We are human... and we are all different.

We were blessed to have guest speaker, Angie Fedorchuk, join us this morning at MOMS.  Angie challenged us to reflect on a few things.  She stated:


"We are human.  We are all different.  What makes you unique is not what makes me unique and that is good.  Appreciate the difference that you have.  What are you strengths?  Truly - what are your strengths?  Focus on those and not your perceived shortcomings!  Focus on the beauty of you and not that little bit that isn't perfect.  I would like to challenge you to reflect on a few things.  Take a tea, find your happy place and take a look at the following questions...

1. What are my strengths?
2. What do I want my life to look like?
3. I am most happy when...
4. I feel like I am honoring God when...
5. The things that make me feel most out of control are?

These things will help you discover your uniqueness, your values, your place here in life."


Angie also suggested that we start gratitude journals because even when we feel like nothing is going our way, if you think about it - there is always something to be grateful for.  At the start or end of each day, take a moment to reflect and write down 10 things that you are grateful for.   It doesn't have to be big and monumental - just something that happened that day that you are grateful for.  I have done this in the past and one of the best things about doing it is that when you are having a really bad day you can read back through your lists - it really helps to put what is happening to you at that moment into perspective and focus on the positive rather than the negative.  Have a wonderful week ladies!

Prayer

This past Tuesday we had the privilege of listening to Brooke Graham share with us about the darkness that we all struggle with. She shared the following prayer and I thought is was so great I wanted everyone to have the chance to read again.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

          Amen

Invisible Woman-by Nicole Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

Peer Pressure with Jodi

What a fantastic morning..Thank you so much Jodi for coming out and speaking to this fabulous group of women!! We can learn so much from each other, can't we?? Listening to Jodi was fantastic and confirmed alot of things for me, as well as made me realize how important being a mom is! A bit of pressure, yes, but with God beside us, we will do an amazing job in raising our little kidlets! Like Jodi said to the 'young/new moms'..Peer pressure is coming...So, are you going to react with 'Faith' or with 'Fear'?? Wow...I would like to say that I parent by Faith, but I think in most part, being a controller by nature, that I mostly parent by fear...I have alot to learn. Lots of good insight today...made me think alot about why I do what I do. I hope that all of you moms that were there today, left feeling encouraged to start fresh in your 'Parenting Journey' with a strong sense of Faith with you!!

If any of you would like to have the info that Jodi was talking about, please email the MOMS Ministry at momsministry@hotmail.com and I will be more then happy to send it your way!!

Have a great week Ladies!!

~Helen Vander Kooi