The Truth Project

Beginning in January, 2010, Covenant will be hosting another study on Focus on the Family's "Truth Project".  The purpose of the Truth Project is to help you develop a Christian worldview in 12 different areas including science, history, and philosophy.  The study is also designed to promote unity among believers as you discuss important ideas and how we should relate to the world we are living in. 

This past Wednesday at MOPS, Dave R. came to present some of the core principles of the Truth Project to us and encourage people to join the study.  He focused on the fact that a Biblical worldview is critical to raising children and that we need to be very aware of where our worldview is coming from because it is what forms our beliefs. 

Here are some specifics for the study starting in January:

13 weekly sessions beginning on Friday, Jan 8, 2010

8th grade minimum age

Location with EITHER be(depending on childcare needs):

~Covenant from 6:30-8:30 with pizza dinner & childcare

~OR at Peterson's from 7-9PM with dessert (no childcare)

To sign-up, call Covenant 215-256-1007

For more info:

~Dave Reich 215-256-0475

~The Truth Project

~Focus on the Family 1

~Focus on the Family 2

"Houston We Have a Problem!" - Toddler Issues

This morning's MOPS meeting was based on dealing with troubles we face as moms with our children and how we can better handle certain situations.  To help us work through some specifics, we invited 3 veteran moms from our church - Stephanie G., Cindy C., and Tammie B.,  who have successfully made it through the baby/toddler years as well as 2 moms from our MOPS group - Allison W. and Diana M., who are in the thick of it right now. 

We gave our group of panel moms several questions to think through before coming to our meeting this morning including:

~Did any of you have very willful children and how did you deal with the stubbornness/temper tantrums/screaming/hitting? Did you find your methods to have positive results and would you do the same thing over again?
~Any helpful hints on potty training - (things that worked for you, getting kids to do #2 on the potty, nighttime training, etc.)?
~How did you deal with sharing in your home (mostly between siblings)? Did you have specific goals or rules that you found helpful when kids were having playtimes?

And here are some of the nuggets of wisdom we were given:
~Deal with willful children NOW and stick to it even though it is exhausting because you will reap the rewards years from now.
~Encourage and praise good things your children do (sharing toys, not whining, etc.) instead of just noticing and disciplining bad behaviour. 
~Pick you battles and think before you speak - but once you draw a line, do not back down!
~When your children are a little older, think about creating an "appeal" process in which they may, with a pleasant tone, give you new information to think about to reconsider your decision. 
~If you are having trouble getting along well with one of your children, try to find fun things that you can do together with that child to create happy memories as a foundation for your relationship. 
~When times are hard it is easy to compare yourself or your child with other moms and kids - beware of that and don't let yourself fall prey to it!
~Whatever you are going through, you are NOT alone in your motherhood journey and someday you will miss these days when your kids are little, so try - even when it's extremely hard, to enjoy every moment! 

Thank you to our wonderful panel - you were all very helpful and so encouraging to us moms!

Sept Playdate

Here are a few pictures from a playdate at Allison's back at the end of September:

Don't Forget!

Here are a few dates coming up to keep in mind:

~Oct 16 -  10AM Hayride at Merrymead Farms.  Contact Diane G. for more info.
~Oct 22 - 10:15AM Hayride at Freddy Hill Farms.  Contact Diane G. for more info.
  Oct 24 - 9-12AM Mommy Market at North Wales Elementary School.  $1 admission.
~Oct 28 - 9:30-11:30AM Playdate at Allison W.'s.
~Nov 13 - 8-11PM Crafting with Company at Covenant. 
~Nov 16-23 Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week (drop off boxes at Covenant)


We also are going to try to finish our service painting project in the Early Education rooms and if you can help us paint that would be great!  Here are a list of Sunday dates (almost every date is the 3rd Sun of the month except Dec) that we will be at Covenant at 6PM to paint:
10-18
11-15
12-6 (3rd Sun is too close to Christmas!)
1-17
2-21
3-21
4-18
Come if and when you can!

Humility & Forgiveness

Last Wednesday in our MOPS meeting, we watched a DVD that focused on humility and forgiveness and how we impact others around us.  The speaker talked a lot about the importance of community and that we participate in so many unique communities every day that are filled with all kinds of different relationships (MOPS, church, soccer, neighborhood, doctor office, etc.).  She also emphasized the need for us to be humble and forgiving when we are relating to other people because communities are so vital to us as human beings.

We then discussed in our groups the example of Jesus as a humble servant and what kind of amazing forgiveness He showed to us on the cross.  Are we quick to let go of minor issues or do we hold onto and simmer allowing relationships to be destroyed?  Are we willing to forgive people that have offended us like Christ has forgiven us?  Are we willing to humble ourselves and bear with other people's inadequacies and failures remembering that we also are grave sinners in need of a Saviour?

MOPS 2009!

Welcome back from summer everyone! We hope you all had a wonderful and refreshing summer and are ready to start up another MOPS year! Here are a few dates to keep in mind:

~Wed, Sept 16 ~ 9-11AM 1st MOPS meeting!

~Mon, Sept 14 - Sat, Sept 19 ~ Clothing Exchange at Covenant Church 9-4 M-F, 9-2 S and also open 6-8 PM T/R. Bring clothing/take clothing - all for FREE!!!

~Fri, Sept 25 ~ Apple Picking at Peace Valley Winery (more details to come)

~Wed, Sept 30 ~ 9:30 - 11:30 Playdate at Allison's - 215-412-2774 for directions/info.

~Fri, Oct 9 ~ 8-11PM Crafting with Company at Covenant Church

Menlo Carousel!

This past July, MOPS hosted a "bring your own dinner" family night at the Perkasie Carousel in Menlo Park. We had a fantastic turnout with lots of "regulars" to MOPS as well as lots of friends and family that don't normally attend our meetings. We would love to repeat this event next summer, so if you missed it this time - you'll hopefully get a second chance! Here are a bunch of pictures from the night...