Have you heard the adage, “Do one thing today that your future self will thank you for”? Writing your will is certainly one task that fits.

The biggest hurdle, perhaps, is that writing a will requires you to admit that you won’t live forever. Beyond that, it’s common to think that it’s time-consuming, expensive, or important for someone else – perhaps for someone older or wealthier than yourself.

To be honest, all adults should have a will, no matter their age or wealth. It allows you to choose an executor, select a guardian for your minor children and/or pets, and determine how you want your assets distributed. It also allows you to shape your funeral and to choose your legacy by making gifts to your favorite nonprofits.

Without a legal will, these and other important decisions are up to the state and may create a lot of headaches and expense for your loved ones.

To make the process as easy as possible and to take away the cost burden, LPGM has joined with Good Raising to provide you with a free, online will-making tool. It is:

• Vetted by attorneys
• Encrypted and secure (your data will never be shared)
• Fast (most people can complete it in 30 minutes)
• 100% free – no credit card required

You may make your will for free using lpgm.willforgood.com and gain the ultimate peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Early August, we launched this free tool as part of “Make a Will Month.” We posted a three-part video online and followed up with an email and mailing. Within 30 minutes of sending the email, nearly 400 people had opened it – a really large response!

One board member, Marcie Flasch of Appleton, Wisc., emailed me right away, saying:

"We did our will years ago and updated it recently to include charitable organizations, including LPGM. It was not a 'free' process, and I appreciate how really important and helpful this gift will be. In addition, it removes a huge barrseveralier to getting things like this done. I'm proud of LPGM for a number of reasons, but this one is really dynamite."

Jim and Marcie are members of First English Lutheran Church (ELCA), Appleton, Wisc.

By sharing with me that LPGM is in their plans, Marcie and her husband, Jim, gained membership into LPGM’s Legacy Circle, which is for anyone including LPGM in any way in their will or estate plan.

If you would like to learn more about making your will or naming LPGM as a beneficiary in your IRA, life insurance, or other planned giving tool, please contact me.

Likewise, if you have already done so, please alert me so that we at LPGM can welcome you into our Legacy Circle, ensure we know your wishes, and properly thank you. Your name(s) may remain anonymous, and you may change your designation at any time.

What are you waiting for?

God bless you for investing in people at the margins and sharing God’s love with them, not only today, but for generations to come!

Bethany Krepela joined LPGM’s team as development director in 2020 and became a Legacy Circle member in 2026.