Spring 2003

The Oklahoma City LWML Convention is around the corner! We hope you are making plans to attend this exciting event. New YWRs will be introduced to the LWML through the experience of the National Convention. It is our belief, that YWRs are the heart of the LWML and contribute valuable knowledge. This edition of Impressions is for the 2002 and 2003 YWRs, it's purpose is to inform, rekindle convention memories and affirm the vital roll YWRs play in the LWML. Blessings to you all!

The Mirror Of My Heart
     By Faith Richardson

The mirror of my heart
Reflects only what it sees.
Lets look at the LWML OKC 2003 Theme
Based on 1 Peter 3:15 "...Lord of my Heart,
The mirror of my Heart
Will reflect it in all I do and say.
It will reflect how I feel inside
As well as how I Inter-act with others
Outside. The Mirror of my heart
Will reflect His Forgiveness. If He is my hope,
The Mirror Of my heart
Will reflect the trust I put In Him
And how I rely on Him
To get me through each day with JOY
The Mirror of my Heart
Only reflects...but the Lord fills my heart
With JOY. In Him I will rest forever.
What do you want the mirror of your Heart
To reflect?

"But in your hearts
Set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give
An answer to everyone who asks you to give
The reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15

Dear God,
Help me to be content
To live with small means
To seek elegance rather than fashion
To be worthy, not mundane
Wealthy with life not riches
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently
Act frankly, listen fully
To bear all cheerfully
Do all bravely
To let your spirit
Grow in my heart willingly.
Amen

2003 YWR Convention Highlights

Here is a preview of the 2003 YWR convention schedule! Official information from the HOPE Committee will be sent to you to answer your questions and address concerns ...

• Seating during business sessions will be with district delegations. Sessions include selection of mission grants for the next biennium, Bible study, missionary speakers, selection of new officers and awesome singing led by Rev. Dien Taylor.
• Special events include servant activity, luncheons, Thursday night worship, Friday and Saturday night events and a Friday night social gathering.
• Opportunity to browse the exhibit hall with hundreds of exhibits, purchase LWML memorable convention items and LWML products as well as items from a large CPH sales display.

2003 YWRs We Need You!

The HOPE Committee needs your assistance in supervising the YWR booth in the exhibit hall. Two hour shifts will be assigned and served with one of our two committee members, Gayla Gastler or Faith Richardson. "Sandwich" girls will be on the floor, interacting with convention attendees. We look forward to your reply! Contact Gayla Gastler at gastler@adams.net or call (217) 743-5406.

A YWR Convention Experience
     By Lydia Beineke

YWRs are in the middle of the action at our LWML conventions. As a YWR you are seated on the floor for business sessions along with your District President, delegates and Counselor. Prior to each vote my District President discussed with me the issue that was being voted on, what the options were, and asked for my opinion. In San Jose, three future convention sites were determined. This convention the ballot will include the next LWML President. Probably the most difficult, both logistically and emotionally, voting decision is the 2003-2005 Mission Grant selection. Pay close attention and you will learn a lot. The business meetings are regularly interrupted for a much-needed Bible study break.

That isn't all the action you'll see as a YWR. The mission walk and servant activities, give you the chance to get up and move. If walking a mile or two is your style, there is a chance to make a difference by participating in the "Garden Gallop." Servant activities offered in San Jose had YWRs working with children. This convention it will be working with the Salvation Army and Good Will. One thing you can count on is constant activity with your district and peer group friends.

The social aspect of convention is tremendous. Visiting well into the next day is customary as well as late night ice cream runs. This convention will have you involved in an evening of fun with a social hour and scavenger hunt, besides a Friday Box Lunch and the Saturday luncheon with our national President, Virginia Von Seggern and her daughter Susan.

A YWR is similar to an apprentice. YWRs get a taste of everything to better determine where in the organization they would like to serve. Through the YWR program, a unique perspective of the organization is gained. The result is a mission heart, anxious to serve the Lord through the LWML!

"Here's Hoping..."
     By President Virginia Von Seggern

If you would know me personally, you'd know that I'm a very structured person! I like things done on time, I respect deadlines, I give medications on time, I arrive on time, I want church to start on time. But I have my failing or shortcomings, too! Perhaps the largest of these would be my tendency to only do what is to be done now. The rest can wait. If it's a job staring me in the face that I really don't like, I can honestly think about it a long time.

Much of my life is by the calendarI have to be in this place at this time, and that place at that time. Sometimes, I have to be in two places at once. Some days are just like that. We hope to get it all done. We hope all goes well.

Here's hoping is an interesting phrase. It seems that more people suffer from no hope than from hopes that are too high.

Our theme for the LWML convention this summer sets HOPE on a higher scale. "Lord of my heart ... our hope" means that we're not just hoping you can come to the LWML convention and become a better person ... we're going to celebrate that Hope together with many thousands of Lutheran brothers and sisters.

You won't want to miss this convention. I'm hoping (literally) that it will be a highlight of your life. It will be one of mine We're going to set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts; joyfully praise His name, and be motivated to share the Hope we have in Jesuswith all nations.

Sounds like a winner to me ... doesn't it to you?

Won't you plan to join us in Oklahoma City June 19-22, and celebrate His Hope with me? I hope so!

Let's All Go to Ok-la-homa!
     Linda Reisner,Chairman
     Convention Programming Committee

Bricktown eats and shops, canal rides, the Memorial, Titanic artifact exhibit and Cowboy Hall of Fame!

But wait ... there's more! Gently sincerely sharing the love that is Ours in Christ, Joyfully lifting our hearts up in praise to the Lord - at the LWML convention!

Singing, sharing, laughing, praying, voting, Bible Study, hearing stories from the heart of missionaries! No time to sleep, we must depart! Early morning walks, servant activities, exhibits to see, speakers not to miss! What an amazing four days of activity are ahead of us!

We are preparing for each of you to have a life-enhancing experience in Oklahoma City, June 19-22, 2003! The Convention Programming Committee knows your convention experience will be a highlight of your summer. We are so glad you will be joining us as we celebrate together the Lord of my heart...our Hope!