MOPS Archives - Kristina Lunde

January 31, 2019 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Thank You, MOPS Craft Coordinator

I am not a crafter. When I am at an event that includes a craft-project, I get antsy and wonder how long it will take and how long it will take me. Crafts are an exercise in frustration for me. I don’t enjoy putsy work that requires me to do things precisely or creatively, especially if I have the pressure of a time limit. I much prefer to purchase someone else’s item and appreciate the artist’s creativity.

Amber, our MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers) craft coordinator, thankfully gave me a different perspective. Amber presented options and helped me see creative possibilities that I would never have considered. The quintessential craft lady, Amber translated the world of art projects into reasonable projects for me, a craft-impaired person.

When our small group was called up to the supply table, I positioned myself at the end of the line so I could hear how to do it. Amber had worked tirelessly to prepare all the supplies ahead of time. She had cut and stained boards, printed mini-posters, and created options for different styles. Although I was a mentor mom, in crafts I was far behind the artistically talented moms at my table. I dreaded the decisions. What did it matter if I choose a rustic dark frame or a painted white one? I didn’t know what I wanted, didn’t think I needed it, and certainly didn’t want to fuss over it.

This was one of our last MOPS meetings in the spring. Amber had prepped everything in amazing detail and printed out instructions. Of course, I needed extra help. I watched the inspired moms at my table apply their creativity to the project, hoping to learn from them. Eventually, I chose a Bible verse poster and made the wood-framed wall-hanging. Little did I realize how meaningful that project would later become.

I wondered what to do with the wall-hanging. My husband and I were moving that summer, and we needed to downsize everything. I almost gave the project away, knowing that everything we owned would be packed up for 6 months to a year as we constructed an addition onto our cabin. Living out of a suitcase for the first 4 months, I somehow I found that wall-hanging in our boxes of stuff relegated to an unfinished room. I saw the project and then read through the Bible verse:

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts. Psalm 28:7a ESV

Reading that verse, chosen long ago from Amber’s tabletop of colorful options, I recognized my need to apply those words to my construction-zone frustrations. I pounded a nail into a 2×4 and hung up the verse in our bare toilet stall. Little did I realize how poignant and meaningful that verse would become over the next six months. My husband ended up with an acute illness lasting almost two months, which required lots of time in that room, to phrase it tactfully. During the long-lasting construction projects, I also had plenty of time to memorize and meditate on that Bible verse.

Thank you, Amber, for giving us physical reminders that stir our hearts to grow closer to God. You may never realize the impact your projects make on individual lives, but I pray that you keep sharing the artistry and creativity God designed in you.

June 1, 2018 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Farewell to My MOPS Table

Dear Staci, Denae, Dawn, Melissa, Jenn, and Nikki, the MOPS (mother of preschoolers) at my table:

Thank you for allowing me to be the MOPS mentor mom for your “Courageous Contessa” table group this year. From breakfast and crafts to conversations and topic discussions, our table activities were meaningful and fun.

Thank you for giving me the privilege of praying for you. I treasured that aspect of of MOPS mentoring. Thank you also for communicating with me by writing out thoughts and asking for prayer in your mentoring journals. I am honored that you shared the events of your life with me this past year. Please know that I took those situations to God in prayer. I personally cannot face those issues or come up with solutions, but I know that God loves you and that His power and wisdom can effect ideal changes in your life. Even if you did not use the journals, I enjoyed praying for you regularly.

Our table discussions were fun and supportive; I hope you can remember and be encouraged by your time with this group. I still laugh at the concept of a “man poop,” or how to shut out the world and take a mini-vacation. (Thank you, Staci!) Dawn, your dedication to MOPS, obvious when you joined us after working night shift, was inspiring. This group’s willingness to share concerns with each other, from infant sleep schedules to work-husband-child-life balance, built a lot of trust and support. May God continue to nurture the relationships and validation you received, both at our table and at MOPS overall.

Staci, thanks for being a great table leader. Your transparency, insight, and skill at keeping us on topic were much-appreciated. Thanks also for coordinating group playdates and sending reminders of MOPS events.

My prayer for you Courageous Contessas is based on Isaiah 40:11:

May God be your shepherd and show you how He carries you close to His heart. May you recognize God’s leading in your life as a mom of littles. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

April 28, 2018 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Parenting, Plimsoll Lines, and Priorities

Parenting. Plimsoll lines. Priorities. A Plimsoll line illustrates a maritime law that involves oceans, ballast, and cargo ships. This seemingly unrelated concept became an insightful parenting metaphor in my friend Teresa’s recent MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) talk.

In the 1870s, British Parliament member Samuel Plimsoll examined the ongoing problem of overloaded commercial shipping vessels sinking at sea. He developed maximum depth standards for safe loading of ships’ cargo. These standards evaluated factors like salt/sea water, size of ship, time of year, and type of load to determine how deeply the ship could be immersed in water and still safely carry cargo. In 1876, British law mandated that load limits be indicated by a reference line painted on the ship’s hull. These reference lines became known as Plimsoll lines which remain a part of international maritime law.

A Plimsoll line that disappears underwater is an obvious mark of an overloaded ship. Teresa emphasized that principle to the mothers at our MOPS meeting. She spoke of the importance of evaluating our individual situation and then determining our “Plimsoll line,” the point at which we are maximally loaded with responsibilities. Teresa emphasized that, just as Plimsoll lines take into account load factors and seasons, so we need to determine what we can manage and how close we are to sinking.

Teresa’s motivating talk centered on our ultimate goal of following Christ and how we set goals based upon that foundation. As she described how to set realistic parenting and personal goals, Teresa cautioned us to avoid busy-ness and distractions that keep us from doing what God wants us to do. She encouraged us to exercise our “no muscle” by deliberately saying no to activities that would exceed our Plimsoll lines and cause us to sink.

Although she missed Teresa’s talk, our discussion group leader Staci became a great example of using a Plimsoll line. With three boys ages five and under, Staci is a dynamic example of following Christ. As a MOPS mentor mom, I am honored to be part of Staci’s table. On the Wednesdays that MOPS does not meet, Staci sets up playdates for our group. She is involved with high-schoolers, both in her church as youth group helper and in the community as the high school musical choreographer.

On the MOPS morning that Teresa spoke, Staci decided to stay home with her boys. No specific reason, but she said they needed to have a quiet day at home. Little did Staci realize that exercising her “no muscle” in that way was a much-needed preparation for what happened later. That night, her son Jace became sick with vomiting and a fever. Because Staci had recognized her Plimsoll line and cut back on her daytime activities, she had the resources for her long night of illness-assessing, child-comforting, and linen-changing. Staci’s choice also spared the other MOPS’ kids from sharing the nasty virus.

Dear God, please give us wisdom to establish Plimsoll lines for our lives. Teach us how to set goals and relevant boundaries as we follow Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.

December 19, 2014 by Kristina Lunde 2,034 Comments

Runaway Rebecca

Dear Runaway Rebecca,

Thank you for playing that fun game with me at MOPS!

The MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group met upstairs at the church, while you and the other “Moppettes,” or little ones, were entertained downstairs. As a mentor mom, I stayed upstairs to lead a discussion group. Doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was getting up two hours before an event, racing around the house to get kids ready (with myself as an afterthought), and then schlepping two strong-willed children and lots of assorted stuff to an event. Now those teenagers are busy in school all day, and my volunteering and Bible study activities don’t require heavy lifting and kid-corralling.

But I still remember my kid-corralling skills, and that’s why your game was so much fun. In stealth-like style, you squeezed your three year old self out the front door amid the mom brigade of strollers, toddlers, diaper bags, and other kid paraphernalia. As I stood outside talking with the other, also quite relaxed, mentor mom, I saw the concerned face of your mom Rose, as she held the door open and called your name. Rose had already worked a full morning: she planned, organized, set up, presented, and then cleaned up for her many responsibilities with the food, hospitality, and decorations.

That look in her eyes told me everything; likely she had turned to quickly finish something and then looked back only to find that you, her precious Rebecca, were gone. Not really gone, just out of reach and off to the races.

Clomp, clomp, clomp – your princess shoes clattered as you raced down the sidewalk.

Swish, swish, swish – that sparkly pink dress swayed as fast as your little legs could clomp.

Bounce, bounce, bounce – your adorable blond ringlets danced to the swish of your gait.

Although relieved to find you, your mother’s attempts to call you back were completely ignored. By this time I was running off to chase you, calling over my shoulder to ask your mom if I could get you.

“I’m sending my friend Miss Tina to get you,” I heard Rose call out as I chased Runaway Rebecca, a little vision in pink speeding along the concrete.

Leaning down toward you as I finally caught up with you, Rebecca, I heard the most precious little laughter. What a sweet, albeit impish, giggle you have! I started laughing with you, determined to make the trip back to your mom just as much fun. With a couple of silly comments and a hand-in-hand u-turn, we were soon racing back to your mom together. What a fun race that was! I still smile when I think of your adorable giggle and the wild Rebecca chase I got sent on.

Oh, how I know the responsibility, fear, and frustration in your mother’s eyes when she lost you in the crowd. Over a decade ago, I was overwhelmed with the responsibility and frustration of mothering my strong-willed children. I felt overworked, overtired, and wondered how I would ever survive. And yet God has guided me through every step of this parenting journey, as He is doing for your mother also.

May God refresh your dedicated mother, little Runaway Rebecca, with lots of those precious giggles and time to play with you. May our loving God always corral you with a gentle turnaround when your strong will tempts you to run from His love and protection.