I am out of the office celebrating 75 years with the LWML North Wisconsin District this week. Please enjoy the handiwork of LWML sisters interpreting their convention themes in their banners!
Patti
Several weeks ago I mentioned LWML Vice President of Christian Life, Jennifer Huecker’s experience while flying back from the Utah-Idaho convention and encouraged you to ask her about it. Well, here is an answer to all the inquiries she has received. Welcome, Jennifer!
God Provides! Absolutely!
On my return home from the 2018 LWML Utah-Idaho District Convention, I experienced a special time with my fellow traveler. God’s blessing was so evident throughout this interaction and I only had to respond to her comments with the word “absolutely”. Here is a summary.
During my flight from Pocatello to Salt Lake I sat next to a woman and commented on her beautiful beaded earrings. We talked about what brought us to Pocatello. She was Native American and had come to take classes on tanning hides. We had great discussions about cultural foods, our families, life in rural Missouri, life in Southern California, etc. We also talked about why I had come to Idaho — to attend the District Lutheran Women’s Missionary Convention — and that led to her questions.
“Tell me about this missionary ladies group?” she said. So, I told her about how Lutheran Women in Mission try to help people around the world meet their physical needs and to help them learn the truth about Jesus. I shared how women contribute through Mite Box offerings and that our mite goal for 2019 is over two million dollars.
She said, “Tell me what Lutherans believe.”
I said “Well … ” while considering how to begin, but she continued, “Do you believe in grace?” To which I said, “Absolutely! We are saved by God’s gift to us. I certainly couldn’t be saved by what I might do.”
She said, “Do you believe in one God, the Father; Jesus, the son; and the Holy Ghost?”
“Yes, yes!” I responded.
Then she said, “Do you believe that once saved, is always saved?”
“Absolutely!” I replied. “God is love, He will not leave us. We are sinners and will sin again, but God is always there for us. His love and forgiveness are ours because Jesus died to save us and His forgiveness is a free gift.”
Then she said, “I haven’t been to church for a while. But I want to find a church that sings hymns and tells the true words from the Bible. Is that what you Lutherans do?”
Stunned by how the Holy Spirit was at work and all I had to do was respond, I replied, “Absolutely!”
She told the message of the Gospel to me, and I only had to agree with her by saying, “Absolutely!”
Isn’t it amazing how God is so active in our world?
Absolutely!
Isaiah 55:11
Celebrating with the Honeycutt’s and Redeemer Lutheran Church!
It’s always an honor to celebrate special moments with LWML sisters and their families. This afternoon, our LWML Archivist-Historian, Caroline Honeycutt’s husband, Ryan, was installed as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Claremore, Oklahoma. It’s a mere 45 minutes from our house! My husband and I attended along with LWML Oklahoma District President, Dianna Just, LWML Product Developer, Bev England and many more of our Oklahoma LWML family.
Ryan and Caroline moved from Ohio with their two children, Caleb and Adelyn. We are so excited to have them in our “neighborhood”.
I always get choked up when attending an installation. As the installing pastor goes through the questions for the pastor being installed that verify that he believes what the Lutheran Church believes it causes me to reflect on the scriptural truth that our church body teaches and what we believe through the Holy Spirit to be true.
Rev. Barrie Henke, LCMS Oklahoma District President, urged Ryan and all of us to see people through the eyes of Jesus. A good reminder as we go about our business this week.
Congratulations to Ryan and Caroline. May God’s grace go with you into your new venture in Claremore!
Patti
This week’s blog is written by Tina Bentley, a member of the LWML IT committee who faithfully receives my blog postings.
Patti
As we enter summer it conjures images of sun, beaches, lazy days, and children on break from school. I am a teacher in the homestretch of my school year, I am looking forward to my summer. I look around my school and I see tired teachers, staff, and students who are ready for a break from the routine of school. Most of the students and staff are eager to leave school and embrace their summer freedom.
However, a few students seem moodier than usual and not quite themselves. What is going on? I thought all kids lived for their break from school? Are they tired like the other students? Yes. What’s the issue? Many students have a hard time transitioning from school to summer. That might seem strange, isn’t summer the best time of the year for students? Not for all of them. Summer can be a time of uncertainty for many students in our communities. School is a place of safety and routine and gives many students a sense of security. This is where they know they will be cared for and fed each and every day. Summer is a season of uncertainty. Will they have food to eat? Will they have someone to care for them throughout the day? Where will they spend their days?
What does that mean for us as ladies of the LWML? How can we impact these children in our communities? How can we share Jesus with these vulnerable children? Here are some ideas:
Use this summer as a way to share the love and comfort of knowing Jesus to children who desperately need it.
The ultimate freedom comes from knowing the love of Jesus. We don’t need to go out of the country or even out of the county to share the love of Jesus with children. Share Jesus with the children in your community, they need it so much as we all do. We have freedom in Christ, which is much better than the freedom from school.
Tina Bentley
Guest Blogger