Yes, I’m a little late putting these up but here are some photos from the Women’s Retreat!  Below is a photo of Angel Richard, our speaker for the weekend.  She was awesome!  Thanks for being with us Angel!

Click here for more pics!

On another note don’t forget about UPC’s Sock Hop!!!

Here’s a chance to have some fun with the rest of the UPC church body. There will be a Sock Hop at 6:30 pm on Saturday, October 18 at the church. What is a Sock Hop? It’s the dance that evolved from the popularity or early rock and roll. Think the 1950’s, Grease and having so much fun you’ll want to kick off your shoes and dance around in your socks! Although a fairly impromptu style of dance, there will be some professionals there to show us what to do. Dancers of all abilities encouraged to attend.

Tickets available for sale on Sunday morning after the worship serivces. $5 per person. $5 for childcare.  (this information was written by Seth H and taken by me for this website!)

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We’re on the tail end of Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from Sept 15 - Oct 15 every year.  And even though there are only a few days left I wanted to write about it anyway. I wish I could say I celebrate this month every year but I don’t.  Still I’m very proud to be Puerto Rican.

There are many Hispanics/Latino’s here in Orlando.  Do you know the difference between the two words: Hispanic and Latino?  Because I don’t look the stereotypical Puerto Rican I here many positive and negative comments about the Hispanic community, some of which I agree with.

Now is a good time to learn a little more about Hispanic American’s who’s heritage is from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  I hope you enjoy some of the resources or events left.  I’ll be going to the “Mascaras” art exhibit.

There are still a few events left for you to attend for FREE.  I’ve added some links below as well.

Latino Fusion Recipes - they all look really good!

Books

Concert by La Rondalla de Orlando -  Free and open to the public
10/19/2008
4:00 PM
University High School Auditorium
11501 Eastwood Dr.
Orlando, FL

Exhibit by Puerto Rican Artists Obed Gómez and Pedro Brull
10/14/2008
6:00 PM
Art Gallery, Visual Arts Building, UCF Main Campus
Orlando, FL

Free and open to the public, cosponsored by the Department of Art

Art Exhibit “Mascaras”
09/12/2008 - 10/26/2008
Maitland Art Center
213 W. Packwood Ave.
Maitland, FL

For additional information visit www.maitlandartcenter.org

Candy Corn is the signature candy for Fall. So why not try to make it at home instead of buying it at the store? It may not be as cheap but it might be fun. I love Candy Corn and used to eat tons of it every October.  Now I just have a little bit - too sweet and all - for me at least.

Thanks to SweetCandyCorn for this recipe and all things candy corn!

Photo source from sugar-skull.com.

Home-made Candy Corn

* 1 cup sugar
* 2/3 cup white corn syrup
* 1/3 cup butter
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 1/3 cup powdered milk
* food coloring

Combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup in pan and bring to a boil stirring constantly. Turn heat low and boil 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

In a separate dish, combine powdered sugar, salt, and powdered milk. Add all at once to the mixture in the pan. Add food coloring if desired. Stir until cool enough to handle. Shape as desired.

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I love to make my own jewelry. It started a few years ago while I was a student at UCF. I was having a horrible day and had a free afternoon…so being the introvert that I am, I thought that some time alone was probably a good idea. I had seen a sign for a bead store across the street from UCF, so I decided to check it out. I am so glad that I did. The Bead Basket didn’t look like much on the outside, but once inside I was surrounded by thousands of wholesale beads and friendly employees. I spent several hours browsing and then making making a birthday present for one of my roommates. The employees were very helpful and showed me how to assemble a necklace. Since that day I have been hooked. I love making jewelry for me because it is unique and I love making jewelry for others because I feel like I am giving part of myself as I design and then assemble something for them. If you have never made jewelry I encourage you to visit a bead or craft store and give it a try.

(I tried to take a picture of some of my handmade jewelry, but my camera wasn’t cooperating, so if you want to see it just stop me sometime at church because I will probably be wearing jewelry that I have made.)

Do you have a favorite handmade craft?

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Mike spoke about Christian suffering today.  After being at the fabulous women’s retreat last week where Angel spoke about suffering as gaps in our lives, I’ve been thinking about this concept and the Biblical teaching that Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness.  It is amazing that God’s power shone greatest at the seemingly weakest point of Christ’s life.  His suffering and death.

Well, today Mike spoke about the continuation of Christ’s sufferings through His people, the Church.  He asserted that we are called to suffer for others.  Christians are to suffer for the Church.  This always strikes me as I examine my life and see that I am not suffering.  I am working to live as comfortably as possible as a follower of Christ.  This is not what the Christian life it supposed to be.

We are called to sacrifice our time, energy, money, plans, and more.  We are bid to come and die as followers of Christ.  What a great charge for me to hear.  What a great message for our church as we move forward.  What amazing hope that suffering actually makes me better, makes others better, and makes Christ more beautiful. 

Listen to the sermon.
Download MP3

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