When my son Benjamin was young, anytime he saw a low hanging fluffy white cloud, he desperately wanted to be able to touch it. But when he reached the spot where he saw the cloud, the cloud was elusive and out of his reach. While flying in an airplane through billowy clouds, Benjamin was still unable to touch the clouds because of the windows that separated him from the clouds.

Jesus’ disciples witnessed His ascension into the clouds. Although the disciples could no longer physically touch Jesus or the clouds, they knew that God was with them because of His promise. Clouds may be elusive to us, but God is never out of reach. In Acts 2:32–33, we hear Peter say, “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” After Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples at Pentecost. Our triune God is always with us.

We read in Matthew 28 that as Jesus ascended into the heavenly clouds, He commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. This command is for us too. Your Mite Box offerings, given in prayer, help to share this Good News of our Immanuel to all nations. To learn more about mite offering supported missions, click here: lwml.org/mission-grants.

Michelle Zollinger

Public Relations Director, 2017–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Random thoughts from the 

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9a).

When you lean in to someone to give them a hug, press your heart to their heart by leaning into them from the left.

LWML President Lillian Preisinger, (1955-1959) had a courageous and compassionate heart when she cancelled the 1953 LWML convention in New Orleans when it was discovered that our Black Sisters were not allowed in the convention hotel.

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Sisters Committee is to: Motivate, equip, challenge, and provide mentoring opportunities within the LWML for women of diverse ethnic groups to serve the church, participate in LWML, witness to the world, and grow in relationships.

Your 2017-2019 Heart to Heart Sisters Committee:

Click here for more information.

Kaye Dumas Wolff

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Do you identify yourself as a Lutheran Woman in Mission? I hope each day you look at what Christ has given you and respond with joyfully praising and serving Him through your family, community, and in the LWML.

We are so very blessed to know our Savior loves us, has saved us from our sins, and never leaves our side. We study the Scriptures, give our mite offerings, and serve as leaders in this organization so that others will know of God’s mercy and grace. By God’s grace, we reach the lost and hurting around the world.

Have you asked God how He wants you to serve in the LWML? Have you considered allowing your name to be submitted to the LWML Nominating Committee for a national office? Is this something He has placed on your heart? If you’ve been moved by His Word, then I encourage you to pray and willingly step up to this opportunity. You won’t serve alone! You’ll be surrounded with sisters and brothers in Christ, supporting and mentoring you. And of course, Jesus is right by our side.

If the Lord has given you a passion for His mission, He will equip you to follow through. Click here for more information. The Executive Committee is already praying for you. God has just not revealed your name, but He knows!

In His service, filled with His joy,

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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When my 6-year-old grandson Ryan comes running to me and covers me with wet kisses, throws his little arms around me, and tells me “I love you,” it just warms my heart. Ryan is a disabled child with Luscan-Lumish Syndrome, an intellectual disability, kind of rare, not much is known about it. Ryan is a child of God. He prays and sings songs of praise by memory. He has a great smile that melts your heart.

I received a beautiful letter from Jedd Lapid, Vice President of Development at Bethesda Lutheran Communities for the $100,000 check received on March 20, 2018 for our mission grant, "Sharing Jesus with People with Disabilities." He thanked the ladies of LWML for their prayers and support as we continue the work of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to people with disabilities.

This mission grant is one that melts my heart because we sometimes forget that children with disabilities are God's children too! But not only the disabled. There are children out there who are hungry, who are homeless, and who are hurting. They need your support and prayers, please consider making an extra donation to LWML for mission grants.

Angelina Jauregui

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Has Spring fever hit your family? My husband is a planter, and the minute the warm days of April start to seep into our weather, he is buying seeds and raking ground for his yearly garden. I can count on a large crop of fresh vegetables for our table and to share with others.

Also adding to April traditions is preparation for each 2018 LWML District Convention. The first conventions will begin the weekend of April 13 & 14. Many of our sisters in Christ will participate in their district conventions in May, June, July, August, and September.

Your district is looking for you to join in the worship services, servant events, Bible studies, selection for mission grants, election of new officers, participation of Young Woman Representatives, Heart to Heart Sisters, and always fun and fellowship.

District webpages are full of information, just waiting for you to investigate and place the dates on your calendar. The LWML webpage lists all 2018 District Conventions with dates and themes, under the NEWS & EVENTS tab and Convention Central.

Mark your calendars! Keep your districts in prayer! Join in the fun!

Jennifer Huecker

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Looking back, I admit that the task of standing at the kitchen sink and hand-washing dishes after our family’s meal wasn’t my preferred chore. As the oldest sibling, that was my task, and it needed to be done without grumbling, according to my mother. However, she was an encourager for conversation. At first, washing dishes was a task completed alongside my mother, then later on with younger sisters. For the most part it was a pleasant time.

Our conversations included school, family, friends — you name it! However, things changed when the dishwasher arrived. It really wasn’t until I was on my own did I understand how much I missed those times for conversation. It had been my dishwashing fellowship. Unfortunately, I didn’t subject my boys to washing dishes.  I know now we missed out on some special conversations.

Don’t miss out, personally, specifically, publicly, and frequently engage a conversation about how to get involved with LWML, even if it is through washing the dishes. Many resources are available on the website.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Marilyn Schroeder

Treasurer, 2015–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand ... For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3–4).

In accordance with the Scriptures, Paul writes, with the note that the resurrection has a biblical foundation. What he communicates to the Corinthian congregation is founded in the Hebrew Scriptures and finds its fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth.

Christ died for our sins Isaiah 53:12c
He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. 

He was buried Isaiah 53:9a
They made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death.  

He was raised on the third day Isaiah 53:10b
When his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days.

Paul received as of first importance this Gospel: for sinners, there is a Savior. Christ died, and was buried, and rose again on the third day, for everyone burdened by the weight of sin and death. He reminds the Corinthian people of this Easter truth and proclaims it from the richness of all Scripture. Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 

Dear heavenly Father, keep us grounded in Your Word, for Your Word is truth, and Your truth reveals Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior for All. During this time of celebration about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, lift up our hearts by Your powerful Spirit to speak of our risen and living Lord. He died to bring us forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. May our confidence and joy be found in Your Holy Word as it rings out with the resurrection victory in Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Robert Mundahl

Senior Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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