Ladies,

What a wonderful evening!

Mrs. Lynn did such an awesome job sharing from her heart… Words of wisdom that we can all take and put into practice.

I wanted to give you all that info, as promised… So here it goes:

MARRIAGE/DATE INFORMATION:

Love and Respect Materials : Videos and other information are on this site. Take a few moments and browse through the materials. You’ll be so glad you did!

Cheap Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day : Dave Ramsey

The Great Date Experiment: Date #1 Check out all the resources online about the Date Experiment as well!

To register for the MOPS Date Night- please click HERE. Remember the deadline is Feb. 8th. Childcare will be provided in the preschool hallway.

SMALL GROUPS:

To sign up for a small group please email fbcttmops@gmail.com

The open classes are:

Tuesdays @ 7:30pm : Help! Being a Mommy leaves me no time for God, Facilitated by Bonnie Six, Meeting at  Bonnie’s Home

Thursdays @ 9:30 am : Conversations on Parenting, Facilitated by Cherie Miller, Meeting at FBCTT Childcare provided, please include number of children and ages in your email.

More things to come, including pics from the meeting.

Keep checking back!

At our December meeting, we took a look inward, asking ourselves, “Where’s My Focus this Christmas?” We spent some time enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas … Mommy Style and  an entertaining skit helped to remind us that the true meaning of the season isn’t rooted in toys, decorations, cards or sale ads… rather it’s all about the greatest gift ever given to the world: Jesus.

Renee Blain led us in a time of caroling and Mr. Bockus shared a beautiful song from his heart, “Start at the Manger.”

Here are the words to this touching song:

Start at the Manger on a cold winters night

Look for the star in the sky – then follow its light

It leads to a Saviour, for a world that is lost

Start at the Manger then go to the cross

Start at the Manger on a cold winters night

At the child in the hay, the gift of our Father in heaven

The price he would pay, to save all his children, no matter the cost

Start at the Manger then go to the cross

Imagine that you own the wealth of the world – all of its silver and gold

What good will it do when tomorrow arrives, and your heart is empty and cold

Start at the Manger where redemption began

When Jesus stepped down from his throne, to die as a man

All of our riches we will count them as loss

If we start at the Manger then go to the cross

Imagine that you own the wealth of the world – all of its silver and gold

What good will it do when tomorrow arrives, and your heart is empty and cold

Start at the Manger on a cold winters night, looking for the star in the sky

Then follow its light, It leads to a Saviour for a world that is lost

Start at the Manger then go to the cross

What a great evening of celebrating and remembering to focus on the true meaning of Christmas!

Our sponsor for the November meeting was You Do the Dishes. So, it was only natural for us to make it our Mom’s Night Out! Right before Christmas, it was also the perfect time to create some unique gifts!

At our November meeting our MOPS mentors shared what they bring to the table, both literally and figuratively!

They created adorable place settings that shared their style and then they answered questions based out of their God given strengths.  We also collected our boxes for Operation Christmas Child!  Mrs. Mary brought in her chocolate fondue pot, which happened to be the perfect ending to a super fun and sweet evening!

October’s meeting started off at “Melanie’s Floral Shop,” one more stop along our journey on Planet Mom. We feasted on delicious pasta from our monthly sponsor, Antonio’s Pasta Grille and 2 lucky ladies won gift certificates to dine there again! Thank you to Antonio’s! Be sure to stop by their Temple Terrace location at: 11401 North 56th Street – Suite 23.

The wonderful Martha Ree Collins stopped by to share her wonderful tips for inexpensive and creative decorations for Fall. How encouraging to learn of such great ideas that can be accomplished quickly and for very little expense! One of our moms, Elizabeth, had the opportunity to make a pumpkin centerpiece, just in time for the Fall season! We also reflected on the garden of our mind, realizing how many weeds have taken root over the years and seeing how easily they can be replaced with the truth of God’s Word!

The lies and truths that we discussed are included below. We continue to pray that each woman was challenged and inspired to commit her month to the process of allowing God’s Word to weed the garden of her mind, cultivating it into a luscious and beautiful masterpiece!

We’re looking forward to our November meeting! See you there!

Lie: It is my responsibility to change my mate.
Truth: A godly life and prayer are a wife’s two greatest means of influencing her husband’s life.
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ²when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2

Lie: I am not young enough, pretty enough, wise enough, Godly enough and I’m certainly not as cute and tiny as I was on my wedding day.
Truth: – A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

Charm is deceptive and beautify is fleeting, but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:10, 17, 30

Lie: I can make it without consistent time in prayer.
Truth: In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.  Psalm 5:3

Lie: I’ll be happy when I have a better house, better clothes and a better car. I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings.
Truth: Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25

Lie: I can’t help how I respond when my hormones are out of whack. It’s understandable to act like a shrew at certain times)
Truth:Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:10
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26

Lie: Children need to get exposed to the real world, so that they can learn to function in it.

Truth: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:10-11

Lie: We are not responsible for how our children turn out.
Truth: Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Lie: There are many paths to God
Truth: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Lie: I am a good person, so I know I’m going to heaven
Truth: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Lie: God’s ways are restrictive
Truth: The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness. Deuteronomy 6:24-25

Lie: My sin is not that bad
Truth : If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us 1 John 1:8

Lie: I do believe in God, I don’t have to pray any specific prayer to go to Heaven.
Truth: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

What a wonderful time we had this month at our Mom’s Night Out! About 12 of us got together at Cafe Kili to enjoy yummy coffee, hot tea and lots of great conversation! We shared and swapped books and movies, all leaving with more than we anticipated! It was an awesome evening of getting to know one another better and spending time sharing fun stories about our children, the books they love to read, the ones that we’ve got memorized and to just relax with other moms!

We sure hope to see you at the next Mom’ Night Out! It’s going to be lots of fun!! Get ready for the big “Reveal” at the meeting this week!!

I just wanted to send out a great big thank you to our September Sponsor, SerenBe Day Spa.

Beyond sponsoring our meeting, they donated a wonderful door prize (Congrats to Tammy F. who won it, on her anniversary, nonetheless), and some great discounts for our ladies as well.

If you’ve never been to SerenBe Day Spa before; check them out- and don’t forget to tell them FBCTT MOPS sent you!

This year, at FBCTT MOPS, we’re focusing on Life On Planet Mom.

Sometimes, in the midst of all the daily tasks of mothering, we can begin to feel alone. It seems as though no one really understands! Our desire is that this year, we connect with those in our community who are in the same place as us. In this busy time of parenting preschoolers, we’re never really alone. Whether we’re changing diapers, battling potty training, teaching colors, letters and yes, even good manners- there is always someone to walk alongside of us.

MEETING RECAP:

As we sat around our tables chatting, laughing and sipping on yummy coffee, we began to realize that there are other women who are traveling this journey on Planet Mom at the same speed as us! How exciting to see first hand that we’re not alone.

Most importantly, this month, we were reminded that Jesus Christ desires to walk with us on this journey too. As moms we often try to pour so much into our daily lives, that we forget to take any time to talk with The One who owns it all anyways! We become rushed, frustrated and exhausted. Our lives, though very full, seem very empty. Yet, when we allow Jesus to cover all of our activities, He will rise up, lift us up and bring purpose and joy to even our mundane tasks.

Remember,”I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” -John 10:10

Take a few moments this month to refocus and to allow Christ to dwell both in your hearts and to be a part of your daily life!

DON’T FORGET:

Mom’s Night Out- Sept. 14th; Book Swap at the Coffee Shop 7-9pm

Playdate: Toddler Time Sept. 24th 10-Noon FBCTT Gym

We hope to see you there!

Welcome to First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace’s MOPS Group. We are excited that you’ve stopped by our blog and we hope that soon we’ll get to meet you in person.This year is going to be incredible, as we discover what it’s like to live “On Planet Mom!”

Sometimes we certainly feel alone on this journey, but take heart, there are many women right here in our community who are experiencing the ups and downs of mothering, just like you!

Why not stop by on September 3rd, from 6-8 and see for yourself! We’ll have yummy food, lots of fun and some great conversations. Soon, you’ll be walking the mothering adventure with many women by your side! Childcare for your little ones will be provided, as well as a pizza dinner they are sure to love.

If you’re thinking you can’t wait another moment for the promise of an evening of peace, rest and laughter, then just click here and register! It’ll let us know you’re coming and we’ll be sure to save a spot for you and your children.

We hope to see you there!!

* MOPS meets upstairs in the children’s wing at First Baptist Church Temple Terrace
10002 N 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 988-1138

We had a great response from our MOPS End of the Year Survey and enjoyed hearing all your comments on how we can make next year even better! If you ever have ideas, suggestions, etc. please feel free to post a comment on the blog, add a note on our Facebook Page or send an email. We always love to hear from you!

Now, the much anticipated announcement….