It's almost September...MOPS & Beyond is gearing up to start our 2011-2012 year!

Good Afternoon Moms! It's been a while.


It's not really possible that September is tomorrow...right? I don't know about you, but I never realized when I became a mom that my summers would be filled with tons of birthday parties, trips to amusement parks, and making sure I'm stocked with enough sunscreen for long trips to the pool and a first aid kit filled with many things; the most essential being band-aids for those every day boo-boos.

For those of you who may not know me, my name is Lynnette and I'm a mom of two rambunctious but very sweet girls, Hannah and Reese. I will be your new MOPS leader for the morning meetings and I must admit I'm a bit nervous. Sarah's shoes are pretty hard to fill, but I know God is leading me into this new territory and he'll equip me with whatever I need! Sarah is still very much apart of MOPS, but will now be able to take a little more time  focusing on feeling better.  Kennette Watson, aka K,  will be your new evening leader. We both look forward to getting to know you!

Our Steering committee came together this past week and we each brought ideas of what we really thought moms needed for this year. We have had an overwhelming response to learning how to coupon and budget, so we are starting out our first two meetings (a.m. & p.m.) with these themes. Do you have some tips on how you save? Comment on this and we'll share some of them at the meeting.  

Also, If you are have a business that you would like to display at our first morning meeting, email me @ mopsandbeyond@gmail.com. We want to support moms businesses! 


Lastly, we are not longer going to be in the fellowship hall. We are moving to Faith Cafe just about 50 steps away!  Faith Cafe is beautifully decorated and more comfortable...and there will even be yummy coffee and food. Yes, we will get you awake and feed you...all you need to do is come, drop off the kiddos and relax. After all, we want you to be comfortable and enjoy yourself.


Hope to see you at our first night meeting, September 15 @ 7 p.m. Please get the word out and bring one or many friends!  We all could use a refresher on how to save, right?

Hidden - Devotional by Nancy Wilson

Hidden 8-12-11

“I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”  (Psalm 119:102-104, NIV 1984)

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Rick’s mom liked to buy things all year long, put them back, and then get everything together at the appropriate time. The problem was that she often forgot where she hid things.  She would look around after everyone had their presents opened and realize that some gifts were missing. She went looking and we usually ended up with an unwrapped gift or two. It sort of became a fun annual tradition to see whose gifts were lost and then found.

Do you have a special hidey-hole for important things you don’t want to lose? We have several. Of course the problem is to remember where those places are located. Rick started a new ministry last year as a hospice chaplain. Before beginning work, he had to gather important documents to prove who he is – one of which was his social security card. When is the last time you had to use yours? These days, it’s not wise to carry it around, so ours are tucked away in a special place. “Where is that special place” you may ask. We also asked that question! We looked high and low. We searched in drawers and files. We peered into obscure places that seemed odd but at the time of hiding may have made sense.  At last, I stood in the dining room looking around, flabbergasted and out of ideas. I said, “Rick, honey, I’m ready to give up. When was the last time you saw it? Hey – maybe it’s in the butter dish!” Chuckling at the ridiculous notion, I opened the china cupboard and lifted the lid of the butter dish. To my utter amazement, there it was!  We spent the next few minutes laughing until the tears streamed down our faces.

Of course, you’re probably wondering, like we did, who placed the card in the butter dish, and better yet, why? I can answer only one of those questions. Rick did the hiding, but neither of us know why he chose the butter dish. Today, both of our cards live in a safety deposit box at our bank along with other important documents.

Hiding things for safe keeping is a prudent habit. Scripture tells us about hiding another type of treasure: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, NIV 1984)  Memorizing Scripture isn’t something most of us do on a regular basis. Yet, it’s a great way to ready ourselves to handle things that life throws at us.  There is much wisdom in Scripture and God uses the Truth of His Word, to nurture, protect, and encourage us.

“Too busy!” You may say. “Too hard.”  “Why bother? I always have my Bible around.”  There are a lot excuses. Personally, sometimes I find it hard to memorize, but I’m not so sure it’s a matter of ability as a matter of priority.

I see great value in knowing God’s Word. I often come across people who ask questions about Scripture. I also desire to live my life based on God’s principles.  Because of that, knowing what God’s Word says is vital. Reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture helps me in all of those situations.

An eighty-something friend recently told me that she has been working at memorizing her favorite Scripture passage, Psalm 91. It helps her memory, keeps her close to the Lord, and lifts her spirits all at once.

Rick hid the social security card so that when it was needed, it could be used. He did misplace it, but thankfully only temporarily. It was found when required.  The same may be said of Scripture. Hide it in your heart, (read it, meditate on it, memorize it) and when need arises, you will find it to be a very valuable asset.

Nancy Wilson

Bellefonte, PA

nantzjw@yahoo.com

Mom-Approved Websites for Kids

Full Article

A recent Parenting article about web sites that are great for kids!  Let us know some of your favorite websites!

Free Printable: Uppercase Tracing Cards

A great FREEBIE!

I give these to my younger kids for fun!  What mom doesn't love fun and education at the same time?!?!

Uppercase Tracing Cards

Lifted Hands Dance - Fall 2011 Schedule

 Lifted Hands 

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.”

~Psalm 134:2

“Let them praise His name with the dance.”

~Psalm 149:3 

Fall 2011 Schedule 

Pre-ballet workshop (Sept. 12^th – Oct. 31^st)
Age 3-4 Mondays 3:00-3:30 $40/student  
13 week fall semester ( Sept. 12^th – Dec. 16^th)
Pre-ballet
Age 5-6 Mondays 3:30-4:15  $72/student 
Lyrical I
Age 6-8 Mondays 4:15-5:00 $72/student
      or Tuesdays 4:30-5:15 
Lyrical II* (location TBD)
Age 9-10  Fridays 3:45-4:45 $78/student                        
Lyrical III
Age 10 and up  Tuesdays 5:15-6:15                           $78/student
Lyrical IV* (location TBD) 
Age 11 and up  Fridays 4:45-6:00 $85/student                          
      Performance track: Mondays 6:00-7:00**
Jazz*
Age 11 and up Mondays 5:00-6:00              $78/student
*Dance experience required.
**The performance track is free for those in Lyrical IV taking two or more classes per week.  It is designed for those who have the time and interest to expand their dance experience.
Family discount: 25% off 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th dancer from the same family

Ballet discount: If a student is enrolled in a ballet class during the week then they may attend any of the lyrical classes for free except for a $20 costume charge.

Multiple class discount: 25% off enrollment in second class

Tuition note: Single or multiple payments (monthly or in two payments) are fine.  

Unless otherwise specified, all classes are located at the Houserville United Methodist Church (1320 Houserville Rd.).
Contact information:
      Phone: 814-571-6032
      Email: suzierothgeb@comcast.net
Lifted Hands is a local dance program begun in the fall of 2008 designed to provide children and youth with an opportunity to dance in a Christian setting.  Ballet, lyrical, jazz and improvisation are among the styles included. Lyrical IV performed at several places in our community last year, including the Oaks, Women’s Aglow and a Haiti benefit concert. Since dance is a God-given gift and can be a wonderful expression of praise, plans are to continue to provide opportunities for the dancers to share the love of God through dance at different community events and organizations.
Director Suzie Rothgeb trained at the Arts Conservatory of Central Pa., danced with Light of the World Ballet in the summer of 2008, and is currently a ballet  and creative movement instructor at the Music Academy.

2011-2012 DATES ARE HERE!! Mark them down now!!

1st Thursdays of the month

9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - NEW TIME!

3rd Thursday of the month

7 PM to 8:30 PM

Thursday, September 15 @ 7 PM

Thursday, October 6 @ 9:30 AM

Thursday, October 20 @ 7 PM

Thursday, November 3 @ 9:30 AM

Thursday, November 17 @ 7 PM

Thursday, December 1 @ 9:30 AM

Thursday, December 15 @ 7 PM

Thursday, January 5 @ 9:30 AM

Thursday, January 19 @ 7 PM

Thursday, February 2 @ 9:30 AM

Thursday, February 16 @ 7 PM

Thursday, March 1 @ 9:30 AM

Thursday, March 15 @ 7 PM

Thursday, April 5 @ 9:30 AM

Thursday, April 19 @ 7 PM

Thursday, May 3 @ 9:30 AM