Elevated Mom's Newsletter
March 2016
This Doesn't Look Like The Picture In The Brochure!
On a daily basis, things happen that we have no control over. We often go into countless situations expecting our original plans to unfold exactly as we planned it and exactly like we played it out many times over in our heads. We set the bar so high for ourselves and others around us based upon expectations that yes, we’re expecting nothing but the best.
I’m always amazed by every moms own experience(s) with childbirth. First of all, each back story is always so amazing and unique. They may have gone through IVF, a miscarriage. They were able to actually choose the gender of their child and so on…
Some women planned out a specific date for a C-section and others planned for natural child birth – then just like that; both plans get thrown out of the window. The mama that was expecting to have a C-section all of a sudden goes into labor at home the day before her scheduled surgery, and gives birth naturally. And the other mama goes into active labor, makes it to the hospital and is prepped for labor but then after the epidural is administered or after many hours of pushing, complications arise and she has to have a C-section.
God loves that we are planners and task oriented. But what HE doesn’t want is for us to get upset because our plan was altered. HE’s simply telling us that HIS way is the best (better) way and it’s all going to be fine no matter what we might be thinking.
We cannot set high expectations on/ for God, because he doesn’t lower his standards to accommodate what we want. What he does expect is for us to relax and go with the flow because when we finally allow ourselves to become comfortable with the unexpected expectations and plans, then HE can truly do some unexpected and amazing things.
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Love, Renee'
Mommy Moment with MaryAnn Gregory
I have been a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for 7 years and had also been attending and serving at Frisco Bible Church. I was happy with my church affiliations and felt good about my spirituality. But, after attending She Conference and then attending service with Pastor Keith, I realized something had been missing. I no longer just felt good, but I felt uplifted and like new life had just come into me. Pastor Keith has a saying that goes something like, "Don't let good be the robber of your best." And that is how I feel when I'm around people at ELC, like I am my best.
I immediately signed up for both summer bible studies, "One Thousand Gifts" and "Made to Crave." It was great to get plugged in and meet so many wonderful ladies. Millie Long was one of the bible study leaders, and she told me about the classes to become a member, that her and her husband David taught. I signed up and got my materials, and eagerly read through it all. The class gave me so much insight and I knew this was a church God was calling me to be a member of. More than just a member though, this was going to become my family of choice. Then I signed up for Elevated Moms and was able to attend a gathering in June and had a wonderful time. Then life happened, and it seemed like something was going on or I was out of town and unable to meet up with the group. Finally, in December I joined the group again for the Christmas party, and have now started to get plugged in and I am loving every minute. I feel so blessed to be able to get together with the moms for the kid's play dates. My girls are thrilled to have other little girls to play with. This is a group of women that I know I want to do life with.
I have been married for 22 years to my husband Gary that I met in college at the University of Houston. We have 4 amazing children. My oldest son, Griffin, is 19. He is in the National Guard and a sophomore at UNT. Then, we have our 3 little munchkins. Wyatt will be 7 on April 1st, yes he is our little April fool. Our little princess Sophia is 5 and our hot mess Virginia just turned 3. After getting my Master's in Early childhood Education and teaching preschool children with disabilities for 11 years, I decided to stay home and homeschool. It just seemed to be what God was calling me to do. This way I had control over what they were learning, not some state politicians. Plus, I wanted to make sure they were getting the word of God throughout their day everyday. For me, this was a very easy decision. However, I did meet resistance from family members who thought my children needed to be in school with children their own age to play with. This has been a struggle and I sometimes feel like I am being looked at through a magnifying glass. It is not always easy and sometimes I wonder why I am doing it and if it is really what God wants me to do. I read something just recently a friend posted from Proverbs 31 Ministries that really touched my heart. "For the mom feeling weighed down by guilt and doubt at the end of the day: You have the exact qualities God knew your kids would need in a mother. So, when you get up tomorrow, hold up your willingness and ask God to make you the best version of that you can possibly be." Lysa TerKeurst. I want to get this saying on a canvas or something in my house so I can read it everyday. We are all going to have doubt and question if we are good enough or making the right choices for our families. That's all we can do is give it to God and He will guide us and take care of it.
I feel like I am starting a new beautiful season in my life in 2016. Since becoming a member at ELC, I feel a peace around me and I think I have started to live that. For the first time in my life, my faith is really coming through. As I said earlier, I have been married for 22 years. What I didn't say is that during those 22 years, the only time my husband has attended church was when my children were baptized and when Griffin made his First Communion and his Confirmation. Since I began attending ELC 9 months ago, Gary has recently started to attend services with us. He came to the New Year's Eve service by himself as I was out of town. And we are attending the marriage classes on Wednesday nights. When we got home for our class Wednesday night, he asked me about becoming a member. I told him about the classes and that I would be happy to go with him in March as I was going to be at my cousin's wedding the end of February and unable to attend with him. He said he'd go by himself in February because he wanted to become a member. I never thought I'd see the day that he attended church with us, let alone initiate becoming a member. When Pastor Keith prophesied 2016 to be the year to EXCEL, he was talking directly to my life. God is a good God and anything worth having is worth waiting for, there are several examples of that in the bible. My life is blessed and I thank God everyday for bringing me to Elevate Life Church to get my family right with God!!!!
KID'S PRAYER CORNER
RED - is for the blood Christ gave.
GREEN - is for the grass God made.
YELLOW - is for the sun so bright
ORANGE - is for the edge of night.
BLACK - is for the sins that were made.
WHITE - is for the grace Christ gave.
PURPLE - is for the hour of sorrow.
PINK - is for the new tomorrow.
CELEBRATE! JESUS IS ALIVE!
Mom's Prayer Corner
A Morning Prayer
Lord Jesus,
I praise you for the gift of another day - for your mercies new each morning. My eyes are open and my heart is beating; each of those mean you have a plan for me. This minute. This hour. This day. I don’t know every step of your plan for today but I know it will be for my good. And I’m confident it will be for your glory. Will you lead me, Jesus? I need you. Will you order my steps, each one? May your love flow through me and may I embrace every opportunity to share your love with others.
Amen.
Health & Fitness
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 (15-oz) cans Great Northern beans, drained
- 2 cups salsa verde
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- optional toppings: diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS for Slow Cooker: Add chicken broth, 2 uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts, beans, salsa and cumin to a slow cooker, and stir to combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily with a fork. Shred the chicken.
Serve warm with desired toppings.
upcoming events
Please be sure to check our Facebook events and update your RSVP as dates and times sometimes change. And keep in mind that we no longer use Meetup.com.
Playdate at Hope Park
Tuesday, Mar 1, 2016, 09:00 AM
Frisco Commons, McKinney Road, Frisco, TX, United States
Playdate - Puppet Show
Friday, Mar 4, 2016, 11:00 AM
Frisco Public Library, Frisco Square Boulevard, Frisco, TX, United States
Mom's Night In - Painting Night
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016, 07:00 PM
7312 Lawndale Ct, McKinney, TX 75070, United States
Third Monday Trade Days
Grab your stroller or wagon and join us at Third Monday Trade Days in McKinney! You'll find a mix of antiques, trendy apparel and accessories, baby and children's clothing and accessories, garage sale items, a great variety of home decor-- including shabby chic, re-purposed items, vintage, rustic, primitive, western, and seasonal-- metal art, pet supplies, garden/outdoor decor and furniture, health and beauty products, etc. Parking and admission are free on Fridays!!
Friday, Mar 18, 2016, 09:00 AM
Third Monday Trade Days, West University Drive, McKinney, TX, United States
MOM'S ICE NIGHT - Impartation & Guest Speaker
Please join us for a fun Mom's night of fellowship, impartation, yummy food, lots of raffle prizes, and a special guest speaker!! If you'd like to bless our wonderful mom's and contribute a small gift for our raffle drawing, please bring it with you to ICE night! It could be something you pick up at the store, a regifted item, or a product to promote your business! Drinks will be provided. Please bring a sweet or salty snack to share.
Sunday, Mar 20, 2016, 07:00 PM
1055 Port Sullivan Dr, Little Elm, TX 75068, United States
Beard Park Playdate
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2016, 09:30 AM
310 Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX, United States
Playdate at the Coop!
Wednesday, Mar 23, 2016, 09:00 AM
the COOP, Coleman Boulevard, Frisco, TX, United States
Toddler Jump at Urban Air
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2016, 10:00 AM
Urban Air Trampoline Park, John W. Elliott Drive, Frisco, TX, United States
play street museum playdate
Happy Birthday to our Amazing Moms!
March Birthdays
4th – Tiffany Baker
18th – Hailee Marcum
23rd – Corina Conyne
27th – Alyssa Fereday
29th – Liz Strobl
30th – Diana WestLeadership Team
Renee' Carroll - 469-605-6514/ touchdowngo@gmail.com (Group Leader)
Dolores Maldonado - 972-992-8038/ doloresmaldo@gmail.com (Prayer Leader)
Angela Bynum - 214-215-9215/ abynum8@yahoo.com (Communication/Play Date Leader)