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Soul Care - Newsletter
Sometimes we get so busy taking care of others that we forget to think about our own well-being. Let’s talk about the most common stressors and solutions in the areas of emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellness. Bonnie Gray is a soul care coach and author who helps women detox from stress, worry and anxiety so they can find their spark of joy again.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us at Tori's house for Galentine's & our favorite things night. This event in so much fun!! We get to share goodies with each other and eat sweet treats and take home 3 of someones favorite things.
Please Bring 3 of your favorite items to participate in the swap: (examples are things like: mascara, lip balm, candle, snack, chocolate, hand scrub, make up, gadget, etc.) Bring them wrapped up in bags or wrap.
Each of your 3 items should value $5. So 3 $5 items you will bring and you will receive 3 different $5 items to take home.
Please sign up in the discussion section with your food/beverage you can bring to share that day also. See your sweet self there
Thurs, Feb. 15 at 6:30pm - Meetup 11 Combined @ Horizon West
Mon, Feb. 26 at 6:30pm - Meetup 10 @ Downtown
FBCWG EVENTS
AWANA
Join us on Wednesdays for AWANA at our Downtown Campus from 6-7:30pm.
Your kids will not want to miss AWANA! AWANA stands for “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed” based off of 2 Timothy 2:15. AWANA is for ages 3 yrs (as of 09/01) – 5th grade. AWANA is a discipleship curriculum that helps children memorize Scripture on their reading levels. In addition, we enjoy games and bi-monthly theme nights.
Cubbies: 3yrs (as of 09/01) – 5yrs Sparks: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade T&T: 3rd Grade – 5th Grade
Contact Stephanie Cline for more information. Click here to register
Family Picnic - Feb. 25 11:30am-4:00pm
VBS registration is OPEN!
VBS for Moms!
EXTRA INFO
Thank you for your desire to be a part of MOPS/MOMSNext Winter Garden (Soon to be TheMomCo)! Here at MOPS, we gather and support moms. We believe in the simple but revolutionary idea that remarkable things happen when moms come together.
This is the year to make some moves. Say “Yes.”
Register HERE.
Please refer to our Google Sheet for your POD assignments and food rotation schedule. When it is your turn to provide food, please put what you will be bringing or if you will be chipping in money to help contribute. If for some reason you cannot make it to the meeting, please drop off your food to someone else in your POD.
See schedule HERE.
SOUL CARE - CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Emotional Wellness: Do you often pay attention to the feelings of others but easily neglect your own feelings? How can you better nurture your way out of stress?
Physical Wellness: How does stress impact your body? When you feel stressed, what can you do to bring your body into better balance?
Social Wellness: How would you rate your social wellness - on a scale of 1 to 10?
Spiritual Wellness: Where is a place that feels peaceful to you? When have you found that prayer or meditating on scripture de-stresses your body and mind?
Which type of care do you need most right now - emotional, physical, social, spiritual? What is one thing you can do to take better care of yourself this week?
DEVOTIONAL
Self-Care Versus Soul-Care
Andrea Fortenberry, Executive Leadership Coachandreafortenberry.comblog.mops.org/self-care-versus-soul-care
Self-care is one of those buzz words that moms hear often. We’re encouraged to take time for ourselves by “napping when the baby naps,” going to get a pedicure, or taking a bubble bath. These things are definitely helpful and enjoyable, aren’t they?
But I’ve found that every mom also needs soul-care. It’s not either or, but both. How is soul-care different than self-care?
I love a good metaphor, so let’s imagine ourselves as a car. Self-care is taking care of the external and making sure the gauges and tires are working properly. Soul-care is supporting and maintaining the heart of the car - the engine - which enables everything to keep running. If your engine isn’t maintained well, eventually you won’t get very far.
If we only spend time on self-care, we may find ourselves sputtering along through life and motherhood because our hearts and souls also need tending.
I didn’t realize I needed soul-care until a few years into motherhood. Having children exposed behaviors and patterns in me that weren’t healthy. A nap, pedicure, and a bubble bath weren’t enough to help my heart. I looked up Christian counselors in my area and made an appointment. That was nearly eight years ago, and I still see my counselor regularly. When we engage in self-care, it feels good in that moment and shortly thereafter. But soul-care is longer lasting. It deeply satisfies. It helps answer questions to our deepest longings. It helps heal wounds and birth new fruit. It always points us to Jesus.
Here are a few examples of how to care for our souls as moms:
- Spend time reading the Bible and in prayer
- Attend church
- Make a counseling appointment
- Seek spiritual direction
- Spend time in silence
- Go to a women’s conference
- Join a support group
- Engage in a creative activity
- Spend time in nature
Soul-care may look different to each of us because God made us uniquely. The key is to figure out what helps you receive the rest for your soul that Jesus describes in Matthew 11:28-29 NIV: Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and earn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mama, remember that you are worth the investment of both self and soul-care. As you care for yourself, you’re also investing in and loving your family. Better moms make a better world.
Questions:
How can I care for my soul this week?
How can I ensure that I make time for soul-care on a regular basis?
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