Area 25 celebrates our own Sandi Mitchell!

Earlier this year, you probably saw MOPS International promote a photo contest.  This year at MOMcon, they will be featuring a unique gallery of quality images submitted by MOPS members and volunteers from everywhere.  Those attending MOMcon will get to see the winning submissions highlighted there, and we were excited to find out that our very on Sandi Mitchell of Cedar Run Community Church MOPS Group was a winner!

Sandi happens to be a mom of 4 children:  three boys (15, 13 and 9) and one little girl (surprise blessing!) who is 3 years old and featured in the winning photo.  It wasn't until Sandi's little girl was born that she began to participate in MOPS.  She says, "I didn't feel I could make attending MOPS a priority," while parenting her three boys.  "I was trying to juggle the kids and volunteering, etc.," says Sandi, "At that time, I had difficulty getting out of the house."

When her daughter was born, she had started attending Cedar Run Community Church and was invited to MOPS again.  She says, "I decided to join only because I felt it would be a good way for me to meet other women in the church.  However, I truly enjoyed being with other moms, finding encouragement for the stage I was in (as it was a transition to go back to the baby stage again) and I loved hearing the variety of speakers."

Sandi credits her Discussion Group Leader with having a gentle and sweet spirit that drew her back to MOPS each meeting.  "I loved her instantly," says Sandi, "She was so warm and welcoming and was willing to be vulnerable, even when it was difficult."  

While Sandi admits she joined merely to meet other moms, she found she got much more out of it than she ever anticipated.  So much, that the following year she stepped forward into a leadership role of Discussion Group Leader and this year moved into the role of Publicity.  She enjoys taking a larger part in what is going on in the ministry as a whole.  She enjoys watching the moms in her group grow in their friendships with one another and share and learn from each other.  She is also exicted about this year's theme:  "This year's theme, A Beautiful mess, is something I feel I identify with and I think each of us should be encouraged to learn to be more honest with one another, find the blessing in seeing that we are NOT alone in our struggles (or "messes") and discover the joy (and "beauty") the Lord has in store for us."

Sandi mentions she has always loved photography and scrapbooking.  Her family blessed her with a very nice camera around the time of her 40th birthday as they saw how much she enjoyed this hobby.  She challenged herself to start a photo blog (mostlymitchell.blogspot.com) by posting one picture each day for a year as a way to hold herself accountable and stick with it.  Through this process she became more familiar with her camera learning to shoot in manual mode and discovering the photos she enjoyed taking most.  The winning photo was captured during this journey.   She states her daughter doesn't always cooperate when she taking photos of her, but on this particular day she was willing to keep blowing the dandelions so she could try to capture the shot desired.  Sandi still considers herself an amateur photographer as she believes she has much to learn, but she enjoying the journey and hopes that maybe one day she may start a business for herself.  But for now, she is still trying to gain confidence taking photos in different settings and capturing people in a natural way.  She has also began participating in another blog (allliliesconsidered.wordpress.com/) with fellow photographers who post a picture a week in which they try to capture special "stories" from every day lives.

As parents we realize that it is often better to model what you want to teach your kids, but sometimes this is easier said than done.  Sandi stated that she often asks her children what they are passionate about and try to encourage them to pursue those things.  Yet, she doesn't feel that she's allowed herself to do that until just recently.  "God has blessed me in ways I would have never imagined through photography.  i strive to be able to capture the world around me through His eyes and pray that I can discover ways for my photography to be a blessing to others, as well.  I believe it is never too late to seek out what you are passionate about."

Sandi is still overwhelmed by her award.  "I just entered the contest for fun," she says, "I never expected I would win."  Her photo will be featured with others at MOMcon 2013 and she will have the opportunity to provide a cover shot for the award winning MomSense magazine, the official magazine for MOPS International and get full credit in the magazine as well as a portfolio showcase on the new MOPS blog on Hello Darling.  

What happened to the summer? Are you ready for fall?

You often hear about the lazy days of summer.  However, I didn't find any before my kids started back to school!  Did you?  As volunteer staff, we were working hard to coordinate all for the Mega Event and then after the event was over it seemed to be a flurry of year-end activity finishing up with my own MOPS group (I coordinate also) and wrapping up the school year and t-ball and....

...and then, I found myself in full swing of all things summer:  vacations, camp-outs, sleep overs, play dates at the park and/or the pool.  So where was that "lazy" again?  Can you relate?

And in the midst of it all, you may also be planning for your fall MOPS start up.  I thought I would write to help you recall the time of renewal and re-energizing we hope you experienced while at the Mega Event.  Please note:  I've not been "lazy" in posting this, but like most of you, I've been involved in the summer flurry of activity and simply haven't gotten to put it all together.  So, take a moment now and enjoy this slideshow of memories from the Mega Event:  DIY manicures and pedicures as well as jewelry making and dancing on our Fun Friday night together.  Then think about all that you learned on Saturday as there were choices of sessions to go to and the line for the offering and writing down just a couple of things that you learned and got to take home with you that weekend.  I find that it's always good to recall and reflect.  It often refuels for the road ahead.

During our training time, I remember many wanted MORE training when we were going over the leader tools on the website.  So, I do have a little more info on that now with the updated website.

If you would like more info than shown within this video, please contact your nearest coach as we are currently looking at setting up additional training for groups.

Enjoy your labor day and best wishes as your MOPS groups start for the Fall!

Like it, love it...or not....change is inevitable

We often talk about changes in the fall with the change of the season and the change in color of the leaves on the trees.  While we are still in the midst of summer, (and I'm thoroughly enjoying the warmer weather and not having to worry about coats, jackets and boots) I do find myself in the midst of change.

Recently due to an un-family friendly atmosphere at my full-time job, I chose to start searching hard for a new job and have found one and am transitioning through the change from an old job to a new job.

Change is in the air with MOPS as well.  While your year has not yet began, you may be planning based on changes within your own leadership where moms have graduated out or perhaps you have new leaders who have stepped forward.  You're working through the changes within your leadership and we on the Area 25 team are doing that as well.

The MOPS Mega Event in May was Stephanie Morris' last event as our Area 25 Developer.  She knew God was calling her to other things and stepped down from MOPS leadership.  As we wrapped up the mega event, several had kind words and memories to share:

• "I worked with Stephanie for five years.  She was such a huge support to me.  It has been awesome to watch God use her to affect people's lives.  she has been my leader, my teacher and my friend.  I can't wait to see how Gods uses her in the future." -- Jill Riddle
• "Memorable Phrase #1: 'Put on your big girl panties...', LOVE IT!" -- Jackie Nation
•  "I always knew she was praying for me.  She was a constant encouragement and led by example." -- Nickole Kaufman
• "Every time i felt like a failure as a coach, Stephanie helped me evaluate my strengths.  She has always been my biggest cheerleader." -- Kelly Battles
• "I felt comfortable with Stephanie from day one.  The first time we talked on the phone, I felt I had made a life-long friend.  She makes you feel important and is full of praise and encouragement.  She is lie an awesome big sister!" -- Julie Riegle
• "I love knowing that when Stephanie says she will pray for you, that SHE DOES.  I've always thought she was blessed with the ability to pray and intercede for not only us MOPS Volunteer Staff, but for all leaders all over the state and beyond.  When I missed my flight to my first convention due to my daughter being sick, she prayed with me and I felt God's peace." -- Teresa Martin

I think it safe to say the staff that served alongside her, love her dearly and we are all eager to see what God has in store for her.  

As with MOPS leadership, when there is a vacancy, it allows others to step forward into a new role of which God is calling them into.  During this vacancy MOPS has done a little bit of restructuring in titles.  We are no longer served by an Area Developer, but now an Area Coach.  So who is our new Area Coach?  Our own Jill Riddle!  If you were at the Mega Event, you were likely able to meet her there.  

"Jill brings leadership experience and a passion for moms.  She has served well and has been filling in the gap during these past few months," said Jennifer Martin, Regional Developer for MOPS International, "I believe Jill's leadership as an AC will help us grow moms and leaders in Area 25!"

So as the saying goes, "the only thing constant is change."  When we think about God's love and grace, we think about how He changes our hearts.  And when you think about it that way, well, I would hope that we are all okay with change.  MOPS changed my life, it gave me comfort and encouragement in a time I felt I was failing at everything around me.  I'm thankful for change:  thankful first that God changed my life, and thankful second that MOPS let me know I was not alone.  Are you thankful for the changes in your life? 

from Jill Riddle....Community Developer

Have you made plans to come to the Area 25 MEGA EVENT?  Watch this video from MOPS International volunteer staff and Community Developer, Jill Riddle!

Don't forget to register early so that you can be eligible to win a MOPS bundle!  Register at http://mopsmegaevent.eventbrite.com 

from Jackie....Community Coach

Have you made plans to come to the Area 25 MEGA EVENT?  Watch this video from MOPS International volunteer staff and Community Coach, Jackie Nation!

Don't forget to register early so that you can be eligible to win a MOPS bundle!  Register at http://mopsmegaevent.eventbrite.com 

The great MEGA EVENT!

My afternoon off from work was a rainy/icy afternoon in the southwestern part of the state.  A perfect day to curl up under a warm blanket and read or watch a good chick-flick....however with little ones running around, that "painted picture" is merely a dream.  I don't get the chance to read until things are quiet...a.k.a. "after bedtime".  So as this afternoon has been cold and dreary, my thoughts stray to a warmer time in May when I will get to meet up with fellow MOPS moms and enjoy fellowship, fun, and the opportunity to learn from others all over our area.

If you haven't yet seen it, you should check out our MOPS Area 25 Mega Event promo.  Click HERE.  The event will be held in Charlottesville, VA on May 3rd and 4th at First Baptist Church Charlottesville.

The Mega Event is put together by your MOPS International Volunteer Staff of Area 25.  This is a FREE event (your only cost is lodging and lunch if needed).  We are preparing for some fun activities on Friday Night:  devotion, worship, pampering and more.  On Saturday, we will focus more on leadership development focusing on:  training, networking, worship, brainstorming and planning.  A dozen MOPS professionals will be available on-site! Ask questions!  Learn together!  JOIN US!

Use this event as an opportunity to grab your steering team and turn it into a steering retreat.  It's often hard to get leaders together with such busy schedules, so here's your chance!  Mark your calendars now and gas up the minivan!  

Please register for this event at http://mopsmegaevent.eventbrite.com/  You may opt to purchase lunch through this site as well.  

As an incentive to register early, we will place all registrants into a drawing for a MOPS Bundle (pictured above)!  We will draw a winner on March 15th and another on March 30th.  So register NOW!

Refill Your Momma Tank

Well, the Christmas fuss is over and the new year has dawned and challenged us to keep all those resolutions we made a month ago.  So how's that going for ya?  No worries, I'm not going to ask you to post what you have or haven't done.  But I am going to talk about refreshment and recharging - stoke the fire (if you will).

As moms we all know what it is like to be running on empty - too little sleep from that fussy newborn, or staying up in the wee hours to help an older child with a school project, or up all night due to the "bug" that has invaded the whole family's health.  When these situations hit and push us to our limits, we push back with all that we've got and sometime deprive ourselves of much needed rest and time to ourselves.  Moms are "on duty" 24/7 more often than not and those tanks get pretty bare at times.

I love MOPS because MOPS refuels me at each meeting.  Each gathering of moms and serving on the front lines with me, makes be feel comforted, loved and renewed.  It gives me the gusto to keep on keeping on.  And as a fellow MOPS mom, I think you can relate.

So, it's a new year and we are half-way through our MOPS year.  What are your plans?  First off, remember to register 3X each year - beginning of the year, NOW, and at the end of your year.  Be sure to challenge your current moms to bring friends - every mom needs a friend - and if your group is full, then consider starting a second group, or maybe even offer to help start a group at a "sister" church - every church needs a MOPS group.  Why is this important? Because every family needs Jesus!

And as we are in the middle of our MOPS year, you may be feeling a little low of fuel, so let me bring you the FILL UP by telling you about our MOPS Mega Event to be held on May 3-4th in Charlottesville!  This is a FREE event to attend.  Friday night will include some pampering, devotion and worship.  Saturday will be filled with great training and networking with other leaders from all over our area.  Your field leaders will be onsite as well.  Your only expense - if you choose to do so - would be for hotel and also for your lunch on Saturday.  USE this event as a way to refresh your own steering team and to plan out the rest of your year.  It is SURE to be FUN, FABULOUS and FULL of training.    Take a moment now to register and let us know you are coming!  See you soon!

http://mopsmegaevent.eventbrite.com

God's Got My Back - Blessings in Disguise

How many have truly experienced Blessings in Disguise? I was blessed to be off with my kids from just before Christmas until after the New Year.  I had BIG plans for this time off from my full time job:  plans to get caught up on house work, finance work, spend QUALITY time with the kids, get back into a regular exercise habit.

The last week before Christmas, I struggled.  My son had come down with strep throat and a cold on top of that, and my daughter had a stomach bug.  I caught my son's cold and my daughter's bug. I felt horrible, yet I forged onto work, ended up taking off the last official day of work, carried myself to the doctor and was thankful to then rest from work and recover.

Rest?  What mom REALLY ever gets rest?  I got through Christmas and the very next day my daughter was complaining her throat was hurting and she was crying.  Her throat looked swollen and I suspected she might now have strep throat, since my son had it earlier. There was shower of sleet falling as we piled into the car to head to the doc.  I prayed, "God, let us get to and from safely," before we ever left the driveway.  Seven miles from home, I wrecked my car.  One of my "big" plans for my time off was to get new tires for my car; I believe the worn tires to be the culprit of my unfortunate fate.

I was being careful, keeping in mind the poor road conditions and my poor tires and was trying to negotiate going down a steep hill and taking a sharp turn at the bottom.  I got down the hill, but didn't make the turn.  I ended up in a ditch and on our side with BOTH my children in the back seat.  No air bags went off, no glass broke and we were helped out by firefighters who arrived on the scene quickly while responding to another call.  They flipped my car back on all four, winched it out of the ditch and I drove it back home at about 15 mph.  We didn't make it to the doctor and my daughter suddenly didn't give much more thought to her sore throat.

The body shop told me I needed new tires.  I knew that.  I needed new brakes.  I had anticipated that.  I needed brake fluid.  Huh?  I had checked that - it was full.  "You have TWO reservoirs," the technician said.  I didn't know that.  He told me my rotors are destroyed.  I wondered if my wear of the brakes might have hurt the rotors.  He explained he had NEVER seen rotors as BAD as mine and went into detail about how they had worn unevenly.  It was very dangerous, "Imagine driving down the interstate and the wheel locking up," he said, "you would have likely wrecked and it could have very well killed you and the kids if they were with you."  Wow.  My kids are almost always with me.  What if?

I remember my prayer:  "God,  let us get to and from safely."  He did!  We may not have made it to the doctor, but we returned home safe and sound without even a bruise.  This accident was a blessing in disguise.  God's got my back.  He knew my car was in worse shape than I had realized.  He allowed me to wreck so it could get fixed before something more serious happened.  I found myself praising God and saying, "Thank You."  Seems odd to say thank you for allowing the wreck. We weren't hurt.  He protected us - more than we even realized.  God's got my back.  And He has yours!

Reflect to find your blessings in disguise.