Matti Grace Farrow, 6, says she is thankful for cookies during the Thanksgiving Holidays. Maisy Beth Farrow, 2, says she is most thankful for her uncle, John Michael. Matt and I on the other hand are most thankful for each and every second we have with each other and our children, the sweet little giggles and yes, of course those loud shrill screams when their whole world has been turned upsidedown. For all the night night prayers that we share together that really reveal what is going on in those tiny hearts and make every single mishap worthwhile for that day. Thank you God, for being such a personal God and blessing us with the gift of relationships. Paige Farrow

I am incredibly thankful for the wonderful opportunity to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. It has been the most incredible blessing to be able to take care of my son and my husband (and myself!). Melissa Wood

As I look into the eyes of my four beautiful children, I can't help but be absolutely thankful for God's awesome creations! The incredible foliage on the trees and the breathtaking blue of the autumn sky just increase my amazement at God's goodness!! I am also thankful for wonderful friendships and laughter experienced at MOPS!! MOPS is truly a well-needed break to be with other moms and share these wonderful mommy years! Sylvia Hotard

I am so thankful for so many things! I was sitting here thinking about this year and what things the Lord has blessed me with, a wonderful husband and 3 precious little girls. This past year I have enjoyed watching my baby grow into this amazing little toddler. We are also moving into our new home just the day before thanksgiving and this has been many months of waiting (as it was being built) this is a big exciting thanksgiving for us! We are so proud of our new place and the Lords blessings!!! My six year old has been wanting a basset dog for 2 yrs. and we told her to pray about it and this year the Lord answered her prayers and provided her this new dog, which she is so thankful for. I am so thankful for all my new friends I have come to meet thanks to mops for moms and this has been a special blessing to my heart as well!!!! Kassie Perry

Playdate: Jaemor Farms Market

Habersham MOPS visits Jaemor Farms


What a great day for a hayride!





MOPS & their Moppets had a fun morning playing in the pumpkin patch,

learning how they wash apples,

and taking a hayride!

What fun! We had about 15 moms today...a great turn-out! Thanks for coming!! We would love to add more images to the blog. Just send them to habershammops@gmail.com!

Habersham MOPS Meetings Officially Begin!

Habersham MOPS First Meeting
A Grand Success

Thank you, MOPS Moms, for making this all possible!

The Steering Team had a wonderful time Friday as we celebrated the first of many MOPS meetings together.

Our Mentor Moms, Kathy Cashion, Kathy Riley, Sherrill Thomas & Marty Thurmond provided a scrumptious pancake breakfast to start off the morning just right.

The Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist, Bill Cashion, prayed over us and welcomed us to their wonderful facility.

Some goofy girls put on a silly skit.

Children played harmoniously in the preschool wing while they were nurtured & loved by MOPPETS workers.

Mothers treated themselves to 2 hours to become rested & refreshed.

Women gathered together as one group to encourage, inspire, and relate with one another!

Welcome to MOPS, ladies! We hope this year brings new & deepened friendships, recognition for all the hard work you put into your family, growth in those skills, a break from the ordinary, and, most importantly, a relationship with your Creator the Lord Jesus Christ!!

**Let us assure you that the Steering Team does not always want their pictures posted to this blog (smile). We do not yet have approval from our MOPS Members to post the pictures of them or their children. We will request permission at the next meeting so that we can put the beautiful faces of our MOPPETS Workers, MOPS Moms and children on this site!

It's NEVER too late to join MOPS!

Our first MOPS meeting is THIS Friday, September 7th!

8:45-11:00 am

Still on the fence? Come check us out this Friday, your first MOPS meeting is free. Please contact Merideth Shaw if you plan on attending so we can reserve a space for your little ones in MOPPETS!

haberhshammops@gmail.com

706-754-8273

We have over 40 pre-registered moms!! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!

New Workers, Opened Classes

We are excited to announce that there are two new MOPPETS Workers! This means the Infant & One Year Old Classes have reopened!

This is an answer to prayer and we are relieved that moms will not have to make their own childcare arrangements!

Remember, it is NEVER too late for you to register for MOPS...beginning, middle or end of the semester. Our first meeting is September 7th...THIS FRIDAY!! Join the fun...find friendships...feed your spirit! Moms take care of so much! So...who takes care of Moms? MOPS does!

Registration Still Open...MOPPETS Filling Up Fast!

Dear Moms,

We are excited to tell you that we are still accepting registrations! There has been a fantastic response to Habersham MOPS!!! The Steering Team is hard at work preparing for Fall Meetings and beyond! Remember, our first meeting is September 7th!

With such a tremendous response, we are experiencing limited space in the MOPPETS (children's) program!

God's Gifts (Babies) - Class is closed as child/teacher ratio is met
Special Ones (Creepers/Crawlers) - Class is closed as ratio is met
Forever Friends (1s & 2s) - 3 Spaces Remaining
Helping Hands (3s & 4s...up to 5) - 5 Spaces Remaining

Please do not be discouraged!!! We will NEVER turn down any moms!! However- if you register, you will need to make childcare arrangements on your own until we are able to secure more loving childcare volunteers. There will be a waiting list for MOPPETS, as the need arises. It will be based on a first come, first served basis. Registration forms are still coming in and we will post changes to available spaces as we receive them. Also, as registrations are received, mothers will be placed on the appropriate waiting list(s) for classes, as applicable.

We are praying fervently for more MOPPETS volunteers in order to better accommodate ALL children of moms who want to be a part of MOPS.

Habersham MOPS invites you to

Open House

Friday, August 24thBethlehem Baptist ChurchFellowship Hall8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The hot weather has driven us inside! Instead of holding a registration roundup outside, we will have an Open House with coffee, tea, and a light breakfast indoors! This will be a great opportunity for moms who would like to register.

The Steering Team will be working on various tasks to get ready for our first meeting on September 7th! They would like for you to drop by briefly to meet the Steering Team, register yourself and your child(ren), and/or take a short tour of the beautiful facilities at Bethlehem Baptist Church. If you have already registered, please feel free to also come to the Open House. This event will be very informal and casual.

Registration is still open, but the MOPPETS (childcare) program is filling up fast! Please contact Merideth Shaw at habershammops@gmail.com or 706-754-8273 if you would like to register.

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!!

Registration for Habersham MOPS is still open, but the MOPPETS (childcare) program is filling up fast! Please contact Merideth Shaw at habershammops@gmail.com or 706-754-8273 if you would like to register.

Here is a preview of what is in store for us this year ….
The Steering Team has been working throughout the Spring and Summer to create a curriculum for this year that is both practical and sensitive to the needs of mothers. We have heard over and over from mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, etc., “Oh, that’s such a great idea and so needed in our community,” or “I wish MOPS would have been around when my kids were preschoolers!” This little bit of inspiration has gone a long way and we hope that you find this MOPS year to be just what the house doctor ordered!

This year our theme is the HOME Factor. MOPS International provides a new theme each year and chartered groups use that theme to build a relevant curriculum for the year. Our steering team took the direction of focusing on different rooms in the home. Some of the topics/discussions will range from home organization, how to inspire a hungry reader, preserving family memories to decorating and the meaning of true hospitality.

Please join us for an exciting year!!

No Friday in the Park, August 17th

Due to the incredible heat this August, we are canceling Friday in the Park this Friday, August 17th! We had a fantastic summer with all of you at FIP.

Our last FIP was extremely hot...the true Georgia summer has arrived.
MOPS wants you to know that we are always available for questions, concerns, and registration! But SPACE IS LIMITED!!!

Don't forget, MOPPETS (children's program) is now free!!!

MOPS Cost TOTAL: $40.00 for Fall
($20.00 MOPS International plus $20.00 HabershamMOPS fee)

Please make checks payable to: Bethlehem Baptist Church

Please send an email to Merideth Shaw at habershammops@gmail.com or call 706-754-8273 for specific registration instructions.

Click on the link below to download a registration form:

http://www.bbcofclarkesville.org/clientimages/29881/mops/registr

Friday in the Park, August 3rd

We had a wonderful time in Cleveland! This Friday we'll be back at

Pitts Park in Clarkesville from 10-11 a.m.!

Early Bird Registration has been extended until this Friday, August 3rd!

And don't forget that MOPPETS is now FREE!!

On Friday, we will announce the winner of the Toddler Basketball Goal & Basketball! We hope to see you at Pitts Park whether or not you've already signed up, you're planning on signing up or you're wondering what MOPS is all about! We'll have yummy snacks, bottled water and lots of fun together! Please join us! September 7th will be here before you know it! Whether you're a mother of five or pregnant, a stay-at-home mom or a working mom...MOPS is the place for you! Scholarships are available (email or call - information on the left side of the page).

Friday in the Park July 27th

Habersham MOPS will meet this Friday in Cleveland

Woodmen of the World Park

Please join us for snacks, bottled water, & your chance to win a toddler sized basketball & goal!

The deadline for early registration is coming soon...August 1st! So come for some great conversation, playtime for the kids, & to sign up for this Fall semester of MOPS!

We already have many moms who have signed up and we are eagerly awaiting September 7th for our very first MOPS meeting!

Directions: From Clarkesville, take Hwy. 115 to Cleveland.
Turn Right on N. Main Street in downtown.
Turn Right onto Church Street (2nd Street).
Go through 2 stop signs.
Turn Left onto Woodmen Hall Road.

Exciting News!!! Due to a recent donation, childcare (MOPPETS) will be FREE for all mothers!!!!

Scholarships are available! All moms give their every resource to care for their little ones & MOPS is here to help mothers replenish those resources. If you are in need of a partial or full scholarship for MOPS, email or call. Your need will be held in complete confidence of the Steering Team.
Moms take care of so much...so who takes care of Moms? MOPS does!

The MOPS had a great time in Cleveland!

Woodmen of the World Park is a fantastic park with the perfect covered pavilion...it tried to rain but only got us with a few sprinkles! The kids had a ball & we met some wonderful moms who were there with their play group, along with the usual suspects!

The next Friday in the Park is scheduled for

July 27th from 10 am - 11 am!

Friday in the Park, July 13th in Cleveland!

Habersham MOPS invites you to Friday in the Park

Woodmen of the World Park

Cleveland, GA

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Directions: From Clarkesville, take Hwy. 115 to Cleveland.

Turn Right on N. Main Street in downtown.

Turn Right onto Church Street (2nd Street).

Go through 2 stop signs.

Turn Left onto Woodmen Hall Road.

We will have a morning snack & bottle of water for you and your little one(s). For those of you who have attended before, we have a great group of "regulars"! It is such a fun time for the kids to play and the moms to chit-chat, run after kids, and eat high calorie snacks...oh, I mean no calorie! If you haven't attended before, come for lots of great information plus the fantastic benefits already mentioned. See you there!

MOPS begins September 7th with our very first meeting at Bethlehem Baptist of Clarkesville!!!Early bird registration ends August 1st so sign up soon! There will also be a July drawing for a Toddler basketball & goal.

Weather permitting, of course!

Summer Survival Bucket Winner

The winner of our "Summer Survival Bucket" was Jodi Mosher. Pictured here holding the bucket with her two boys. Our publicity leader, Erin Williams and her son are next to Jodi. Congratulations!!

Our next giveaway is a toddler sized basket ball and goal- be sure to register to win at our next Friday in the Park!

ATTENTION: DATE CHANGE

Hello Moms! We hope you are enjoying your summer! We wanted you to know that the date for the next Friday in The Park has changed to NEXT

Friday, June 22nd

from 10-11am at

Level Grove Baptist Church Playground.

Please contact Merideth Shaw at habershammops@gmail.com for more information.

We are still accepting 'early bird' registration which includes a discount and free gift.

Hope to see you there!

Friday in the Park, June 1st

Habersham MOPS will be at Level Grove Baptist Church's Playground this Friday!

June 1st & 15th

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Level Grove Baptist Church Playground in Cornelia

Congratulations to Jodi for winning the Summer Survival Bucket for May's drawing! There will be another drawing for a fantastic prize for June!

Don't forget Early Bird Registration now until August 1st...You don't want to miss the discount & free gift.

Directions

Take 365 South to the Level Grove Exit (Second Cornelia Exit). Turn Left.

Level Grove Baptist Church will be on the left, before McDonald's.

The playground is behind the church. See you there!!

*Please note the time change...10 to 11 a.m.*

FRIDAY IN THE PARK

Habersham MOPS will be at Pitts Park TODAY!

We will be accepting registration forms for Fall Semester.

We will also hold the drawing for our "Summer Survival Bucket"

Hope to see you there!!

MOPS Registration is OPEN!

Habersham MOPS is now registering moms & their children for the Fall Semester of 2007!

Please register as soon as possible, space in our MOPPETS program is limited.

The costs are as follows:

$20 MOPS International Registration Fee

$15 Habersham MOPS registration Fee (by August 1st, $20 after August 1st)

TOTAL: $35.00

Please make checks payable to: Bethlehem Baptist Church

Please send an email to Merideth Shaw at habershammops@gmail.com or call 706-754-8273 for specific registration instructions.

Click on the link below to download a registration form:

http://www.bbcofclarkesville.org/clientimages/29881/mops/registrationform_mops_moms.pdf

Friday Wrap-up

What a wonderful turnout we had at Pitts Park on Friday. We met more moms who are excited about MOPS! We also registered moms to win a "Summer Survival Pack"- the drawing will be held at our next "Friday in the Park" on May 26th.

We also registered 2 more moms for Habersham MOPS! Space is limited so please register as soon as you can!

Thanks to everyone who came out- looking forward to seeing you again soon!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Love,
Habersham MOPS

FRIDAY IN THE PARK

PLEASE JOIN US FOR

FRIDAY IN THE PARK

THIS FRIDAY
MAY, 11th

PITTS PARK, Clarkesville GA

10:30-11:30

Register to win a "Summer Survival Kit" packed with fun things for your kids!

Muffins, Donuts and water will be served!

Friday In The Park- CANCELLED

FRIDAY IN THE PARK CANCELLED TODAY

Due to inclement weather, today's Friday in The Park has been cancelled. We hope to see everyone out there next week!!

Love & Blessings,
Habersham MOPS Steering Team

Join us THIS Friday

"Fridays In The Park"
Sponsored by Habersham MOPS, a ministry of Bethlehem Baptist Church

EVERY FRIDAY IN APRIL & MAY (except May 18th)

Pitts Park
10:30-11:30 am
Join us for food,friendship & mom to mom conversation!
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!

Registration for the 2007/2008 MOPS International year Begins NOW! The registration fee is $20 per MOPS Year (Sept-May)- we will have more details available at each Friday in The Park.


MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is coming to Habersham County! MOPS is a group where mothers will come together to support each other and grow in relationship with Jesus Christ & other moms. Join us for Fridays in the Park throughout the summer to find out more about MOPS. We will meet at Pitts Park from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. April 27 and all Fridays in May (except May 18th). Meetings will begin in September at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville & follow the school calendar. Meeting times in the fall will be 8:45 - 11:00 a.m. on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the months. A children's program will be available for your little MOPPETS! Come open the door to enhancing God's purpose for you as a mother! For more information, call 706.754.4870, email habershammops@gmail.com or visit http://habershammops.blogspot.com/ .

Serving Mothers, Serving Him,

Merideth Shaw

Habersham MOPS Coordinator

www.habershammops.blogspot.com

(706) 754-8273

Our First FIP- a success!

We had our first "Friday In The Park" yesterday at Pitts Park in Clarkesville, GA. It was SO WONDERFUL to meet moms from the community and to just have some mom-to-mom conversation. We gave out muffins and water bottles to the moms and children along with information about MOPS. Every single mom we talked to showed a genuine interest in MOPS- the excitement was contagious! We could not have asked for more beautiful weather!

If you would like to come and see what all the fun is about, please join us EVERY FRIDAY in April & May (except May 18th) for food, fun & conversation at Pitts Park in Clarkesville from 10:30-11:30am. ALL moms welcome & please bring friends!!

Introducing Our Steering Team

Here are your fearless leaders! From L-R: (Top) Kathy Cashion, Sonya Farrel, Merideth Shaw, Amanda Hagerty & Sherrill Thomas. (Bottom) Missy Bramlett, Mary Beth Shoemake & Erin Williams

Fridays In The Park

Our first "Friday in the Park" will be Friday, April 20th at Pitts Park in Clarkesville, GA from 10:30-11:30 am. We will be serving FREE yummy muffins and refreshing bottled water and handing out informational fliers about MOPS. We will also be available to answer any questions you may have regarding MOPS.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

What is MOPS?

MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. MOPS is a non-denominational Christian organization open to all mothers with children from birth to age 5 . MOPS helps moms…and MOPS makes a difference in the lives of families. The purpose of MOPS International is to nurture every mother of preschoolers by meeting her distinct needs. This purpose is carried out in a variety of ways by offering:

*An opportunity for friendship with other moms.
*Encouragement and practical tips for surviving the preschool years.
*Meeting topics based on biblical values about mothering, womanhood and relationships.
*Group discussions where moms can express their thoughts and feelings in an accepting environment.
*Time to express creativity in a variety of activities.
*A break away from your child for a couple hours.
*New life skills to take home with you.

Shortened Team Descriptions

Amanda recently reminded me that although I am really into details and that is great...some people just want to be able to glance at something and get a general idea of what is going on. I know she is right, so here are some majorly condensed Team Descriptions. (Thanks for the Advice, Amanda!!)


Team Descriptions

Mothers of preschoolers who volunteer to keep this program going run MOPS. We require all moms who join to serve on a specialized team allowing you the opportunity to make more friends. A little bit of time, a whole lot of fun!

Creative Activities Team
The Creative Activities Coordinator will work with a crafts team of 5-8 moms who will help plan and facilitate the crafts. The craft team will set up and organize that day’s craft and have samples to show the group. The craft team may meet monthly and do the craft ahead of time, if needed, and then assist moms on craft day that need help. You may be only assigned 1-2 crafts during the year that you will help plan with the Creative Activities Coordinator. Creativity is not necessary for Craft Team members. They do need to love glue guns, raffia and shopping at Michaels!

Hospitality Team
The hospitality team will consist of 8-10 mom volunteers. They will be trained on the MOPS day hospitality needs and be given a “Morning Hostess” greeting schedule. 1 to 2 will be back up hospitality helpers to cover for the Hospitality Team Leader if she is unable to make a MOPS day. The “Morning Hostess team” responsibilities is to arrive early, greeting and assisting the moms as they arrive to MOPS. Hospitality Team members must love a nicely set table, have a warm and welcoming spirit, and think tiny serving spatulas are God’s gift to desserts!

Publicity Team
Assist Publicity Team Leader with any publicity needs for the year. She may help design and implement MOPS paper/publicity needs. She will also help collect inspirational or funny stories, recipes, community and church news for our newsletter. Publicity team members get a thrill out of a perfectly laid out flyer taking special pride in wrapping text around imported images. She also thinks clip art is her friend and Publisher is the best program ever invented!

Special Events Team
The Special Events team helps The Special Events Coordinator plan and facilitate all MOPS yearly special events. Special event team members love planning a good party and think all guests must feel special and be entertained!

Registration/Finance Team
Assist Finance Team Leader with collecting registration forms and payments for new and returning moms. She will help plan and participate in our yearly registration events and any fundraising events. She may also assist in communicating with our hired MOPPETS Workers regarding payroll and hours. Finance Team members must be good with numbers, enjoy counting money, love excel spreadsheets and finds excitement when balancing checkbooks.

MOPS Benefits are Plenty!

Membership Benefite of MOPS International:

MOMSense Magazine Bi-monthly subscription full of mothering expertise, parenting tips and fun things to do with your preschoolers!

Fresh Air For Moms CD Elisa Morgan and Sara Groves send an encouraging message to moms through Elisa's words and Sara's music.

Children's CD ROM VeggieTales and MOPS have created a special compilation of stories, songs and activities just for you and your child (CD will come with MOMSense magazine in December).
MOM-E-Mail Words of encouragement to start off each week right.

Book for Moms Breathe shows how to make time to actually enjoy your life as mom (Book will come with MOMSense magazine in May).
Membership Card

Special member-only DISCOUNTS on MOPS products, events and sponsored items at www.MOPS.org/membership.

Additional Benefits from our MOPS International Membership Sponsors!
Local MOPS Group Community. MOPS encourages you to attend a local MOPS group, where moms come together to learn, share and experience this important season of mothering in a caring and accepting atmosphere.