Homemade Detergent - October 31st Meeting

A Beautiful Mess

Embrace Your Story

"I met God" 

by JoAnn Kiplinger

I met God in the morning, when my day was at its best, 

And His presence came like sunrise, like a glory in my breast. 

All day long the presence lingered, all day long He stayed with me;

And we sailed in perfect calmness, o'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered, other shops were sore distressed,

But the wind that seemed to blow then, brought to us, a peace and rest. 

Then I thought of other mornings, with a keen remorse of mind, 

When I too, had loose the moorings, with His presence left behind. 

So I think I know the secret. Learned from many a troubled way;

You must seek Him in the mornings, if you want Him through the day.

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You. In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 

Psalm 63:1-2

Next Meeting: November 7th

• Individual Challenge: bring a written note containing five things you are thankful for

• Disheveled Divas have meal next meeting

• Ongoing Fundraiser: Papa Johns - bring in your receipts off the boxes - MOPS get 20%

• Secret Mom Gift Exchange: if you are participating your next gift will need to arrive during the month of December (the 5th and 19th are meeting dates)

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Ingredients: (makes about 12 servings)

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cans of ham
• 4 cups shredded taco blend cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 stick of butter

Directions: 

~Place half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of crockpot; top with half of onion, cheese and ham. Repeat layers. 

~Top with cream of chicken soup and butter. 

~Cook on low 6 hours.

***This is a great recipe to freeze and use as an emergency meal! You will have leftovers!***

MOPS at The Grove

The Grove Baptist Church

12300 County Line Rd.

Madison, AL 35756

Pastor: Ross Clemmons

Children’s Pastor: Lottie Partridge

Phone: 256-233-2080

Email Us! 

Like Us on Facebook!

MOPS International

October 31st

Our next MOPS meeting is tomorrow Thursday October 31st from 10am - noon at The Grove Baptist Church (12300 County Line Road Madison AL).

We will be playing a fun game involving our purses and contents therein so be sure to bring a purse and anything you think you might need in that purse.

Food is being brought by Sleepless Beauties.

Hope to see you all tomorrow morning!!!

Ooey Gooey Icky Sticky Meeting

A Beautiful Mess

Embrace Your Story

“Forget yourself for other and others will not forget you”

Milly was a mentally handicapped adult who lived with her mother in a small town. She was known for her proverbial green thumb as a gardener. Lawns, hedges, and flower beds flourished under her loving attention Milly also “volunteered” by cutting grass and weeds, raking leaves, and planting flowers in vacant lots throughout the town. She was known for her “oil can.” She always carried a small can of lubricating oil in her hip pocket and applied a dose of oil to any squeaky door, hinge, or gate she encountered.

On Sundays Milly went to church with her mother. When teased, she refused to respond in any way other than with good humor and unflappable cheer.

When Milly died, everyone in town showed up for her funeral. There were scores who traveled from distant places to attend, including many of those who had once teased her.

Without consciously attempting to do so, Milly exemplified good citizenship. She worked hard, was an optimist, eased tensions, and was a faithful church member.

Others really do notice the small things we do for them in love and kindness.

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  Matthew 7:12

Next Meeting: October 31st 

• Individual Challenge: get together with the moms at your table or have a play date and send a picture to the MOPS gmail account

• Bring your purse to the next meeting (and any contents you think you may need)

• Sleepless Beauties have meal next meeting

• Trunk or Treat at The Grove October 30th from 6:00-8:00pm

• Ongoing Fundraiser: Papa Johns - bring in your receipts off the boxes - MOPS get 20%

• Fundraising Survey - we are conducting a survey to try and determine which fundraiser(s) we would like to do as a MOPS group in the spring - please go and fill out the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DVKT2V2

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened                                           3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder                                  1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice                            2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt                                                  1 tbsp. vanilla
Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting                         Sprinkles, for garnish

How to make them:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar at medium speed with a mixer until creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract and rum extract, beating until combined. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating until combined. Wrap the dough in heavy-duty plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch pumpkin cookie cutter to cut out the dough. Place the dough on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the edges are very lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 2 minutes. Then remove and cool completely on wire racks. Spread the Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting on the cookies if using. Garnish with sprinkles.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened                                       *In a medium bowl, whisk together cream cheese, butter, and
1 stick butter                                                                            pumpkin pie spice with mixer. Add powdered sugar in thirds.*
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
3 cups powdered sugar 

MOPS at The Grove

The Grove Baptist Church

12300 County Line Rd.

Madison, AL 35756

Pastor: Ross Clemmons

Children’s Pastor: Lottie Partridge

Phone: 256-233-2080

Email Us! 

Like Us on Facebook!

MOPS International

Ooey Gooey MOPS Meeting

Our next meeting is this Thursday, October 17th!! We are having guest speakers Gail Maahs and Jennifer Rushing teaching us some ways to connect, challenge, and engage our kids in learning using things around our homes. It will be a great time!! Something you don't want to miss!!

Other things you will want to know:

• Secret Mom Exchange has begun - for those that still need to bring their gifts you have until the October 31st meeting
• Food is being provided by Hot Messy Mammas
• International Dues ($24) - Were due last meeting so if you have not paid these yet please do so ASAP - again these go directly to MOPS International and do not stay in our local group - if money is an issue please let me or another steering team member know

MOPS at The Grove
The Grove Baptist Church
12300 County Line Road
Madison AL 35756
mopsatthegrove@gmail.comWish to keep up to date? Like us on Facebook!

October 3rd - Happy Harvest Food Drive

A Beautiful Mess 

“Humor is to life what shock absorbers are to automobiles"

      Winona had no doubt her wedding was ruined and she would be the laughing stock of the town. It was all she could do to keep back the tears as she walked down the aisle with Will. As they neared the back of the church, however, Will burst into laughter - a big, booming, infectious laugh - and Winona had to laugh too. Soon the entire church was guffawing with gusto.       

        On a hot June day, Winona and Will had just exchanged their wedding vows and were about to take their triumphant wedding march back down the aisle. Suddenly, Winona's six-foot-tall brother (a groomsman), fainted, and not very delicately at that. In the course of his falling, he toppled another groomsman and lurched against the best man, nearly forcing him down too. Two attendants each grabbed an arm of the fallen man and dragged him out of the church, in full view of the 300 guests and a horrified young bride.

       Winona said many years late, "My first reaction to nearly any situation used to be 'Oh, no' but Will's first reaction has always been to see humor in a situation. I've grown to adopt his point of view. I figure the very least I can glean from a nightmare is a good laugh and a memorable story to tell later."

“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them'". Psalms 126:2

Next Meeting: October 17th

• Secret Mom Exchange is under way (optional): If you didn't bring your gift for your secret mom you have two more opportunities to do so this month (17th and 31st)
• Ongoing Fundraiser: Papa Johns - bring in your receipts off the box - MOPS gets 20%
• Fundraising Survey - we are conducting a survey to try and determine which fundraiser(s) we would like to do as a MOPS group in the spring - please go and fill it out at www.surveymonkey.com/s/DVKT2V2

• International Dues ($24) - Past due - if you have not paid please do so at the next meeting

• Table Challenge for October - get together with the moms at your table for a play date and/or a mommy's night out - don't forget to take pictures!!! Most importantly, have fun!!! 

• Food is being provided by Hot Messy Mammas

• Pumpkin Pickin' (and so much more) with The Grove at the Lyons Family Farm - October 12th 9am - we can meet at the church and carpool or meet at the Farm - admission price is 9.75 per person tax included (23 months and under free) - for more information regarding Lyon Family Farms go to www.lyonfamilyfarms.com/index.htm

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Ingredients:

~ 1/2 pound package of linguine

~ 1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli florets

~ 2 tablespoons butter

~ 1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces

~ 1 can Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

~ 1/2 cup milk

~ 1/2 cup grated Parmesian Cheese

~ 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

How to Make It: 

• Prepare the linguine according to the package directions in a 3 quart sauce pan. Add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of the cooking time. Drain the linguine mixture well in a colander.
• Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until well browned and cooked through, stirring often.
• Stir the soup, milk, cheese, black pepper, and linguine mixture in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese. 

MOPS at The Grove

The Grove Baptist Church

12300 County Line Rd.

Madison, AL 35756

Pastor: Ross Clemmons

Children’s Pastor: Lottie Partridge

Phone: 256-233-2080

Web: www.thegrovebaptist.com

Email: mopsatthegrove@gmail.com

Facebook: MOPS at The Grove

MOPS International: www.mops.org

Our next MOPS meeting is this Thursday at The Grove on County Line Road. You don't want to miss it!! 

Bring your non-perishable items for our happy harvest food drive along with the most knowledge you have about food. There will be a great food related trivia game!!! It's gonna be a blast!!! And of course we are going to have food to eat and some great time to chat with one another!!!


See you at The Grove Thursday 10am!!!


MOPS at The Grove
The Grove Baptist Church
12300 County Line Road
Madison AL 35756
Have questions? Just send us an email!
Wish to keep up to date? Like us on Facebook!

September 19th Meeting

A Beautiful Mess 

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Col.1:17

“When the Third Is a First”

Beverly Hudson

       I don’t do my makeup until she’s ready to crawl in my lap. We dab and fluff and pucker together. Her big smile at having her own brushes and empty jars fills my heart.

      This is so new to me, raising a girl. My two sons preferred camouflage pajamas and taking G.I. Joe diving in the Igloo cooler. Bows and ruffles and pink now color our world. 

      I didn’t expect this child. I didn’t ever expect to see a baby weigh 1 pound, 12 ounces and cause an entire community to hold their breath as she fought to take hers. God knew this girl needed that community, and that she would need me, in a special way.

      I have done this before, but it’s a whole new ball game- make that a whole new dance party. I quit a job to give her my time. I am more mature, more focused. I have a few regrets about the way I handled the boys’ early stages. I’m hoping to be more intentional with this little miracle, celebrating the snow showers of fruit puffs before I sweep them up. Twirling more often. Laughing more readily. Hugging harder. Hugging all of them harder. 

      As a woman, raising a girl means I am looking in the mirror more, and not just when primping. She will reflect much of what I show her. I want to help God fill her with strength and compassion. I want her to be so well acquainted with virtue that she won’t shy away from it when she leaves this house.

      I want her to know how special she is and how her stability comes from walking with God, not choosing a man.

      I didn’t know how to spend quality time with God when the boys were babies. I read to them, and I prayed with them. But I didn’t know how to be with God, let alone pass that on to my sons. For me, it took years and crisis to make that happen, to make my day begin with God’s name, to give potty training over to his control, and to feel my garden-dirt-splattered presence was perfect in his sight.

      The miracle has her own little notebook and pencil. We journal together, her marks just scribbles but our words unmistakable. God is our friend. He is right here. All the time. I want her to feel him. I can help her to know him.

      Maybe the tenderness I see in her isn’t related to her gender, but to how I approach her. I have seen first steps and heard first words before, but each new life can be a rebirth for those who nurture that life.

      It’s not about getting through the day now. It’s about loving her through the day, with the grace of God. I can give both of them no less than everything I have.

Next Meeting: October 3rd:

• Secret Mom Exchange is under way (optional): bring a gift (no more than $10) every other month to give to another mom secretly - if you wish to join in please let me or Jenny Fisher know - first gift exchange month is October (3rd, 17th, or 31st meeting dates)

• Individual Challenge - bring non perishable items for Inside Out Ministries - the mom who has completed the most individual challenges at the end of the fall semester will receive a special prize!

• International Dues ($24) - Due October 3rd meeting for those who have not already paid - again these go directly to MOPS International and do not stay in our local group

• Table Challenge for October - get together with the moms at your table for a play date and/or a mommy's night out - don't forget to take pictures!!! Most importantly, have fun!!! 

• Food is being provided by Disheveled Divas

• Pumpkin Pickin' (and so much more) with The Grove at the Lyons Family Farm - October 12th 9am - we can meet at the church and carpool or meet at the Farm - admission price is 9.75 per person tax included (23 months and under free) - for more information regarding Lyon Family Farms go to www.lyonfamilyfarms.com/index.htm

Taco Bells Mexican Pizza

Prep: 15 min.

Bake: 15 min.

Ingredients:

~1 lb. ground beef

~1/4 tsp. onions

~1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

~2 tbsp. water

~ 1/3 cup diced tomatoes

~1 can refried beans

~1/2 tsp. salt

~ 1 cup of cooking oil

~1 cup of shredded cheese

~Burrito Shells

~Salsa

Directions: Cook the ground beef, then drain the excess oil. In the same saucepan add onions, chili powder, salt, and water. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Get a skillet and pour oil into it. Place burrito shell in oil. Let fry for 30-45 seconds, then flip over and do the same. In a separate sauce pan cook the refried beans. Put beans on the bottom of a burrito shell, then add beef mixture.  Place another burrito shell on top. Spread salsa on top, then add cheese, tomatoes, and onions. Cook in the oven at 400 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Enjoy!!!

MOPS at The Grove

The Grove Baptist Church

12300 County Line Rd.

Madison, AL 35756

Pastor: Ross Clemmons

Children’s Pastor: Lottie Partridge

Phone: 256-233-2080

Web: www.thegrovebaptist.com

Email: mopsatthegrove@gmail.com

Facebook: MOPS at The Grove

MOPS International: www.mops.org