You are online right now and you have decided to utilize the resources of the LWML website. That’s great! I go to this website daily to read uplifting articles, find devotions for myself and my Bible study groups, check for mission opportunities, and so much more. I also go online to post and look at my Facebook page, read and respond to email, and look up recipes. The internet is a great resource as we conduct daily tasks.

I must ask myself, however, “Do I spend more time online than I do studying the Bible or in prayer to my Father in heaven?” The answer is not always one that I am willing to admit. As I examine my use of time, I ask the Lord to help me find balance in my life, prioritizing my Savior. God knows we need time for work and to rest, and He’s given us all the same 24 hours each day. I plan, by His grace, to spend a good amount of time online with God!

Back to this LWML website I go, where I can find resources to balance my life to the glory of my Lord. A few favorites are Time Management, Balance—Christ Filled Living (this one is available for purchase for $4), and Personal Development. Join me in connecting online with God’s Word, where the power comes directly from the Almighty!

In His service, filled with His joy,

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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When Jesus was on earth He taught us many things. He taught us to be kind, humble, caring, loving, and giving sincerely from the heart. When I heard that our mite goal was low, my heart felt heavy as I counted all of the gifts that God has given me just because He loves me. I decided that I would give to Him my love, my praises, my silver, and my gold, not as a show, but as a very small gift from my heart for all He has done for me. Just like I read in Luke 21:

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; ² he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. ³ He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; ⁴ for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:1-4 NRSV).

Won’t you join me in counting your blessings and gifts that Our Savior has given us and give from the heart to continue to thank Him for the great sacrifice on the cross and His promise of eternal life? “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3:16 NRSV).

Click on the “Donate” button at the top, right of the screen for more information on how you may help spread the love of Jesus to the hurting, helpless, and unbelieving people throughout the world.

Angelina Jauregui

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Under the About tab in the menu bar above, Who We Are is the first point listed. It offers information about our symbols, our mission and vision statements, our history and much more. Reversing two words in the phrase would change the heading to Who Are We making it more of a question.

How might I answer?
LWML focuses on relationships … with the Triune God and others.
LWML focuses on service … to our Lord and others.
LWML focuses on encouragement … offering ways for women to serve Him with gladness.
LWML is a vibrant, energized, God-blessed, Christ-centered, and Spirit-filled organization.

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

As you share your faith in Christ Jesus, may you do it boldly and may your excitement and love for the LWML shine through your explanation.

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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The summer season is closing, school sessions are beginning, gardens have ripened and clearing for the next year’s garden has begun.

During the Fall-Winter season, many are ready to dig deeper into their Bibles. I’m always amazed when people say, “I’m looking for a new Bible study, but where can we find one”?

Take a look at what is available under the WORD tab to learn more.

Donna Pyle’s new DVD Bible study, Where Love Abides, an in-depth look at what it means to abide in Jesus, the True Vine, to bear lasting fruit. Also, check out the other DVD studies authored by Donna Pyle. Dig deep into her studies with a group or as an individual.

Many more studies are available as free downloads and each is always doctrinally reviewed and based on God’s Word. Look for these studies also under the WORD tab.

Jesus answered, “It is written: man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Enjoy being in His Word! Blessings as you study!

Jennifer Huecker

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Gary Thies, Marilyn Schroeder, and YWR Hannah Shull at Mission Central

Recently a special group of out-of-state visitors and I met at Mission Central in western Iowa where the NOT NORMAL (Missionary Gary’s catchphrase) folks often gather to meet and hear presentations by missionaries home on furlough. It was certainly a joy-filled day!

Krista Young and Marilyn Schroeder at Mission Central

Among the special presenters were Missionaries Krista and Joel Young, one of the ten recipients of LWML’s $100,000 grant adopted in Albuquerque for this biennium, who spoke of the mission work that God has called them to do in Kenya. The very newest called Missionary to Concordia Middle School in Taiwan, Hannah Shull, will teach in a school with 2,500 students, of whom 85% are Buddhist. Hannah was a Young Woman Rep at the Albuquerque convention in 2017. What a delight it was to hear these missionaries, and learn how LWML grants, via funding through LWML’s distinctive Mite Box and its ingathering of coins, continue to be such a blessing in the mission field.

Let’s continue to be NOT NORMAL Missionaries, because it’s a good thing!

Marilyn Schroeder

Treasurer, 2015–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Recently I presented my daughter with a special gift — the gold necklace, bracelet, and earrings that her grandfather gave to her grandmother on their 50th anniversary, a treasure then given to me by my father after my mother's death. This legacy gift, to be passed on in the family, required an appraisal in order that a rider might be added to my daughter's insurance, in case event of loss or theft.

How blessed that our gift of salvation has been secured, not with an appraisal of our worth, but by faith in Jesus Christ because of His sacrifice on the cross. In thanksgiving to Him, we, in turn, share God's Word with others so they too might  know of  this priceless inheritance.

Lutheran Women in Mission have continued the rich legacy of sharing the gospel of Christ for over 75 years. Please consider a donation at www.lwml.org/donate-endowment-fund or mail to the LWML Office, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St Louis MO 63118. Note the donation as LWML 75th Anniversary Thank Offering.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matt: 25:34).

Edie Norris

75th Anniversary Committee Chairman 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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That describes the 40 districts of LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission! This is the year of district conventions. As of July 22 following the LWML Michigan District convention which attracted 543 people in Port Huron, Michigan, attendance at the 33 conventions comes to a total of 8238!

With the final seven conventions happening in August and September all 40 districts will have met and not one of those conventions will have been the same. They are each one unique. Each one had a unique theme, different Bible studies, different ingatherings, service events, and mission speakers. The mission grants chosen for funding include grants that are relevant to that particular district.

Isn’t it amazing that although each LWML district has unique characteristics and activities, they are all united under the LWML umbrella. Our vision statement for LWML is that we are the leading group for LCMS women where each woman is welcomed and encouraged to use her unique God-given gifts as she supports global missions and serves the Lord with gladness. We work in our districts (seminary scholarships, food banks) and combine strength to work at national (NOLA 4H New Orleans, prison and jail ministry) and international levels (mass media in Egypt, Ugandan school buildings) impacting lives far beyond our individual capacity to do so.

Why do we do this? Because of God’s love for us! He showed His love for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, accomplishing eternal life for us. In response, we focus always on Him. He invites us to serve Him and others in our work either in our unique districts or our united national organization. We are compelled to tell others that they, too, are unique to God.  That they too, can share this faith that unites us all. As Christians we are each unique and all united in the one, true faith.

I pray that you learn about the mission grants, spiritual inspiration, and fellowship opportunities that are unique to your LWML district and support them. I also hope you acquaint yourself with the resources available from LWML and the grants that your districts united to choose to fund at our convention in Albuquerque.

There is so much we can do — Unique but United!

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4).

Patti Ross

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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