WPDC Pulse

As a lifelong lover of musical theater, I have spent the last several years enjoying a subscription with my husband for “Broadway in Portland,” and I typically spend weeks before the show practicing along with the Spotify soundtrack. Why? So that I am fully ready to secretly live out my Broadway dreams as I sing my heart out from the comfort of my third-row balcony seat!

While September is a lovely month throughout most of the United States, with its “second summer” days and crisp evenings, it can also be a busy time. New routines and schedules, changes in clothing and decor, first thoughts about plans for the holidays, college applications and continued seasons of harvest and preserving, all collide and make it seem like one minute it’s summer and the next minute the Tender Timer on that turkey is up.

As many of you likely know, my term as chair ends next month. I will be passing the baton to the extremely competent, Dr. Sarah Rahkola. Sarah has been my “Vice Chair,” a term that we confirmed with her onboarding, and has served in this position extremely well. Sarah has been my wing woman in most everything I do and is an outstanding sounding board when decisions have been difficult. Sarah was there for me during personal orthopedic surgeries, when I had to
take a break and did a fabulous job.

This letter is going to be about a subject I don’t normally delve into. It has to do with an early summer legal battle in the Supreme Court and the CMDA position against the use of mifepristone. It is good to know our organization is willing to take bold steps to protect the rights of the unborn and pregnant mothers.

So, I hope you enjoy a fabulous summer that might include a nice vacation, a staycation and a few good books to draw you close to the Lord while you appreciate His creation.

By the time you read this, we will likely have been to Ridgecrest Conference Center to attend the CMDA National Convention. The attendance for these wonderful gatherings has outgrown our traditional CMDA convention home! And in the meantime, we at WPDC are enjoying growth as well. We are seeing it in our virtual mini-conference, virtual gatherings, student participation and even on our commission!

As I write to you, Holy Week is upon us, and I cannot believe spring has sprung with our mountain snowstorms. We Montana women are all searching our closets for the warmest clothes we can wear that look like Easter is here! Yet, what a
glorious week it is, no matter the temperature, to appreciate what Jesus did for all of us. Such love has never had so much impact before or since. And consequently, we will spend eternity with Him, in His glory.

I hope you are having a wonderful winter and looking forward to daylight savings time coming up soon. Up in Montana, the longer days really add to our enjoyment of the Alpenglow at sunrise and sunset on the snow-covered mountains. As much as I enjoy outdoor photography and the paintings from my artist friends, nothing compares to God’s art, and I am always breathless over these sights. Sometimes I’ll pull over on the arrow road to work and take a photo with my cell phone, but it’s never the same as just being in the moment. I’m reminded of Psalm 46:10 to “…Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NIV)

With the busyness of the Christmas season in the rearview mirror, I am hopeful you are all finding solace and time to process your thoughts. I am also aware of all the retreats, mission trips and vacations taking place this month.

Wherever you are in your career life, you are not alone. Jesus is here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and He has your back. He is your constant companion and loves you more than you can comprehend in this lifetime.