MOPS

July 31, 2023 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Gaining Wisdom by Working with Teen Moms

Gaining Wisdom By Working with Teen Moms

Every Thursday night our family would load up in the car and head to inner-city Little Rock. This included me, my husband, our homeschooled 17-year-old son, our toddler, and sometimes, my college-age daughter. We set out on a special mission, to serve teen moms in the area through a program called Teen MOPS. We have continued this mission for many years now.

Teen MOPS is part of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International. I first heard about Teen MOPS when I was part of a regular MOPS group at our church. As a former teen mom, I loved the idea of helping those who are where I used to be. I know how hard it is to find advice on everything from dealing with a boyfriend to finishing school, to parenting while also living with parents.

When I first started mentoring teen moms many, many years go I was worried that I wouldn’t have all the answers. Now I know I never will, but the contribution I make is pointing them in the right direction. I am gaining wisdom by working with teen moms. And I can help them learn how to make wise choices…which helps all areas of their lives!

According to dictionary.com, wisdom is: “the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.”

Mentors in our program remind young moms that they don’t have to stay where they are. They teach young women that they don’t have to live on the edge, balancing between right and wrong. Instead, they can move into a spacious place in a solid relationship with Jesus.

Not only are we helping the teens, but there is much we can learn. We can be gaining wisdom by working with teen moms.

Do not think you have to have all the answers or know every little detail before you begin reaching out and helping. You too can be gaining wisdom by helping a teen mom!

Do you know a teen mom? Download and send this postcard to her!

You may also like Teen Mom, You are Not Alone. There is hope, there is help, there is joy. I am here for you.

About Teen Mom

Teen Mom: You’re Stronger Than You Think

Everything changes the day you discover you’re going to be a mom. It’s not just yourself that you think about—you have a child to care for, too. While you wouldn’t trade your child for the world, some days are just hard. Baby-daddy drama, dealing with your parents, and worries about school, work, and your future slam you. Your friends can’t relate to your little family, and you wonder if God has turned His back on you, too.

Tricia Goyer understands. A mom at age 17, Tricia remembers what it felt like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. She’s also been the coordinator of a teen mom support group for over twelve years, and she’s cheered on many young moms—from all walks of life—through their journey.

In Teen Mom: You’re Stronger Than You Think, Tricia pours out her heart and shares advice for the hard things you face. She also longs to provide encouragement, reminding you that you can be the mom your child deserves—not in your own strength, but in the strength God provides.

Ask Tricia: Teen MOPS Group

I get asked questions all the time. As a wife of twenty-six years, a mom of ten—seven having been adopted, a homeschooler and a writer of over 60 books people want to know how my life works. Here is one of those questions and my short answer.

I saw you at the homeschool convention in Nashville in March. I have a question. I saw the teen mom support group that you have in AR. This is something that has always been near and dear to my heart aside from the passion to write my own book! I was wondering for any tips you may have about starting one here locally. My first born is from my teen pregnancy, graduated with him in tow! I think you said you graduated like that as well! Any advice would be great!! —Brandi T.

Brandi, so glad you’re feeling called to start a Teen MOPS group. It’s an amazing ministry. I’d love to see a Teen MOPS group in every town!

Here are some ideas of what to do to get started:

*Contact MOPS International for information about a charter.

*Talk to your church or a local crisis pregnancy about starting the group. Pick a meeting space.

*Set a schedule and write out your mission and goals.

*Talk to folks about volunteering. To get the word out I posted announcements in bulletins, talked on local Christian radio, and spoke at local groups. Local MOPS groups also give awesome help and support! I’ve gotten some great volunteers from these groups.

*Get funding. Local churches can help. Small groups or other community groups can help too. (I run our group on less than $100 a month. We get people to donate food, donate childcare, donate doorprizes, etc. I also get folks to buy and donate copies of Life Interrupted to our group.)

*Make a brochure and send it out. I send it to hospitals, doctors, social service agencies, schools, churches, etc.

*Plan the meetings. Teen MOPS groups usually run on a school year schedule from September–May. (You can see a little more below how we run our Teen MOPS group.)

*Advertise. Put up posters. Send press releases about your group to newspapers and community calendars.

*Pray. (Actually pray with each step!)

*Be patient. When Teen MOPS starts it may take a while to grow a group. We often start with two-to-five girls each meeting.

*Love on the girls. You can plan and plan but your love is what will keep them coming back!

Teen MOPS groups are run similarly to MOPS groups. There is food, a game, a short devotion, a speaker or activity, and discussion groups. Groups can meeting weekly or bi-weekly. Our group here in Little Rock runs weekly. We do this because it was hard for young moms to remember which week as “on” and which was “off.” Our meetings start at 6:30 with dinner. The meeting itself starts at 7:00 and ends at 8:30. We have leaders’ meetings every other month—Teen MOPS is run by volunteer leaders. They can be women with young kids or older kids. We’ve had volunteers that don’t have kids yet. Volunteers can be retired women or women in college. We even have high schoolers who help with child care and other needs we have. At our meetings we provide a dinner for our moms. We provide childcare and we have a “baby store.” Young moms earn MOPS dollars for coming, bringing a friend, going to doctor visits, etc. Every meeting they can take home diapers or clothes.

Want more resources? You can check out my book Teen Mom: You’re Stronger Than You Think—there is also a leader handbook as well as a free companion workbook and group guide! You can also get more information on the MOPS website.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

February 21, 2017 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

How to Start a Teen MOPS Group

I get emails all the time from people asking how they can start a Teen MOPS group. Well, here’s some info.

How to start a Teen MOPS group:

If you’ve followed me for any time on Facebook or Twitter, you’ve heard me talk about Teen MOPS. Teen MOPS is a support group for teenage mothers. It’s part of MOPS International.
Basically Teen MOPS is a support group for our youngest moms. I started a Teen MOPS group in Kalispell, Montana, in 2000. After moving to Little Rock last year, I started a group here, too.
If you’d like to find out how to start a Teen MOPS group, go here.
Teen MOPS groups are run similarly to MOPS groups. There is food, a game, a short devotion, a speaker or activity, and discussion groups. Groups can meeting weekly or bi-weekly. Our group here in Little Rock runs weekly. We do this because it was hard for young moms to remember which week as “on” and which was “off.” Our meetings start at 6:30 with dinner. The meeting itself starts at 7:00 and ends at 8:30. (You can get a better idea about our meetings from the free curriculum that is mentioned below.) We have leaders’ meetings every other month.
Teen MOPS is run by volunteer leaders. They can be women with young kids or older kids. We’ve had volunteers that don’t have kids yet. Volunteers can be retired women or women in college. We even have high schoolers who help with child care and other needs we have. I got involved in Teen MOPS because I was a teen mom . . . but you don’t have to be a former teen mom to volunteer. Women who volunteer do so for various reasons. You just need to come to the meetings with an open heart and outstretched arms.
At our meetings we provide a dinner for our moms. We provide childcare and we have a “baby store.” Young moms earn MOPS dollars for coming, bringing a friend, going to doctor visits, etc. Every meeting they can take home diapers or clothes.
After I started a Teen MOPS group I realized there was a need for a book just for them. That’s why I wrote Teen Mom:You’re Stronger Than You Think.
I also wrote a leader handbook as well as a free companion workbook and group guide!
Contact MOPS International for information about a charter.
Talk to your church or a local crisis pregnancy about starting the group. Pick a meeting space.
Set a schedule and write out your mission and goals.
Talk to folks about volunteering. To get the word out I posted announcements in bulletins, talked on local Christian radio, and spoke at local groups. Local MOPS groups also give awesome help and support! I’ve gotten some great volunteers from these groups.
Get funding. Local churches can help. Small groups or other community groups can help too. (I run our group on less than $100 a month. We get people to donate food, donate childcare, donate doorprizes, etc. I also get folks to buy and donate copies of Life Interrupted to our group.)
Make a brochure and send it out. I send it to hospitals, doctors, social service agencies, schools, churches, etc.
Plan the meetings. Teen MOPS groups usually run on a school year schedule from September–May.
Advertise. Put up posters. Send press releases about your group to newspapers and community calendars.
Pray. (Actually pray with each step!)
Be patient. When Teen MOPS starts it may take a while to grow a group. We often start with two-to-five girls each meeting.
Love on the girls. You can plan and plan but your love is what will keep them coming back!

Interested in starting your own #TeenMOPS group? #teenpregnancy Get tips from @TriciaGoyer:

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Well, that’s a quick overview. Feel free to write me if you have other questions! It’s an amazing ministry. I’d love to see a Teen MOPS group in every town!

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

July 9, 2015 by Tricia Goyer 6 Comments

Guided Prayer Cards for MOPS Leaders

Are you part of a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group this year? Here are some guided prayer cards for your group to use!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s hard to pray. It’s even harder when I’m asked to pray out loud with others. Sometimes I don’t know what to say. Or sometimes someone else says what I was going to.

Much of the time when it comes to praying out loud I’m so concerned about my words, that I forget to pray in agreement with others. Have you ever felt that way?

I’ve very excited because today I’m heading out to a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) planning retreat for our Teen MOPS group. This is our 6th year of having a Teen MOPS group in Little Rock. I’ve loved getting to know the young moms, and I’ve loved working with some amazing co-leaders.

I created these Guided Prayer Cards for our MOPS leadership team to use. Here are ways you can use them:

Use the Guided Prayer Cards during prayer time at your steering meetings. Pass them out and ask each person to pray over their request. Mix them up and use them again at the next meeting.
Use the Guided Prayer Cards as prompts, posting them around your house.
Give these prayer cards to friends or church members, asking them to pray for your group.

Download your Guided Prayer Cards and use them with your leadership team! (I’m going to laminate mine so we can use them over and over again.)

The very best thing we can do for our MOPS groups is to take them to God in prayer!

Download FREE MOPS prayer cards from @TriciaGoyer here:

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Now how about you? What do you pray for your MOPS group?

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

April 8, 2015 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

The ABCs of Supporting Young Moms

In September 2001, I was one of a dozen women waiting expectantly for the first teen mother to walk through the door. After working as a volunteer director of Hope Pregnancy Center for two years, I finally found a tangible way to meet the needs of teen mothers—through the launching of a Teen MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) weekly support group. The mentors grinned broadly when two teen mothers arrived for our first meeting. The next week we had four moms. The week after that, eight girls attended!

Now, twenty to twenty-five young moms attend every meeting, and we have over five dozen names on our roster. These young moms come to make a connection with others in the same life situation. They also learn how to be better moms and women by listening to encouraging speakers and meeting with personal mentors. During our two years as a group, we’ve seen a number of teen mothers finish high school. Some have chosen secondary virginity. The greatest result is that many have given their lives to Christ.

Because of the large number of attendees, we’re currently planning to launch a second Teen MOPS group! How did we do it? Here are the ABCs of providing an encouraging and educational support group for young moms:

From A to Z, the ways you can help a young mom today! @TriciaGoyer

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Assemble a caring team.

Many caring volunteers from our local PCC volunteered to help with the teen moms. Radio ads, community service announcements, and church bulletins helped spread the word and attracted volunteers. Former teen mothers, working moms, and even grandmothers from the community turned out. Those who believed in our mission and statement of faith soon found themselves holding babies and providing a listening ear to young moms in crisis.

Be diligent in training yourselves about the needs of young mothers.

Read books on teen parenting, talk to former teen mothers, and if possible visit other support groups to see what works. Get together with a teen mother, and you’ll be amazed to hear about her unique challenges.

Consider a young mom’s needs.

When planning our weekly meetings, we organize rides, meals, and childcare. We design fun games to introduce the young moms to each other, and we invite speakers such as alternative education teachers, job trainers, and child educators to provide informative talks. We also look for a neutral place to hold the meeting, such as a community center rather than a church.

Decide whom you want to serve.

We opened our meetings to young moms, ages thirteen through twenty-two. Yet we also allowed parents, grandparents, and boyfriends to attend if the young mom felt she needed extra support. We found these teen moms by taking flyers to alternative schools, doctor’s offices, the public health department, and other low-income service providers.

Earn their trust.

Don’t make promises you can’t keep to the young moms. If you say you’re going to call, then call. If you offer help in a certain area, provide it. Young moms have often been hurt by those claiming to care. Your follow-through will prove that you really do care.

Follow up.

Some moms come every week without fail. Other moms seem to drop off the map. Volunteer leaders are encouraged to call young moms to check up on them. We also send “missing you” notes in the mail. We’ve discovered that the times these young women don’t want accountability are the times they need it the most!

Give special attention to their babies.

Young moms are more likely to receive condemning looks rather than enthusiasm over their children. Even though the circumstances under which these babies were conceived are less than ideal, the babies themselves are precious children, created in God’s image! Rejoice over these little ones, and it will bring joy to their moms too.

Have open arms.

These young moms aren’t perfect. They often say the wrong things or strike out at those who want to help. Yet, open arms demonstrate Christ’s love.

Invite input.

Every few months we ask the teen moms what topics interest them. They’ve suggested such topics as “claiming parental rights” and “domestic violence.” Getting input insures we’re meeting real needs. It also lets us know what problems our clients are facing.

Judge not.

When our meetings started, we encountered women with pierced body parts, tattoos, and skimpy clothes. We didn’t judge them or criticize them. We just kept caring and loving—never giving up. As these young hearts softened, their appearance often did too.

Keep the community involved in your group and your group involved in the community.

Our local PCC provides all the funds for our group. Likewise, we help the center with fundraising events. The young moms have served joyfully at banquets or have spoken in support of the center. This interaction helps the young moms witness the loving support from their community. It also helps the community see the difference we’re making in young lives.

Listen to your heart.

If you notice a girl who is downcast or if you sense that something’s wrong, take her aside and offer a listening ear. Many times our hearts pick up on pain, even when it is not voiced.

Make sure you seek help from experts.

When planning our group, we received help from MOPS International. MOPS provided manuals, materials, and experts to help us create the best group possible. Check them out at www.mops.org/teen.

Never allow gossip.

Young women are good at “sharing,” and sometimes the leaders have trouble with gossip too. Stomp out gossip quickly. If prayer is needed, share the requests with those you trust and take the requests before God together.

Open the floor for discussion.

In addition to good instruction, young moms need a safe place to share their concerns. After the speaker finishes, allow the moms to share their hearts’ concerns in discussion groups. Remind them that everything shared in the group stays in the group.

Provide for their physical needs.

Teen moms need support and encouragement, but they also need practical items such as diapers, wipes, clothes, and baby furniture. We use the “Earn While You Learn” program to help these young moms earn items for their children. We also give extra “Mommy Money” for attending meetings and bringing a friend.

Question what part each leader should play.

Some leaders love getting into deep conversations with the young moms. Others enjoy cooking or working in childcare. Encourage each leader to follow her gifts. Each task is important.

Require responsibility.

Our doors are open to any young mom, but we ask her to take on responsibility for being part of the group. Young moms help set up and clean up for meetings. They also must be responsible for their words and actions. To make it a safe place, we require each young woman to behave respectfully and responsibly.

Set Boundaries.

There are some young moms who would never ask a favor. Others push the limits. Leaders are not babysitters or chauffeurs. Setting boundaries in the beginning helps keep leaders from getting overwhelmed. Rules also give leaders a way out when requests are made.

Trust they are listening.

Sometimes the young moms seem more interested in everything but the speaker, yet I’ve discovered that they often are listening even when it doesn’t seem so. Months later I sometimes hear parts of previous discussions in the conversations among the young women. It warms my heart!

Use resources they can connect with.

When I started working with teen moms, I had a hard time finding resources specifically for them. That’s why I joined up with MOPS International to write Teen Mom: You’re Strong Than You Think (Zondervan). This book focuses on the needs of our youngest mothers.

Visualize where you see these moms five years from now.

How can you help each one be a success? Share your dreams, listen to theirs, and prod them on.

Weigh your motives.

Sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged when we don’t see immediate changes. It’s good to ask: “Am I focusing on where God is working or on what I want to see?” Often we’ll never see the impact we make, but God is faithful!

Xpect challenges.

Any time you share the love of Jesus, you will come across opposition. Deal with the opposition through prayer. Pray for the babies, for the other leaders, and especially for the young moms.

Yield to “good enough.”

As leaders we will never run a perfect meeting or say all the right things at the right time. Know that the love you show is good enough to make a difference. Also know that in your weakness God’s strength will shine!

Zero in on the young mom’s heart.

It can be discouraging when a young mom drops out of school or maybe even becomes pregnant again, but it helps to zero in on her heart. Every young mom can be changed through the love of leaders and the love of Christ. We may not be able to see the changes for years, but know that each effort to show God’s love will make a difference!

*Originally published at atcmag.com.

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5 practical steps to Running a Teen MOPS Group

I’ve been running a Teen MOPS group for 18 years, and even though the teen moms now have smartphones, they take selfies, and they connect with each other (and us leaders) on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat nothing much has changed about our group format for the last decade. Why? From the beginning, I tried to figure out what the basic needs of the teen mom were, and how we could meet them. And it’s worked! We’ve had successful groups and we’ve seen teen moms grow and change through the years.

Here are 5 practical steps to running a Teen MOPS group.

1. Feed Them & Give Them a Break

The first practical step to leading a Teen MOPS group is to meet each young mom’s basic needs. It’s really hard to sit through a meeting when your stomach is growling. It’s also really hard to sit through a meeting if you’re trying to care for your baby at the same time.

We provide a meal for our moms on most nights. We have groups or individuals sign up to bring meals, and about half of our meals are provided for us by people other than our leaders. Pizza and snacks work for the other nights!

We also provide free childcare for our moms. We know young moms are often tired and need a break, knowing that loving volunteers are caring for their children allows them to relax and enjoy the meeting.

In addition, we have a baby store filled with donated items and we provide diapers every week. Basically, we want to help them provide for their baby’s needs and give these moms a little peace less to worry about in the process.

2. Wear a Smile & Make it Fun

A Teen MOPS group is made up of … teenagers. When they arrive, welcome them with a smile and make the atmosphere lighthearted. Have a schedule, but don’t watch the clock or get stressed about “everything getting done.” (Remember the people are more important than the activities.) Offer door prizes and do crafts once every few months. The more relaxed you are, the more welcomed the young moms will feel.

The people are more important than the activities! #teenMOPS @TriciaGoyer

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3. Making it An Atmosphere of Learning & Growing

A Teen MOPS group is a safe place for teen moms to learn and grow. It’s wonderful to bring in people to share inspiring stories or useful information, but let the speaker know ahead of time that it’s not an “us vs. them” meeting. Instead, open up communication between the speaker and the moms early on. Before you turn the meeting over to the speaker, ask questions about his or her family. Help the teen moms see that this person is just like them. During question and answer time, encourage the leaders to jump in with questions of their own. Let the teen moms know that we all have areas where we can grow and learn together!

4. Work through a Book Like Teen Mom: Your Stronger Than You Think Together

Sometimes it’s hard to broach certain topics with young moms such as: recommitting to purity, forgiving after being sexually abused, or bad boyfriends, but Teen Mom covers these topics. Reading the chapters and answering questions together helps you to broach subjects that might be too difficult to bring up. It also gives the teen moms a chance to open up and share their experiences and they talk through the answers to the questions.

5. Give Then Hope By Sharing Jesus

When I first started leading a Teen MOPS group, I was so nervous about saying the “J-word”: Jesus. I didn’t want to scare them away. I didn’t want them to think I was some crazy Bible lady. But I’ve found that they want to hear about God, prayer, and having Someone to hope in.

We start our meetings with a short devotional talk by one of our leaders. We have free Bibles and Christian books available. At the end of the meeting, we gather in one big circle, hold hands, and then one of the leaders prays. Years from now a teen mom might not remember all the details about carseat safety or how to create a perfect job resume, but I want her to never forget that Jesus loves them and has good plans for her life. I want her to know that God’s Word applies to our everyday circumstances, and Jesus will always be there when we cry out to Him.

And I guarantee if you cover 1-4, they’ll believe #5 … because they have seen God’s love lived out before them.

@TriciaGoyer shares 5 practical steps to run a #teenMOPS group here:

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About Teen Mom

In Teen Mom, Tricia pours out her heart and shares advice for the hard things you face. She also longs to provide encouragement, reminding you that you can be the mom your child deserves—not in your own strength, but in the strength God provides.

August 22, 2014 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

August’s Instagram Roundup!

Here are some favorite snapshots from my Instagram feed this month.

If you’re on Instagram too, let’s connect!

This little puppy is quite the escape artist!

I'm such a geeky homeschool mom. I get so excited about laminating school supplies! — I’m such a geeky homeschool mom. I get so excited about laminating school supplies!

Grocery shopping with the kids and grandma!

I'm so thankful for friends who pass down toys their kids have outgrown. We have so much fun with them! — I’m so thankful for friends who pass down toys their kids have outgrown. We have so much fun with them!

Our little puppy is not going to be little for much longer!

This one has discovered my kale chips & can't get enough of them! — This one has discovered my kale chips & can’t get enough of them!

This was the view from my hotel while I was at the MOPS Retreat!

Someone's getting into Legos! — Someone’s getting into Legos!

Follow me on Instagram to get these photos and more arrive directly to you as I post them!

Here are some favorite snapshots from my Instagram feed this month. @TriciaGoyer

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Prayer

Thank you God, for blessing me with children whose smiles bring such joy to my heart. I have so much to be thankful for.

Tricia Goyer Books On Sale! — click here for more info!

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August 15, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 5 Comments

Guided Prayer Cards for MOPS Leaders

Much of the time when it comes to praying out loud I’m so concerned about my words, that I forget to pray in agreement with others. Have you ever felt that way?

I’ve very excited because today I’m heading out to a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) planning retreat for our Teen MOPS group. This is our 5th year of having a Teen MOPS group in Little Rock. I’ve loved getting to know the young moms, and I’ve loved working with some amazing co-leaders.

I created these Guided Prayer Cards for our MOPS leadership team to use. Here are ways you can use them:

Use the Guided Prayer Cards during prayer time at your steering meetings. Pass them out and ask each person to pray over their request. Mix them up and use them again at the next meeting.
Use the Guided Prayer Cards as prompts, posting them around your house.
Give these prayer cards to friends or church members, asking them to pray for your group.

Download your Guided Prayer Cards and use them with your leadership team! (I’m going to laminate mine so we can use them over and over again.)

The very best thing we can do for our MOPS groups is to take them to God in prayer!

Now how about you? What do you pray for your MOPS group?

September 16, 2013 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Finding Friendship at Teen MOPS (Plus a Giveaway!)

I attended my first MOPS group at my home church in Kalispell, Montana, in 1998. I was a mom of three young kids, and I loved hanging out with other women, getting to know them, and hearing wonderful speakers. OK, the crafts were good too.

My second year of MOPS I was asked to speak. I remember one meeting when I shared about Once a Month Cooking. Yet as I shared about how my friend and I spent one day cooking 144 meals together, I noticed a young woman in the back of the room. She was a teen mom, and from they way she fidgeted I could tell that she felt completely out of place. My topic was irrelevant, and my heart ached. You see, I was a teen mom, and I remembered the feeling of not fitting in. I had a plan to make a beeline to the young mom as soon as the group was done, but she slipped out early and I never had the chance. I mentioned it to our coordinator, and that’s when she told me about Teen MOPS. A support group for teen moms? I knew it was something I wanted to do.

From teen mom to teen MOPS mentor, @TriciaGoyer shares her Teen MOPS experience:

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Our first MOPS meeting started in 2001. There were thirteen leaders and two moms that first meeting. They next week we had four. The week after that eight young women. The group grew, and I saw God doing amazing things. Many young women grew close to God. They learned how to be better mothers, and friendships were made—friendships between the young moms, friendships between the leaders, and friendships mixed within both.

I have to admit things weren’t easy. The young moms had issues. There was conflict between them. We never seemed to have enough childcare workers, and there were times it seemed that the young women weren’t paying attention to a thing we told them. They made one bad decision after another.

Yet as I poured out, God filled me up. I knew what I was doing was a way to glorify Him. Even if the young women didn’t always respond like I’d hoped, I was loving those who so many others turned their backs on.

The years passed, friendships grew, and in 2010 my family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. I lived in a new place, but my heart was still drawn to the young mom. In fact—I discovered—Arkansas has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the nation.

To be joined in a friendship is to have harmony, accord, understanding and rapport. @TriciaGoyer

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Our inner city Teen MOPS group is starting its fourth year. We are serving young women who don’t have dads in the picture, often don’t have the help of their baby daddies, and who live in poor areas that are high in crime. They are as different from me as can be, but they are my friends, too. We chat, we text, and I’m thankful to be a part of their lives.

Years ago I wanted to reach out to one young women, and now every week I meet young moms who aren’t sure that they fit in.

To be joined in a friendship is to have harmony, accord, understanding and rapport. It’s knowing something, and enjoying their presence despite the differences. Or maybe it’s not only putting up with the differences, but appreciating them.

This photo is of most of our Teen MOPS leadership. I consider them friends.

Giveaway

Teen MOPS is giving away an annual membership to one of my blog readers! You have one week to enter using the widget below, and next Monday the winner will be announced here on the widget. My assistant will be in touch with the winner. *Only those in the U.S. are eligible to win.

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July 29, 2013 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Podcast: Living Inspired: Mother Dolores and Alexandra Kuykendall

To listen to the interview: go here and click on the player in the upper right corner of the screen.

Thursday at 3:00 pm Central.

This week on Living Inspired I’m excited to be bringing you four phenomenal guests! Mother Dolores, the nun who kissed Elvis and Alexandra Kuykendall.

Sign up below for your chance to win a copy of Mother Dolores’ memoir, The Ear of the Heart or Alexandra Kuykendall’s memoir, The Artist’s Daughter.

**Due to shipping cost, giveaway open to US only.**

More about Mother Dolores and The Ear of the Heart (Ignatius Press, 2013): Dolores Hart stunned Hollywood in 1963, when after ten highly successful feature films, she chose to enter a contemplative monastery. Now, fifty years later, Mother Dolores gives this fascinating account of her life, with co-author and life-long friend, Richard DeNeut.

Dolores was a bright and beautiful college student when she made her film debut with Elvis Presley in Paramount’s 1957 Loving You. She acted in nine more movies with other big stars such as Montgomery Clift, Anthony Quinn and Myrna Loy. She also gave a Tony-nominated performance in the Broadway play The Pleasure of His Company and appeared in two television shows, including The Virginian. A new chapter in her life occurred while playing Saint Clare in the movie Francis of Assisi, which was filmed on location in Italy.

Born Dolores Hicks to a complicated and colorful Chicago family, Mother Hart has traveled a charmed yet challenging road in her journey toward God, serenity and, yes, love. She entered the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn., at the peak of her career, not in order to leave the glamorous world of acting she had dreamed of since childhood, but in order to answer a mysterious summons she heard with the “ear of the heart”. While contracted for another film and engaged to be married, she gave up everything to become a bride of Christ. Lavishly illustrated with 64 pages of photos.

“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.”
Saint Benedict

“Mother Dolores Hart is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story-one of love, devotion and faith.”

—Maria Shriver, bestselling author of Just Who Will You Be?

“Read now for some lively insights from the girl who kissed Elvis in the movies to the Mother Superior who gets the last laugh in real life.”

—Paula Prentiss, actress

Purchase your copy of Ear of the Heart.

More about Alexandra Kuykendall: Alexandra Kuykendall is on staff at MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers) where she encourages mothers of young children to keep growing as they take on their new mothering identity. She is a regular contributor and consulting editor to MomSense magazine, Connections magazine, and the MOPS blog. A frequent speaker for MOPS, Alexandra has been featured on Good Morning America. As the mother of four young children, she continues to refine her mothering identity. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, Derek, and their daughters. Connect with Alexandra at http://alexandrakuykendall.com/

More about The Artist’s Daughter (Revell, 2013): It takes a lifetime to know what—and who—defines you.

When Alexandra Kuykendall became a mother, she knew she had to go back to the beginning. To that hot July afternoon in Barcelona when she met her father for the first time. The only daughter of a single, world-traveling mother and an absent artist father, Alexandra embarks on a soul-searching trip into the past to make sense of the layers of her life—both the memories she experienced and the ones she wished for.

The Artist’s Daughter will take you on a journey of discovery through childhood, marriage, and motherhood. Through short vignettes full of both wonder and heartache, Alexandra seeks answers to three life-defining questions: Am I lovable? Am I loved? Am I loving? If you long to better understand the path your life has taken, where it is heading, and who is guiding you, this revealing and refreshing story will push you toward those answers as it changes your heart.

“For every person who has wondered what love, family, and grace really mean, and for those of us who have longed to know that no matter our story, grace is the ending.”

—Shauna Niequist, author of Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, and Bread & Wine

“The Artist’s Daughter brings to life the power of a story and at the same time challenges us all to dig in and discover the one we were created to tell.”

—Matthew West, award-winning musician

“A refreshing perspective on motherhood, forgiveness, faith, and belonging. I adore this book.”

—Emily P. Freeman, author of Grace for the Good Girl and Graceful

“Any mother who has felt lost in her new identity will find a friend in this book. It is the real deal—the hard, beautiful, and holy view of motherhood.”

—Lisa-Jo Baker, social media manager for DaySpring, and blogger at lisajobaker.com

Purchase your copy of The Artist’s Daughter.

January 27, 2010 by Tricia Goyer 4 Comments

Lord, what do you want me to write?

When I was in the process of becoming a published author, I asked this question: Lord, what do you want me to write? I was twenty-eight years old and had already published over one hundred articles for national publications. I’d also been contracted to work on two book projects for well-known publishers. Still, I felt far from successful. Let me share how He answered my question and the desires of my heart.

Lord, what do you want me to write?

For five years I’d labored full-time on my own book projects with no luck. I was flourishing as a writer, publishing articles constantly. But the offers to publish a book just weren’t coming. My agent didn’t understand, “These are excellent proposals,” she said. “I don’t understand why they’re not being snatched up.”

Maybe I just have to try harder, write more, I thought. But it didn’t help.

Around that time, I started going through the workbook “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. I learned one phrase that kept going over in my mind. “Look to see what God is doing and join him.” The premise is this: if you’re doing something that doesn’t work, put what you’re doing aside and see what God is doing. So, I did that. And . . . I discovered God had different plans!

First, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. I invited him into our home. Between doctor’s appointments, hospice visits, taking care of my husband and three children, there was little time to pen prose. My grandfather passed away after only four months, but inside I was changed. It was as if my heart had been rubbed raw with sandpaper. My eyes were opened to pain, and I had a new appreciation for helping those in need.

Lord, what do you want me to write? I prayed.

Lord, what do you want me to write?

A few months after my grandfather’s death, my pastor and two women in the church approached me about starting a Crisis Pregnancy Center. (There wasn’t one for hundreds of miles.) I didn’t want to do it, but I told my pastor I’d pray about it.

The next morning, I did. I told God. “Lord, I can’t help with this center,” I pleaded. “I’m a writer and my articles are helping people around the country.”

His voice was clear, “What about the people in your own community? What are you going to do to help them?”

Ouch.

God showed me this was something He was doing, so I joined Him.

Soon, I was using my writing and organizational skills to create community newsletters and to write radio commercials and grants. In one year, we had a huge center (given to us for free rent), forty volunteers, and we were reaching hundreds of women. We even received a $13,000 grant to teach abstinence education in the schools! At night I often felt drained by the number of young women who needed assistance—who needed hope—yet, I also felt a renewed sense of satisfaction. God was at work and I so was glad I’d joined Him.

After that, I started getting new writing assignments. I started writing about pregnancy centers, forgiveness after abortion, and other related issues.

When our center was two years old, we hired a director who oversaw everything. I focused my time on working with the young moms. We had helped these young moms make a decision for life, now we needed to help them with their parenting. I started a support group for young moms called Teen MOPS. It’s part of the bigger MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) organization. While working with these young moms, I tried to find Christian resources just for them and couldn’t find any. So I worked on a proposal, registered for the MOPS convention, and my agent set it up for me to meet with a few MOPS editors while I was there.

Lord, what do you want me to write?

That first convention in 2002, I attended alone. I remember sitting among 3,500 women and saying, “One of these days I want to be on that stage talking about Teen MOPS.” In 2003, I had a contract for Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Teen Mom. I’d also brought six other women, three mentors, and three teen moms with me. On top of that, I was invited to speak in front of those 3,500, telling them about support for teen moms!

Obviously, God was at work. I’m just so glad I joined Him!

Write That Book

Making your writing dreams become a reality is tough. You have ideas but you wonder if any of them are good. You have no idea how to connect with agents and editors, and what in the world is book proposal anyway?

I’m here to help. And I’ve invited some of my friends to help you too. They are professional agents, editors, authors, and marketing and publicity team members. They’re the best of the best in the Christian publishing industry. Together we want to help you reach your dreams.

To help you do this, I’ve created Write That Book. This premier group provides education, inspiration, and connection with other writers and experts. It’s a place to learn all the tricks of the trade while getting your personal questions answered.

Over thirty experts will be available throughout the month to answer your questions. Their decades of experience will be at your fingertips. They not only want to help you, but they also want to get to know you better. After all, your words might just be the ones they’re looking for!

MOPS

Gaining Wisdom By Working with Teen Moms

About Teen Mom

Other Blog Posts I’ve Written About Teen Moms

How to start a Teen MOPS group:

Assemble a caring team.

Be diligent in training yourselves about the needs of young mothers.

Consider a young mom’s needs.

Decide whom you want to serve.

Earn their trust.

Follow up.

Give special attention to their babies.

Have open arms.

Invite input.

Judge not.

Keep the community involved in your group and your group involved in the community.

Listen to your heart.

Make sure you seek help from experts.

Never allow gossip.

Open the floor for discussion.

Provide for their physical needs.

Question what part each leader should play.

Require responsibility.

Set Boundaries.

Trust they are listening.

Use resources they can connect with.

Visualize where you see these moms five years from now.

Weigh your motives.

Xpect challenges.

Yield to “good enough.”

Zero in on the young mom’s heart.

Other Blog Posts I’ve Written About Teen Moms

Here are 5 practical steps to running a Teen MOPS group.

1. Feed Them & Give Them a Break

2. Wear a Smile & Make it Fun

3. Making it An Atmosphere of Learning & Growing

4. Work through a Book Like Teen Mom: Your Stronger Than You Think Together

5. Give Then Hope By Sharing Jesus

About Teen Mom

August’s Instagram Roundup!

Here are some favorite snapshots from my Instagram feed this month.

If you’re on Instagram too, let’s connect!

Follow me on Instagram to get these photos and more arrive directly to you as I post them!

Prayer

Giveaway

To listen to the interview: go here and click on the player in the upper right corner of the screen.

Thursday at 3:00 pm Central.

Sign up below for your chance to win a copy of Mother Dolores’ memoir, The Ear of the Heart or Alexandra Kuykendall’s memoir, The Artist’s Daughter.

Lord, what do you want me to write?

Maybe I just have to try harder, write more, I thought. But it didn’t help.

Lord, what do you want me to write?

Ouch.

Lord, what do you want me to write?

Obviously, God was at work. I’m just so glad I joined Him!

Write That Book

Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Join Write That book here: Write That Book