Issue No. 07 Maricopa Motherhood Magazine

MARICOPA MOTHERHOOD

Verse of the Year

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

prayer

Heavenly Father,

Throughout these pages we praise you as we step out in confidence to walk alongside others near us. We praise you because you are worthy, holy, righteous and just. We trust you through this process by seeking your will to reach others. Help us to draw closer to you and those around me as I offer vulnerability and transparency. I trust you with this calling.

I pray for the mamas flipping through every page and come to you to ask that you pour your love into them during these moments. I ask that you be with us in every season. Thank you for continually pursuing us and offering grace. We welcome your comfort, love, peace and faithfulness.

For those reading without a relationship with you, Jesus, I ask that you meet them within these moments to accept you as their Savior and receive all that you have to offer them.

Thank you for trusting me in this space. For your glory, Amen.

Welcomemama.

Hi there mama!

I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to flip through the pages of this magazine.

Summer is in full swing and I think the heat is getting to all of a little bit. Anyone else stir crazy? Whether your kiddos are sleeping in until noon because they were up late with friends or your humans are tiny and looking forward to splash pad playdates, I cannot believe how fast this summer is already speeding by

I pray you are able to live this summer with a balance of rest and celebration, exploring and routine. It took me a little while to figure out but the more I walk with God while figuring out this motherhood journey, the more I am able to welcome His guidance and enjoy His promises while weaving them in and out of my day

Some of us are looking at our July calendar and already see meet-the-teacher night, first day back to school and have received our school supply lists! We still have birthdays to celebrate, sunshine to enjoy and popsicles to consume so I will hold off one more month and let summer linger just a little bit longer.

For July, I prayerfully put together each page and dug deep to be vulnerable in the hopes you would understand, us mamas gotta stick together In this issue you will find a book review that prompted me to make changes in my home resulting in an incredible impact on the relationships in my home I also share a little bit of summer break encouragement no matter how old your kiddos may be

I am still working out the details of opening a prayer community for local mamas. Subscribe–stay tuned for updates.

I pray you know you are beloved, chosen and loved by our Heavenly Father.

MOMENTS

Written by: Mandy

I kept seeing a similar theme throughout mom groups and social media Then, someone said something to me while I was out playing with my kids that felt like a pile of bricks in my lap

“You only get 18 summers, make them count.”

I’m sure this comment was meant to soften the edges of a busy morning, to reassure my heart that these are the days, to give me encouragement to enjoy it while it lasts. But at that moment, all I could feel was heaviness.

As a former teacher, I still LIVE for summer break for two reasons.

I should go chase my sweet babes through the splash pad

Did I make enough plans over the summer?

Do we have enough playdates?

What about activities, did I register for them all?

I should grab more snacks.

Speaking of, maybe we will make that new organic and dye free cotton candy

Actually, we will skip the fun summer lessons

Maybe I should cancel the activities and we will just spend all of our time together, for all of the summer days

Am I doing enough?

My mind started to wander as guilt and shame crept into my heart and intruded my thoughts.

PAUSE.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ

Take every thought captive.

I refuse to mother from a place of guilt.

I will not mother based on a lie that “I need to make this summer count ”

I do not need to live in fear of the unknown

Shame has no place in my mothering journey

I assume the intention of this simple statement from a stranger was to be light hearted as they reminisce about the summers they once had with little ones at their feet. But look how quickly the enemy used it to have me question my abilities, value and worth as a mom. Look how quickly he took advantage of a moment to try steal, kill and destroy.

I am blessed to have 18 summers with my kids, I can serve my kids while being loving and lifegiving Every summer, every day, is made up of many moments These many moments throughout each of the days provide truth and love They all hold significance whether it is resting or celebrating, taking a break or enjoying freedom. God knows the plans He has for me and for each of my kids. The pressure to do more and be more will always be suffocating our opportunities for connection and vulnerability If I am not serving my children and the needs and desires of their heart with a soft and open heart of my own, I have found that my motives can turn selfish

So some days wear the swimsuit, get your hair wet and do cannonballs. Other summer days sit on the sidelines and hand out popsicles while reading a good book, if your kids are old enough for that- I’m not quite there! Ff your littles are the tiniest and water activities just aren’t on your agenda yet, call up a friend and make plans til the next summer. Because that stranger hinted at something true, this time as a mama with littles goes by fast.

Finding a balance that sets you up for success as a mama and supports each child in their own season is near impossible, I’m thankful for a loving God that fills in the many gaps and cracks.

FRUIT YOGURT POPSICLES

This activity is so fun for littles! Remember to buy the gloves! The gloves make it possible for the bubbles to bounce because it protects the bubbles from the oils on our hands that break the bubbles

Ingredients:

3 cups frozen blueberries and/or strawberries

3 cups yogurt

Favorite popsicle molds

Directions:

Add 1/2 cup of fruit to each popsicle mold.

Add 1/2 cup of yogurt to each popsicle mold.

Stir each mold with a spoon.

Add a few more pieces of fruit.

Insert reusable stick to the popsicle mold

Place in the freezer until firm

S T A Y

O N N E C T E D

Taking the time to skim these pages as you are in and out of your day is no easy accomplishment Especially during the summer when our schedules is different, filled with family time and friends

I gave a little warning last month that this issue might be a little late as well, man did I ever predict that one! I appreciate your patience as I navigate the words, stories and pages throughout each issue released.

THANK YOU! Bless&Keep, Mandy

IIf you are looking forward to connecting with other mamas please join our MOPS Group We would love to meet you

Thank you is not enough

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1:3