“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge” Proverbs 14:26

This weeks topic will deal with keeping your children safe from the unthinkable-sexual abuse-and what signs to watch for to identify potential predators. Speaker Darleine Arce will teach us “How to spot a predator.” We realize this topic is quite sensitive and may be especially difficult for some more than others. For this reason, we will have a list of counseling resources on hand if anyone should need them. Also, Katie Morgan will be displaying a series of books called Safe Hearts. Each book in this series offers a unique and child-friendly way to talk to your children about keeping themselves safe. There is no pressure to buy; we just wanted to let you know this resource will also be available at this meeting. Our craft this week will be putting together a coloring book to use with our children that also covers the important topic of safety. We should all leave well-equipped to keep our sweet babies as safe as possible.

we will also be collecting baby shower gift items for the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home teen mom residents. This will be our last community outreach collection for the year, so let’s be generous!

Save the Date for RACE for the Orphans, May 5th!! Here is their website if you would like to register: http://racefortheorphans.org

Everyone enjoy your week and we look forward to seeing those smiling faces on Friday!

By the sound of this weeks topic, its like Mops has eyes inside my house. Haha! We  can all agree that this stage in our lives things get a bit chaotic to say the least. What a better way to start off the month of March than with a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Transformation Coach. Flo Bradley will be joining us this Friday to talk about Loving Your M.E.S.S.S Very excited to hear what she has to share with us.

Leadership was so excited to unveil our spring fundraiser at the last meeting. The info was posted by Rachel last week on our Facebook page nd we still have plenty of slots available. Ya’ll this is a fantastic opportunity to get your family photos done for cheap by an amazing photographer and help Mops out! Its a win/win! If you have any questions about this please let us know. The link to sign up is: http://bit.ly/2F30Nuj

First Baptist Preschool will have their Scholastic book fair open for us to shop after our meeting, so come prepared!

Our service project this month will be collecting baby items to donate to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home.  These items will be given to the teen moms who live at the facility as part of a group baby shower in April.  Let’s bless these moms-to-be with diapers, wipes, clothes, etc—anything you would give at a baby shower!  You may leave your unwrapped item at the welcome table as you come in.

There is still time to register for the OT Live event hosted by First Baptist Church on March 3^rd from 9:00-12:00.  This walk through the Old Testament is for anyone 3^rd grade through adults, with additional activities provided for younger children.  Register at fbcnewnan.org by February 28^th!

March birthdays

Katie Beese

Dorothy Murray

Andrea Reese

Elizabeth Thomas

March Anniversaries

Cassie Jackson

Katrina Phillips

Tiffanie Teel

Ashley VanDenBerg

Who of you have already spend hours glued to the tv watching the Olympics? *insert me raising my hand high* It’s different watching as a mom though right? I found myself last night cringing during the half-pipe and getting goosebumps as Shaun White took the gold. Thinking to myself, “aww his mom must be so proud…” and in the same breath, “I could never let my girls do such a daring sport.” I love cheering on our country and watching the Olympians get pumped up. We are bringing the Winter Games to Mops this week! Start stretching now because the competition is going to be fierce. JUST KIDDING! We have some fun events planned that are not all the competitive but there are medals for gold, silver and bronze!

We will also be discussing Mops Leadership 101. Interested in perhaps serving in a leadership capacity next year? Wonder what all goes into being a leader? Make sure to come Friday so you can hear all about the wonderful opportunity to serve.

Last but not least…SPRING FUNDRAISER!! Ya’ll I’m so excited about our fundraiser this spring. When was the last time you and your family had professional photos taken? Well the wait is over! To say the leadership team put their heart and soul into this would be an understatement. Tons more details to come on Friday 🙂

February Birthdays

Margo Skaletski

February Anniversaries:

Dhen Kuehn

Laura Stockman

Upcoming Events in our area: Check out Macaroni Kid for fun activities!

https://peachtreecity.macaronikid.com/events

Happy Valentines Ladies! No go eat some chocolate 🙂

UPDATE: Since we were “iced” out for our last meeting, we have simply shifted the plan for that meeting to this week.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!  We will see you all on Friday, February 2nd!
FYI, the City of Newnan is working on some streetscape projects near First Baptist.  As of this writing the roads are open, but the portion of Madison Street just before you reach the church is one lane.  Please use caution as you make your way to MOPS! (Table leaders have a map to share if you need more info.)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

~Proverbs 3:5-6

This verse speaks to me. How often do we stress out over things out of our control? How often when you are stressed do immediately turn to God? Or do you sit and wallow? I’m extremely guilty of this! Its our sinful nature. However the more time I spend in the word the more I realize He the only one who can bring peace. Where do you turn when you’re stressed? What do you do to eleviate stress? This month lets try and each take some extra time in prayer and turn our stressors over to Him. This Friday we will have speaker Melinda Kantor of Social Enrichment Institute will be presenting on stress management. We are excited to hear her present on this topic!

We will also be making fleece tie blankets at our table to donate to the Pregnancy Center. I’m really excited about this project. What a better way to be a witness to those in our community than take time to make something and donate to those in need.

Breathe in, breathe out. I don’t know about you ladies but the word relax is not a word I use in my vocabulary very often…and when I do it’s usually not in reference to me. We are all hard-working mamas who deserve a lot of relaxation after this Christmas break. Am I right?  Is it just me or has this break from school, Mops meetings and a structured schedule seemed like an eternity?

This Friday we will be having our annual Spa Day!! We will table massages, a nail painting station, Mary Kay makeup makeover, diy essential oil roll-on, dermatology consultations, hand treatments (paraffin wax!) and yoga. Oh and lots of yummy treats provided by leadership. Literally music to all our ears!

PLEASE make sure you read your email from your table leader this week as it will have the link to sign up for the table massage. The spots will fill up quickly!

We are in need of restocking our snack stash for the kids. Please bring a box or bag of peanut-free snacks that we can use for Moppets.

Local Events:

PEACHTREE CITY: PERIWINKLES MOVEMENT AND MUSIC CLASS January session starts Jan 8…check out their website for more info

NEWNAN: Play at Newnan’s Children’s Museum Children Connect, January 6

9:30-4:00pm $5/child

NEWNAN: Baby time at Powell Library, January 9 10:00-11:00am

NEWNAN: Toddler time at Bubbles and Brushes, January 9 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM $3.50/hr

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 

This is one of my favorite versus going into the holiday season. How awesome is our God, to have given His son to save us? Us. Take time for that to sink in…and perhaps take some extra time to sit in prayer this week and thank Him. Also reflect on the all the wonderful things God has brought us throughout the year and to look forward to the coming new year.

This Friday we will have our annual Christmas Paint Party! We are having Bubbles and Brushes come in a help us create a masterpiece. I’m sure it will be something you’ll want to hang above your fireplace 😉 RSVP is required for the painting to ensure we have enough supplies.  If you signed up at your table last week, you’re good; if not, let your table leader know if you plan to come and paint.  If you can’t RSVP for sure, you can still come hang out for food and fun! It will also be an ugly sweater party…time to run out to the thrift store or put those crafting skills to work.

Each of us will be bringing food to share this meeting so please bring one of your favorite dishes!

This week instead of giving you a list of activities happening in the area I have listed some Christmas books you can read to your children this month. Take time to sit down and enjoy some time with those kiddos!

Who is Coming to our House? By Joseph Slate

The Crippled Lamb By Max Lucado

Jesus is Born By Debby Anderson

O Holy Night! By Joan Peterson Tietz

Living Lights: The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving By Jan Berenstain

Benjamin’s Sling By Eileen M. Berry

God Gave Us Christmas By Lisa Tawn Bergren

Ya’ll it’s going to be December in three days! I know we all say this but where did the year go? Good news is this time of year bring so much happiness and joy! The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year. But it is also a season of reflection and preparation for that special day when we mark Jesus’s coming—the arrival of our eternal God in our own frail humanity. Lets take some time each day to seek Jesus through prayer or devotional so we keep him at the center of our Christmas season.

This Friday, Elise Kilgore from Crossroads Church will be sharing a Christmas devotion with us. We are really excited to have her speak this week. We will also have a Christmas ornament craft! Please bring a picture or a few (or favorite graphic) to decorate it. The following picture will explain how to print out pictures so they properly fit on the ornament. (Or just make sure the picture will fit on a 2″ by 2″ block)

Breakfast will be provided by table 4&5.  This week will be our last collection for the year. Food donations this week will benefit St. Vincent de Paul ministry of St. Mary Magdalene Church. Some of the needed food/non food items: jelly, peanut butter, soup, non-refrigerated milk, canned spaghetti (i.e. ravioli, spaghetti-os), toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, clothes detergent. Most of these items can be purchased at Dollar Tree.

This Friday is the deadline to sign up for the online momtrepreneur expo—see Katie Morgan to be included!

Next meeting on 12/15 will be our Christmas paint party with Bubbles and Brushes.  RSVP is required this year so be sure to sign up at your table this week!! This meeting is always a favorite and you won’t want to miss it.

November & December bdays and anniversaries:

November

Jenny Enderlin (Anniv)

Christy Faircloth (Bday)

Chelsey Hicks (Anniv)

Dorothy Murray (Anniv)

Sindija Palombo (Anniv)

Heather Sewell (Bday)

Elizabeth Thomas (Anniv)

December

Dhen Destua (Bday)

Lauren Harp (Bday)

Renee Lamb (Bday)

Rachel Schory (Bday)

Upcoming Events in the Area

Newnan: Barnes&Noble special story time (Polar Express) December 1st at 7-8pm

Sharpsburg: Pancakes with Santa at Willis Elementary December 2nd at 7-11am

Atlanta: The Children’s Christmas Parade in Downtown Atlanta Decemeber 2nd at 10:30am

Senoia: Lights up Senoia December 2nd at 4-8pm

Tyrone: Christmas Tree Lighting at Shamrock Park December 3rd at 5:30pm

Newnan: Drive Thru Nativity at Cornerstone UMC December 8th at 6-9:30pm

also check macaronikid.com for more events!