This weekend I hosted 12 women for my family’s annual “Girl’s Weekend” at the ranch. This tradition began with my sisters and I traveling to my parents’ farm and spending time together while our father and husbands went hunting. Time passed, we had children, they married and had children, and the group grew. This group now includes my mom, sisters, daughters, nieces, friends, and an occasional dog or two.
We all love to cook (and eat!). We plan a craft or two, stay up late, and tease each other relentlessly. We reminisce, enjoy our time together, and look forward to future gatherings. Yes, we have moments of irritation and impatience, our political views are best not discussed, and we may not agree on the best way to help care for our mother as she considers her living arrangements … but we are family and that trumps all.
Three sisters, born of the same parents and raised in a Christian home, is more than enough for which to thank and praise my Lord. I know they may not always agree with me or understand my actions but, if I need them, they’re there for me.
I am also blessed with sisters in Christ, my church family. I know they will also be there for me, to lift me up, hold me accountable, laugh and cry with me, and pray with and for me. This is a sisterhood of choice … Lutheran Women in Mission!
Today I’m exhausted, but I have a smile on my face and love fills my heart. I’m thanking my Father for the gift of sisters, all of them!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace, President Debbie
I have tried to write this today without crying and I think I’ll just give up and write through tears. Please understand, these are humble, happy tears!
Last week I received a large box delivered to my home. It was sent by last biennium’s Growth and Development Chairman Crystal Miller. As Vice President of Organizational Resources (2015-2019), I served with three committees: Leadership Development (Chairman Susan Brunkow), Growth and Development, and Structure (Chairman Arlene Naasz). The incredible ladies on these committees, spearheaded by Crystal, collaborated on a gift for me that brings tears of joy to my eyes. Stretched out in canvas on this wall hanging are photos of each of their hands praying for me!
I immediately took down a large picture in my dining room and hung this one. (OK, I didn’t do it … my husband, Scott, did. I can’t hang a straight picture for the life of me!) This gift has touched my heart like few others. You see, even though this gift is tangible, I see it as servant hearts praying for me as I serve the Lord in the LWML. I see women who love the Lord, women who seek His wisdom and praise Him for His mercies; women who put everything, including the LWML, in His hands. This is what I see when my eyes and my heart look at this canvas.
I know women across the United States pray for me daily. This is a humbling and comforting thought. Please know that I pray for all of you, too, on a daily basis. What an honor to kneel before our Maker, knowing He listens and answers. Thy will be done, oh Lord!
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers (Philemon 1:4).
Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,
Scott and I arrived home to Colorado late last Tuesday evening. I stepped out of the vehicle and breathed in the scents of sage and pine. We had driven through thunderstorms and watched lightening race across the sky. The clouds had parted and the stars were shining. We live in a gated ranch community in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and, each time I drive through the gate, I am quite sure my stress level drops. Oh, how I love coming home!
Scott’s father had been struggling for several months and he died peacefully in his sleep early on Sunday morning, August 11th. The memorial service was held in Bemidji, Minnesota, on Saturday, August 17th. Lloyd has gone home to be with Jesus. With family and friends, we celebrated Lloyd’s life but the real celebration was the fact that we will see him again in heaven.
Our Father has set us on this earth to be His missionaries and spread His message of salvation to all those who do not know that He is the only way to eternal life in heaven. We are here to bring glory to the Lord. I count it an honor and a privilege to serve Him in this way. At the same time I want to remember this is not my home (referencing 2 Corinthians 5). As much as I love my home in Colorado, and as much as I loved my home in North Dakota when I was a child, I look forward to meeting Jesus face to face.
I love to travel. I love to visit friends and family. I love to see and experience new things and places. Yet there is always a great feeling of peace when I come home. As we mourn the loss of Scott’s father, we know he is at peace because he is home, really home. He is with Jesus and we will join him some day.
This is why we, as Lutheran Women in Mission, share Jesus. This is why we serve others and give to missions. We are His missionaries and we spread His message of salvation … so all may know Jesus and go home!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,
Today, I travel to St. Louis in preparation for this week’s meetings with the LWML Board of Directors. For the last 10 days, I’ve been in Minnesota at my husband’s childhood lake home. I spent much time working and preparing for this upcoming meeting but I was blessed to spend it looking out at a beautiful, clear, Minnesota lake. I listened to the waves hit the shore, smelled the fresh breeze, and felt the peace of God that is so evident in nature.
I’ve read analogies of Christianity and waves. Like waves wash the sand from my feet, I know my sins are washed away by the sacrifice of my Savior. Or I think of my sins as crashing waves causing me to sink into the depths and I find comfort in knowing my Lifeboat. As I looked out at the lake, I saw the sun’s reflections, like diamonds dancing across the surface of the water and I thought of Jesus speaking to the woman at the well in John, chapter 4. What Jesus offered to her, He offers to us — “living water”.
It’s been a challenging month as I’ve navigated the transitions of my last position and my new position in LWML. Scott and I have traveled (over 8,000 miles) back and forth to family, and I have traveled to the LCMS Convention in Tampa, Florida, and to St. Louis, Missouri. There have been waves, at times overwhelming waves, and yet God has kept us safe in His arms through every mile. Each day I find my Lord speaks to me through His Word. Each day I gratefully receive His “living water” and thank Him for the joy I experience in service to Him in LWML. Yup, sometimes I see the waves as a challenge and sometimes I see them as a cleansing of the soul as the Holy Spirit guides me.
A large part of my faith journey has taken place alongside the women and men of LWML. This organization can play a vital part in your life as well. Come, ride the waves with me and look for where God will use you and your unique gifts to serve, learn, and belong.
Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,
I have just returned home from the LCMS Convention in Tampa, Florida. I was privileged to address the assembly where I remarked that the convention was a “bit more intense” than the LWML Convention. We also carry out business at our LWML conventions and rejoice, as Lutheran Women in Mission, that we are blessed to focus on inspiring and educating women. Our conventions are filled with mission speakers, mission service, Bible study, and prayer. We rejoice in choosing mission grants that will reach those who need to hear about Jesus.
Arlene Naasz, Bishop Makala, and Char Kroemer at LCMS Convention
LWML had an exhibit booth at the LCMS Convention. Vice President of Communication Char Kroemer and Meeting Manager Arlene Naasz spent the week sharing LWML with convention attendees. As people stopped to visit, many thanked LWML for various mission grants they had received and talked of how God worked, and continues to work, through those grants. Char, Arlene, and I accepted thanks on behalf of each of you because you are the women who, by God’s grace, make these grants possible!
One gentleman who stopped by identified himself as the Bishop from Tanzania. With tears in his eyes, Bishop Emmanuel Makala passionately thanked LWML for the $25,000 Tanzanian Sewing Center mission grant from last biennium. “This was a mountain top experience for me,” Arlene said, “and I was humbled and honored to represent LWML.”
Arlene preparing to greet convention attendees. What a welcoming smile!
I want each of you to know that the money you put in your Mite Box is much more than dimes and dollars. It’s hope, healing, love, and Jesus’ mercy, and it reaches around the world. We’ve been blessed with our faith and we are blessed as we share that with others.
I want you to know I thank God for each of you. You are our Lord’s hands, feet, and heart as you share His love. I find myself smiling as I pray for you and I believe Jesus is smiling also!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,
My twin grandsons, Brenden and Logan (12 years old), have come to visit and I’m watching them head out to the tree fort they built with Grandpa Scott last summer. The sun is shining and the air smells of pine and sage. It’s so easy to see the blessings of God on days like this.
The first of July, after a family reunion (my side) in North Dakota, we traveled to Bemidji, Minnesota, to visit Scott’s parents. Scott’s father, Lloyd, is in the last stages of his life. He is frail. It’s difficult to watch as a once spirited man finds no joy in this life. He is ready to be with Jesus in heaven. I look for the blessings of God in situations like this.
The first of July, after a family reunion (my side) in North Dakota, we traveled to Bemidji, Minnesota, to visit Scott’s parents. Scott’s father, Lloyd, is in the last stages of his life. He is frail. It’s difficult to watch as a once spirited man finds no joy in this life. He is ready to be with Jesus in heaven. I look for the blessings of God in situations like this.
And so, today I ponder the stages of our lives. My grandchildren, children, Scott and I, and our parents are all experiencing this life at different stages. Through it all our God reigns! Through every stage He is with us. “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand” (Isaiah 42:6a). What peace this blessing of God brings to me.
Last week, I transitioned with Past LWML President Patti Ross in St. Louis. Hers will be big shoes to fill but I was blessed as she generously shared insight and encouragement. I spent time with the LWML Office staff and with LCMS leaders exploring opportunities to glorify our Lord and serve Him by serving His people. Next week I will travel to Tampa, Florida, for the LCMS Convention and God will shower blessings on those who put Him at the center of their lives. This is a new stage in my life and, each morning, my prayer is to let God use me to His glory, recognizing His blessings and sharing Christ at every opportunity.
What stage of life do you find yourself in today? How is God blessing you through the events in your life? God blesses His people in all circumstances!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,
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.
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.
It’s that wonderful time of the year that we gather with relatives and friends to view and celebrate accomplishments. So far I have been to one band concert, one dance recital, one piano recital, received graduation invitations from four people and have a wedding in Dallas next weekend.
I know many of you have double or quadruple that number of events. What a blessing! In our technical world it still means a lot to go in person and support people. It may be a little inconvenient for you to make the effort but you need to be there. You never know how that might be remembered in the future or appreciated in the present. It’s also a great time to remind those with whom you are celebrating that God has blessed them with special gifts and will give them opportunities to use those gifts in service to His people. They are special! You are special!
It’s also a wonderful time of our LWML year as we get ready to have our LWML convention in Mobile, Alabama. The Host Committee is made up of intrepid volunteers from the three hosting districts, LWML Gulf States, LWML Louisiana-Mississippi and LWML Florida-Georgia. It takes about 500 volunteers to put on the convention doing pre-convention, convention, and post-convention work on everything from airport greeters to banquet seating ushers. We met via Zoom meeting this past Saturday for a Host Committee leaders’ last meeting before convention for 3.5 hours.
These hard-working, dedicated LWML volunteers will want you to come and view and celebrate their accomplishments at the Mobile Convention June 20-23. Your presence will mean a lot to them and will encourage them in their LWML mission work long after convention is over. They are special! You are special as a delegate, a YWR, a Heart to Heart Sister, a first-timer, an exhibitor, a mission speaker, or a general registrant.
I had an Erma Bombeck quote on my frig while raising my kids. “Being a mother means you have to show up”. Could we also say, “Being an LWML woman in mission means you have to show up”?
Enjoy all your celebrations and come celebrate the works of the Lord in Mobile as we meet “In Praise to the LORD!”
This Friday at Concordia Seminary’s Commencement ceremonies we want to acknowledge a wonderful award being given to Melissa Salomón, Chairman of our Heart to Heart Sisters Committee. Melissa will be honored with Doctor of Law at the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on May 17. We congratulate and send our love to Melissa as she receives this award!
I’ve known Melissa through LWML for several years. She exemplifies the servant leader. You can see by her biography how God has gifted her and how she has used these gifts in His service over the years. Congratulations, Melissa! Your LWML sisters are proud of you and so happy for you!
You can congratulate Melissa at convention in Mobile! Here is the biography from Concordia Seminary.
Doctor of Laws
Melissa Salomón, Chairman of our Heart to Heart Sisters Committee
For many years, Dr. Melissa Salomón has been a leader in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Hispanic community and beyond. She has been a featured speaker and workshop leader in several Hispanic Lutheran conferences and conventions as well as in various Lutheran Women Missionary League (LWML) conventions and events. Even though Salomón could have had a career in law, she instead has devoted herself in service to various ecclesial tasks such as national/international mission administration, intercultural ministries and education, community life organizing and the spiritual care of women (especially, from underrepresented groups and marginalized communities).
Salomón has been involved in the LWML since the 1980s. Currently, she is chairwoman of the Heart to Heart Sisters Committee, an intentional effort to welcome and encourage women from various ethno cultural groups in the U.S. to participate in the LWML community and mission. In 2001, Salomón was asked to serve on a national committee which led to the LWML’s intentional focus on intercultural engagement in an increasingly diverse nation and church. Salomón had a foundational role in developing this plan to identify ethnic women leaders within the LCMS. Through their involvement with the LWML, these ethnic women have been able to lend their ministry and leadership skills to LWML local, district and national committees.
Salomón brings to her service to the church a special love for and commitment to the promotion of cross-cultural ministries on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. She has had the privilege of serving her Lord in border ministry since 1986. In 1998 she was part of a team that opened the first Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) office in Mexico located in Tijuana. In 2012 that office was moved to Mexico City, but Salomón has since continued to work in border ministries. She has been an active participant in Frontera ministries, an LCMS think tank dealing with ministry initiatives in the borderlands. Her work with Concordia Church and School in Chula Vista, Calif., allows her an opportunity to engage in mission and mercy projects along the border and beyond in other countries such as Guatemala.
Salomón also has contributed to Concordia Seminary’s Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) in two special ways. She offered a response to a lecturer for one of the CHS Annual Lectures in Hispanic/Latino Theology and Missions on the theme of mission in the borderlands. She also contributed a theological reflection on Hispanic women’s ministries for a special CHS partnership issue of Missio Apostolica (now Lutheran Mission Matters). She has been a featured writer and a translator of materials for the LWML and other agencies of the church. For her contributions to women’s and border ministries, Salomónwas featured on the cover and as the main feature in the Winter 2007 issue of Lutheran Women’s Quarterly.
Salomón earned a bachelor of art in political science and Spanish literature from Occidental College, Pasadena Calif., in 1978 and a juris doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, Calif., in 1985. In addition to her volunteer service to the church, Salomón serves as Chief Service Officer/Community Life Coordinator at Concordia Church and School in Chula Vista, Calif.
She is the proud mother of Andrés Alejandro and Elizabeth Rhode, both recently married. She enjoys calligraphy and blogging.
