Closing This Blog

Here's the news:
There will no longer be a blog associated with our MOPS group for First Baptist Church Of Laurel.
This is the last post for our group. If you have any questions or would like to get e-mails from our group please contact Donna at mops@fbclaurel.com .
Look forward to another great year of MOPS with all of our returning moms and new ones too!

To God Be The Glory!
Misty Mc

MOPS August Playgroup

Playgroup for August has been posted, scroll to the bottom of the page to see where we will be meeting for the month.

Information Update

I hope everyone is keeping cool this week!
I just wanted to let everyone know that we will soon be transitioning to a new website, but we don't want to leave anyone behind. We will post all details when the new site is ready. If you are currently getting e-mails from us you will not have to worry about missing anything. We will send you our new information soon. If you are not receiving our e-mails and would like to be on our mailing list please forward your e-mail address and any other information you would like us to have to mops@fbclaurel.com. This site will continue to stay up to date until the time we transition. Thank you for your patients.

PLAYGROUP INFO:
In June we added a new feature to this site, now you can see where we plan on meeting for our playgroups by scrolling to the bottom of this page. If you every need additional details or directions for playgroups please ask us at mops@fbclaurel.com or contact Cathy Mc.

MOPS Summer Playgroup

Tuesday June 29th 2010: 10 am
Let's get together at Laurel Lakes. If you would like to meet us early to walk we will be there at 9:30 am.
Bring a picnic lunch to eat after playtime!
See you there!

Scroll to the bottom of the MOPS blog page to view the playgroup for July. In the future we will post the months playgroup schedule for you on the MOPS blog.

MOPS SUMMER PLAYGROUP

Tuesday June 22,2010 : 10:00am
It's officially Summer!!!
Let's meet at Hammond park off of Rt 216. Bring a lunch if you are interested in picnicking after playtime.
10700 Glenn Hannah Drive
Laurel MD 20723
www.co.ho.md.us
Don't forget the sunblock and water bottles!

MOPS Playgroup

Tuesday June 15, 2010 - 10:00am
Playgroup this week is going to be at Long Gate Park & Ride at the intersection of Rt 100 and Long Gate Pkwy. There are plenty of picnic tables for lunch so don't forget to bring yours!
See you there!

MOPS Playgroup

Tuesday, June 8, 2010; 10:00 am
Meet us at the airport park by BWI. If you would like to walk the trail meet us at 9:00 by the playgroud. Bring a picnic lunch too!
See you soon.

MOPS Yardsale!!

Saturday June 5th, 2010 from 8:00am - 12:00pm
Preschool Mommies Are Cleaning House!
At the home of Misty R. in Catonsville. If you need directions or still want to donate, please e-mail us at mops@fbclaurel.com
There will be tons of baby clothes, toys, big items and other great deals for your family!
Can't wait to see you there.

MOPS Springtime Playgroup

Tuesday, May 25th 2010, 10:00am
We are meeting at Western Regional Park in Woodbine MD. Meet at the playground and bring a blanket for your picnic lunch.
14800 Carrs Mill Road
Woodbine MD 21723
www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAP_HoCoParksWesternReg.htm
Rainy Day Option: we will meet at the play place at Columbia Mall if the weather is not good.
Contact Kim E. or Cathy Mc to see where they will be.

MOPS Spring Playgroup

May 18th 2010, 10:00am
Come meet us at the playground at Savage Park.
There are 2.8 miles of inter-connecting trails, so if you would like to walk bring your stroller and walking shoes. Stay and have a picnic lunch after playtime, bring a blanket just in case there are no tables available.
See you there!!
Savage Park : www.co.ho.md.us/rap/rap_hococountyparkssavage.htm
8400 Fair Street
Savage, MD 20763

MOPS Spring Playgroup

May 11th 2010 at 10:00am
Lets get together at Rockburn Branch Park
We'll meet at playground. - There are 2 miles of paved trails so if people would like to walk meet at 9:30am.
Stay and have a picnic lunch if you're interested (bring a blanket just incase there aren't tables)!
5400 Landing Road
Elkridge, MD 21075

MOPS Spring Playgroup

May 4, 2010 ; 10:00am
We will be meeting at Cedar Lane Park in Columbia MD at the playground.
There is a .8 mile path connecting the two areas so we could walk. Stay and have a picnic lunch after playtime. There are picnic tables but bring a blanket just in case the tables are taken.
Can't wait!
Cedar Lane Park
10745 Route 108
Columbia MD 21044
www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/rap_hocoparkscedarlane.htm

MOPS Spring Playgroup

Tuesday April 27, 2010 10:30am
Plans have changed/you are welcome to still meet up at the mall, however a few moms will be going to the Fairland Sports Complex's "Boundless Playground" on Old Gunpowder Road in Laurel at 10:30am.
Originally: Since it was calling for rain we were meeting at Columbia Mall at the indoor play-place outside of JC- Penny at 10:00am, then stay and have lunch at the food court.
Wherever you go you will have fun, try and meet a new mom today!
www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Sports/Fairland_Sports_and_Aquatics_Complex.htm
www.themallincolumbia.com

MOPS Spring Playgroup

Tuesday April 20, 2010-9:30am
We are headed to Lake Elkhorn - Let's walk it!!
If you are interested in walking the path up to the bridge and back meet us at the docks.
If you are not interested in walking then meet us at 10:00 at the playground.
Stay and have a picnic lunch.
6800 Cradlerock Way, Columbia MD
Can't wait to see you there!

MOPS Spring Playgroup

Tuesday April 13, 2010 9:30am
Moms are meeting at Rosedale Library to visit Storyville.
They will start a waiting list for Storyville once it is full, so there is a chance that we wont get in together, if you don't get there early enough.
Have lunch at Panera after, then head home.
6105 Kenwood Ave.
Baltimore, MD.

MOPS Spring Playgroup

Tuesday April 6, 2010: 9:30am
We will meet at Maryland City Park
565 Brock Ridge Road, Laurel MD.
For those interested in walking meet at the playground to walk the 2 mile path.
If you are not interested in walking then meet us at 10:00am at the playground.
Stay and have a picnic lunch.
If it rains we will meet at Annapolis Mall in the indoor play area at 10:00am
We will stay and have lunch at the food court.
Hope you can make it out!

Something from 'Life On Planet Mom by Lisa T. Bergren'

I am reading a book, Life On Planet Mom by Lisa T. Bergren. In the chapter titled "A Fathers Love: How becoming a mom changes your relationship with God" there are more than a few things I want to share, but I will restrain myself from quoting the chapter :o)
So as I read on I am reminded of the moment when I fell in love with my babies, each time it was different but the revelation was the same. If every mom would ponder those moments of first love and how that unconditional love takes you by storm, how you knew at that moment you would do ANYTHING for your babies, to see them blossom and grow and be all that they can be. Now imagine or come to realize that God your Father has those same feelings, but 100 or 1000 fold, it's hard to imagine a love greater than what you are capable of, in my opinion. Motherhood has given me a whole new perspective on love and it's true meaning.
In the book you will find an example of sacrificial love concerning our friends.
"Say we were dear friends, on a girls' getaway in London (hey, a girl can dream, right?). We're walking along, and you step into the street, commenting on how cute that red phone booth is up there, blissfully unaware that a double-decker bus is hurtling toward you. Since we're dear friends, I hope that I would burst into action an push you out of the way, even if it meant that I might die. I hope. Because I love my friends. But I don't know."...."But as a mom, I KNOW I would do anything possible to save my children."
One of my favorite parts of this chapter is how the writer explains the following:
"It got more specific for me too"....."Suddenly the dark days of remembrance leading up to Easter moved me to tears. I could see Jesus hanging on the cross, feel the deep, pulsing grief of watching someone I love be put to death; but it was thinking of his mother Mary, kneeling at his bloody feet, weeping - it makes me cry even now. And for God to sacrifice his Son, for him to put Mary through such agony, so that I might be free, so that I might never be separated from him, is something the significance of which motherhood has only magnified. He loves me so much that he put his Son, part of Himself, in front of a double-decker bus for me, without hesitation - knowing he would die, so that I might live. He loves you that much too."
I truly understand that feeling which the writer described and I too am overwhelmed each time I sincerely think about it. What you have read is only one of the similarities between motherhood and our relationship with God. If you don't have that relationship yet you should get one. All you have to do is start talking to him, he is waiting for you!
Misty Mc

You can find this book at the MOPS shop, click on the link at the bottom of this blog.

MOPS Spring Playgroup

Tuesday, March 30th, 10:00am

Kathy S. has opened her home for playgroup this week. Please come on over and bring a lunch for you and your kiddies. Her home is in Laurel, but if you need directions please e-mail us for them at mops@firstbaptistlaurl.org and we will get them to you.
See you soon!

MOPS Playgroup

March 23rd, 2010 at 10:00am
Lets meet at Discovery Community Park in Laurel, weather permitting!
Check back here for changes to be posted if the weather is bad.
www.laurel.md.us/facilities/discovery-community-park
Pray for Sunshine!! See you at the park!

MOPS Playgroup

March 16th 2010, 10:00am
Lets meet at Columbia Mall downstairs at the play area outside of JC Penny.
We will be staying for lunch in the foodcourt.
Hope you can make it out!
www.themallincolumbia.com

MOPS Playgroup

March 9th,10:00 am
Let's meet at Centennial Park in Columbia
It is supposed to be 60 degrees so we should have a fun day in the sun!
We can decide if we want to go grab lunch when we get there tomorrow depending on who shows up!
Can't wait for a sunny playdate!
http://www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAP_HoCoParksCentennial.htm

Buckets Of Hope for Haiti

Our MOPS group will be putting together some "Buckets of Hope" as a team effort in helping families with NOTHING in Haiti. As a mom I can't imagine what it would be like to not have food, shelter or water for my family, if we survived such a catastrophe. I pray that you are able to help us get these buckets filled. We will be putting them together on March 11th in our meeting, we are providing the buckets.
So what is a "Bucket of Hope?"
A "Bucket of Hope" consists of a plastic 5 gallon bucket packed with selected foodstuffs. For approximately $30 anyone can purchase the materials and assemble a "Bucket of Hope." The food contained in a single bucket will feed a Haitian family for a week. You are also requested to include a $10 cash contribution, placed in an envelope and attached to the lid of the bucket, to offset the cost of transporting the relief buckets to Haiti.
Buckets must be packed with a specific list of food items inside. Please follow the detailed instructions carefully. This will ensure that every bucket quickly passes through customs and into the hands of the Haitian people.
Please visit www.namb.net/bucketsofhope for more information about this campaign and for a complete list of items to include in your bucket with instructions on how to assemble each bucket.
May You Be Blessed!

MOPS Winter Playgroup

Tuesday, March 2, 2009 10:30am
Donna K. has opened her home for playgroup this week. She lives in Beltsville, if you are coming but need directions please shoot me an e-mail at misticmomma@gmail.com or give me a call if you have my number. Really hope you can make it, bring a bag lunch too!
Misty Mc

MOPS Winter Playgroup

Tuesday February 23, 2009; 10:00am
Kathy S. has opened her home for playgroup this week. Bring a bag lunch and be ready for a fun time! If you are able to come please rsvp to mops@firstbaptistlaurel.org and we will e-mail you directions if you request them.
See you soon!!

MOPS Winter Playgroup

February 16, 2010 , 11:30am
Lets meet at Fairland Sports Complex in Laurel for Open Gym. The cost is $5 per child that is walking. Adults do not have to pay. We will meet at the sports complex. We won't be staying for lunch as most people will be in a hurry to get home so their kids can get down for naps!
Also they do not have any place to sit and eat.
13820 and 13950 Old Gunpowder Road
Laurel, MD 20707
301-362-6060 http://www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Sports/Fairland_Sports_and_Aquatics_Complex.htm

Operation Christmas Child Comes Full Circle

Watch the story of Oksana Nelson - a former orphan from Russia who was given an Operation Christmas Child shoebox before she was adopted. Hear how the shoebox changed her life and how she's now helping other children through Operation Christmas Child!
Every shoebox matters! http://tiny.cc/Y0V1j

MOPS & Pops Night Out

Ladies,
Regrettably we have to cancel MOPS and Pops Night that was scheduled for Saturday night. The weather has been so overwhelming this past week and we don't want to put anyone's safety at risk on the roads or walkways close to the church.
The Steering Team will do our best to reschedule for a date in the Spring (maybe we can avoid snow in April?)! We'll let you know as soon we can!
Thanks!
Amy P.

RESCHEDULED MOPS MEETING

When: Thursday February 18th at 9:30am
Ladies,
I pray that you are all safe and without too much back pain from all the shoveling! Since Prince George's county schools are closed for the rest if this week we will not have our MOPS meeting. However, thanks to the hard work of Cathy and her helpers we have secured 9 out of the 12 MOPPETS workers we need to have the meeting on Feb 18! So we will see you on February 18th at 9:30am, weather permitting ;o)Stay safe and warm!
Your MOPS group at FBCL

Blizzard Warning

Blizzard Warning
... Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 10 PM EST Saturday...
* Precipitation type... heavy snow... accompanied occasionally bythunder overnight.* Accumulations... widespread storm total accumulations of 20 to 30 inches... with some locations in excess of 30 inches.
* Timing... snow will continue through Saturday evening. The heaviest snowfall will occur through Saturday morning with the most hazardous conditions occurring overnight.
* Visibilities... widespread visibilities at or below one-quarter mile are expected tonight in heavy snow.
* Temperatures... temperatures will be in the mid to upper 20s tonight and Saturday.
* Winds... northeast winds 15 to 25 mph with frequent gusts of 35 to 40 mph overnight through Saturday... especially along the coast. Precautionary/preparedness actions... This extremely dangerous storm is expected to produce recordsnowfall for the Baltimore and Washington DC metropolitan areas.Travel conditions tonight across the region will be extremelyhazardous and life-threatening. Help your local and stategovernment first responders and transportation agencies bystaying off the roads.A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions areexpected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong windsand poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteoutconditions.
Blizzard Warning in DC: District of Columbia
Coastal Flood Advisory in MD: Anne Arundel , Calvert , Charles , Southern Baltimore , St. Marys Winter Storm Warning in MD: Carroll , Frederick , Howard , Montgomery
Coastal Flood Advisory in VA: Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria
visit www.wtopnews.com for more information on your area

MOPS Winter Playgroup

Tuesday February 9, 2010
There will be no scheduled playgroup this week due to the weather. Please be safe and have fun in the snow!

Are Schools Open? Check Online!

When schools close, be the first to know!
School's Out provides school districts, colleges and private schools with an emergency communications infrastructure.
In the case of emergencies, delays, schedule changes or cancellations, School's Out can send you an email or cell phone text message alert.
School's Out was created in 1996 when a group of concerned parents in Frederick, Maryland were unable to find out information regarding early dismissals during Hurricane Fran. Completely out-of-pocket, this group of parents developed School's Out to help inform parents, students and faculty of any early closings, delays and cancellations in their particular Maryland K-12 school districts.
Visit www.schoolsout.com for more information and to signup.

MOPS Winter Playgroup

Tuesday February 2 2010, 10:00am Lets meet up at Columbia Mall at the play place outside of JC Penny. If you are able to come please rsvp to mops@firstbaptistlaurel.org and we will keep a lookout for you. Bring a friend - Stay and have lunch in the food court.
See you there!

MOPS Winter Playgroup

Tuesday, January 26, 2009, 10:00am
Kathy Mc. has opened her home for playgroup. Kathy has limited space so please, if you are able to come, rsvp to mops@firstbaptistlaurel.org and we will e-mail you directions if you request them. You may contact her directly to confirm space availability if you alreay have her contact info.
Can't wait to see you!

MOPS Winter Playgroup

Tuesday January 19th 2009, 10:00am
Lets meet up at Columbia Mall at the play place. If you are able to come please rsvp to mops@firstbaptistlaurel.org and we will keep a lookout for you.
See you there!

MOPS Winter Playgroup

Tuesday January 12, 2009, 10:30am
Playgroup will be at the Laurel Chuck E Cheese. It is located in the Giant shopping center on Rt. 1 South. The kids can have fun playing and riding rides and then you are welcome to stay and eat lunch there as well if you like.

936 Fairlawn Ave.
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 498-7100

Hope to see you there!