Let's "embrace" babies in third world countries!!

HEY MOPS GIRLS!!!!
Are you saving all your spare change?  Every penny counts!!!  Look in your dryer, in your clothes before washing them, in your couches, in your cars, on the sidewalk.... Get the kids involved!  They can fit into the smallest places and look !  LOL  (We can take personal checks too :o)... make them out to REAL LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, and we will get it where it needs to be!)

$25.00 purchases 1 infant warmer which translates to one life saved!!!  We will be collecting from April to May!!  This is our last outreach for the 2010-2011 MOPS year, so let's knock it out of the park!!!  We have reached out to our chartering ministry, our community, and now our world!!!  Let's see how many lives we can save!!!!  NO MOM ALONE!!!  (even across the ocean!)

Here is a short video to help you understand what the embrace infant warmer is!!!


See you April 5th & 6th!!!!
Blessings,

This Week at MOPS

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...For Florida anyway.  Don't miss our last official meeting of 2010 this week, December 7th and 8th at 9:30 at Real Life.  Join us for brunch and a small gift exchange.  Please bring a festive mug with something in it.   Real Life East's very own Pastor Mitch McKinney will be joining us, too.  You won't want to miss it.  Food! Gifts!  Be there! 

Don't forget that our Outreach Program for this month is Spare Change.  We'd like to bless the teen moms with some gift cards so empty your pockets, sofa cushions and piggy banks...

See you on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Oh, and don't forget about BELIEVE, the event sponsored by the Real Life Women's Ministry.  This is a don't miss event.  Real Life is blessing some special women with gift cards in addition to a night of yummy treats, uplifting worship and moving testimonies.  The cost is $10 and it starts at 7pm.  Click here for more information. 

 

Have you given out your HOMELESS CARE PACKAGE?

Hey girls... have you had an opportunity to give our your HCPs?  I haven't been able yet, but I am sort of excited to be able to.  I took mine home from our meeting and added some more items to make it really awesome!

If you have a story... let us hear it and we will post it on the blog!  Email us HERE!

  I am excited about how God is using you through your HCP!  We may not think that the HCP is a big blessing, but I guarantee you... it is !!!!!!  Here are a couple stories so far!!

Sunday, November 7th was the start of a new great tradition for our family. My husband's parents live in a retirement apartment complex off of Orange Ave. in Downtown Orlando. They have lived there for over four years and every time we come off the 408 onto Orange Ave, we see six or seven homeless people around the little pond at that intersection. We have taken my elderly father in law for walks around that pond and always see evidence of many people's homes. There are blankets balled up in the bushes, cardboard boxes covering a person's entire collection of goods, and shopping carts full of garbage bags filled with clothes and treasures.

On Saturday, I told my husband to tell me if he saw a homeless person. We were driving around Clermont, and to be honest, I can't recall ever seeing one of them just wandering the streets in this town. When my husband asked why, I told him to open the glove compartment where I had stashed the two homeless kits we made in MOPS. We didn't see anyone and I imagined he forgot about it so when we pulled onto Orange Ave. on Sunday, I was excited to hear him say, "I know we will see some here." Within 500 feet, my glove compartment was empty. The first person we saw was an older man carrying an old backpack. The man looked at my husband and said, "Wow, thanks, man!" Then we gave the other kit to a person resting on the bench. She seemed slightly confused but as my husband said, "God bless you," I saw her start to pull the granola bar out of the heart covered bag.

Since we are in that area at least once a month, we are going to make this a new habit for our family. It's such an easy quick way we can help someone and it's a great example to our kids. Instead of looking down upon the homeless people on Orange Ave, we were searching for them, spoke to them, and shared the love of God with them through the homeless kits. 
 ~Vanessa Vazquez and family~



I was able to give one of mine today to a homeless person at the corner of Silver Star and Hiawassee. He said, "God Bless you". So hopefully he will get good use out of it and maybe go to church somewhere. :). I felt really good about it and I have one more package to give and can't wait to bless the next person. :)
~Nicole Russell~

After a morning of mommy and me painting fun I sat in the parking lot debating whether or not to drive nearly 30 minutes to enjoy pizza with these moms and their children. While pondering my decision I saw what appeared to be a homeless man sitting under a tree in the parking lot of this local Clermont shopping center. Then I saw the little “care package” we made at MOPS recently sitting on the seat beside me and my daughter’s face in the rearview mirror and was reminded of my commitment that I would give that package away one day, but I would not if my daughter was in the car with me. Yet here I sat in the middle of a parking lot with a care package for someone that seemed to need the items, and perhaps to be shown a moment of compassion and God’s love. I sat and prayed, and yes wondered if I could catch my friends at the pizza date. I sat and looked at my daughter’s face and thought if she were in my shoes I would want her to “do unto others,” no matter what.


I drove up to this man, rolled down the window a bit, introduced myself and shared what the care package was all about. He stood there telling me that it “wasn’t much of a care package” and then told me a bit about himself. All the while “Larry” was taking items out of the care package and giving me a little smile, then took out the band-aids and gently placed them on his arm, took the time to smell the deodorant, and place the toothbrush and toothpaste in his shirt pocket, then placed the scripture card (and church information card) in his pants pocket.


I talked with him about God and our local homeless transition program, New Beginnings, and my desire to call the Case Manager (Bob) and have him come down to talk with him. He was not interested in New Beginnings, or what God has to offer. He shared that all he “wants in life is for someone to care about is the heart and the head, not what (he) can do for others.” I replied “God cares about you.” My 3 year old in the backseat then yelled “Yeah, God’s crazy about you!”

In the midst of our 10 minute conversation I learned that this 60 year old man needed a warm blanket. I made him promise to stay put and I would be back within 30 minutes and bring him a blanket. On my way home I called the New Beginnings office and Bob answered the phone. I asked if he could come talk and pray with Larry. Five minutes earlier Bob had an appointment cancel, and found out there is a room available at the Men’s House. Fifteen minutes later Bob and I took that man a blanket, and offered him hope that someone cares about him, a reminder that God is crazy about him, told him of local food and transitional programs, and of a homeless camp right here in the woods of Clermont that (as Bob put it) keep him safer, warmer, and perhaps even make a friend or two.



I don’t know where Larry will end up. I don’t know if he will call Bob, whose business card he placed in his pocket. I don’t know if I will ever come across Larry again, in this lifetime. I do know that within a few minutes he was across the street sleeping under a big oak tree and covered up with that blanket. I do know that God overcame my momentary motherly concern. I do know that when my daughter asked about “that man” I was able to tell her that we were helping someone, and when she replied “like God helps me” I was able to see in that moment how no matter our concerns, no matter our fears, no matter how far outside our comfort zone we have to go it is our duty to not only “do unto others” but it is our duty to teach our children exactly what that means.



Oh, and the pizza? I can’t believe I am saying this, because I love pizza, but I assure you today’s reward was far greater than any pizza I have

~Melinda Gill~

You go girls!!!!!!
Blessings,

How Can You Help?

Our motto for this year at MOPS is to leave No Mom Alone.  We also reach out to the community when they are in need.  This is an opportunity to do both.  If you have size 14 pants or size XL shirts, there is a young mother in need.  Please bring what you can to the next few meetings and we'll see that she gets these much-needed items. 

In addition, another Outreach program we'll do for our only December meeting is a spare change collection like last year.  So start saving up now-- reach into your piggy banks, your coffee cans, your pockets and contribute what you can.  It all helps ,and MOPS moms never disappoint.  More information will be given at our November 16/17th meetings!! 

Homeless Care Package Update

A huge thanks to everyone who has donated to our Homeless Care Packages.  The following items are still needed:
toothbrush & toothpaste

food items
lip balm
socks
travel size sewing kit
band aids

We received a lot of lotion, shampoo and conditioner so we don't need more of that but keep the rest coming.  We are blown away by your committment to outreach, ladies!  See you at the next meeting on 19th!  If you have any questions, click here. 

October Outreach Project

This month's Outreach Project is Homeless Kits.  The goal is to be able to arm ourselves with a toiletry kit to give out when we see people who need it when we're out and about with our kiddos.  We'll be collecting items through the month of October, which will be compiled into kits.  Look into your stashes of trial size items and see what you can donate.  Here are just some of the items we could use:
Here's a list of "suggested items" to list on the blog for November's outreach project:


socks
small non-perishable/"meltable" food items (hard granola bars, raisins, trail mix, beef jerky, etc.)
travel size toiletries (shampoo, hand soap, body wash, toothpaste & brush, etc.)
band aids
travel size tissue packs
hand sanitizer
travel size sewing kit

For more information, click here.

Meeting Re-cap, April 20th!!

SUMMERTIME SKIN CARE was our topic today!! Here in Florida , we LOVE the sun, surf, and sand! Do we really know how to take care of our skin? Do we know how much is too much?
Our special guest speaker today was our own Nicole Casavant. Nicole works as a PA-C at South Lake Ob&Gyn with her husband Matt!!
Her background in dermatology came very handy for our talk today!!

There are three kinds of Skin Cancer:

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma

DID YOU KNOW?
Skin cancer is the number one form of human cancer.
50% of all cancers diagnosed in the US are cutaneous.
One in five Americans will develop a skin cancer in his or her lifetime.
Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma accounted for >1.2 million skin cancers in 2009
Melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma caused approximately 11,500 deaths in 2009

HERE ARE SOME SOBERING FACTS:
2009
Total skin cancer deaths
11,590

Non-Melanoma skin cancers
2,940

Melanoma’s
8,650 (over half)

RISK FACTORS for Skin Cancers:
Caucasian decent
Those who burn rather than tan
Those with Red hair
Those with Blue eyes
Older Adults
Hx. Of sever, blistering sunburns as children or teenagers
Abnormal moles
Persons with 50 or greater moles currently on your body
Those with a family history of melanoma

HOW DO I PICK THE CORRECT SPF FOR ME?

15 SPF X 15 MINUTES UNTIL SUN BURN = 225 MIN OR 3 HOURS AND 45 MINUTES.

30 SPF X 15 MINUTES UNTIL SUN BURN = 450 MIN OR 7 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES.

This is the spf x's the amount of time it takes for you to burn... this will tell you how long you have to stay in the sun before needing to re-apply!!

When choosing a sunscreen...keep in mind!!!!!!!

UVA – CAUSES AGING

UVB - CAUSES BURNING

NEED TO ONLY PURCHASE SUNSCREENS THAT HAVE BROAD SPECTRUM COVERAGE W/ BOTH UVA & UVB


OTHER PROTECTION TIPS:
Avoid deliberate sunbathing
Wear wide brimmed hat
Sunglasses (Melanoma can occur in your eyes)
Protective clothing
Always use broad-spectrum sunscreens with both UVA & UVB protection
Use at least a SPF of 15 on all exposed skin including the lips even on cloudy days.
Reapply frequently –2hrs.
Seek shade
Avoid OTT 10am-4pm
“Broad-spectrum” reflects both UVA & UVB rays.

Ever realize that a tanning bed resembles a coffin/casket?
AVOID TANNING BEDS!!

HMMMMM?????????

SOME CONSEQUENCES OF OVEREXPOSURE TO THE SUN:

FRECKLES
Age spots
WRINKLES
Dilated blood vessels
Changes in the skin that make skin look older.

This is reason enough to take care of our skin starting at childhood...

80% of skin damage is done before 18 years of age.

The regular use of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 during the first 18years of life can cut the lifetime risk of melanoma by 78%

A HUGE thank you to Nicole for sharing with us today!!! I am enlightened!!
If you have further questions or concerns... you can reach Nicole at
South Lake OB&GYN
352-241-7050
or
their website HERE!

We want to say Baby CONGRATS TO :
Pregnant: Sylvie Osgood
Boy: Charity Garrett
Cindie Butts

If I missed you... pls. email me so we can send congrats out to you via the blog!

Okay girls... you girls have already stepped up and out in faith in helping us raise $$ for the BODIN family!!! You still have 2 more meetings to turn in any change, cash, or gift cards to help us purchase gift cards for Matt and the kids!!! You continually blow me away and we are so excited how GOD is usually all of you to bless this family!

Don't forget to register for the CLIMB women's event at Real Life!! (May 1st-- 9:30 till noon) You won't want to miss the breakfast, testimonies, and awesome worship!! www.getreallife.com to register!!! If you need help with childcare, please contact the church office to let them know.

Our next MOPS meeting is May4th!!
"launching pad" will launch us into summer!! Summertime things we can do with our kids!
We will also be rolling out our MOPS plans for next year!!! We are excited to share with you!! We hope you will make it a point to come and here all about it. IF you know of a friend who is considering coming to MOPS in the fall... bring them to this meeting so they can hear all about it!!
Have a great weekend...
See you all on the 4th if not sooner at the THE CLIMB!!!
Blessings,

New Beginnings Community Outreach Day!

Community Outreach Day Saturday

January 23rd

11a - 2p

Event Location: River Church 796 Hooks Street, Clermont, 34711

(Behind Denny’s Restaurant, off Hwy 27)

*Participate in the 2010 Housing Survey and receive:

FREE food

clothes

blankets

kids haircuts

medical screenings

flu shot

*participating in the 2010 Housing Survey will take just a few moments of your time

More Information: Volunteers, and donations of warm clothing and blankets are needed.

Please call 800-789-7717 Ext. 103.

You may also bring your donations to the 2econd Life Resale Shop located at

207 N. US Hwy 27, Minneola 34715

M-F 10a-5p or Sat 9a-4p.

New Beginnings’ objective is to transform and restore the lives of people who have lost their job and home. New Beginnings of Lake County, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization.

Real Life Church (our charter organization for MOPS) is a sponsor of New Beginnings!

Call to Action!

In light of yesterday's meeting on LOVERS AND GIVERS, here are some ways to put that into action during this holiday season!  Thank you Cindie Butts for this great information!!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Here is the link to the info on how to pack an Operations Christmas Child shoe box.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

The collection is this week from Nov. 16-23rd and these are our local collection sites:

Woodlands Lutheran Church
15333 C.R. 455
Montverde FL 34756

YMCA Roper Center
100 Windermere Rd
Winter GardenFL 34787

First Baptist Church
1000 E 1st Ave
Mount Dora FL 32757

Trinity Chapel
1951 Dora Ave
TavaresFL 32778

Cindie would be willing to deliver them to one of the locations on Monday if any of the moms can get some boxes together. We would just need to figure out how she can get them from you. Unfortunately there isn't a processing center around here so we can't really go and volunteer.  Renee Tindol has also offered to  do another drop this coming Monday since she will be working in Orlando .She would need to pick up the boxes by this Sunday afternoon.  You can email questions for Cindie or Renee to the MOPS email address!

OTHER SERVICE PROJECTS IN THE AREA:

Some websites to find service project in the area are;
http://www.allforgood.org/
http://www.serve.gov/
http://www.volunteermatch.org/

You can also get involved with Real Help at Real Life Christian Church.  (our charter organization) For   service opportunities available through the church visit their website!  HERE

Happy serving!!