Meet Our Team
Administrators/Writers
Karen Spiegelberg
Karen is a writer and administrator for AW4W. In 2006, she was encouraged by a Christian associate to start a far-reaching women’s ministry but felt she didn’t have the time. Two years later, in 2008 when her brother died suddenly at age fifty, it hit her hard—that our time here is so fleeting and that we must not wait until the time is right for ministry; the time is now. In 2009, the very next year when Karen, herself, turned fifty, A Word for Women was fully born. She finds great comfort in the Psalms in all aspects of her life, especially in Psalm 31:14, 15 where David embraces his great trust in God and his timing of all: “But I trust in you, O Lord… my times are in your hands.”
Christine Wentzel
Christine is writer and administrator for AW4W. She is a native of Milwaukee, lives in Norfolk, VA with her husband, James, and their rescued fur-children. After two lost decades as a prodigal, Christine gratefully worships and serves her Salvation Winner at Resurrection Church in Chesapeake, VA. There she discovered latent talents to put to use for her Holy King. She is determined to speak with a frank, balanced view on the impact of our God-given free will. "...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22 NIV)
Writing Team
April Cooper
April is married to Davis, and is the proud mom of 4 children. By day, she works in virtual education. One of her favorite Bible verses is Matthew 5:16 (KJV) which says "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." She believes that all aspects of the Christian life should be lived in a way that glorifies God, and reflects His light and love. April enjoys hearing about people's life stories, testimonies, and answered prayers. In her spare time, you can find her writing, with a camera in hand, or continuing to improve her American Sign Language skills. You can visit April at her book website: When the Tide is Low and her nonprofit ministry called Lavender, Lilac and Lilies. She and her family reside on the Atlantic coast in North Carolina.
Janet Gehlhar
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Janet leads the women's ministry at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Wing, Minnesota. Her prayer is to be God's instrument to help others grow in their faith and trust in Him. She seeks to discover God’s guiding hand all around her, and strives to always trust God’s way—especially when it doesn’t seem to make sense at the moment. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD." Janet lives in Hager City, WI, with her husband Jeff. They have 3 grown daughters. She enjoys reading, cooking, walking and has started lifting weights so she can keep up with her grandson. daughters.
Tracy Hankwitz
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Tracy is proud mama of four, is horticulturist by day, and beauty seeker for life. She is a Word-lover, a teacher, and an entrepreneur dwelling in possibilities and striving to live a grateful life. She and her husband have a bit of earth in Wisconsin where she gardens, dreams, and blogs about discovering God’s grace in all things. Her love for nature, music, and the creative arts is woven into her shop Bella Botanica. She dares to pray big, inspired by the verse 'I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.' Ephesians 3:20 WEB.
Erica Koester
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Erica is a wife to Paul, mom to one-year old William, and owner of a tiny, fluffy dog named Reggie. They reside in New Ulm, Minnesota where Paul serves as pastor and dorm supervisor at Martin Luther College. Erica works in client services for a large scientific research company. Erica greatly enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her favorite bible section is a tie between Hebrews 11-12:1-3 and the book of Philippians. She hopes that her devotions will lead you to realize God’s incredible goodness and faithfulness.
Julie Luetke
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Julie lives in Watertown, WI with her husband of over 44 years. Although technically retired, they are as busy as ever. God blessed them with meaningful work and service. They have five children and eighteen grands living all over the United States and Canada. She loves to read to the little ones over the Internet and have sleepovers and campfires with the teens and tweens. Her favorite Bible verses and most comforting illustrations from the Bible are when God compares us to His sheep and Jesus, the Good Shepherd. She wants to hear His voice and be held in His arms.
Karen Maio
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Karen is a former Certified Public Accountant (Rheumatoid Arthritis sidetracked her professional career). She currently enjoys being a mom, composer (check out her songs at Northwestern Publishing House), devotion writer, and community theater actress. She, her husband, and son spend time in Milwaukee and Eagle River, WI. She hopes her words—centered on his Word—encourage you as you walk with Christ. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Psalm 3:5
Kathy Schreiner
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Kathy retired after 34 years of working with cognitively and physically challenged adults. These days she volunteers teaching a weekly "Jesus Loves Me" class for them which includes re-enactments of bible stories. Kathy also volunteers at the local Humane Society and the Christian Academy at her church, Bethany Lutheran. She was a Sunday school teacher for 21 years, and a Lutheran Girl Pioneer Leader for eight. She enjoys reading, bible studies, gardening, crafts and spending time with her grand-niece. Kathy lives in Fort Atkinson, WI with her dogs, Liza and Zelda.
Talia Steinhauer
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Talia lives out her love and passion every day as a 2nd grade teacher in a Lutheran elementary school. She loves spending her days encouraging seven and eight year olds in their faith, and is amazed at the amount her faith grows through these interactions as well. Much of her inspiration for her devotions comes from the child-like faith she is reminded of when working with her students. Talia lives with her husband, Alex, in the southern Wisconsin area, where they enjoy hiking, golfing, and trying out as many fish fries as possible. "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..." Hebrews 12:1-2
Carolyn Webb
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By profession, Carolyn is a manager of a hospital laboratory in Milwaukee, WI. She identifies strongly with Moses, God’s reluctant leader of the Israelites. Carolyn’s writings come from her own daily struggles to live as God’s child in a world that is less than Godly. She holds tight to her confirmation verse, originally spoken to Moses’ successor: Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). Carolyn lives in Brookfield, WI with her husband Brian, dog Fritz and cat Cricket. Brian and Carolyn are members of Christ the Lord Evangelical Lutheran Church where Carolyn is a member of the bell choir and a former Sunday School teacher. Their two children who previously took up residence in Tennessee and Arizona have returned to Wisconsin to be close to family.
Guest Contributors
