Proud to be a woman!

I was invited this last Saturday to ZWELCA (Zumbro women of the ELCA) lunch to celebrate all our birthdays. There were about 9 tables... and at each table was a host, who got to decorate the table however she wanted... each table had it's own theme! Then each host was able to invite 7 other women to sit at her table... that is how you were able to come... I was invited by Annette... I didnt know how lucky I was to be invited until I got there. At first I thought it was going to be another church lunch deal... some food and fellowship... and although there was nothing wrong with THAT... it WAS a Saturday... a typical day off for me... so as a intern pastor... you kind of are still "working in a sense" by simply being there.... but I was honored none the less...

The theme for the lunch was bold women. "Such is the confidence we have through Christ...since then, we have such a hope, we act with great BOLDNESS." 2 Corinthians 3: 4-6, 12

The mission for the women of the ELCA is "To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ."








They had 4 speakers who talked about how they are acting boldly in this world! It was after these speakers I have never been more proud of being a woman.. in my life!!!

1. Jan Vetter(very active member of our church) talked about her mother and friend who have inspired her to start the adopt-a-family program... she is a rock star at it.. so organized... so passionate about her work!

2. Annette Godtland- Spoke of her experience giving up her daughter for adoption. So many times you hear the side of the adoptive parents and their experience...but she told the side of becoming pregnant and making the bold decision to give her daughter up for adoption... and then being contacted 25 years later by her daughter... reconnecting with her and how that has impacted her life so far.... proud to have been a part of her daughter's life now.. witnessing her daughter's son's baptism... knowing... if she would not have made this bold choice... look at what would NOT have happened....

3. Jill Youse- a little older than me... While breastfeeding her first child, Jill realized she had a "weath of frozen unused milk" and made a bold choice by originating both the International Breast Milk Project and the nonprofit supporting it today, enabling HIV babies in Africa to receive nature's perfect formula and a better chance for life. IBMP is the only organization in the world to send large-scale provisions of donor breast mild to infants unable to naturally breastfeed in Africa!

4. Judy Weller- Started a fundraiser where she boldly runs marathons to support the Boys & Girls Club.... she collects pledges for every step she runs... 100K's!!!! her Goal is to raise 100,000.... she has raised about 45,000 so far!!! She is determined to finish!
Annette, Jan, and Judy...(Sadly Jill had to leave early and couldnt make the picture)


Each woman was so remarkable.. and have made such BOLD decisions and actions! I can only hope I can do the same in my ministry... or to whatever God is calling me to do!

"There is no more liberating, no more exhilarating experience than to determine one's position, state it bravely, and then to act BOLDLY!" - Eleanor Roosevelt

My fun name tag... I was at the LOON table!