Merry Christmas!

Last MOPS meeting we made the most adorable craft! If you follow this link you can find instructions to finish the set. It's under "Part 2" of the craft. Thank you for making our Christmas meeting so fun and memorable. We love to witness the talent of our moms!


We wish you all the blessings from heaven this Christmas and New Year!

Love,
MOPS Steering

Happy Thanksgiving!

MOPS is so thankful to have you! We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. Make sure to check out the craft corner for some fun things to do with the kids to spruce up your holiday table! They'll love it!

More fun together!

Here are some photos from the last meeting. The kids went on a pumpkin hunt and had so much fun. Our craft was a good one for Halloween! See you soon!

MOPS Photo Outing!

Ladies,
You are invited to Janine Skala's house on Wed., Oct. 20th at 4pm-6pm to have your children (and you if you want) photographed in a lovely outdoor Fall setting by a professional photographer! The cost is only $20 and that includes your sitting fee and a free sheet of wallets! The photographer will also take several photos of your children which you will have the opportunity to browse and shop at your convenience.

Please join us!

13346 South End Lane
Crestwood, IL 60445
Get Directions

October is here!

Hi Ladies!
We've had a great start to the year haven't we? Starting with Bunco on opening day and followed up with our second meeting where we learned why MOPS exists, and why we need each other so. I'm so glad I have all you wonderful ladies to talk to and seek advice from! We truly are blessed with so many wonderful resources right at our fingertips. Joannie Arrigoni, our Mentor Mom, spoke to us last meeting and let it be known that she is available to any of you who should need her help or advice or just a shoulder to lean on. If any of you would like to contact Joannie, her email address is jandjarrigoni@sbcglobal.net, she would be happy to hear from any of you at any time.

We are looking forward to our next meeting on Thursday, October 21st at 9am!


Aren't we creative? It's so fun to do just simple things isn't it? Our fall votives turned out beautifully and those nametags couldn't be cuter!

I believe MOPS helps us be better moms and wives and I'm always interested in what God thinks a good wife and mother is. I reread Proverbs 31:10-31 today and I felt depressed because it describes a wife of noble character and I searched, in vain, for something that sounded like me. But then I thought about it and I realized that it's true, I'm not a perfect wife or mother...but THANK GOD there's a road map for me. Thank the Lord he had the good sense to give us directions and encouragement to help us become the women He envisioned us to be. So don't let the following discourage you but encourage you to follow God's plan for your life.

Proverbs 31: 10-31 (From The Message)

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful lines and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters the knets to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps and eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Welcome Back!

MOPS is beginning again! We hope you had a great summer. Make sure to check the calendar of dates to the right and get them on your calendar now! MOPS is on THURSDAYS this year...please make a note of it!

When you become a mom, everything you thought you knew changes.

Your relationship with your husband, girlfriends, extended family, community, God and even yourself have all changed.

And, somewhere in the middle of all of this, you are left to figure everything out in a world your mother could never have prepared you for.

During the 2010-2011 MOPS year, we will explore how to balance everything life throws at us while at the same time trying to master the art and science of mothering.

See you soon!

MOPS Steering Team

MOPS is ending!

The year has gone by already and now that we've reached it and are looking forward to what's next, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to have a servant's heart. We are always looking for help at MOPS and our moms are so important to MOPS it is important that everyone gets involved. I came across a wonderful sermon about being a servant and what it means and I wanted to share it with you. When reading through this piece, if you feel a tug on your heart, answer the call at MOPS. Serving others in our community through MOPS is a wonderful blessing. Be blessed! And see you on Friday!

Click the link below

Do you have a servant's heart?

Spring is here

Thank You For The Windows
by Katherine Craddock

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (Proverbs 17:22, NLT)

Gloomily hunched over my bowl of cheerios, I fully intended to start my day with a full-scale pity party. “Thank you God for this food,” I sighed half-heartedly. Boo hoo. My life was soo bad.

“And thank you for the windows!” my 2 ½ year-old daughter Katie shouted. The windows? Hmm. I guess we did just get new windows.

“Yes, God. Thank you for the windows.” I echoed.

“And thank you for the doors!” she continued. I thought of the small, door-less shacks I had witnessed during a Jamaican thunderstorm. Entire families huddled in living quarters smaller than my back-yard shed, while I vacationed in luxury. Doors are good. We need those.

“Thank you for the doors.” My response was a little louder this time. A slow smile spread across my face.

Katie was on a roll. “And thank you for the walls!” She’s right. Walls are important. Where would we be without walls?

Within seconds, we were laughing and shouting thanksgiving to the Lord at the top of our lungs. Arms raised to heaven, we thanked God for our beautiful house, our pets, and even our shiny new dishwasher.

My toddler’s enthusiasm had turned pity into praise. Truly, I had much to be thankful for. Yes, God. Thank you for the windows.

Having a blue day? Gratitude to the Lord is the best medicine for a broken heart.



Katherine Craddock is a professional writer and pastor’s wife who is the oldest of nine children and mother to one Kindergartner and two preschoolers of her own. She lives in Northern Virginia and is part of The King’s Chapel MOPS.


Chopped Broccoli Salad

Dressing:
1/2 c. sugar
2 T white vinegar
1 c. real mayonnaise
Mix the three ingredients and store, covered in the refrigerator overnight

Salad:
Mix the following ingredients in a big bowl
1c of shelled sunflower seeds
1 jar Hormel bacon bits (3 oz)
1 red onion chopped
1 c cheddar cheese shredded
raw broccoli (chopped) 1 1/2 lbs crowns

Combine the refrigerated dressing with the salad ingredients. Serve.