MOPS Convention 2006 (post 2)

I wanted to share with you just a few highlights of convention. There is no way for me to adequately explain the entire trip. The general sessions (there were 4) were my favorite part in many ways. They brought the community together (the picture below was taken about halfway back...so imagine a room twice that size). You haven't heard anything until you hear 5000+ women singing in unison. The notable music acts were Kim Hill , Nicole Nordeman, and Mark Schultz. Some of the general session speakers were Ken Davis (no one is funnier), Priscilla Shirier who talked about the importance of prayer (great part was about epidurals being sent straight from the throne of God), Wes Stafford from Compassion International, and of course Elisa Morgan and Carol Kuykendall from MOPS International. On top of all this was the unparalelled leadership training we received. We had 4 breakout sessions. These sessions were smaller groups and focused on mothering, leading women, postional networking, and meeting the needsd of the moms in our group (that's you). I hope we have come home a better team and more readily able to serve you in this group.

MOPS Convention 2006

So we finally made it home to some frazzled husbands on Sunday at midnight. What an event! This will most likely be covered over a number of blog entries in the next few days. I don't even know where to begin. Do I start with the amazing leadership training provided? Do I start with the speakers and music? Or maybe the time to bond as a steering team? Maybe I start with the resource fair with programs and resources I didn't know even existed. One thing I know for sure, God's presence was pulsing through that place. More than 5200 women attended convention this year representing more than 4000 MOPS groups from all over the world. We met moms from Arkansas to New Zealand. I will start posting detailed info tomorrow. I know, you are all waiting on the edge of your seats! The anticipation! The excitement! Really...I'm putting together some interesting stuff!

Welcome Back

I have to say, today's MOPS meeting was amazing. The spirit of the mother's, the MOPPET workers, and the kids was astounding. I am so glad we can come together to support each other in this way. While we are glad to be back, we need to remember our sister in Christ, Rachel Whitten, at this time. Her husband has been deployed to Iraq and was injured over the weekend. It was truly a miracle that he was spared. She will be rejoining us in the future, but in the meantime our hearts and prayers will be with her.

Steering Team: Hospitality

Alright. This is me. Heidi Wise. I am the hospitality team leader this year! I am blessed to have a strong team however. I have been a MOPS mom for 4 years and also serve as the Council Coordinator for Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, Emporia, and a few other more rural groups. I really hope and pray that we have a great year full of fun and learning! Any feedback you have on this site is much appreciated! I want it to be a product of all of us! See you soon ladies!

Steering Team: Moppets Coordinator

This gal is sooooooo busy I don't even have a picture yet! Anna Walker is the gal we can't do without. If Moppets doesn't run smoothly, our group doesn't run smoothly. Anna has been the teacher in the 4-5 year old room for the past several years, and I understand she was in other rooms before that. She has been guiding and loving our little ones for years. Thanks for your service and your kindness of heart Anna! P.S. If you know of anyone who would be called to serve as a moppets teacher, please contact anyone on steering!