What a great first meeting!

We had our first meeting of the year this morning... it was wonderful! Had a record turnout of 50+ moms, with quite a few first-time moms. So excited to see so many new & not-so-new faces!

Margaret introduced our theme for the year, which is "Plunge: Love as if your life depended on it." This year is all about diving deeper into relationships -- with our husbands, our kids, friends, neighbors, church & most importantly, with God. 

A huge thanks to Britney Thames, who was our speaker this morning! She shared tons of wonderful ideas about how to instill a desire to serve others into your children, & even provided us with a hand-out of creative service project ideas. 

I'm already plotting to copy her "Fall Into Service" centerpiece that she had on display at the meeting. I unfortunately didn't take a picture, so I'm using an image of a similar tree (source). Britney suggests that we write service projects on paper leaves, then hang them from branches that you have collected from your yard or the park. Each night or week of the fall season, have your child choose one of the projects to do. Discuss at dinner how to complete the project & why the project helps you to "serve the Lord with gladness" (Psalm 100:2). 

Be sure to check out Britney's blog for more fabulous ideas & follow her on pinterest!

Ok, ladies, mark your calendars!

• Thurs, Sept 20th @ 10:30am -- join us for a picnic & play date at Grace Episcopal Church
• Thurs, Sept 27th @ 7:30pm -- Mom's Night Out at Galaxy Bakery for coffee & dessert
• Sat, Oct 13th -- MOPS yard sale at New Covenant. We need your stuff! Crystal has very kindly volunteered her garage to store the goodies. If you'd like to bring them before the next meeting, please contact someone on Steering Team. Or you can bring your items to next month's meeting on Thurs, Oct 10th. Please, please, PLEASE clean out those attics, closets, & toy boxes to help raise money for MOPS!