Live Greenery Wreaths

This week was a live greenery wreath craft. We had a couple of the ladies load up thier cars with left over christmas tree trimmings (thanks Amy and Shelley) and bring them to the meeting. What a mess we made, but as you can see they turned out great. Some of the ladies made swags and some made wreaths. They all turned out lovely and smelled wonderful. What a blessing it is to have all of these great talented ladies as my friends this Christmas season and all through the year. Merry Christmas MOPS Moms.
"..Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him." Psalm 28:7

Got Cookies?

Got Cookies? Boy, did we have cookies at our 3rd Annual MOPS Christmas Cookie Exchange. It was held at the beautiful Willow Glen Clubhouse (thanks Jen). We had 18 moms with 3 dozen (or more) cookies each. That makes a total of 648+ cookies. Wow. We ate some at the party and took some home to share with our family. Also there were several delicious appetizers. There was a contest for Best Cookie, voted on by anonymous ballot. There was a tie between Keely's Peanut Butter Balls and my Goodness Gracie Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies. What a wonderful time of food, fun and fellowship we had.
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." 11 Corinthians 9:15

Are you Thankful?

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorites...my birthday, food, family, friends and lots of fun. But, originally, it was meant to be a day to pause and give thanks to God. Unfortunately, for many, including myself, thanksgiving is more of a one-day holiday than a way of life. I don't know about you, but I've been blessed beyond comprehension, and even in the unwelcome moments of life, I have so much to be thankful for. What would it look like if I ONLY spoke words of gratitude the entire week of Thanksgiving? If I went so far as to look at a pile of laundered clothes that awaits my folding and putting up, a task I normally hate, and instead think and speak out loud, “God, thank you for these clothes." When my daughter voicing her grumpiness, “God, thank you that she has a voice that works and you are shaping her own unique personality.” Or when my son is voicing his opinion, that does not coincide with my opinion, "God let me be thankful that my son is growing up into a fine young man with ideas and thoughts of his own." If every time I see a person this week, I tell them why I am thankful to God they are in my life. So, starting this morning and going through this Sunday evening, I'm challenging myself to live an entire week full of thanksgiving. How about you? Are you up for being Thankful?
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
(Ephesians 5:4 ESV)

Movie Night for MOPS Moms

Sunday night was a great time of fun, laughter, great food, fellowship and movies (some saw New Moon and the others saw Couples Retreat). Both movies got good reviews. If you all didn't make it, you missed out. So refreshing and renewing to get out with other moms without husbands and kids. I had a great time ladies. Thanks!
"We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." II Corinthians 4:7

Ribbons and Bows

This week at our MOPS meeting we learned to make large, decorative bows for our Fall and Christmas decorations. Our craft was led by one of our mentor moms, Ms. Sue. We had a great and relaxing time and now have some new skills for our decorating projects. Thanks for sharing Ms. Sue. Also Debra B. demonstrated to some of the ladies (with girls) how to make hair bows. Thanks Debra B. we enjoyed it.
"Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

Charlene The BonBon Queen

What a fun and exciting speaker we had on Wednesday at our MOPS Meeting. It was our local Charlene "The BonBon Queen". She and her French husband, Pascal, own South n' France, a bonbon company here in Wilmington. She gave a wonderfully entertaining talk of how she came to own the little pink house, where they live and work, and also brought delicious samples of their bonbons. Oh My Goodness, were they wonderful. Sorry for you ladies who missed out. Maybe you can catch her next time. If you would like to see her fabulous website this is their address: www.southnfrance.com.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8

Joey Jog 2009

What a wonderful day for Joey Jog 2009. Not one drop of rain fell until the closing ceremony. What a gracious god we serve. The Joey Jog raised almost $30,000. WOW! Thanks to all the MOPS moms who volunteered their time, talents and athletic ability. Such a great way to celebrate the life of one special little girl.
"Know that the Lord is God." Psalm 100:3