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If you are interested in joining us, please email glmopsreg@gmail.com so we can confirm whether or not we have a spot still available. 

MOPS Recap - Tina Sellers

It is always so FUN to have Tina Sellers at MOPS! This year, she talked about how we know when we are burned out and what we do about it. She said we have to say "even if burnout is 'normal', we choose to live our life in a joyful way."

She introduced us to the 5 Ts of Pleasure:

• Time
• What do you stop doing that is good for your health and happiness when you become tight on time?
• Thoughts
• Where does your thinking tend to go south when you are not taking care of yourself?
• Talking
• When and why is it hard for you to own your own desires?
• Touching
• Make sure there is varied touch in your life - affectionate, playful, sensual
• Trysts
• Build in fun surprises - it will ALWAYS and FOREVER take intention!

A question she left us with that has resonated with me - When our kids are grown, what kind of memories do we want them to have of our family?

Resources:

Tina Sellers - Sex, God, and the Conservative Church

Peggy Orenstein - Girls and Sex

Emily Nagoski - Come As You Are

Northwest Institute on Intimacy

MOPS Recap - Infertility and Adoption

Wow, what a morning hearing the Benders share their long journey with infertility and eventually adoption. They were so brave and faithful to share their story.

I think we all learned something new about the infertility process - whether how expensive, or how long, or how emotional - it is truly a difficult journey to take.

Some take-aways from their talk:

• Be sensitive to women going through this process - sometimes they don't want to talk and just need you to be there and support them. Try not to ask too many questions, but gauge what it is they need from you.
• Be sensitive to men going through this process - they usually don't want to talk! But being there for them is the best thing you can do.
• Don't assume you know what someone is going through on their journey to motherhood - every person's story is so different. Try not to compare.

Thank you to the Benders for being so open with us!

MOPS Recap - Positive Parenting

We always love when the ladies from Positive Parenting come and share with us! I love how, during Alpha week, Anne said I know all of this sounds too good to be true and we understand this doesn't always work, but she just wants to encourage us with new ways to approach our kids.

A few take-aways from their talk:

• 3 prevention tools for siblings' misbehavior when welcoming a new baby
• Don't blame the new baby
• Make special time
• Observe and empathize
• How can you be with kids in conflict and not be in the middle of it?
• Coaching instead of controlling
• Take a deep breath and try to get calm
• Describe the situation without judgment
• Find solution that works for both kids
• Children don't need to be treated equally, they need to be treated uniquely.

If you missed this talk, see your mentor mom about getting the handout with some other great tips!

Resources:
http://www.positiveparentingseattle.com/
Dr. Laura Markham - Peaceful Parenting, Happy Siblings
Adele Faber - Siblings without Rivalry

MOPS Recap Week 4

What a blessing to have Kendy Easley remind us how gratitude changes our perspective. I hope as you celebrated Thanksgiving this past week with family and friends you had a chance to slow down and reflect on how many blessings we all have.

Are you a person who lives in the past? the present? the future? How can you focus on being grateful while living in each of those "times"...instead of regret, worry, fear. Focus on this: whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE. If we aren't bestowed a grateful heart, we have to develop and cultivate it.

Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Follow-up questions:
-How do we find a rhythm or posture of gratitude in these years as a new mom or while mothering small children?
-How do we support each other with forms of gratitude?
-How do we find gratitude in the midst of hard or dark days/seasons?
-How will we hold onto gratitude in the midst of a busy, emotional holiday season?

Kendy also recommended the devotional Savor by Shauna Niequist. You can get in touch with Kendy at kendye@churchbcc.org.