Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17).

It’s November and so begins the month of counting blessings and acknowledging the most important ones in our Facebook posts. What are some of your current cherished blessings and how do they differ from those of 10 or 25 years ago? As life progresses, our cherished blessings evolve. The same can be said about our beloved organization, the LWML, and the many changes we have witnessed as the Lord provided what was needed for 80 years. 

How gracious the Lord has been to the LWML and how exciting it is to participate in the next season of life along with my sisters and brothers in Christ. What are the next cherished blessings going to look like? Worth praying for and serving the Lord with gladness? You bet they will be! On to the next 80 years with thanksgiving, dear LWML friends. 

Frances Molitor
LWML Texas District President

I really enjoyed reading “The Treasures of the Heart” articles posted on lwml.org. Perhaps you can relate to some of the “treasures” mentioned. Who provides our treasures — and our talents and our time? Our precious Lord provides all that we richly and daily need to support this body and life — including food, clothing, companionship, medical care, and many, many other things. 

He also provided His Son to live, die and rise again FOR US. He shared His greatest Treasure with us.

God’s example of sharing treasures starts a cycle — He shares with us and we share our treasures with family, friends, our church, and our neighbors, near and far. Our Stitchin’ for Missions group has shared 80 (x 3!) quilts so far this year, and recently 80+ backpacks for students heading to school. 

As God shows us, let’s also share our greatest treasure, the gift of salvation provided through the life and work of Jesus Christ. 

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Luke 12:34).

Nila Rodriguez
Pacific Southwest District President

"As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others.”

At our convention, Ohio women shared what they had done to celebrate “What’s Your 80?”. A campaign celebrating 80 years of LWML. What we found was that many of them illustrate our LWML’s mission statement.

To proclaim Christ, mission bracelets were made for MOST ministries and Lutheran Hour Ministries booklets were given to children. Cross necklaces were made using stained-glass remnants from a new church window.

To support missions, women gave extra donations to LWML in amounts of $80, made quilts for Orphan Grain Train, and gathered extra mite offerings at zone events.

To serve others, Christmas stockings were given to a children’s hospital. Baby items and money were given to Birthright. Socks went to the homeless and appreciation cards were sent to servicemen. Our Counselor, Rev. Keith Witte, did 50 sit-ups and 30 push-ups every day to get ready for training camp to become an Air Force chaplain.

We thank God that, as we have celebrated our "80s," He has inspired us to pursue His mission and to make it our own.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23 NIV).

Vivian Nelson
LWML Ohio District President

Twenty years ago, my uncle Wayne had his 80th birthday. We enjoyed dinner and many entertaining stories about his life. I wanted to get him something fun, so I gave him 80 quarters and wrote in his card, “Due to inflation it is no longer a penny for your thoughts, now it costs a quarter!”

As LWML celebrates its 80th year, how have you chosen to participate? Our ladies involved the congregation by collecting baby clothes, diapers, and wipes for a Pregnancy Center.  Our zone collected extra mite offerings at the spring rally.  At the district convention, over 80 banners graced the walls, surrounding us with God’s Word. 

So, what will LWML do on a national scale? They have already done it and continue to do so with your mite offerings!  Saturday morning, at the Lexington convention, there was a parade of 82 flags. They represented 82 countries around the world that have been able to spread God’s Word because they received LWML mite offerings. God is awesome!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

Lisa Kamrath, President
LWML Minnesota South District

And we being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor.3:18).

Women at the LWML Indiana District convention were reminded that we are “Transformed Together — Together We Serve.” There is true joy experienced at events like these. We witness women and men act, collect mite offerings, share resources, and impact missions around the world. The Holy Spirit brings the increase. At Convention, women stepped up to the “What’s your 80” challenge by tying 146 blankets, assembling over 800 hygiene kits, and preparing 300 laundry kits for various organizations in the Fort Wayne area. 

It is a joy to be involved! I know the women and men God has placed in my life have encouraged me and given me confidence to succeed with the Lord on my side. Three generations of women in my family have encouraged me to serve in LCMS and LWML. WE ARE these mentors, encouragers, Christian friends, and helpers. Reach out and be Transformed to Serve Together!

Sarah Rippy
LWML Indiana District President

LWML districts across the nation are celebrating their biennial conventions. What a great time to be an LWML’er!

Last month sisters and brothers in Christ gathered for the LWML Wyoming District 26thBiennial Convention. Participants saw what our mite offerings have been accomplishing, grew in the Word, and became renewed and strengthened in faith to share the love of Christ with each other.

It was a blessing to be able to have an in-person convention. We persevere through the tough times and work towards our goal of “serving the Lord with gladness”.

During convention, our district celebrated “What’s your 80?” by assembling 80 hygiene kits to be sent to Orphan Grain Train. Six zones were to bring enough supplies to make 15 kits each. When totaled after the servant event – we had more than doubled that amount.

The satisfaction of giving and serving won’t stop there – it will be interesting to see how “What’s your 80?” will develop throughout this year. We will learn more at the national LWML convention next summer. Are you planning your trip to Milwaukee? It will be an experience you will never forget!!!

Barb Schaer
LWML Wyoming District Past President

Our zone’s spring event focused on celebrating 80 years of LWML. The zone president and host group president dug into our archives. Some of the found details seemed humorous, such as, refreshments were “limited to only two things such as coffee and coffee cake or rolls.” A far cry from what we do now! Although we chuckled at that, we took time to reflect and determined that they may not have wanted to create a time or financial hardship for the member whose turn it was to provide the refreshments.

As we look on our past and look forward to our future LWML journeys, are there things we could do in our groups to be more welcoming and respectful of a woman’s time and situation? I encourage you to make those changes. Let’s give some thanks and recognition to our LWML historians. It is great that we have those who give their time and talent to preserve our history. It is important and wonderful to reflect, looking back at the pictures and notes from our 80 years of being Lutheran Women in Mission! LWML provides historians guidance, and a wealth of information can be found here: www.lwml.org/archivist-historians Let’s learn from history so we can continue to serve the Lord for another 80 years.

Jane Morris
LWML Iowa West Past District President