Parenting
Posted on September 6, 2024
by Amber Dopler, LISW
Back-to-school season can leave parents feeling exhausted, burned out, in a whirlwind of constant transition, and perpetually behind. We need to remember that parents are also children, sons and daughters of the God the Father who is at work in all things.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on August 25, 2024
by Cassie Beltz, LMHC
Meet Cassie Beltz, LMHC a master’s-level prepared and experienced mental health counselor. She serves clients in-person in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Cassie can also serve clients located anywhere in the state of Iowa through telehealth/distance counseling.
Giving
Posted on August 22, 2024
by Andy Wyss
Lately, there has been a push in more schools to spend more time on life skills, such as time management, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Saving money for retirement and learning to pay your taxes are undoubtedly beneficial skills to learn. But what about generosity, giving, and tithing?
Marriage & Relationships
Posted on August 20, 2024
by Ruth Barz, tLMHC
If we are honest, most goodbyes involve some type of grief. We may be seeing that person tomorrow or weeks from now, but there is some sadness that the goodness of our present time together is over. Goodbyes for any reason can be hard to know how to handle, but with the right tools goodbyes can be both happy and healthy.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on August 15, 2024
by Toni Larson, LISW
The start of the new school year is a great time for church workers to regroup for the coming seasons of the church, especially in the area of self-care. Take the time to organize and assess the supplies you need for your wellness backpack. It will be well worth the effort.
Adoption
Posted on August 4, 2024
Emmett’s birthmother started working with Lutheran Family Service shortly after she learned she was pregnant. Her placement plan didn’t play out the way she planned, thanks to an emergency c-section, a helicopter ride for Emmett to a larger hospital, and a 29-day stay in the NICU. Today there are no issues and Emmett is growing and thriving.
Giving
Posted on July 28, 2024
by Andy Wyss
The costs of groceries, gas, healthcare, home energy bills, and everything in between has continued to increase. How are we supposed to help others when our own homes feel the squeeze of rising prices? During times of inflation, cheerful giving is often the first thing that gets cut.
Marriage & Relationships
Posted on July 20, 2024
by Lindy Hinckley, tLMFT
Cohabitation: all the benefits of marriage without any responsibilities! Sounds like a good option on the surface, but it’s a pipe dream to which many have fallen victim. During research for a book I’m writing about success in marriage, every couple I interviewed who lived together before they married conceded they wished they hadn’t.
Parenting
Posted on July 16, 2024
by Cassie Beltz, LMHC
Most parents want a strong relationship with their children so that when the difficulties of life happen, parents are able to help their children as best as possible.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on July 12, 2024
by Rev. Nathan Grewe
The ironic thing about change is that we cannot change the fact that we will, in fact, experience change. Transition and change are a universal realities. We rely on the promises of God in a way that surpasses all our human understanding.
