So you've all met the Titus 2 Mentor Moms right? Well, here's a little bit about them so you can get to know them more. Just in case today wasn't enough for you, or maybe you missed today (we missed you too!) I asked Barb, Carol and Tina 3 questions, so without further ado, here's their answers.
What's your favorite book?
Barb: The Bible, and I've really enjoyed reading it this last year and seeing the way God continually forgives those who repent, and how His plan for redemption is clearly woven throughout the Old Testament. Those written by humans: Anything by Francine Rivers, like Redeeming Love. I really enjoy her style and the way she hits my heart. Secular author, a new one to me, Emily Griffin (at least I think that's her name). I occasionally read a book written by a non-Christian, and I found myself hysterical over Something Borrowed, and the sequel Something Blue. They were about real, worldly friends (totally carnal) but I liked them because there really are people like them out there, and it helps me see real life through the eyes of the unsaved (and makes me thankful that I'm not there!). And, I laughed throughout both books!
Carol: One of my favorite books is Witness by Whittaker Chambers. (Usually my favorite book is the one I'm reading at the moment, but this one is an all-time favorite.) Witness is the biography of Mr. Chambers that includes his dramatic escape from being a KGB agent in the communist party in America and the way God used this humble, private man in a very painfully public trial. He wrote the book so his children would know the truth. He suffered for truth. His story made a big impact on me as a college student and again when I reread it a few years ago.
Tina: Hard to pick THE "favorite" but this is one that I have loved: Life of the Beloved by Henry Nouwen. It is a beautiful affirmation of the truth that I am the beloved daughter of the God of the universe and that this knowledge is the source of my greatest joy and peace and purpose in life.
What scripture was most meaningful to you in the last year?
Barb: Most meaningful Scripture--this one takes pondering...this probably sounds kind of odd, but I was really impacted by Daniel 1:8, where it says "But Daniel PURPOSED IN HIS HEART that he would not defile himself...." I think that in order to remain pure and "undefiled" in the world we live in, we have to make some decisions ahead of time, and have a plan for when certain situations arise. If we're thrown into things without a plan, then we are far more likely to error and do something with lasting negative consequences. This is what I'm trying to teach Kristina regarding dating and other situations that she faces in high school.
Carol: A passage of Scripture that has meant a lot to me over the last year is Psalm 103. It is a psalm that says a lot about who God is, but near the end, it says this, "Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." It reminds me of who I am compared to who He is. When I feel overwhelmed, I am comforted and reminded to wait on Him because He knows my frailty, my weakness. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." He created me for a purpose and he'll walk beside me in the process.
Tina: I have found myself turning again and again to this passage which brings me such comfort as I have faced circumstances that have challenged me to rely fully on His sovereignty and power in my life and in the lives of those I love: Isaiah 42:1-4 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned . . . For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you . . . ."
When you had small children, what was your favorite 'just for me' activity?
Barb: What I did for me when my kids were young--take a bath every night with my favorite book, or almost any book. Amazing, cheap therapy!
Carol: My favorite "just-for-me" activity when my children were small was to escape my house (leaving my husband to baby-sit, of course) to go to a music rehearsal at church. My friends were there. We worked on something beautiful in our time together and I loved it. And it is still my VERY favorite "just-for-me" activity.
Tina: Good question! I found myself doing a lot of sewing - matching outfits for my girls (sometimes even for my son, which his wife thinks are really precious now!) That was really fun for me I also enjoyed reading historical fiction - The Zion Chronicles series and The Zion Covenant series by the Thoenes.
Thank ladies for sharing with us!
9/18/2008
September Newsletter
Can you guess ?
Which mom was once this little monkey's friend?
(Answer at bottom of post.)
God's Words: "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise: you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my lips you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me." PS 139:1-5
Lovely Things:
Trader Joe's shopping list
1. Wheat or Plain pizza dough (you can also buy their pizza sauce). Fun to make with the kids!
2. Dark Chocolate covered Edamame
3. Pasta Medley (a vegetarian entree), but good for meat-eaters too!
4. Freeze Dried strawberries-yummm!
Great Finds from over the Summer:
1. Accordion style organizer from WalMart ($4.85)
2. Iced Coffee's @ McDonalds
3. Pomegranate body spray by Bath $ Body Works
FUN Website:
http://www.cozi.com/
This fabulous website features a free family organizer. It is a place where you can keep track of your grocery list, upload photos of your family, create reminders , store recipes & keep a day-to-day list of activities for every family member, and you can even journal (for those of us who are scrapbook or blog challenged). You can even have your lists & reminders sent to your phone! And it is color coded to! Get cozi!
iTUNEs (Lindsay)
my latest downloads:
1) Before the Throne by Selah
2) One Pure and Holy Passion by Passion
my most embarrassing download:
1) I Got a Man by Positive K
perfect house-cleaning music:
1) Hips Don't Lie by Shakira (Wyclef Jean)
2) Hey Ya! by Outkast
3) He Reigns /Awesome God by Kirk Franklin & Papa San
Pictured at top...Karen (yep that's me!)
9/16/2008
Safety Seat Checkup
The train accident last Friday got me thinking about my kids carseats. They're growing like weeds and its time to check to make sure they still fit in them correctly...and of course once the ball starts rolling in my head. Anyway, I came across this press release today, and so I'm putting it on her for you!
It only takes a little bit of time and it could save a life. Go check your kids today. Make sure they're seats are installed correctly and they fit properly. If you need help, make an appointment or drop by this saftey check. I made an appointment myself so maybe I'll see you there!!
------
Safety Seat Checkup Coming to Glendora
More than ninety percent of the children who attended safety seat checkups in the Los Angeles area this year were buckled up incorrectly.
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. is offering parents the opportunity to have their children’s safety seats inspected at a safety seat checkup at Glendora Market Place (in front of Sam’s Club), 1301 S. Lone Hill Avenue, Glendora, on October 1, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Parents and caregivers may call the Safe Ride Helpline, (310) 222-6860, week day afternoons, to make an advance checkup appointment.
Teams of nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and other trained volunteers will inspect each safety seat to make sure it fits the child properly, is correctly secured, and is in the safest possible location in the vehicle. Older children will be invited to try the 5-Step Test to find out if they fit properly in the vehicle safety belts or require use of a booster.
Reprinted in part from SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. press release.
View the full release at http://www.carseat.org/
It only takes a little bit of time and it could save a life. Go check your kids today. Make sure they're seats are installed correctly and they fit properly. If you need help, make an appointment or drop by this saftey check. I made an appointment myself so maybe I'll see you there!!
------
Safety Seat Checkup Coming to Glendora
More than ninety percent of the children who attended safety seat checkups in the Los Angeles area this year were buckled up incorrectly.
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. is offering parents the opportunity to have their children’s safety seats inspected at a safety seat checkup at Glendora Market Place (in front of Sam’s Club), 1301 S. Lone Hill Avenue, Glendora, on October 1, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Parents and caregivers may call the Safe Ride Helpline, (310) 222-6860, week day afternoons, to make an advance checkup appointment.
Teams of nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and other trained volunteers will inspect each safety seat to make sure it fits the child properly, is correctly secured, and is in the safest possible location in the vehicle. Older children will be invited to try the 5-Step Test to find out if they fit properly in the vehicle safety belts or require use of a booster.
Reprinted in part from SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. press release.
View the full release at http://www.carseat.org/
9/12/2008
THAT mom or Supermom?
Today, my dear dear husband woke me up late. Now granted I am a grown up myself and could choose to not rely on him as my morning alarm, but usually this system works great. Until this morning. This morning I was awoken to, "Honey, I'm so sorry, it's already 8 [Emma has preschool at 8:30], I was just going to check email for a minute..."
Okay, no worries, I am supermom. So we got the kids up got all 3 of us dressed, because not only does Emma have preschool, but women's biblestudy starts at 9am. I get a nutritionaly balanced breakfast for the kids [read toaster waffles - plain] and work on Emma's lunch. This morning she requests peanut butter, and because I'm super mom and even though I know we'll be late, I make peanut butter instead of throwing in crackers and a cheese stick.
I grab the diaper bag [and the things that go in it] and the kiddos and we make it to preschool only 10 minutes late. Whew!
We're doing fine, because I'm still 5 minutes early for biblestudy. I take charge of some tiny nursery things, and I'm feeling pretty accomplished by the time I sit for biblestudy brunch.
But during the video, I realize - I was supposed to bring snack for preschool! Whoops, and snack happened 45 minutes ago. Oh well, I say, I'll bring it on Monday, things happen.
Biblestudy ends, and I pick up Audrey from the nursery, where I realize, we can't run errands after picking Emma up from preschool, because Audrey hasn't had a morning nap [why won't this child sleep in the nursery?] and can barely stay awake on the 8 minute drive to the preschool. Oh well, we'll work those errands in this afternoon sometime. After all, I'm still supermom, right?
So in I go to apologize for snack and we laugh a little and chat when the aid says, "Oh, Emma had peanut butter for lunch today." And I'm thinking, oh goodness, did she not eat it? did she smear it on the wall? "We're a peanut-free school."
Oh yes. That's right. I am THAT mom. I forgot snack and sent the child a possibly deadly to others lunch. Sigh.
On the way home, I'm contemplating my supermom powers, they seem to be a bit on the fritz. I get the kids settled and check my email only to find I had scheduled a playdate at my home for 8:30am THIS morning.
Some days you just can't win. At least I can't anyway. And though I wish I actually DID have supermom powers, clearly I haven't been granted mine yet.
How often though, as moms, do things not go as planned? Quite a bit in this house. And yet, I try and try to do it all on my own. What an eye opening example of how God asks us daily to rely on him instead of our own strength, ingenuity and supermom powers.
So today, I'm reminded I am THAT mom. The one that needs to rely on God to get me through the day. Cause clearly, I can't do it on my own. But how awesome is He who gives me the strength to do all things. Who's love is greater than all my faults. The lyrics from Stuart Townend's song; (Listen to it now)
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
...
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.
Lord, Let me boast only in you, not gifts, not power, not wisedom - just You! Thank you for ordering my days, even as I mess them up. Give me extra grace today. Amen.
Okay, no worries, I am supermom. So we got the kids up got all 3 of us dressed, because not only does Emma have preschool, but women's biblestudy starts at 9am. I get a nutritionaly balanced breakfast for the kids [read toaster waffles - plain] and work on Emma's lunch. This morning she requests peanut butter, and because I'm super mom and even though I know we'll be late, I make peanut butter instead of throwing in crackers and a cheese stick.
I grab the diaper bag [and the things that go in it] and the kiddos and we make it to preschool only 10 minutes late. Whew!
We're doing fine, because I'm still 5 minutes early for biblestudy. I take charge of some tiny nursery things, and I'm feeling pretty accomplished by the time I sit for biblestudy brunch.
But during the video, I realize - I was supposed to bring snack for preschool! Whoops, and snack happened 45 minutes ago. Oh well, I say, I'll bring it on Monday, things happen.
Biblestudy ends, and I pick up Audrey from the nursery, where I realize, we can't run errands after picking Emma up from preschool, because Audrey hasn't had a morning nap [why won't this child sleep in the nursery?] and can barely stay awake on the 8 minute drive to the preschool. Oh well, we'll work those errands in this afternoon sometime. After all, I'm still supermom, right?
So in I go to apologize for snack and we laugh a little and chat when the aid says, "Oh, Emma had peanut butter for lunch today." And I'm thinking, oh goodness, did she not eat it? did she smear it on the wall? "We're a peanut-free school."
Oh yes. That's right. I am THAT mom. I forgot snack and sent the child a possibly deadly to others lunch. Sigh.
On the way home, I'm contemplating my supermom powers, they seem to be a bit on the fritz. I get the kids settled and check my email only to find I had scheduled a playdate at my home for 8:30am THIS morning.
Some days you just can't win. At least I can't anyway. And though I wish I actually DID have supermom powers, clearly I haven't been granted mine yet.
How often though, as moms, do things not go as planned? Quite a bit in this house. And yet, I try and try to do it all on my own. What an eye opening example of how God asks us daily to rely on him instead of our own strength, ingenuity and supermom powers.
So today, I'm reminded I am THAT mom. The one that needs to rely on God to get me through the day. Cause clearly, I can't do it on my own. But how awesome is He who gives me the strength to do all things. Who's love is greater than all my faults. The lyrics from Stuart Townend's song; (Listen to it now)
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
...
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.
Lord, Let me boast only in you, not gifts, not power, not wisedom - just You! Thank you for ordering my days, even as I mess them up. Give me extra grace today. Amen.
9/09/2008
Meet the Moderators:
Karen
But that's not the GUM I'm actually describing here. I love GUM, which actually stands for Growing Up Mom and if you’re reading this I suspect you already knew.
What you might not know is how we or more specifically I got here. When my first was only months old, I was approached by Lindsay and some women at church and invited to join the moms group they attended at another church. Two years later, our COD church moms were slowly taking over their group - and we tossed around the idea that someone should start a similar group at COD.
So Lindsay did. With much prayer and counsel from staff and pastors and older moms, last year GUM was launched. We meet twice a month to fellowship, do biblestudy, and to pray with other moms in the throws of childrearing and also some Titus 2 moms whom have been there before. While we meet, our kids are in their own classes, with stories and crafts and playtime. As we're growing and engaging and fellowshipping, so are they. And throughout the month we get together to do crafts, adventures, mom's night out and park days. As we’re helping our children grow, we’re Growing Up Mom too.
GUM is better than I could ever have imagined, it meets so many of my needs as a mom with a preschooler and a toddler and it blesses my life immensely.
So I love GUM. And I can't wait to see how the Lord blesses and teaches and stretches me (and all of us) this year.
Lindsay
My journey into motherhood began almost exactly 6 years ago with the birth of my first daughter. I think the pose on the left came more naturally to me and more comfortably than motherhood did. It simply took some time for me to feel my way into motherhood, to discover who God desired for me to be as a mom (wife & friend). I trust God knew what He was doing when He made me a mom, and my growth and the growth of my family will be through His grace.
Growing Up Mom exists because of God's magnificent and timely will. I joined a fabulous mom's group soon after becoming a mom because I was feeling lonely & isolated and I needed the fellowship of other moms (not to mention the laughter from similar mommy "war" stories). After being a part of that group for four years, God moved in my heart to approach COD about starting a Mom's group. God has given me every idea and detail of this group and it truly belongs to Him.
I love this group. I love watching all the moms pull into the parking lot on Thursday mornings, kids in tow. I love the conversation over breakfast (not to mention the size of my breakfast plate). I love when I can, if I really try, hear all 4 of the Titus 2/mentor moms leading their table's in discussion. Oh! to know God is loving us so gracefully and tenderly through our Titus 2 moms-what joy and privilege that is for me! I love how God has given us women the gift of gab and how that gab leads us into great growth with one another and at times such beautiful and incredible vulnerability.
Moms are the best! I am blessed to have Karen on board-she is an incredible team player, has a great sense of humor, and is filled to the brim with talents God loves to use. On that note, I feel like striking the pose shown above in my picture!
Lord, we are yours...even in those moments when you are faced with a diaper blowout of gargantuan proportions and you are wipe-less without a spare onsie....remember you are His and He'll supply grace for the moment (maybe not a wipe), but dear grace.
But that's not the GUM I'm actually describing here. I love GUM, which actually stands for Growing Up Mom and if you’re reading this I suspect you already knew.
What you might not know is how we or more specifically I got here. When my first was only months old, I was approached by Lindsay and some women at church and invited to join the moms group they attended at another church. Two years later, our COD church moms were slowly taking over their group - and we tossed around the idea that someone should start a similar group at COD.
So Lindsay did. With much prayer and counsel from staff and pastors and older moms, last year GUM was launched. We meet twice a month to fellowship, do biblestudy, and to pray with other moms in the throws of childrearing and also some Titus 2 moms whom have been there before. While we meet, our kids are in their own classes, with stories and crafts and playtime. As we're growing and engaging and fellowshipping, so are they. And throughout the month we get together to do crafts, adventures, mom's night out and park days. As we’re helping our children grow, we’re Growing Up Mom too.
GUM is better than I could ever have imagined, it meets so many of my needs as a mom with a preschooler and a toddler and it blesses my life immensely.
So I love GUM. And I can't wait to see how the Lord blesses and teaches and stretches me (and all of us) this year.
Lindsay
My journey into motherhood began almost exactly 6 years ago with the birth of my first daughter. I think the pose on the left came more naturally to me and more comfortably than motherhood did. It simply took some time for me to feel my way into motherhood, to discover who God desired for me to be as a mom (wife & friend). I trust God knew what He was doing when He made me a mom, and my growth and the growth of my family will be through His grace.Growing Up Mom exists because of God's magnificent and timely will. I joined a fabulous mom's group soon after becoming a mom because I was feeling lonely & isolated and I needed the fellowship of other moms (not to mention the laughter from similar mommy "war" stories). After being a part of that group for four years, God moved in my heart to approach COD about starting a Mom's group. God has given me every idea and detail of this group and it truly belongs to Him.
I love this group. I love watching all the moms pull into the parking lot on Thursday mornings, kids in tow. I love the conversation over breakfast (not to mention the size of my breakfast plate). I love when I can, if I really try, hear all 4 of the Titus 2/mentor moms leading their table's in discussion. Oh! to know God is loving us so gracefully and tenderly through our Titus 2 moms-what joy and privilege that is for me! I love how God has given us women the gift of gab and how that gab leads us into great growth with one another and at times such beautiful and incredible vulnerability.
Moms are the best! I am blessed to have Karen on board-she is an incredible team player, has a great sense of humor, and is filled to the brim with talents God loves to use. On that note, I feel like striking the pose shown above in my picture!
Lord, we are yours...even in those moments when you are faced with a diaper blowout of gargantuan proportions and you are wipe-less without a spare onsie....remember you are His and He'll supply grace for the moment (maybe not a wipe), but dear grace.
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