something difficult? How about motherhood, marriage, relationships, or hard work? All of those things can be very difficult but beauty can certainly come out of them. "The grime of mothering young children brings the beauty of motherhood. The bruises of life can bring God's redemption." (www.mops.org)

Each of us has something that is both beautiful and messy in our lives. I would guess if you thought about what is most beautiful in your life there is a bit of messy story behind it.  This year MOPS is asking us to embrace our stories. "Embrace Your Story" reminds moms that their past, present, and future can be used for good.  God knows where each of us has been, where we are today, and has set in motion where we are headed." (www.mops.org)

Isn't it wonderful to know that we don't have to be "clean" or "perfect" when we are in a great group like MOPS? We can be our beautiful, messy, selves because everyone - yes EVERYONE - has something that is difficult and messy that makes eaach of us beautiful in a unique and special way.

The question I should be asking is not what does a beautiful mess mean to me but what does a beautiful mess mean to God? God sees us as beautiful and perfect and his redemptive love is there to restore us and give us hope. If you are going through a hard time in your life right now and it is hard to see the beauty in your story, turn to your Father's loving arms where he sees you not as a mess but as a beautiful and capable woman and mother. You are beautiful, embrace your story!



If you have something going on in your life right now and you would like the Steering Team to pray for you please let one of the Coordinators or your Discussion Group Leader know or fill out a prayer request card at the next MOPS meeting.

Featured Article: A Gentle Leader

A Gentle Leader by Sarah L.

Originally published March 2013

Do you ever feel like you are running late, lagging behind, or as I like to call it “lolly-gaggin”?  I do my best to get all three kids and myself fed, dressed, packed, and buckled safely in car seats in time to be “on time” to wherever we may be going that day.  Despite my efforts I am often late.

I also try to make myself look decent despite the fact that a  20 month old was hanging on me while I did my make-up and I made 3 batches of peanut butter toast while curling my hair.  I try to make sure my kids’ clothes match, my boy’s hair lays flat, and my girls’ hair is  in cute pony tails.  Sadly, a lot of time they wear what causes the least resistance, their staticky hair is in a loose ponytail or none at all, and my son still forgets his lunch when I drop him off at school.  It isn’t easy getting kids out of the house no matter the destination and no matter the age of the child.

Another thing I have noticed is that I am constantly telling my kids “Hurry up!” or  “Come on, you don’t want to be late do you?” or many other versions of the same.  I find myself walking slower than a snail while one child runs ahead and one drags behind and I simultaneously shout “Wait up” and “Hurry up” at the same time.

A couple years ago I was studying the book of Isaiah and one verse found it’s way deep in my heart and I think of it nearly every day. While it is not the solution I need to get my kids moving out of the house in time, it is the perspective I needed that day and still is two years later.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd;

He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.”

 Isaiah 40:11

Shepherd - it isn’t exactly a high demand career in our society right now.  However, the symbolism is still important.  A shepherd guards, feeds, and protects a flock from danger.  Our family is that flock and God is watching over us and our children day in and day out.  He is providing for our needs and protecting us at all times.  

In the verse it talks about gathering the lambs in his arms and carrying them close to his heart.  In The Message version it says “hugging them as he carries them”.  I love this picture.  How do I carry my children?  Do I lovingly hug them as I go about my day?

My favorite part of this verse is “he gently leads those that have young”.  That is me and you ladies!  He is gently leading us as we care for our children.  After finding this verse I read that the nursing ewes would lag behind the flock because they had to stop to feed and care for their babies.  As moms we are often lagging behind.  We have to stop and slow down to feed and care for our kids, to rest and let our kids nap, to enjoy the things that curious kids want to play with, and God is waiting for us patiently.  Not with a “Hurry up” or a “Come on, you will be late” but he gently leads us, carrying our kids close to his heart.  

I love this verse.  It shows me that God understands right where I am, he meets me there, and values what I am doing, even if I am lagging a bit behind the flock.

Featured Article: Room For One More

Room For One More by Sarah L.

Originally published in the November 2012 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter

“There is always room for one more.”

Those are the words my grandma always said to us kids.  Within 7 years she had 7 grandchildren born one right after the other to her three adult children. We were close in age, proximity, and friendship.  

I am the second oldest born only 3 days after my oldest cousin who was my first best friend.  After the two of us came 3 more girls and 2 boys, one of which is my brother.  We used to all head over to my grandma’s house on weekends for a cookout or holiday and while the parents talked and laughed we would play dress up, put on shows, play tag, and board games.  We would also all want my grandma’s attention.

One thing I distinctly remember was my grandma saying “There is always room for one more.”  She was, of course, referring to her lap, which we all wanted to sit on. I know now that she also meant in her heart, in her life, and in her home.  

We were all welcomed with open arms and still are.  She says that phrase to my children now as they climb on her lap and around her chair.  The great-grand kids (9 in all) climb on her legs, on the arms of her chair and anywhere they can squeeze in to be next to her and prove that their is indeed enough room for one more.

I want to have that attitude for my kids.  I want them to know that they are always welcome, there is always time for them, there is always room for them, and there always will be.

Back when I had just two kids I desired a third child and Justin and I worried - Will there be enough room in our schedule? Our wallet?  Our van?  Our house?  Our hearts?  When Grace arrived we all scooched over and made room in all of these areas and instead of the little we had stretching and dividing it just multiplied and became joy, love, happiness, and gratitude that she is here with us and that we made room for her.  

I think Grandma was right - “There is always room for one more”.

Featured Article: In Defense of Boys

About two years ago my son, Caleb, ad I were in the waiting room of my daughter’s dance class.  The room is very small and cramped and we shared the close quarters with two other moms.  One was very pregnant and the other was sitting with her two year old boy.  The mother of the the boy asked the pregnant mom if she was having a boy or girl.  She answered that she was having a boy and let out a sigh. She then went on to say that she “doesn’t get  boys or know what to do with them”.  I was surprised to hear that the woman felt this way and then, to my surprise the first woman answered “You are in for a shock!  Boys are so much harder.  They are active and into everything.  My son is more difficult to deal with than my daughter and boys are so messy. I would much rather have a girl.”  I was shocked that the woman felt this way and that she said it all in front of her son. The conversation went on in the same way for a few minutes and when I was finally able to collect myself I looked down at my four year old son who had been listening to all these comments and generalizations about boys.  I spoke up and said that I think boys are fun and sweet and she shouldn’t say horrible things about boys in front of her son and I do not appreciate her saying them in front of mine.  Neither of the moms had much to say about my comments but they did change the subject (they also never spoke to me again).  Looking back I think I could have said something more eloquent and convincing but at the time I was just glad they quit talking.

You are probably wondering why I am sharing this story.  The whole incident made me stop and think about how I feel about boys.  She is right in a way.  I don’t really “get” boys either.  I am the mom of two girls and one boy and I have to say that although each presents challenges and rewards, I do generally understand girls a lot better because I am one.  My son makes sound affects I could never imagine.  He runs by twenty times in a row pretending to be a car.  He loves to tease, chase, and scare his sister.  He spends hours building a castle out of blocks only to destroy it in seconds because he is pretending to be an alien.  He doesn’t care if his clothes match or if there is peanut butter on his face and bath time is more about crashing boats than good hygiene. That is my son and every child and every boy is different but bear with me while I generalize a bit.  Boys are active, adventurous, and messy but isn’t that what makes life fun?  It definitely gives some balance to my house where there are 3 females and 1 male for the majority of the day.  My son encourages me to run, play, climb, dig, ride a bike, camp, fish, play video games, and go on adventures.  Some of these things I wouldn’t do very often or at all if he wasn’t there asking with his big brown eyes.

When I think about the things I love about my husband they are generally things that make him a good man.  He is a hardworking provider, a loving father, and a loyal husband.  But he is also active, adventurous, and isn’t afraid to get dirty.   Aren’t I supposed to be raising a boy that will grow up to be a man?  A man that may be a husband and father some day?  If my son is going to grow into the man God wants him to be I need to let him be an active, busy, messy, climbing, crashing, and castle destroying boy. I don’ need to understand him, I just need to let him grow. He isn’t meant to be one of the girls he is meant to be just what he is, a boy and a future man.  

There isn’t a benefit to having a boy or a girl or one child over another.  As moms we need to accept our kids for who they they are and appreciate their gifts while accepting their weaknesses.  We may not always understand our kids but God trusted us to be their mothers. If we put our faith in him he will equip us with what we need to raise them to be the men and women they are meant to be.  When my active son “drives” by and makes a pit stop to give me  a kiss on the cheek it makes me smile.  I don’t have to understand everything about my kids to make it worth having them.

In Defense of Boys by Sarah L. was originally published in the March 2012 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter. This article was used with permission.

Featured Article: Loving Yourself

"Mommy, my face looks funny." my daughter stated matter of factly.

Startled I asked "What do you mean honey?"

"When I look in the mirror my face looks weird." she replied.

I was immediately concerned. What would make my cute four year old daughter so concerned with her looks? After I reassured her that she is perfect the way she is, she quickly changed the subject and went on playing as if nothing had happened.

I started wondering if I have something to do with her self image. I don't think I look great in the mirror either. I feel I have come a very long way from my confident self before kids. I am heavier, older, my body has taken on a shape that is unrecognizable to me.

I don't have the time or money to invest on the cute clothes, manicures, and jewelry that I used to love. My daughter knows she looks like me and if I don't like what I see in the mirror, then how do I convince her that I like what I see in her? This realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I definitely need to set an example for my daughters.

We are all beautiful in God's eyes. He created each of us just as we are.  Who am I to criticize what God has made? When I was sorting through all this I remembered the old, but true cliche that looks aren't everything and they certainly don't last. What matters is how you feel about yourself. This nobody of mine has lived 34 years and I have a few battle scars to be proud of. I have three kids to show for the stretch marks (and new body shape). I have sun spots because I love to be outside. I have scars from falling and burn scars from cooking. I have scars from living life! I have callouses on my feet because I love to dance. I have laugh lines because I love to laugh! None of these things are anything to be ashamed of. I am proud of them, I just need to start acting like it. Once I accept this body I live in, I can teach my girls to be proud of theirs. Wouldn't it be great to learn this at a young age instead of waiting until the age of 34 like me? 

I have a new outlook now. When I look in the mirror I see myself, a woman God created to be the mother of these three children and wife to my husband. I have a lot to be proud of. With God's help, I can instill these values in my daughters so they can grow up and take pride in who God made them to be.

Loving Yourself by Sarah L.

Originally published in the January 2013 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter.

Featured Article: Invest in a Relationship

Invest in a Relationship

Motherhood is a wonderful and exciting stage in life but becoming a mom was a big adjustment for me.  I now had another person that solely relied on me to take care of all of his needs.  I also quit my job to stay home with my newborn son which meant my life changed drastically overnight in a number of ways.  Even after the initial adjustment to motherhood there was something else that left me feeling lost, unsettled, and a bit isolated.  At the end of the day, my baby was fed and rested, the errands were done, the house was picked up, and the laundry was as done as laundry can get, so why in the world did I feel like something was missing?

After the birth of my 2nd child I realized that although I loved being a mom and our house had fallen into a comfortable daily rhythm, there was still something missing in my life.  Close relationships with other women and a connection with other moms!  Not just acquaintances, but  true friends that understood my situation and could relate to what I was going through at that moment.  Someone I could be myself with and know I was accepted, without judgement, for who I was.  I knew I wasn’t going to make any friends without any effort and time invested.  So how does a person go about finding other people to spend time with?

I discovered all moms are going through the same thing and have common interests, problems, and situations. I needed to surround myself with other mothers in my daily life and reach out to them in an intentional and accepting way.  To do this, I had to set aside any fear of rejection and open myself up to people.  I started attending a MOPS group, talking to the other moms at preschool, hosting play dates, and reaching out to moms who were alone in a group setting.

In time, I connected with other mothers and those investments turned into long lasting relationships.  These ladies have become my support group.  We pray for each other, take care of each other’s children, and are involved in each other’s lives.  It is worth the effort and time that I have invested in these women’s lives and they have made a difference in mine.

My only regret is that I didn’t reach out to other women sooner.  There are so many moms out there that feel isolated and alone just like I did.  What type of impact could having a friend mean for a woman walking through this rewarding and exhausting stage of motherhood?  I encourage you to reach out now.  “Though one may be overpowered,  two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:11-13 (NIV). Don’t waste any more time because we are far stronger as moms and women when we stick together.

By Sarah Lyons

Featured Article: Holiday Traditions

Holiday Traditions by Sarah L.

Originally published in the December 2011 Indian Creek MOPS newsletter

What’s your family’s holiday tradition?  Traditions can make the holidays more memorable for kids.  I have many fond memories of baking cookies before decorating the Christmas tree and driving around town looking at the Christmas lights while we sip hot chocolate.  Growing up, my husband’s family always opened one present after church on Christmas Eve and then saved the rest for the next morning.  Sometimes traditons are silly things that are not started intentionally, for example, my family passed a hideous sock monkey around to nearly 40 people over a 20 year period, always surprising the recipient for one occasion or another.  Other times they take a great deal of thought and planning like a cookie exchange.

Another favorite tradition is the food!  Does your family usually feast on the same favorite dishes for each holiday?  Whether its turkey for Thanksgiving, ham for Easter, or burgers and brats for the Fourth of July it seems that the main course is always the same and the same side dishes are brought by the same family member each year.  

While family traditions are great sometimes they seem to bring me more stress than holiday cheer.  For me, stress started becoming a personal holiday tradition.  I run errands, check the calendar, bake, cook, clean, wrap, do laundry, pack, and repeat.  I have lengthy phone conversations with family to try to plan a strategy to fit in each side of the family without missing out on any gatherings.

One year we had an extra stressful Christmas season.  I felt behind on everything,

money was tight, one of my kids was having health issues, a family member was in the hospital and another passed away.  Add to that the errands, cleaning, cooking, wrapping, baking, and I was wishing the holidays were over as fast as they arrived.
    On that particularly stressful year when I was more focused on my to do list and my problems instead of the actual reason for the Christmas season, the birth of God’s son. This is when God taught me something far more important.  
    It was a typical year.  The tree was decorated, the cookies were baked, and the presents were wrapped. We were packed and ready to go out of town where we would rush from location to location trying to fit in all the extended family.  God had other plans.  It snowed....a lot!  In fact, we were snowed in.  Even our family back home was snowed in.  We were literally stuck in our house for all of Christmas day.  We took our time opening presents, stayed in our pajamas for most of the day, feasted on what food we had in the house, played with all our new toys, built a snowman, and spent time together.  There were no extended family members, no company, no cooking, running, or rushing.  It was the most relaxing Christmas that we have ever had.
    The next day, when the snow was cleared a little more and it was safe to drive we did go visit family and see everyone on the list and had a great time.  My husband and I learned something that year that we will make one of our family traditions from now on.  Christmas isn’t about rushing around running errands and getting everything done as planned. It is about the birth of Jesus and how his life and death changed mine and yours.  It is about spending time with family not having everything perfect.  It is about enjoying family traditions not stressing about them.
    I encourage you to slow down this month and re-evaluate which traditions are the most important to you and the most memorable to your kids and which ones are just plain too much work.  This year, buy the Christmas cookies or just forget them altogether (who needs those extra calories anyway?).  Shop online and have the items shipped to your house.  Have your husband and kids pitch in with chores and errands (okay, we will see about that one....).  Say “no” to one more party. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy this special time when our children are young and so excited about the season.  Christmas traditions are a wonderful part of our memories but the real memories are from the time spent with those closest to you and the birth of a baby that changed the world.

Merry Christmas!

Featured Article: Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

We all have hard things to deal with in our lives.  Some of you may be going through something right now or maybe you just walked through a difficult time.  Even as Christians we go through times that are very difficult, seem unfair, and leave us asking “Why me?”.  

There have been a few things that I have walked through that were very difficult and unique to me and my family.  They were not easy at all but later I was able to look back on them and see that the verse above is true.  Because I experienced these things I was able to comfort others going through the same thing.  Helping comfort another person was a blessing to me and glorified God.  It is nice to think that God can be glorified through insignificant me.

While reading 2 Corinthians and studying about Paul I realized that even Paul, a devout Christian, relentless follower of Christ, and probably the best preacher of all time suffered.  He was chased, imprisoned, tortured, beaten,  and lonely - just to name a few.  Yet, he had joy in Christ and continued to follow God, no matter what the cost. (2 Corinthians 2:7)

Even Christ could not go without suffering.  He was sent by God to earth to experience what we go through every day.  He was tempted, experienced loss, suffered a broken heart, and was crucified.  He experienced these things so that he can comfort us and through that comfort God can be glorified.  We truly have a God that understands what we are going through.

You are given the chance to comfort people in your day to day life. Each of us is given the opportunity to comfort our children, our friends, our spouses, and our co-workers. Everyone has different and similar burdens.  Everyone is seeking comfort.

We can learn a lot from Paul: “He praises God for the circumstances of his life even though there are afflictions. He calls God the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. He sees God's hand as having sent these things into his life; therefore, he doesn't pray to have them removed so that he might escape from them. He sees them as opportunities for the release of the strength of God.”  (excerpt from www.raystedman.org)

The only real comfort you can give to others is the comfort you can receive in Christ.  How authentic is your comfort to others?  Is it based on comfort received from God? How do you accept comfort from others?

Other Scriptures about comfort

Isaiah 66:13  As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.

Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then made my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of other.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

By Sarah Lyons