Ginger's Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

1 cup cranberries coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 TBS grated orange peel
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda
2 TBS butter
3/4 cup orange juice
1 beaten egg
Grease and flour pans. Prepare cranberries, nuts and orange peel. Set aside. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and soda. Cut in butter. Stir in juice, egg, and orange peel. Fold in cranberries and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 min. Makes 1 loaf

Christmas Mops

We had another fun time at Mops last week! More yummy food, including Monkey Bread from Carlee. Our speaker, Linda was icebound, so her Mother, Willa graciously spoke for her. Linda had made these wonderful gingerbread ornaments for us!

Good Article

The Eschatology of Parenting
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Yesterday I helped a toddler clean up a 44 ounce cup of Coke Zero he’d spilled everywhere (yes, it was mine; and no, there were not 44 ounces left remaining in it when he found it). I answered forty questions about whether Jesus made Lego blocks (so stay tuned for my new sermon series on “The Logos and the Legos”). And I disciplined a tantrum thrower and a sulker.

All of that was about the end times.

When we think of Christian eschatology, we tend to think first of prophecy charts or apocalyptic novels, but nothing is more eschatological than parenting.

A parent disciplining a child, for instance, communicates to the child the discipline and judgment of God in ways deeper and more resonant than any Sunday school lesson (Heb 12:5-11). A parent who will not discipline a child for disobedience, or who is inconsistent in doing so, is teaching that child not to expect consequences for behavior.

In short, a parent who will not discipline is denying the doctrine of hell.

At the same time, a parent who disciplines in anger or with harshness teaches a judgment of God that is capricious and unjust. An abusive parent, worst of all, ingrains in a child’s mind a picture of God as a ruthless devil who cannot be trusted to judge justly.

Parental discipleship and discipline ought always to have repentance and restoration in view, picturing a God who is both just and the justifier (Rom 3:26). Discipline should be swift and fair with quick reconciliation between parent and child. Long periods of “time out” do not communicate the discipline of God; they communicate the isolation and exile of hell.

Parents who spend time with their children, especially at meals, demonstrate something of the harmony they want their children to long for beyond this life. It’s a longing to eat at another Father’s table in the kingdom of Christ.

Moreover, we should teach children to respect and acknowledge authority, attributes necessary for citizens of a democracy for a short time, yes, but more necessary for subjects of a kingdom forever. Teaching children to refer to adults as “Mr. Smith” or “Mrs. Jones” or “Pastor Doe” and to say “sir” and “ma’am” (or the culturally equivalent signifiers of authority) is about more than politeness. It is training children to recognize proper hierarchy and authority when the veil is lifted and we see face to face.

Those of you who are parents probably grow weary and discouraged sometimes. I know I do. It seems as though you’re not “getting through” sometimes, that your children aren’t responding the way you thought they would. Keep hugging. Keep kissing. Keep chastising. Keep teaching. This is a long-term project. You’ve got a long-term project in front of you. And there’s a lot at stake.

After all, parenting isn’t about behavior modification. It’s about Christian eschatology.

Russel Moore, Southern Theological Seminary

Together

"It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there's no one to help, tough! By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, The Message

Next Tuesday

Next Tuesday, our very own Linda Galle will be speaking to us about Christmas and traditions. We are really looking forward to hearing all she has to say! She is always great!

What are some of your Holiday traditions?

Fun Times!

We had fun last Tuesday at our meeting. Ginger, one of our Mentor Moms brought these amazing ornament cupcakes, Carlee showed us how to make fun cards, and brand new baby Leslie came to visit us! Fun times!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving all you Mommies!!! We are thankful for you!

Preschool Craft Idea

Make your Own Fall Ornament

First gather these materials.
Flour
Water
Salt
Toothpicks
Red, Orange and Yellow Paint, such as non-toxic poster paints or acrylics
Paint brushes
Leaves—scour the yard or neighborhood for all the shapes and sizes that catch your child’s eye
Let’s Start!

Remember! Always supervise your child throughout the project.
Mix equal amounts of flour and water with a little salt to make the dough. This dough will harden on its own, so no baking will be required.
Divide and roll the dough into small balls and flatten them to about 1/8-inch thick.
Press the leaves into the dough, and gently peel them off to remove them, leaving the imprint of the leaf in the dough.
With your toothpick, poke a hole through the top of your ornament. Make it large enough to later thread a thin ribbon or piece of yarn through. Let the ornament harden thoroughly.
Once solid, paint your ornaments in fall colors. Or create multi-colored leaves! Let your child be expressive!
After the paint is completely dry, string bright- or complimentary-colored yarn or ribbon through the holes, and adorn your house with the beauty of autumn! Everyone cherishes handmade crafts. So encourage your child to make a few to give as gifts, too.
These leaves leave a lasting impression! Happy fall! (from Gerber.com)

Painting Plates

Thanks to Angela, we had a fun craft today at Mops, painting pictures on glass plates. Some used a pattern, and some amazed us and painted free hand. We all agreed that it was a fun time and it was nice to complete a task without interruption.

First Mops Meeting!

Needs::

1. Table leaders: Each table will have a leader that facilitates the discussion at the table. Discussion questions will be provided and will be on the topic the speaker spoke about. The table leader should be a member of the MOPS group. There is no prep work for this job but this person may be asked to contact the ladies at their table once a month to remind them of upcoming events. There will be 2 MOPS meeting per month.
2. Mentor moms: Each table will also have their own mentor mom. THe mentor mom is a mother of older or grown children (not a member of the mops group). The mentor mom will be a source of encouragement to the young moms at her table. This job will not have prep work during the week but the mentor mom is asked to be at every meeting (2 per month) to bond with the moms and be available to answer their questions and take part in the group discussion. 3. Nursery care: Someone has volunteered to run and organize the Bible lesson that the children will be doing during the meetings but she would also like to take part in the meetings every other time. So we need someone that could be in charge in the nursery once a month. Also we need a handful of people that are willing to help in there as there will be many children.

Please prayerfully consider helping with this ministry. We need help in getting it off the ground for our first meeting (October 21st). The group will meet the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 to noon. We are confident that God will provide for these needs! Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you! -Pamela Emrich

Mops International Convention

If you wanted to go to the Mops International Convention, but couldn't make it, here is the live blog. This way we don't feel quite so left out! :)

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to our fearless leaders, Pam and Angela! Thank you for all of your hard work and your heart for moms! We love you both!

Praise!

I am so thankful to report that we have a Moppets leader! Janice Krieger will take on that wonderful responsibility. She will be teaching the children some Preschool Child Evangelism Fellowship curriculum. We are praying that her co-worker from CEF will be able to teach every other meeting. We are still in need of volunteers to help Janice out and to do child care for the younger ones. Please let us know if this is something you would like to do! We also have opportunities for Mentor Moms, Discussion Table leaders, and Hospitality help.
The cost for this year of MOPS will be $24.oo (Mops International fee) and then $10 a month. This pays for your membership into MOPS, which includes a bi monthly magazine pertaining to Moms, devotional emails, e newsletters, discounts and special offers in the MOP shop and from their sponsors. The monthly fee includes child care, food, a craft once a month, door prizes, and lots of other special touches!
Please comment here, or see Pam, Angela, or Amy on Sunday to fill out a registration form if you want to get started!
We can't wait to see you in October!

Start Date!

October 21st will be our first official Mops meeting! We will be meeting the first and third Tuesday of every month from 10:00-12:00.
This will be a great time of fellowship with other Moms, crafts, food, speakers . . . and your children will have a blast too in their own classroom!

We do need some volunteers to help with the childcare and to lead the Moppets. This is our most urgent need. We do have other opportunities for you to serve as well. Please leave a comment here or contact one of us if you need more information!

Welcome to our Mops Blog!