"Since you are my rock and fortress, for the sake of your name, lead and guide me." Psalm 31:3 YES! YOU! From Alma Kern's book You Make a Difference Moses was one of the greatest men of all times. He was the leader of God's ancient people. How did Moses react when God chose him? He made all kinds of excuses: They won't believe me. They won't do what I tell them. I'm not a good speaker. O Lord, please send someone else. What God tells us to do is often not what we want to be doing. We look for excuses. We put ourselves down, so we'll be excused. Jesus is our Savior, also our Lord and Master. He laid down his life for us. He expects us to live our life for him. A few of our assignments are: Love your neighbor, forgive those who hurt you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who mistreat you. Be salt of the earth, light of the world. Be a witness, tell other people about Jesus. We are inclined to respond, "Who? Me? You've got more confidence in me that I have. I can't do these things. No way! O Lord, please send someone else." We may be tempted to ask, "Who? Me?" We already know the answer? Yes! You! Maybe your YWR experience felt like this to you. Have you been saying, "Who? Me?" since you come back from your experience at the convention? This message says a lot about the Lord's confidence in us ­ we need to live our lives for Him. The Leader Development Committee is excited to provide this issue of Impressions with you. Please share this with other young women in promoting LWML. Use it to encourage young women in your congregations, direct women to www.lwml.org and have them go the YWR pull down link on the home page. "FROM THE HEART OF A YWR" Sisters are a wonderful thing. Sisters are understanding, reliable, non-judgmental, and are usually your best friends. I have one older sister, one younger sister, and thanks to LWML, about a million other sisters in Christ. I had the ultimate privilege of attending the 2005 National LWML Convention in Tampa, Florida as a Young Woman Representative for the Nebraska South District. Having been to several District Conventions and being a chairwoman in my circle, I had a good idea what LWML was all about, but was still excited to experience thousands of women joined together in a wonderful, united cause. I was prepared for meetings that must transpire in order for an organization to continue functioning, but had incredible anticipation for singing, listening, learning and growing in Christ. The beauty of LWML is that it is an organization for all types of women with different ages, situations, and skills. I remember being in the elevator one morning heading to the convention center for the last day of singing and mission focused topics. The other ladies (who had been in LWML for a long time) seemed so genuinely interested in hearing my story and what I thought of the whole experience. As we continued down picking up other ladies, the conversations kept growing as it seemed everyone already knew everybody else. Before I knew it, I felt like they were all family members I'd known forever, and we were all making plans to attend the next convention in 2 years. I can hardly plan ahead for the next week, but here I was excited about an event 2 years in the future! LWML does that to you. You always hear about the friendships you make in LWML that last foreverthey are not kidding!! I still email my roommate from Tampa just about every week. These ladies are good-hearted, God-fearing, extraordinary women. Who doesn't want to be surrounded by that! After our flight returned to Nebraska, the other Nebraska YWR and myself had about a 2 hour drive to get back home. Never has 2 hours flown by so quickly! Even though it was near midnight, and we had both endured 4 days of limited sleep and days packed with excitement, and don't forget the jet lag, we were still wide awake talking about what we enjoyed the mostsinging, Bible studies, new friendships, motivational speakers, or my favorite--just losing yourself to God. I'm involved in several different organizations, but none give me the fulfillment that LWML brings. Knowing you are using the gifts God has given to help others in an unselfish manner brings the ultimate level of satisfaction! In this crazy world, you hear about greed, egotism, and how sin rules everywhere. After attending any LWML event, even if it is just a small circle meeting, you realize that God gives us every opportunity in the world to change that! Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Him who give me strength." I'll be seeing my sisters down the road at the next LWML event. Can't wait! Cassandra Pfeil Nebraska South District 2005 YWR Tampa, FL Did you know LWML has a Mission Statement? The mission of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League is to assist each woman of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world. The object of LWML supports this mission statement ­ Mission Education, Mission Inspiration, Mission Service, and Financial Grants for Mission Needs. Through education, inspiration, and service, LWML seeks to increase the mission consciousness of the women in the LCMS. The LWML motto is "Serve the Lord with gladness." Psalm 100:2 All of this information and more can be found on the LWML web site. This can be useful when introducing other young women to the mission and purpose of LWML. UPCOMING EVENTS District Conventions will be starting soon across the country. These events are always a wonderful gathering of worship, fellowship, celebration, and of course, business. Mission Grants will be chosen, Bible Studies will take place, and speakers will share their Mission Stories. Members of the Executive Committee will be at these conventions to share the wonderful things that are happening in LWML. Many Districts will have their own Young Women Representative programs going on at their conventions. For these young women, this may be their first introduction to LWML. While attending your convention, be sure to take time to meet these new young women and encourage them to become actively involved at their own churches and societies. Before your district convention, find out if there may be a time in their programming that you could share your YWR story and experience with them. Finally, pray for these women as conventions begin to approach. Pray that God will fill them with a passion to share Him with the people of this world. God Bless each of these conventions and the YWR programs taking place. FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SERVANT RESOURCES Marguerite Christman A Dream For You As A YWR As a YWR from your district, you will be given many opportunities to share the mission and ministry of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. The women, especially the young women, will be the recipients of your sharing. Have you been dreaming about other ways you may serve? After the new has worn off from being a YWR from your district, having attended the national convention, you may feel your responsibility is completed. However, there are numerous ways to serve in the future in the LWML as a YWR. Dream with me. Maybe your dreams include: Beginning a new LWML group within your congregation to meet the needs of younger women in your congregation. Begin an LWML group via e-mail and chat rooms. How you can be more active in Bible study. Ask God to direct you into involving women in the study of His Word, again even consider via the Internet. Begin a teen LWML group in your congregation. The new group name for the teen LWML is Gamma Chi Delta. This is an exciting new development to assist us in reaching the teens in our congregations. What an opening for you to be involved in assisting this group of teens. Plan ways in which you can reach out to other young women in your district at your upcoming 2006 district convention. What an opportunity for you to share the excitement and blessings of God to be in mission and ministry to others through being a Lutheran Woman in Mission. Contact your district president now, to make plans for the YWR program and activities at your district convention. Plan an interactive exhibit for young women. Be helpful in immersing young women in God's work. You can become an officer in your local group, or serve on your district board, or serve on a national LWML committee. What an opportunity for you to be in service contributing and sharing with others about the needs of young women and how they can be involved in God's mission work. May God be active in your life, making dreams come true in service for Him and His church. May He bless your enthusiasm and efforts all to His glory! Be proactive in assisting other women to enable them to use their gifts in ministry to others throughout the world. Be bold in your dreaming. Share His love with others, especially young women. My dream and prayer for you is that God will motivate you to be the best you can be for Him in sharing His love through acts of service to the women in the church, all to His glory! May He make it so! Marguerite Christman, Vice President of Servant Resources