February Meeting Recap: Noticing Goodness

February is the month when LOVE is on our minds and for this month's meeting we focused on Noticing Goodness in our marriages.  We not only talked about marital love, but we also tried think about ways to show love to those in our community with information on a local service opportunity and a special project our moms completed at the meeting.  Below is a quick recap.

Service Opportunity

A representative from the United Way came and spoke to our group about their Weekend SnackPack program.  This wonderful program provides needy children with a bag of child-friendly, ready-to-eat foods on Friday to take home for the weekend, when school meals are not available. Children return to school on Monday, well-fed and ready to learn.  Opportunities exist for volunteers to assemble the weekend snackpacks and for a just $32 you can provide a box of snackpacks that will feed 8 children for a weekend.  Click here for more info.  The spring fundraising campaign ends March 31st.

 Speaker

And this month brought the return of the famed MOPS Man Panel, a.k.a. the MANEL.  Four brave husbands took the stage to answer questions about love, marriage and the baby carriage!  These men shared with honesty and humor, and we appreciate their wisdom.  Special thanks to Luis, Joe, Tom & Tim for sharing husbands' perspectives with our group!  



Here are a few takeaways moms shared after the meeting: 

• I loved that Tom mentioned they need guy time like we need girl time. I have never thought of what it would be like without my kid free time. I am definitely going to make this happen for my husband! 
• I loved that Tim was there to bring his experience of parenthood and marriage. I am so encouraged by couples who have overcome obstacles in their marriage and are still together years later! This resonates deeply with me. I don't want to be one of those couples in 15 years when the kids are gone, that doesn't even know the man I am married to.
• What stuck out to me was about being intentional in our marriage, and carving out mum and dad time can also happen with the kids around.
• Loved MOPS today!  Just a few things I learned... Time flies even when we think it will never end, my husband does in fact like to see me naked, nagging my husband may not get him to change the air filter but prioritizing it to him will, and lastly, always stop and make a little extra time for your kids and husband!    

 

Service Project

We assembled "Blessing Bags" at our meeting.  The idea is simple:  Put together a bag full of useful items that you can keep handy in your car so that when you see someone in need you can instantly provide them with a tangible expression of love.  Although some might think the term Blessing Bags applies only to the recipient, we're pretty sure both the giver and the receiver will be blessed!  Here is a list of ideas for what to include in a gallon size Ziploc bag - you can use this list as a starting point or make your own.   

• water bottle
• pack of gum
• deodorant
• mini first aid kit
• protein source (beef jerky, trail mix, protein bar)
• granola bar (or other snack food)
• tube of lip balm
• pair of socks
• toothbrush & tooth paste
• Bible &/or tract
• list of local resources for homeless (shelters, soup kitchens, etc.)