MOPS | Grace Community Church

MOPS meeting dates

If you are anything like me, I like to plan ahead, and keep a detailed calendar.  So, those of you who are planners, here are the MOPS meeting dates:

September 16^TH

October 7^th

October 21^st

November 4^th

November 18^th

December 2^nd

December 16^th

January 6^th

January 20^th

February 3^rd

February 17^th

March 3^rd

March 17^th

April 7^th

April 21^st

May 5^th

May 12^th

 

SEPTEMBER 16 - OUR FIRST MEETING!!!

Our first meeting is coming up very soon!!!  We will be meeting at 9:15 on Wednesday, Sept. 16th at Grace Community Church on Old Jacksonville Hwy.  We are all very excited, and we can't wait to meet you, and eat with you, and grow in Christ with you!  Which reminds me, if you have never been to our MOPS meetings, DO NOT EAT BREAKFAST AT HOME - a delicious breakfast buffet is provided at every MOPS meeting.  Also, if you are a newcomer, you need to come in the side doors that face Robertson Rd - all the other doors are locked due to security for the school and daycare. 

FREE SNO CONES!

Come join MOPS as we celebrate summer, our kids, and each other as moms. This is a great opportunity to meet some new moms with kids the same age as yours.

Wed. July 22nd

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Bergfeld Park

Millie Tanner

Millie Tanner

Millie has been married to Steve Tanner for twelve years.  Steve is Pastor of Family Ministries at Grace Community Church.  Luke and Jake are 6 yr old twins in Kindergarten.  She works at the Women of Grace Center as a counselor and has been there for two years working with women and couples.  Millie has a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling.  The Tanners have been at Grace for 4 years.  She grew up in Tyler and says that she loves MOPS!

Shannon Etheridge "The Sexually Confident Wife"

Shannon Etheridge

We have the priviledge to hear Shannon speak about her new book “The Sexually Confident Wife”. Shannon is a renowned speaker and author, bringing honesty and insight from a Christian perspective to topics such as marriage and sexuality. She has also written “Every Woman’s Marriage”.

Part 1

Part 2

Mission:Marriage

Spend some time with your mate on a cost effective date!

Join us for food, fun, laughter and learning as we focus on the important role you play in your family unit. Speaker Chris Legg will challenge and entertain as he addresses the topic of marriage in a fresh and fun way. Mission: Marriage will be held Friday Feb. 6, from 6:30 - 8:30. Cost is 20.00 per couple and includes, dinner and dessert from Joe's Italian, entertainment and door prizes. Limited childcare is available at $5 per child. To make reservations, contact Cindy Waterman at 903-570-7476 or jcw930@suddenlink.net. This event is sponsored by MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and is open to all.

Sleeping In Peace

I LOVE new pajamas. Or as my little family affectionately calls them, “jim-jams.” You know how unresolved trauma from childhood has lingering effects into adulthood? Well, I have pajama trauma. When I was about 7 years old, my parents had to attend an out of town funeral and entrusted my brother, sister and me to the care of family friends who had two daughters about my age. All was fun and dandy until bedtime rolled around. You see, my mom had bought me a brand spankin’ new pair of pink Strawberry Shortcake pajamas. My little insides gushed with anticipation of snuggling up in them. So after my bath, I raced to my room to discover my sweet, soft, cotton-candy pink pajamas adorning the gangly arms and legs of my playmate. Her eyes flashed a look of victory. And sadly, it was her mother who had sanctioned this. Crushed, I slipped into my worn red flannel pajamas, forever changed.

I have replayed this event over and over in my head – to my family, friends, strangers – anyone who would listen. Really, what is the big deal? Why did this have such an impact on me? As I have gotten to know myself a little better over the years, I now know that my love language is gifts. In short, this means I give and receive love via gifting. So to me, those pajamas were more than just sleeping attire – they were the screams of “I LOVE YOU!” from my mommy, hundreds of miles away. Screams that were stifled the instant that kid stuck her bratty body through my top. And now, as a mom, I can view it all from a different perspective. That lady had no personal vendetta against me. I now chalk it up to a misstep of a mommy, who in her eagerness to bathe and bed five children, failed to notice which pajamas were whose. And in her defense, I never expressed my hurt or desire to wear what was rightfully mine.

 So what have I learned from this? Well – kids can be mean, and grown-ups make mistakes. Two truths which, sadly, still endure today. So as I strive to impart this wisdom to my two little lovies, I keep their top drawer stuffed full of cute, snuggly jim-jams – enough to share with a friend.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’ s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and [Strawberry Shortcake pajamas] to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 To learn more about love languages, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com

Written By Tanya Showen

Rejoice In The Lord Always

It never even occurred to me until I was told by a professional that I was doing to much for my son.  I was amazed that he said he should be able to completely dress himself from head to toe at age 3.  I had just always done it for him.  For one reason or another maybe because I did it faster or right the first time.  As a mother I still struggle with letting go and having my children try things. Because it does not always fit into my schedule to wait for them to do it.

I am amazed everyday by what they can do.  Even the simple things they do just make me think could they have done this 6 months ago if I had let them try.  I let my 6yr old make his own breakfast the other day.  It was just a bowl of cereal but to pick out and pour his own cereal and milk was quite an accomplishment in his book. 

He was so excited that he ran and told his 2 yr old brother who could really care less.  His independence level has soared since that day.  He begs to fix lunch and to get stuff for his brother and sister.  In the small things we should always rejoice.  I am learning to rejoice with my child so that he to can learn to rejoice in the Lord always.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:Rejoice!

Chris Legg - On Pressures Our Kids Face

Chris Legg was the guest speaker on November 5, 2008.

He spoke on the pressures our kids face and how we as parents can help them.

2 Issues main issues are kids are facing....

The two main fears our kids have are...

What would your kids say when asked, "what are your parents passionate about?"

[ Click Here To Download/Listen ]

MOPS Fundraiser

From*me Tees is pleased to offer a growing variety of designer t-shirts for husbands and wives that display a positive image of marriage. What you wear can speak volumes! Mission: To enhance marriage relationships, communicate a positive image of marriage, and encourage/support the sanctity of the marriage covenant between a man and a woman in a fun and stylish way Starting Nov 5th you can preorder your tees for our MOPS fundraiser. They will be for sell on Nov 5th and Nov 19th. Please see the flier on your table to select styles and sizes. Prices are listed on fliers.