Hope While Waiting

Some of you asked me to post a written version of the devotional I shared at our November 27 meeting, so here it is!

This year's theme verse is Romans 12:11-13, “Never let the fire go out... When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. Share with God's people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.” When I read this year's theme verse, at first I felt all warm and fuzzy , thinking – wow, that is really great. Hope and patience and faithfulness and hospitality and helping others - yes, I definitely want all of that.

But I thought about it and read it again and realized this is what I was being called to:

• being joyful while I'm hoping for something that hasn't happened yet,
• being patient while I am suffering through a hard situation
• and being faithful to pray when I haven't yet seen an answer to those prayers.

I don't know about you, but my natural tendency is the exact opposite of those things. I am more likely to be joyful AFTER the thing I am hoping for has actually happened, not while I am still in the present waiting. And being patient IN THE MIDDLE of suffering? I just want it to be over. And being faithful in prayer? Well, I do pray about things, but if I don't see an answer to my prayer in what feels TO ME like a reasonable amount of time, more likely than not I will give up.

I feel like these are all related to learning how to wait well. And I have been doing a lot of waiting this year, and the prospect of being joyful through it is daunting. Two years ago my husband and I decided to pursue foster care and adoption. We knew it would take a while, but we never dreamed it would take this long. The whole process has been one unmet expectation after another. And now we are one month in to caring for a newborn, but I don't feel relief. I know I am in for a whole lot more waiting. Waiting for paperwork and court dates and who knows what else.

The great philosopher Dr. Seuss portrays my feelings about it pretty well in his book Oh the Places You'll Go when he declares that as we go along in life:

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you...

From these Bang-ups and Hang-ups we may end up in a Lurch, and then a Slump, and then we may be afraid and confused and end up in “the Waiting Place... for people just waiting.”

I like Dr. Seuss, and my feelings resonate with this, but I do have to take exception with a couple things he wrote. First he calls the Waiting Place “a most useless place.” It certainly seems that way, but God's word tells me differently. Endurance is held up over and over again as a useful virtue. Romans 15:4-5 reads, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The next verse even calls God, “the God of endurance and encouragement.” And there are plenty of examples of God's people who had to wait, and wait, and wait some more. Abraham and Sarah waited more than 10 years for their promised baby. Moses and all of Israel waited for decades in the wilderness. Anna and Simeon were Jews who waited their whole lives for the coming of Jesus. You don't have to peruse many pages of the Bible before you find someone who is waiting, even waiting in a situation that seems impossible. And God promises to use that waiting to transform us. I wish I could just take a seminar or drink a potion and be transformed, but it doesn't work like that. The waiting, somehow, is part of the answer.

Dr. Seuss also said that “un-slumping yourself is not easily done”, and he is certainly right about that. But then he turns right around and says,“That's not for you! Somehow you'll escape.” “Somehow you'll escape”? That doesn't really offer much help or hope. What does help?

Well, Romans 15 already told us that the Scriptures offer encouragement. If I spend all my time reading or watching happily ever after stories, which I love to do, I get a skewed expectation of life. And my expectations will turn into disappointments. But if I look at the real women and men on the pages of my Bible going through real hard times, hard times that linger and prayers that are perhaps still waiting for an answer, that gives me encouragement to persevere in my faith.

Also, I can trust God Himself to supernaturally work in my heart and mind. Rom 15:13 says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” So this is not something I conjure up within myself. I can ask the Spirit of God to give me joy, peace, faith, and hope. And instead of seeing troubles and periods of waiting as a time where He abandoned me, I see them as evidence that He is at work in my life. I may not like it, but it is a comfort to know He is there and He is up to something good.

Another way of “un-slumping” that these verses point us to is by helping one another. Just before our theme verse, Romans 12:10 says to “love one another with brotherly affection” (can I change that to sisterly affection?) and verse 15 tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Our theme verse challenges us to share with those in need and welcome others into our homes. That includes the other moms in our MOPS group. We need one another! One of MOPS tag lines has been “no mom alone.” God designed us to get through hard times and good times together. It is easy for me to get in a routine and neglect real connection with others, so this is a good reminder to not let that happen. Other people in my life are a way of increasing my hope and joy, and I can do the same for them.

So how can we be joyful and patient in our trials and waiting? Through reading Scripture, encouraging one another, and trusting in the supernatural work of God. The Advent season leading up to Christmas is a good time to focus on how to wait well. If you don't already have a planned devotional, I recommend signing up for daily Advent emails. I plan to read one called Psalms of the Season and you can do the same by going to christmas.dts.edu and clicking the sign up link at the top.

This is my prayer for all of us:

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

 Romans 15:13

First Meeting Tomorrow!

Our first meeting of the year will be September 11, from 9:15 to 11:30am. Plan to come about 9am to allow extra time for checking in your kids on the first day! Do you know another mom of young kids that could use the encouragement our group provides? Invite her to join us! The link to learn more is www.tinyurl.com/rcmopsinterest. First timers are welcome to visit for FREE.

Our theme this year is Find Your Fire! This is the year when we will tend the fire in our hearts.

Never let the fire go out ... When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. Share with God’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes. - Romans 12:11-13 (NIrV 1998)

We will stop listening to the voices that tell us we are not enough, not a good enough mom, not pretty enough, not brave enough, not smart enough, not wealthy enough. Instead, we will choose to tend our God-given fire. We will love our children with an all-consuming love and use our words to warm the world. We will hold the torch up high and shed light on what matters most.

When our homes feel cold, we’ll light a fire.

When a friend has lost her spark, we’ll fan her flame.

When the world seems dark, we will be an ember of hope.

Join us!

Early Registration for 2018/19!

UPDATE: Early bird pre-registration is closed. New members are welcome to join at any time as space is available. The cost for the full year is $160, which is pro-rated based upon when you join. Scholarships and payment plans are available. To let us know you would like to join please head to tinyurl.com/rcmopsinterest. A leader will get in touch to let you know when our next meeting is and whether or not we have a waiting list for childcare.

Pre-registration for Redwood Chapel MOPS for the 2018/19 year is now open! MOPS is for all mothers of children from pregnancy through Kindergarten age. 

Step #1: To register - fill out the form at tinyurl.com/rcmops2018.

Step #2: Submit your payment of $152 - this is a discounted early bird rate and covers local dues ($120 for 16 meetings) and MOPS International membership ($32) for the whole year. (First time visitors do not need to pay until after your first MOPS meeting.)

We are now accepting online payments at tinyurl.com/rcmopspay2018.  Enter your email address on this page and select either "register" or "register again." Check the box next to your name and on the drop down menu select "MOPS Sign Up..." (there is only one option) and then "Next" to proceed to the payment page. You do not need to add your children to this page - your name as attendee is all we need. After entering your credit or debit card information select "Finish and Pay". 

You may also write a check to Redwood Chapel and bring it to MOPS, or mail to:
Redwood Chapel MOPS, 19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546.

Pre-registration will be open until May 22. If space is available regular registration will re-open in August at a cost of $160.

Special Notes:

• We do not want cost to deter anyone from joining RC MOPS! If a payment plan or scholarship would be helpful for you, please let us know by filling out the short form at www.tinyurl.com/rcmopsplan. This information will be kept confidential.
• If your plans change and you need to drop out of Redwood Chapel MOPS, your dues ($120) can be refunded on a prorated basis. Your MOPS International membership can be transferred to another MOPS group. 

Step #3: Invite a friend!  Visitors are welcome at any meeting, and first-timers can come for free. (It is helpful to let us know what the childcare needs are in advance, so please have your friend register as well!)

Go ahead and put these dates on your calendar for MOPS meetings in the fall: September 11 and 25, October 9 and 23, November 13 and 27, and December 11. The winter/spring meeting dates will be announced later, but we typically meet 2nd and 4th Tuesdays until mid-May. 

Spring Meetings

There are some great meetings planned this spring at Redwood Chapel MOPS!

Spring Meeting Dates:

• March 27: How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex
• April 10: Schoolwork Organization
• April 24: Spring Tea 
• May 8: Table Testimonies
• May 22: Free Indeed Farewell

Our group meets from 9:15 to 11:30am at 19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. Childcare is available, but please register in advance so our MOPS KIDS workers can be ready for you!

It is not too late to join or invite a friend to join - simply fill out the interest form here and a leader will be in touch. See you this spring at MOPS!

Summer Schedule

We had a fun final meeting for the year this week at MOPS at Redwood Chapel! We had lots of raffle baskets, as well as some good ideas for having fun with our kids.

I am looking forward to playdates this summer! Everyone is invited to join us at these times:

*Tuesday, June 13 at 10am at Greenridge Park
*Tuesday, July 11 at 10am at Schaefer Ranch Park
*Tuesday, August 8 at 10am at Greenridge Park

Bring a picnic lunch or snack and enjoy some time with friends! These parks are also great places to bring tricycles, scooters, or other ride-on toys.

Regular MOPS meetings will begin again on September 12. We typically meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. To be notified when registration opens in August, please add your name to the interest list at tinyurl.com/rcmopsinterest. We have limited space for children ages 0-2, so if you are a mom of little ones get on our interest list ASAP so you will be first in line when registration opens. Moms who do not need childcare or who have children age 3+ should not have a waiting list, but go  ahead and get on the interest list so you will be notified when registration opens.

Spa & Shopping Day Feb. 28!

Mamas, are you ready for spa/shopping day on Tuesday?!?! I am!!! So much exciting stuff going on! I wanted to share with you the list of vendors that will be with us so you can get your shopping lists ready!

dōTERRA
LipSense
LuLaRoe
Norwex
Usborne Books & More
Arbonne
Jamberry
Blue Gnome Gifts
Sweet Pea's Pastries
Pampered Chef
Christina's Skin Care
Thirty One Gifts

And remember that each of these vendors has donated a basket of goods for a silent auction that will also take place Tuesday morning. The silent auction raises money for our MOPS group so you will benefit from all proceeds! Bring your checkbooks!

Also, the amazing Audrey Kelly will be with us to offer two short makeup classes:
10:00-10:20 - Looking rested while feeling tired
10:30-10:50 - How to shape eyebrows
I feel like I need BOTH of these!! It will be great stuff!

OH, you'll want to be on time for this meeting! We'll start drawing names for free 8-minute massages with our visiting massage therapists right at 9:15 am!

See you all Tuesday morning!

Thoughts on Overwhelmed

About six months after the birth of my second child – I gave up.  Until that point, I was a from-scratch cook, I exercised often enough to run a half marathon, I did a decent job of keeping up with laundry and dishes (although that area has always been a struggle), and in general I felt like I had my head above water. But then some serious frustrations potty-training my older child (ask me about the 2 year training plan – I’m an expert!), combined with a strained marriage, plus the normal stress of a new baby crawling all over the place, and I was pretty fed up with trying to be the ideal housewife. I even thought average was more than I could manage. 

At the time, I imagined I would just take it easy for a few months – order takeout more often, let myself and my house go for a little while.  Trouble with that plan is then you always feel behind – it has not been the season of rest, and then back to normal, that I was hoping for. Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free book has been helpful, and I have certainly gotten rid of lots of stuff, but I have found it impossible for me to get and stay clutter free while I feel overwhelmed by a never ending “to do” list.

Many things I do are wonderful and fulfilling – dancing, leading MOPS, teaching Bible studies, reading to my children, baking, and more.  But then I have to stuff all the necessities of life in around the edges of my schedule – shopping, dishes, organizing kids' stuff, sorting papers and finances, etc. There is not enough time around the edges to fit all that in – it’s overwhelming! 

I am literally trying to do more than I can do, and have had a growing realization that something must change.  But I’ve been afraid of what a new pared down “to do“ list would look like.  Would I have to cut out everything I love doing?  Spend my days folding laundry and running errands?  Ugh. No thanks. I would rather be frustrated than bored!

So I jumped at the chance to hear what Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory had to share in their newest book.  I expected Overwhelmed to offer some reasons behind my tendency toward chaos, as well as some practical tips for getting out from under it.  Kathi and Cheri’s book delivered on both counts. The first chapter delves into some of the how and why of all the different varieties of overwhelmed, and more of that is sprinkled throughout. In the rest of the book, the authors share personal stories, describe different aspects of being overwhelmed, and offer suggestions for overcoming it. 

Some of these suggestions were simply reminders to do things I already know – like meal plan.  But there are other ideas that were new to me and I look forward to trying – such as creating a personal manifesto, and using a calendar to plan, as opposed to an endless “to do” list.  This gives me hope that I (or someone else) will indeed be able to accomplish the not-so-fun “must dos” of life while also prioritizing those things I find fulfilling and enjoyable.  For sure I will need to make some hard choices, but at least I will be the one in charge, instead of haphazardly dropping tasks from my list because I run out of time.

My particular kind of overwhelm stems from being a mother of small children, but Kathi and Cheri address many different kinds of overwhelm that impact women.  The chapters dealing with unhealthy relationship patterns are particularly insightful.  I think in the future I will see this book as a resource -- going back to re-read chapters as I reach different stages of life and struggle in different ways.  The book doesn’t address every area in depth (it can’t, or it would be textbook size), but each chapter gives good practical ideas for escaping the chaos and there are recommended reading lists throughout – so you can explore more in the areas most helpful to you.

Despite some heavy topics, this is a fun book to read because of the personal stories and encouraging tone.  I now have a plan to start the new year with a few small changes to lessen my current level of overwhelm, and I am hopeful these changes will be the beginning of many more.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy for free, but I like this so much I am buying the final version for myself as well. For more information, and to get your own copy, check out www.overwhelmed.website.