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Our Race Continues!

The LWML 39th Biennial Convention is over. We met in Lexington, Kentucky, together, “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.” All those who planned and worked to make this gathering a convention that honored and praised Jesus are happy — but very tired. Many participants are still on their way back home. Travel safely, everyone.

I loved so much about the convention. I loved how the women of the LWML continue to put Christ at the center of all they do. I loved being able to meet face to face after so long apart. I loved seeing old friends and meeting new sisters and brothers in Christ. I loved the inspirational messages from missionaries and could understand the mercy and hope of Jesus that they spread around the world. I loved worshipping together as one body, praising one true God.

If you were not able to attend, I hope you were able to watch the convention sessions that were live-streamed. I pray you felt the joy we experienced throughout the proceedings. (These were recorded and will be available for you to view if you missed watching live).

So, what now? Our race continues! God provides all that we need as we run the race to His glory. Yes, He even provides us with rest! In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

We do not know what God’s plans are for us in this world, but we know He has our best interests in His heart. In Exodus, Moses needed reassurance and went to God. And God said to Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14).

Today, I am still in Lexington. Scott and I are enjoying a trip to the Ark Encounter where we will see a full-sized Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Moses ran the race, looking to God. Noah ran the race, trusting in the Father. Today and every day, we trust in the Lord as our race continues.

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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Wow! I’m so Glad We Pray!

“Now that you’ve had a drink, oh what a time to think,
‘Wow! I could have had a V8!’”
Remember that commercial from the 1970s? The producers of this drink wanted you to think of having a V8 before you had something else.

Every time I remember that commercial, I think about how I often plow headlong into solving a situation before I consult God. This is what I hum to myself:
“I feel like I’m going to sink. Oh what a time to think,
‘Wow! I should have prayed!’”

God’s saving grace is that it is never too late to bring my concerns to Him in prayer. It’s always a good time to pray! Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

In less than a week, I will be in Lexington, Kentucky, making last-minute preparations for the LWML convention. For months, the LWML Board of Directors (BOD) prayed for God’s will for this gathering. We did not know if we would be able to hold a convention in-person or if we’d need to meet virtually. God knew His plan for this convention. Nothing that has happened in the last year is a surprise to our Father in heaven. Our role is to trust His guidance, “Running the
Race … Looking to Jesus.”

I am so blessed to serve with this BOD and all Lutheran Women in Mission across the United States. We, by the grace of God, are prayer warriors. By faith, we know God is in control.
“We will meet face to face, covered by God’s own grace.
Wow! I’m so glad we pray!”

And we will continue to pray and trust in the Father. We will continue “Running the Race …
Looking to Jesus!”
See you in Lexington!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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Roller Coasters

Do you like riding roller coasters? It’s been a while, but when we lived in Houston, Texas, we spent a lot of time at an amusement park with our two kids. They loved roller coasters and so did I. Over and over again we rode high and low, slowing down as we would near the top and pitching forward in a race to the bottom.

On April 9, I received an email that the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) was nearing 2,000 registrations for the LWML Convention in Lexington, in June. Until further notice, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the state of Kentucky has limited attendance for us to 2,000 attendees. Thoughts and questions filled my mind. What do we do? We don’t want to disappoint anyone interested in attending! We must allow all delegates to register. Have all our speakers and special guests registered? Hard decisions intermingle with thoughts of insecurity. It’s another challenge to pray about; another reason to seek our Lord’s counsel.

I feel like the whole world has been on a roller coaster of feelings, decisions, and uncertainty — and this surely has not been a ride we asked for or wanted. COVID-19 has heightened the stress level of the whole country. Through it all, Jesus rides the roller coaster with us. I can’t even imagine surviving each day without the certainty of faith.

It’s easy to blame COVID -19 for our problems, and it’s sometimes difficult to continue “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus” (our theme for this convention), but through all the highs and lows of this life, our Lord remains constant and in control. I believe Jesus holds us tight in difficult situations and celebrates with us on the mountain tops. I also know that one of the great gifts He has given us is each other — our sisters and brothers in Christ. You all keep me accountable and encouraged. Thank you!

I have been lying awake at night, asking God what He would like me to learn from this new challenge and how others will be served and hear His message of salvation. I ask the Lord to show me how situations that I may see as roadblocks, now may open new opportunities to share His message. Stay tuned, because I have every confidence that He will lead the LWML and me as we continue to focus on serving the risen Savior!

Please pray boldly for this convention that Jesus is the reason for what we do and how we live. Whether you are able to come to Lexington or plan to participate via livestream with your local groups, we will strive to honor our Lord and Savior.

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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Hope in the Midst of Heartbreak

This last week was a difficult one as news of a tragic death caused shock and helplessness. When someone you love is hurting you want to make it better. Many times, you simply can’t. When there is nothing I can do to ease the pain, I go to the only One who can provide hope, comfort, and peace.

When someone we love is suffering, the world often asks why. I ask why! Why does God allow such pain? I think the simple answer is we just don’t know. What we do know is that Jesus said there would be suffering in this world. He also said He has overcome the world. (John 16:33).

Many times, there seems to be no answer for why tragedy happens, at least no answers that we find satisfactory. We live in a broken world, filled with sin. Suffering and death are part of this world. What wonderful assurance we have that Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus conquered sin, death, and the power of the devil and, as His redeemed children, we live in victory with Him.

As a Christian, I still mourn when someone I love dies or when someone I love experiences a tragedy, but I know that this is not the end of the story. This world is not my home. I hope, when I spend time with those that have recently lost loved ones, when sorrow and pain overflow, that I can share the hope I have in Jesus. This hope is for all those who believe Jesus is their Savior.

I also hope that I never wait for tragedy to share the message of the Gospel. Indeed, tragedy will strike all of us at some point in our lives. Let’s boldly and confidently share Jesus now. It’s true that sometimes we just don’t know what to say. If that happens, I will call upon the Holy Spirit to give me the words and also trust that sometimes my presence may be exactly what a hurting friend needs, even without words.

Many good things happened this week. The LWML Board of Directors has decided that we will be “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus” in-person in Lexington, Kentucky, June 24–27 2021. Plans to move forward, trusting that this is God’s will, give me much to do and it is exciting to see events beginning to take place, even as we remain mindful of all safety protocols. As I make plans to attend a funeral, I’m reminded of the importance of sharing hope, especially
in the midst of heartbreak.

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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The Afterglow of Convention

I’ve never written a blog before but I’ve also never been short of words, so I’ll just write and pray this missive will help you get to know me as we serve the Lord together in the LWML. 

My husband Scott and I arrived home Monday night with no travel issues. That was certainly not the case for many of you. I am enjoying, what I am calling, the afterglow of Convention. I am filled with the Holy Spirit, through His Word and Sacrament, and with the energy and love that comes from spending a week with women and men who love our Savior and seek His direction in their lives. But I also spent much time praying for those who had canceled and delayed flights, both coming to and returning home from Mobile, Alabama. 

In my home congregation, we are blessed with an LWML member, Jan Schmidt, who loves to write devotions and shares them with us each morning. The following is a part of her email sent upon arrival back home. I love her perspective and want to share it with you: 

For months over three thousand Lutheran women planned for and looked forward to gathering together in Mobile, Alabama for the LWML Convention “In Praise to the LORD!” But, once the sending service was over, our thoughts turned toward home — our families, our own beds, the familiar comfort of routine in our own homes. The first hint that we may not get home as planned came when we met a fellow traveler who said that flights going through Dallas were questionable due to bad weather. There had been women who got to the convention late because of bad weather and now it seemed hundreds would not return home as planned. 

Fortunately, we found out our flights were canceled before going to the airport and we were able to get a hotel room in Mobile and spend Sunday night in a bed! Some of the women, we heard later, ended up spending the night in the airport. For us, as I am sure was true for most of the women, the delay only intensified our longing for home. 

Until the Lord calls us home through death, we are stranded here on this sin-filled earth longing for home. We long for the promised new heaven and new earth where there will be no sin, no tears, no sickness. … and no delays as there will be no time! We long for the comforts of that home. But, praise be to God, while we wait, God has come to us! Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). While we are stuck in this “bad weather,” the Holy Spirit comes to us in Word and Sacrament and lives with and in us. It doesn’t make life perfect, but it makes life immeasurably better. 

Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus! Thank You, Jesus, for sending the Spirit. Thank You, Spirit, for making Your home with us until Your work on earth is done! 

And so, I hope you are experiencing the afterglow of this LWML Convention and find that travel delays only give us the opportunity to share Jesus’ love with those along the way. 

Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,

Debbie

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Engage, Encourage, Equip and Enjoy!

That’s been my theme over the past four years while serving you as LWML President. As you read this I am already in Mobile for our convention this week. Monday in Mobile, the Convention Planning Committee meets in the morning. In the afternoon, the Executive Committee will meet to review the Strategic Plan goals and objectives and then start their pre-convention meeting. Tuesday afternoon the rest of the Board of Directors comes in and the board meeting starts. Wednesday, the Board meeting continues and registration opens and the exhibit hall is set up with 70 exhibitors. Thursday convention begins in earnest!

Amidst all the hustle and bustle will be some times of difficult good by’s by the outgoing board members who have been together for four years — four years of changes, challenges, questions, answers, highs, lows, discouragement, encouragement, learning, discerning, diplomacy, tolerance, togetherness, appreciation. The list goes on and on. When we talk about LWML sisterhood, it is SO evident in the emotional bonding that takes place as we work together.

We have worked in order to serve Jesus. We are sinners, being perfect is not a job requirement in LWML. Our imperfections many times served to God’s Glory as He worked through imperfect women to achieve His purposes. We thank all our LWML sisters for their patience, flexibility, love, and encouragement over the past four years which you have given to us. It has been a privilege to serve LWML and Jesus.

I especially want to recognize and thank these outgoing LWML leaders who I’ve worked so closely with.

Michelle Zollinger, PR Director; Leslie Jaseph, Meeting Manager; Carol von Soosten, Strategic Plan Facilitator; Debbie Larson, VP of Organizational Resources; Kaye Wolff, VP Special Focus Ministries; Marilyn Schroeder, Treasurer; Rev. Robert Mundahl, Senior Pastoral Counselor.

Please continue to engage the women of our church in mission opportunities and the Word. Remember to encourage women, church workers, and missionaries. Equip yourselves with knowledge of missions and the Word of God. Enjoy your work for the Lord and let it put a smile on your face and in your heart.

Love, Patti

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them Ephesians 2:8-10.

Serve the Lord with Gladness!

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Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord

This past Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost. At our church we also had a blessing for all those going to convention in Mobile next week, June 20-23. It really fit together well. Pentecost and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church and our convention, which is focused on spreading the Gospel worldwide. The logo for Mobile is a globe with a heart around it signifying God’s love for the people of the world and it converges right over Mobile, Alabama.

The poetry of our hymns is so rich! This particular hymn spoke to me as a prayer to the Holy Spirit. One that I plan to copy and use during convention preparations which will be crazy busy this week. I hope you will pray it with me and pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Mobile during convention, “In Praise to the LORD!”

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord, with all Your graces now outpoured on each believer’s mind and heart; Your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of Your light In holy faith Your Church unite; From every land and every tongue this to your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung: Alleluia, Alleluia!

Come, holy Light, guide divine, now cause the Word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright and call Him Father with delight. From every error keep us free; Let none but Christ our master be, that we in living faith abide, in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, holy Fire, comfort true, grant us the will Your work to do and in Your service to abide; Let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Your power prepare each heart, and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend, through life and death to You, our Lord, ascend. Alleluia, alleluia!

LSB 497

Collect for Pentecost Eve

Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Patti

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Have Quilt, Will Travel!

I’m going to bring my butterfly quilt to convention and hang it up by the LWML Magnolia Market store in the Exhibit Hall. I hope you will come by and see it. It’s quite remarkable.

This beautiful quilt was designed and the top constructed by then LWML Nebraska North District President Crystal Miller. It was then machine quilted with the butterfly stitching. Crystal worked on this quilt on and off for two years. The inspiration was from a painting and the Butterfly E’s that LWML I have  used as my personal logo.

The quilt was presented to me by the LWML District Presidents who served in 2014-2018. All the DPs from the 40 districts serving at the time contributed four cotton fabric fat quarters each. Some of each fabric was used. All forty DPs at the time also signed it.

There are around 400 butterflies if you include those in the quilting stitches. Rev. Mundahl and Rev. Schuessler undertook the challenge of counting them. Look closely to see the new LWML logo and the 2017 Albuquerque LWML Convention logo quilted into the corners.

Look for Crystal here at the LWML Growth and Development Committee exhibit booth. I know you will want to tell her how beautiful it is.

When I look at it I think of all the beautiful women I have known while serving as LWML President. That part of the job I will miss very much! I hope we can stay in touch after this convention concludes my time as President.

Love, Patti

P.S. I’m bringing my own pillow, too!

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A Time to Honor

This past weekend hopefully, we all took time to remember those brave men and women who died while defending our freedoms in the United States to keep us the “land of the free and home of the brave.” Memorial Day seems to be more often a weekend of sales on refrigerators and washing machines but many still do pause and think, “could I have done that?” and remember our military fallen.

Anyone who signs up for the military should be honored because when you sign that contract you are saying you will go to the length of giving your life to defend freedoms valued by Americans.

This weekend we were in Dallas to celebrate the wedding of my nephew Andrew Ross and his beautiful bride, Michelle. This brought together a large number of Rosses from all over the United States because we value family. As one brother said, we honor Mom and Dad Ross by continuing to love and care for each other. They raised 10 children. Together they could run a small town—a priest, a personnel recruiter, a psychologist, a physician, a teacher, a school counselor, a home healthcare CEP, a mayor of Chickasha, a deacon, an insurance salesman and a dear trisomy 21 brother now in heaven. A definite Type A family but loving and generous in encouragement and recognition of each other’s God-given gifts.

Sunday night we dined together, 22 of us, and we remembered those in the family who had served in the military—WWII, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Out of the 22 we had seven veterans. One uncle died in WWII. Then we remembered the spouses and parents who were also aligned with the military.

The minister at the wedding talked about commitment in marriage. He talked about defending your spouse, he talked about living an example of love to your family. It all seemed to be reflected in the relatives there. This is the second generation to start marrying. The third generation, my grandchildren, were observing closely the cousins and aunts and uncles as they celebrated. In a way, everyone was honoring Mom and Dad Ross. Honoring the God-blessed gift of a Christian family.

I just felt like we took time to honor the commitment of our military personnel who gave their lives for our freedoms and we also honored the commitment of Mom and Dad Ross who gave of themselves for the love and welfare of their family, community, and church. That our family so warmly embraces marriage and family is a testament to them.

Have a great week!

Patti

By the way, we are looking for our LWML military women! Be sure if you are attending the Mobile convention to come to the table and sign up and receive a special recognition ribbon for your service—veterans, reserve or active duty.

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A Little History Quiz

At the two Vicar, Deaconess Intern, and Fourth Year seminary events that LWML hosted I told them that the LWML groups at the congregations they were going to were waiting for them. Waiting to welcome them and their families, waiting to learn from them, waiting to include them in LWML happenings, waiting to partner with them, and waiting to love and support them. Those of you getting one of these fresh-out-of-seminary church workers, don’t let me down! Be there for them!

I love history. I come by it genetically from my father who was a history professor at Oklahoma State University after getting his PhD. From University of Nebraska (I throw that in for Linda Reiser and Virginia Von Seggern). Here are some interesting notes about national LWML conventions. By the way, come to Mobile and experience and also, help make history!

Before convention bags
  1. There have been two LWML conventions held in Canada. When and where were they held?
  2. What convention attraction made its first appearance at the Charlotte, NC, 1997 convention?
  3. When was the first Biennial Convention?
  4. Mobile is one of four cities who have hosted more than one convention. (Mobile 1973). What other cities have hosted more than one convention?
  5. What convention had the highest attendance? What year?
  6. Have we ever had to cancel a convention?
  7. Is your delegate’s vote important?
  8. What part of convention is always rated the highest on evaluation forms?

Answers below:

There were several “firsts” at Mobile in 1973.

  • The first time a Native American addressed the convention.
  • Five district brought the first 8 youth representatives to convention.
  • Women led the convention Bible study for the first time: Pauline Groerich, Minte Brohm and Carrie Wright, who by the way, was the first black woman to address an LWML convention.
  • A Mission Goal of $500,000 was adopted.
1973 Mobile Convention Manual

I had lunch with our Archivist-Historian, Caroline Honeycutt, last week and she has a great “then and now” exhibit you will want to visit in the Jubilee Junction Exhibit Hall in Mobile! Come and join with your brothers and sisters, “In Praise to the LORD!”

Love, Patti

Answers:

  1. 1959 – 8th Biennial – Toronto, Ontario, Canada “Labor With More Love” and 1993 — 25th Biennial – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada “One in Spirit-One in Purpose.
  2. Humorous Interrupter – At the “Hold up the Light” convention, Linda Reiser portrayed “Sparky”.
  3. 1943 – 1st Biennial – Ft. Wayne, Indiana “Serve the Lord with Gladness”. (1942 Chicago was organizing convention).
  4. Portland, Oregon (1953, 2009); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1961, 2013); Cleveland, Ohio (1949, 1991).
  5. Ames, Iowa, 1985. Registration: 8,023.
  6. Yes. 1945 was not held due to wartime conditions. 1955, New Orleans, Louisiana, was canceled when LWML heard that our black delegates would not be allowed to stay in the convention hotel. A “delegates only” convention was convened in Denver in 1956. The schedule was resumed with Minneapolis in 1957.
  7. Yes! I was elected VP of Christian Life in Portland by only 9 votes and in Albuquerque, officer voting saw differences of 4 and 7 votes in two of the offices.
  8. Thursday evening Opening Worship.