Looking Forward - Convention, Part 3

As I travel home from the Convention, I am reflecting on my time and the lessons I have learned.  I learned a lot about Mops International and the vision it has for their groups scattered throughout the country and the world, and I have also learned a lot about myself.  God blessed me with a wonderful woman on this trip (one I had never met until we carpooled to the airport!) who shared life lessons and pointed out my own weaknesses and strengths.  She, in particular, challenged me in my thinking and made me put words to specific questions.  (The speakers and presenters did as well, but Sue specifically called me out!)

A lot of ideas were presented to me - some that I want to implement in my own life and in the Mops group that I help coordinate - and others that I want to discuss and explore further.  I especially love our theme verse for this coming Mops year: "God does not want us to be shy with his gifts, but to be bold, loving, and sensible."

Dear Lord, don't let me be shy with the gifts you have given me.  Let me be bold in my life - both as a mother and as a child of God.  Let me love others, even the ones that are hard to love.  Let me be sensible with my choices...the choices that are presented to me as a leader and the ones that are given to me in every day life as a mother, wife, and friend.  How it must hurt You when we take the gifts You have given us and we dismiss them or point at someone else's gift and wish for that one instead!  Lord, show me how to take a hold of my gifts in a bold, loving, and sensible way for Your glory and not shy away!  You have given me these gifts to ME - and ONLY me! - for a reason!  God, help me filter every choice I make through this mindset and keep my eyes focused on You.

I'm so looking forward to this coming year at Mops!  I'm excited to start planning next week with an awesome group of women who love each other and love God and desire to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader... (from the Mops International vision). 

Hold on to your hats, ladies!  We're in for an awesome ride!
In His Arms,
Danielle