Tuesday, July 17, 2012

We've opened the waiting list!

With a great response to our drive for 2012-13 MOPS members, we're excited to announce that our Moppets program has filled up for the fall. Among the mothers registered for MOPS, we have many returning members and some new faces. It will be an exciting year!

Those still interested in joining Covenant Baptist Church MOPS -- who would need Moppets child care -- are welcome to contact us to be placed on our waiting list. We can still accommodate moms who don't need child care.

Several other MOPS groups also operate in the Topeka area, including at Northland Christian Church and First Southern Baptist Church, and they may still have openings. Contact information can be found by using the search function in the left hand column of the mops.org website.

Still seeking Moppets volunteers


Because our numbers are limited in large part by the number of Moppets slots that we have available, and because all of our Moppets teachers freely give of their time, we are still looking for people available to volunteer with Moppets. This would allow us to ensure everyone who wants to join MOPS can do so and doesn't have to spend time on a wait list.

If you know of people who would be interested, please share the following information with them:

We are looking for volunteers with a love for children – ages infant through age 5 – who would serve during MOPS meetings. Volunteers must complete a background check.

MOPS volunteers are needed from September through May, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 9 to 11:15 a.m.

If you have a heart for young children and are interested in helping with this ministry or learning more, please contact Nancy Smart, MOPPETS coordinator, at Covenant Baptist Church, (785) 273-2811.




Monday, April 23, 2012

Register now!

We've opened registration for fall 2012 to any and all moms interested in joining the Covenant Baptist Church MOPS group.

We hope you'll join us for a fun year! For registration forms and information, visit our registration page.

As an added bonus, MOPS International is running an early-bird special this month. Through May 24, save $2 on your dues! The more moms we register early, the more MOPS International scholarships we earn. So sign up early if you can!

And don't let finances discourage you. We want everyone to be a part of MOPS! Scholarships are available - see our form here.

Questions? Contact us at cbcmopstopeka@gmail.com.


Want more information about MOPS?
 Here are a few helpful links:

Monday, March 12, 2012

Make time for your own Spa Day at home

We enjoyed a great Spa Day at our March 6 meeting. This annual tradition gives us one meeting a year to relax and pamper ourselves.

A big thank you to the many generous vendors from around Topeka who contributed door prizes.

Thanks especially to these folks who joined us that day to offer some one-on-one pampering:

Kara Christy, Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, a former CBC MOPS mom who took time out of her busy schedule to share with us the great Satin Lips and Satin Hands treatments from Mary Kay. (Hint, you can also "like" Kara on Facebook.)

Jordan and Hiram from Beauty Brands' Topeka location. Everyone came away from their station with a fresh glow and a wonderful bag of goodies!

If you want to extend the spa day experience, try out one of the recipes from the DIY sheet we distributed that day. Here's a link in case you didn't get a copy or want to quickly retrieve it online.

Take time to treat yourself!

Monday, January 9, 2012

MOPS Moms Online

After our last Q&A session at roll call, we've added links to more of our moms' blogs in the sidebar at right. Have a blog we've missed? Email us!

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow for our first meeting of the new semester.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Great Advent Reads

Whether looking for a gift or a new read to check out at the library, here are some books that embrace the spirit of the season.

  • “The Pine Tree Parable,” by Liz Curtiss Higgs. The story of a farmer and his wife who grow a beautiful pine tree and teach the meaning of sacrifice.
  • “Tiny Baby Jesus,” by Dandi Daley Mackall and Julia Noonan. This book connects Jesus’ birth story to his greater purpose in soothing rhymes and beautiful illustrations.
  • “God Gave Us Christmas,” by Lisa Tawn Bergren, art by David Hohn. This story of a mama polar bear (one in a series) teaching her cub about Christmas has gained good reviews.

Please share your favorite Advent and Christmas reads in the comments!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Christmas craftiness

After your Thanksgiving dinner settles, you may be thinking about Christmas crafts. We got some awesome inspiration from Becky and Caroline at our last meeting, with tons of ideas and instructions they've used to create gifts and decor.

If you missed the meeting - or lost the directions they shared - here are links that will help:

 Caroline's DIY craft directions  
 Becky's blog 

Happy crafting!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Devotional for Nov. 15

Our reflection for Nov. 15, from Shana, on the theme of self-control:

"Self-control. What do you think of when you hear that word? Being on a diet? Watching your temper? Spending money in a frugal manner? I want to focus in on on our attitude and emotions.

You have had that moment with your child or spouse where your blood pressure skyrockets, your nerves fray, and the worst version of you begs to come out, right? Of course. It happens to all of us as some point. But what I’m trying to better understand is this whole concept of self-control.

So many times in the Bible we are told to display self-control. But it’s hard to display self-control when it feels like someone else does things out of our control and yanks our emotions into a bad place, i.e. our children seem to have mastered this.

So, here’s one tidbit I’m learning. When someone else’s actions or statements threaten to pull me into a bad place, I have a choice. I really do. My choice is whether or not to give them the power to control my emotions. I have also learned that “monkey see, monkey do.” If I react out-of-control with my kids, they are going to learn that behavior as well.

When I react by yelling, flying off the handle or making a snappy comment back, I have lost the battle and taught my child to act the same. So, it seems to me if I’m going to remain self-controlled, I have to have let Jesus work in me. When I react according to God’s Word, I feel His power. When I react contrary to God’s Word, I feel powerless and end up yelling and getting upset.

Isaiah 55:10-11 is such a good reminder of how we can tap into God’s power no matter what situation we are facing:

So it is my word (referring to God’s word)
that will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (God speaks this)

Did you catch that? The answer to having God’s power work in me to produce self-control is to let His Word get inside me. His Word seeping into my mind and my heart will accomplish things – good things – powerful things – things that help me display self-control.

So, here’s a tactic to try. When facing a situation where someone is getting on the last good nerve you have, start quoting God’s Word in the present tense. Take 1 Peter 5:6-8 for example.

In this moment I’m choosing to be self-controlled and alert. Your actions are begging me to yell and lose control. But, I realize I have an enemy, and that enemy is not you. The devil is prowling and roaring and looking to devour me through my own lack of control right now. But, I am God’s girl. That’s right. I am. So, I am going to humbly and quietly let God have His way in me right now. And when I do this, God will lift me and my frayed nerves up from this situation and fill me with a much better reaction than what I can give you right now. So, give me just a few minutes and then we’ll calmly talk about this.

Girl, that’s some power right there. Count to 10, focus on God’s word, and I bet you will find yourself a little calmer than before. With practice, you will be shining with self-control with your kids, spouse and friends.

Dear Lord, I am reminded I am Your child. You created me and know me. And therefore, You designed my heart, mind and soul to receive and respond to the power in your Word. When I lack my own power to be self-controlled help me to turn to Your truth for good, calm responses to be a good example to my children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.