We had another great morning together at MOPS! For those of you that couldn't join us, there are a couple of important announcements to share. First of all, we talked a little about the devastating earthquake in Haiti and what we could do to help. If you are interested in learning more about the situation in Haiti or would like to make a monetary donation, please visit the following websites: www.worldrelief.org or www.samaritanspurse.org
Also, we are trying to set up meals for a fellow mom who is pregnant and on bed rest. If you are interested in preparing a meal, please contact April or Erin. Let's show this mom how much we care and what MOPS is really all about during her time of need!
Today's speaker, Rhonda, shared some great advice on reading to our children. She spoke about the reasons for reading to our children, the "when, where, what, and how" of reading to our children, and gave helpful tips on choosing books/reading aloud to different age groups.
Research shows that there is a positive correlation between reading to children and their reading achievement. Reading aloud to children fosters early reading and language development, is the single most important activity for building knowledge, and is a practice that should continue throughout the grades (even once the child can read on his/her own). Also, reading aloud to young children sends pleasure messages to the brain signaling that reading is a good/positive thing.
When should we read to our children? NOW! Start right from the cradle. Also, it is never too late to begin reading to your children.
Where? Use your imagination: you could read outside under a shady tree, in the sandbox, at the park, even at bath time or meal time! You can toss a sheet over the table to create a reading hideaway, take books in the car for a long road trip, or spread a blanket on the floor for an indoor "reading picnic". Be Creative!
What? Whatever is at hand: books, magazines, road signs, cereal boxes, menus, billboards, etc.
Read Mother Goose rhymes, poetry, books with pictures that are colorful and simple. And sometimes, read books that are a bit beyond your child's reach or a little more advanced!
How? Read slowly and with expression....now is the time to really be silly and ham it up for your kids. You should allow your child to help handle the book (hold it, turn the pages, etc). Also, talk about the story, model how you think about the story ("I wonder what's going to happen here?" or "I think this part is silly because...."), ask your child questions and take the time to answer his/her questions about the story, follow your child's lead in talking about the book, and have a conversation about the story.
If you are interested in tips on choosing books/reading aloud to your children or would like a suggested book list for young readers, please let us know at the next meeting and we will get you a copy of today's handouts.
This blog is dedicated to the Moms of Influence group at Northbrook Church in Richfield, WI.
January 5 - Eclipse: Dealing with the Loss of a Child or Other
After an extended "break" for the holidays, it was really nice to meet with all of our fellow moms again this Tuesday!! Instead of a speaker today, we watched a DVD of a presentation that had been given at Spring Creek Church. Vikie introduced the video and mentioned that it was the first time that she could recall that we didn't have a "live" speaker for a Tuesday morning meeting.
The DVD shared the story of Matt and Ginny Mooney - a young couple from Arkansas that had experienced the death of their first child when he was only 99 days old. The presentation started with a "video diary" entitled 99 balloons. If you are interested in viewing this, you can find it on You Tube. Shortly before the birth of their son, the Mooney's were told that he had a disease called Trisomy 18. He was born with an underdeveloped lung, a hole in his heart, and a very short life expectancy. Matt Mooney shared some thoughts on loss and grief.
He used the concept of a painting to explain the grieving process. As paintings are all similar in that they use paint, brushes and canvas, each one is also very unique. In the same way, there are commonalities of grief that we all know, but grief is very unique in circumstances, type of loss, etc. Some of the "brushstrokes" of the grieving process that he shared, included learning that "we are NOT in control; God is", frustration w/fellow Christians, the "craziness" of grief, the support of friends and fellow believers, and that God can use terrible circumstances for good.
He talked about how he had to turn to God, take his questions directly to God, and even wrestle with God, at times. And although he was looking for answers and clarity from God, he didn't get them. He said, "I wanted answers; God wanted INTIMACY. I KNOW God better, but understand him far less." He also talked about how some believers have the attitude that we should not grieve, because we believe in heaven. He shared the story of Lazarus' death in John 11 and talked about how "Jesus wept" even though he knew that death wasn't the end. This helps us learn that our hope DOES NOT negate our grief.
Ginny also spoke about how her grief/loss was greater than expected and that she had to cling to God's word and the support of friends/fellow believers. They didn't need reassuring words from others, just simply their presence!
Towards the end of the presentation, Matt quoted Romans 8:28, saying that God is "working" all things for good. Matt and Ginny truly believe that God has used their story and their son's life many times over for good. However, that doesn't mean they don't still feel the pain of their loss. He said that he has come to learn that he is "NEVER getting over it" and that HOPE doesn't lie in getting over your grief, but rather in REDEMPTION. He shared an analogy, from a book he likes titled Grace Disguised, of a tree stump in a yard. The stump is a reminder of the lost tree, but all around it is a beautifully landscaped garden. In a similar way, we need to create a new landscape around our loss.
He concluded by saying that in the midst of a loss, God can grab the paintbrush and make a beautiful painting out of an ugly situation.....and that's Redemption!!!
The DVD shared the story of Matt and Ginny Mooney - a young couple from Arkansas that had experienced the death of their first child when he was only 99 days old. The presentation started with a "video diary" entitled 99 balloons. If you are interested in viewing this, you can find it on You Tube. Shortly before the birth of their son, the Mooney's were told that he had a disease called Trisomy 18. He was born with an underdeveloped lung, a hole in his heart, and a very short life expectancy. Matt Mooney shared some thoughts on loss and grief.
He used the concept of a painting to explain the grieving process. As paintings are all similar in that they use paint, brushes and canvas, each one is also very unique. In the same way, there are commonalities of grief that we all know, but grief is very unique in circumstances, type of loss, etc. Some of the "brushstrokes" of the grieving process that he shared, included learning that "we are NOT in control; God is", frustration w/fellow Christians, the "craziness" of grief, the support of friends and fellow believers, and that God can use terrible circumstances for good.
He talked about how he had to turn to God, take his questions directly to God, and even wrestle with God, at times. And although he was looking for answers and clarity from God, he didn't get them. He said, "I wanted answers; God wanted INTIMACY. I KNOW God better, but understand him far less." He also talked about how some believers have the attitude that we should not grieve, because we believe in heaven. He shared the story of Lazarus' death in John 11 and talked about how "Jesus wept" even though he knew that death wasn't the end. This helps us learn that our hope DOES NOT negate our grief.
Ginny also spoke about how her grief/loss was greater than expected and that she had to cling to God's word and the support of friends/fellow believers. They didn't need reassuring words from others, just simply their presence!
Towards the end of the presentation, Matt quoted Romans 8:28, saying that God is "working" all things for good. Matt and Ginny truly believe that God has used their story and their son's life many times over for good. However, that doesn't mean they don't still feel the pain of their loss. He said that he has come to learn that he is "NEVER getting over it" and that HOPE doesn't lie in getting over your grief, but rather in REDEMPTION. He shared an analogy, from a book he likes titled Grace Disguised, of a tree stump in a yard. The stump is a reminder of the lost tree, but all around it is a beautifully landscaped garden. In a similar way, we need to create a new landscape around our loss.
He concluded by saying that in the midst of a loss, God can grab the paintbrush and make a beautiful painting out of an ugly situation.....and that's Redemption!!!
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