MOPS Convention. November 26, 2008

I spent October 2-5 in Dallas, Texas, at the MOPS International Annual Convention.  It was my first time attending Convention, and I was in no way prepared for the amazing time I had.  I traveled with 3 other ladies from my church: Pacifica, Nina, and Christy.  I only casually knew these women before our trip, but after spending these few days together, I feel as though we’ll be lifelong friends.  The 4 of us had a wonderful time bonding together, sharing with each other, laughing, staying up until all hours of the night talking, and drinking coffee!

Convention was held at the beautiful Gaylord Texan Resort just outside of Dallas.  The hotel was huge (it was Texas, after all!) and gorgeous.  I tried to take some photos of the center of the hotel, but I had little time and even less camera battery.  Unfortunately, my camera died on the evening of the 4th!

The theme of MOPS this year is “Adventures in Mothering”.  We certainly had plenty of adventures at Convention!  This theme will continue through the year in the discussions at each MOPS group around the country.  I was awestruck by the extent of Convention.  I’m struggling to even find words to describe my feelings.  On our first night, during the general session, there was a duo of acrobats who performed Cirque Du Soleil-type stunts in front of an audience of 6,000 moms.  It was amazing!  I never expected Convention to be larger-than-life, but at the same time to reach moms exactly where they are and give practical, real-world advice!

We were treated to excellent musical performances every day.  Jaci Velasquez, Plum, Go Fish, and Avalon all put on incredible shows for us!  I was expecting worship music, but not concerts!  Our worship leader was Grammy winner Kim Hill.  The music was one of the best parts of Convention for me, because music speaks to my heart like almost nothing else can.

Compassion International had a booth at the Resource Fair.  Alex & I already sponsor a little boy from the Dominican Republic through Compassion, but I’d been thinking for a long time about sponsoring another child.  I especially wanted to find a little girl from an AIDS-affected area in Africa.  I believe I found the perfect child to sponsor during Convention.  Her name is Ruth and she lives in Burkina Faso.  I’ve already received two letters from her, and am thrilled to be her sponsor!

Oh, did I mention that we also managed to attend workshops and general information sessions about how to make our MOPS group as successful as it can be?  All of the sessions I attended were wonderfully put together.  After leaving Convention, I truly felt prepared to begin our program at Andrews.  I can’t wait to see how God uses our group and our willing hearts to equip mothers in our community.  Better moms make a better world!

Click any of the photos to see more from our trip!

AWANA! September 19, 2008

AWANA started for the year on Tuesday the 16th!  I’m co-leading T&T this year with my dear friend Sarah and two other wonderful people (Ro & William).  I’m really excited about this year!  We had pretty good attendance the first week, but I’m hoping the class will grow throughout the year.  We had 10 girls and one poor lone boy!

I can tell that leading these kids is going to be a whole different ballgame from leading Sparks last year.  They are older and seem more prone to daydreaming.  And yet, they are more mature and are ready to ask really tough questions.  I know they will challenge me and help me to grow.  Hopefully along the way we will guide them to begin really thinking about their faith instead of accepting verbatim what others tell them.

I’m excited that we have a full year to hold Club instead of just a few months.  I feel like I’ll get to connect with my clubbers much more than I was able to last year.  Club has also been extended by 15 minutes each week.  This doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but I’m sure it will make a big difference in how much we are able to accomplish each week – particularly during Handbook Time!  I am longing to see growth in these kids as well as in myself.  Lord willing we will have a wonderful year of growth and FUN!

This week, in review. September 5, 2008

I love blogging, so I’m not sure why I keep putting it off.  Actually, I take that back – it’s because I hate blogging without including photos, and I’ve been way too lazy to take or upload them this week.  But something about the morning light inspires me, and I finally ventured out today.  (Pictures right, bottom, and in About-face.)

Last weekend, one of Alex’s friends from work stayed with us.  He would’ve been stranded at his house all weekend (his vehicle-operating roommate was on vacation), so Alex offered him our guest room.  I felt bad that we’re sort of homebodys and there wasn’t much exciting to do!  We spent many hours playing Rock Band, though, and I have to say I’m becoming a better fake drummer every day.

On Saturday, our friends Cody & Phil from back home came over for dinner.  Cody goes to school in NoVA, and Phil was out visiting him over the long weekend.  We grilled out and had more food than all of us possibly could’ve eaten – despite the fact that I forgot to serve the chips and potato salad!  It was wonderful to see both of them again and re-connect with what we’re all doing these days.

Monday was a glorious, work-free day.  We went to Old Town to take advantage of some Labor Day sales.  I was particularly excited about Crate & Barrel’s advertised 70% off.  Though nothing I got actually ended up being on sale (a new toilet bowl brush, cutting board, and hamper), I was glad that I finally got to use the gift card given to us at our wedding.  Of course, a trip to Old Town wouldn’t be complete without eating at La Madeline and shopping at Ann Taylor LOFT.  Loft was having quite the sale themselves, and I got a couple of shirts for $17.  A bargain, if you ask me!  (Which you obviously did.)  Monday evening was spent with friends.  Maery Beth & Jason Turner hosted a cook-out for friends & neighbors.  I had a wonderful time relaxing, eating good food, and talking with friends!

Tuesday was spent doing catch-up from the weekend: laundry, cleaning up the first floor, ironing, and doing dishes.  We had the second fencing contractor out to give us an estimate.  Though his initial estimate was almost double the other company’s (!), he decided to match their price.  I had been hoping that one or the other would be lower, and that would make our decision for us, but no such luck!  I suspect that if we do decided to install the fence, we’ll go with the second company.  The man seemed very dedicated to his work and told me about a couple of features that his price included that his competitor’s didn’t.  We haven’t made the final decision on whether to put one in or not – it’s the price of the fence plus the price of a lawnmower.  Yet it would be so nice to have a contained backyard, with Oscar and with new job possibilities… more on that later.

Last night Bible Study was at my house.  I love hosting, but boy – it felt cramped!  Next time I think I’ll have to scoot back the couch to make room for additional dining room chairs in the living room!  Our discussion seemed more weighty and delved deeper than it normally does, at least in my opinion.  I have a burden to be transparent with these wonderful women, and last night that seemed to come to a head.  I know that personally I need more accountability and revalation of my sins.  Hopefully very soon I will have an accountability partner – someone who can really get in my face and love me to the point of hurting my feelings!  I feel somewhat like a caterpillar wanting to emerge from her coccoun, to employ an old cliche.  Nevertheless, I yearn for change in my own heart more than I have for months.  Now there’s cause for a smiley-face sticker for God!

Drizzle, drazzle. August 28, 2008

Today was a rainy one.  I love taking pictures of drips & drops, splitters & splatters. (Click here or the photo to see more pictures from today.)  I left the windows open and it got downright chilly in the house – I had to put on a sweatshirt!

Alex & I would like to put in a fence in the backyard for Oscar.  Today a man came over from one of the two base-approved contractors to measure and give me an estimate.  Holy smokes, it’s way more than I thought it’d be!  I’d really like to have the fence for Oscar, but I don’t know if spending more than a thousand dollars to upgrade someone else’s property is something we should do.  If it was our own, permanent home, I’d do it in a heartbeat.  Someone from the other company will be coming on Tuesday to give us his estimate, and then I guess we’ll make a decision.  A thousand dollars… that’s a lot of tour money!

Bible Study is tonight.  I look forward to Thursday evenings all week.  The women are so kind, and it’s so nice to be plugged in to a group with the same values as I have.  I always leave feeling refreshed, connected, and ready to tackle my flaws for another week.  Of all the things I know I’ll miss when we leave, it’s definitely this group of very special women.  I’m trying to not take them for granted now, but instead appreciate every gathering we’re blessed to share!