Mountaintop Experience 

By Jennifer Koch

 

Those who know me best know that I am not fond of cliché’s nor over-the-top exaggerated experiences. In fact, when people tell me that they are looking for that type of event to occur in their life, I am skeptical. I certainly was not looking or wanting a “mountaintop experience,” a “small hill” would have been fine for me. Events in my world are planned and calculated with a known outcome; this is where the LWML National Convention comes in and spins my world on a different axis.

 

I went into the trip with many stresses about work and family but realized that I was not alone or isolated. I was able to share these troubles with my roommate and other young women. God was not ignoring or punishing me, He was testing my faith and load and the ability to share these burdens at a place where he knew they would be heard and comforted.

 

I also enjoyed the bible studies lead by Dr. Mary Hilgendorf. They were entertaining and thought provoking. She talked about women having a voice to speak up, encourage change, empower others and most importantly confess your love for God and His creation. I learned how the mite money was being used and enjoyed hearing from young women in the mission field.

 

There were so many wonderful women from all over the United States who wanted to know my name, where I was from and hug me! I want to have that same response when I meet new people. I too have a voice that can make change, empower others and spread His love not only in the LWML but also in the other areas of my life. It truly was a “mountaintop experience!”

Mountaintop Experience 

By Jennifer Koch

 

Those who know me best know that I am not fond of cliché’s nor over-the-top exaggerated experiences. In fact, when people tell me that they are looking for that type of event to occur in their life, I am skeptical. I certainly was not looking or wanting a “mountaintop experience,” a “small hill” would have been fine for me. Events in my world are planned and calculated with a known outcome; this is where the LWML National Convention comes in and spins my world on a different axis.

 

I went into the trip with many stresses about work and family but realized that I was not alone or isolated. I was able to share these troubles with my roommate and other young women. God was not ignoring or punishing me, He was testing my faith and load and the ability to share these burdens at a place where he knew they would be heard and comforted.

 

I also enjoyed the bible studies lead by Dr. Mary Hilgendorf. They were entertaining and thought provoking. She talked about women having a voice to speak up, encourage change, empower others and most importantly confess your love for God and His creation. I learned how the mite money was being used and enjoyed hearing from young women in the mission field.

 

There were so many wonderful women from all over the United States who wanted to know my name, where I was from and hug me! I want to have that same response when I meet new people. I too have a voice that can make change, empower others and spread His love not only in the LWML but also in the other areas of my life. It truly was a “mountaintop experience!”

My LWML Adventure

By Vicky Ohde

 

When I found out that I had been chosen as one of the YWR’s for the South Wisconsin District, I thought, “what did I get myself into, what new adventure did God have in store for me?” As the time grew closer to the convention, my children did not want me to go, or, if I had to go, to at least take them along. Well, that was not an option. So, I left my three “angels” in my husbands’ competent hands, knowing my mother was close by, if he needed her.

 

On both flights out to Portland, I had a window seat. Seeing God’s creation from those heights was breathtaking. I met up with my roommate at the Portland airport, and we hit it off right away. Together we traveled with many other LWML’ers on the MAX to our hotel. At the hotel, we met many more women wearing purple. The numbers kept growing wherever we went, the convention center, the Chinese Garden, the Rose Garden. There were LWML’ers everywhere, and that was pretty awesome.

 

The convention started and I met the other YWR’s, more women from the South Wisconsin District, and women from all parts of the country. We all shared something in common – God called each one of us to Portland for our own LWML adventure. My adventure brought me to a city I had never been to, to a convention I didn’t know much about, and to be challenged by President Jan Wendorf to read through the Bible before the next convention. With God’s help, I will be able to meet this challenge. My adventure also showed me how, through God’s faithfulness, pennies can add up to fulfill so many mission grants.

 

I feel very blessed to have been chosen as a YWR, and I thank the South Wisconsin District for this opportunity to learn and grow in the LWML and God’s word. I do not know what new adventures God has in store for me the next two years, but I know He will be with me every step of the adventure.

My LWML Adventure

By Vicky Ohde

 

When I found out that I had been chosen as one of the YWR’s for the South Wisconsin District, I thought, “what did I get myself into, what new adventure did God have in store for me?” As the time grew closer to the convention, my children did not want me to go, or, if I had to go, to at least take them along. Well, that was not an option. So, I left my three “angels” in my husbands’ competent hands, knowing my mother was close by, if he needed her.

 

On both flights out to Portland, I had a window seat. Seeing God’s creation from those heights was breathtaking. I met up with my roommate at the Portland airport, and we hit it off right away. Together we traveled with many other LWML’ers on the MAX to our hotel. At the hotel, we met many more women wearing purple. The numbers kept growing wherever we went, the convention center, the Chinese Garden, the Rose Garden. There were LWML’ers everywhere, and that was pretty awesome.

 

The convention started and I met the other YWR’s, more women from the South Wisconsin District, and women from all parts of the country. We all shared something in common – God called each one of us to Portland for our own LWML adventure. My adventure brought me to a city I had never been to, to a convention I didn’t know much about, and to be challenged by President Jan Wendorf to read through the Bible before the next convention. With God’s help, I will be able to meet this challenge. My adventure also showed me how, through God’s faithfulness, pennies can add up to fulfill so many mission grants.

 

I feel very blessed to have been chosen as a YWR, and I thank the South Wisconsin District for this opportunity to learn and grow in the LWML and God’s word. I do not know what new adventures God has in store for me the next two years, but I know He will be with me every step of the adventure.