Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).

The theme for our 2022 LWML Southern Illinois District Convention was “Walking with Jesus.”  As I brainstormed with our Young Woman Representative (YWR) to plan a Friday night activity that would fit our theme, we decided on a prayer walk. Did you know that lwml.org has many resources on prayer? We looked through all the resources and decided to use “Walking in Prayer: Organizing a Prayer Walk.” Our convention was held in a school gym, so it was easy to spread out the stations with tables and chairs around the perimeter of the gym. The YWRs to our district convention helped to oversee the stations and offer direction and assistance as needed. With its interactive stations and focus on Scripture and prayer, this resource was the perfect ending for our Friday night activities and the perfect start for our convention. 

I encourage you to create your own prayer walk in your district, zone, or congregation.

Carol Walther
President, LWML Southern Illinois District 

“Joy to the World” is a popular hymn at Christmas time. The title can be found on cards, plaques, ornaments, and clothing. “Joy to the World” is usually sung at our Children’s Christmas programs. It is a song that is hard to sing without smiling. My Joy is found in Jesus, my Savior.

How can you share your Joy? Giving mite offerings to help with the district and national mission grant projects is a great way to share Joy with lots of people. Inviting friends, who don’t have a church home, to attend an Advent or Christmas service, and also Sunday services and Bible studies are other ways to share His Joy. 

Invite women to an LWML event or to study one of the great LWML Bible studies or devotions on the website.  A great devotion to start with is “Got Joy?”. You can download the PDF or listen on the LWML On the Go Podcast. Have a joy-filled Christmas.

Paula Daniels, President
LWML Carolinas District
2022–2026

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Webster defines “gratitude” as “the state of being grateful; thankfulness.”  

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Have an attitude of gratitude!” The Bible tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” but this is not always the easiest thing to do. Many people in today’s world have lost touch with the true meaning of gratitude, which is drowned out by their busy, hectic lives. They take for granted all the good things in their lives, and miss out on the benefits of gratitude, which are greater than many people realize. 

Studies have shown that “an attitude of gratitude” can improve resilience, self-esteem, overall energy, enhance happiness and optimism, and lower stress and anxiety. One study showed that participants who wrote thank you letters or kept “gratitude journals” regularly showed significantly better mental health than those who did not.  

Check out our LWML website at www.lwml.org for some great resources, along with Bible studies in our Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly, to remind us to “Give thanks in all circumstances,” and keep our focus on Jesus. Start each day with an attitude of gratitude and see how God will continue to richly bless you!

Arlene Price
LWML New Jersey District President
2022-2026

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