Mental Health
Posted on December 1, 2023
by Virginia Strubbe, CSW-PIP, OSW-C
The classic hymn “O Holy Night” speaks to both the heaviness in this world and the joy we have with our Savior’s birth. The holiday season can easily turn into a prescribed hustle and bustle. It’s easy to feel a bit weary. How can we experience joy amidst any weariness this holiday season?
Marriage & Relationships
Posted on November 14, 2023
by Hannah Fowler, tLMFT
As a marriage and family therapist, I hear couples express their concern about feeling more like roommates than lovers as the demands of life slowly take over. We all have constant demands on our time. However, we ultimately get to choose how we spend our time. And how we choose to spend the time we have communicates what matters most to us.
Adoption
Posted on November 7, 2023
Miriam’s biological mother reached out to Lutheran Family Service knowing she needed to place her unborn baby for adoption, and praying for the right home for her child. Ben and Lauren were the answer to those prayers.
Mental Health
Posted on November 1, 2023
by Rev. Jonathan Conner
Identity statements aren’t always true. So, get them out into the open and then speak God’s Word out loud into the situation. But, what if the foundational thoughts are true? What if these are the things we’re thinking about: I have been abused; I have suffered real injustice; I have experienced real loss. What do we do then? Grieve. Mourn. Lament.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on October 18, 2023
by Cathy VandeBraak, MA
Meet Cathy VandeBraak, an adoption and pregnancy case worker serving families within three hours of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We recently sat down to talk about her role with Lutheran Family Service, how mission and ministry are often carried out in the mundane parts of life, and the basics of what adoptive families and birth moms can expect when connected with LFS.
Mental Health
Posted on October 17, 2023
by Rev. Jonathan Conner
We’re having a conversation on mental health, but what we’re going to talk about isn’t just for people who struggle with mental health; it’s for all of us. We have a simple point, which we’ll expand upon in a moment. Here’s our simple point: What you think affects how you feel affects what you do.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on October 12, 2023
The first in Iowa “Safe Haven Baby Box” was opened today, October 12, 2023, in Fort Dodge, Iowa! Members of your Lutheran Family Service team were there, including Emily Rasch, pregnancy counseling/adoption worker for Lutheran Family Service’s Many Hearts Unplanned Pregnancy Support.
Adoption
Posted on September 29, 2023
Luna’s circle of love and support has been enlarged by her adoption, not restricted. She will always know and love her original family and now she is enveloped by the love her adoption family as well.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on September 26, 2023
by Rev. Dave Gunderson, tLMFT
Did you forget where you left your glasses? No problem. Did you forget you wear glasses? Then you may have a problem. If you need to ask someone what day it is, no problem, but if you ask for that date three times in a row in less than five minutes, you may have a problem. That is my mother-in-law’s situation. While writing a check for her church offering, she asked me repeatedly what the date was because she suffers from dementia.
Mental Health
Posted on September 22, 2023
by Virginia Strubbe, CSW-PIP, OSW-C
Receiving the diagnosis of a terminal illness is often overwhelming and may bring about a great deal of emotions. You may have been feeling physically unwell, have had multiple medical appointments, or likely have received a great deal of information in a small amount of time. It can be expected to be unsure of the next steps. The following are some things to consider.
