The new fall TV season has already started and there are a few shows I love to watch! I know there are some of you who don’t watch TV and I say good for you! But I’m hooked. Here’s a list of some of my favorite shows:

The Amazing Race - if I could be on it I would! I love this show because it’s adventurous and because they travel around the world experiencing different cultures. Sometimes I can say, “hey I’ve been there” and sometimes I’ll say, “I’ll have to remember that for when I visit that country”.
Survivor - This season the tribes are separated by race: Latino’s, Asian American’s, African Americans, and Caucasian’s. Being Latino I’m pulling for them. Go Latinos!
LOST - just a fascinating story line! Can’t wait for it to start.
Battlestar Galactica - ok, I’m a sci-fi junkie, now you know my little secret.

What are some of your favorite shows?

Shrimp (or Kielbasa) Jambalaya from Cathy Martin

8 pieces of bacon (for their grease)
2 medium onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 large chopped bell pepper
1 cup uncooked rice
2 cup beef bouillon
1 oz. New Orleans hot sauce
1 oz. Worcestershire
1 bay leaf
black pepper (to taste)
Lawry’s salt (to taste)
1 lb. raw, cleaned shrimp (or can use kielbasa)
Fry bacon. Remove bacon and saute onion, celery and bell pepper in bacon grease. Add rice and brown slightly. Add bouillon (which has been heated to a boiling point), and all other ingredients but the shrimp/kielbasa. Cook until rice is tender and then add the shrimp/kielbasa. Continue to cook until shrimp is done (about 10 minutes.) Do not overcook the shrimp. If making with kielbasa, omit the bouillon and cook with 2 cups water instead. Serves six.

I have had Cathy’s Jambalay (as leftovers) and it was delicious!!! This next recipe has become a favorite of ours because it’s quick and pretty easy.

Ngege Karanga (Fried Tilapia) from Cooking with an African Flavor (I bet you did a double take on the title, just thought I’d see if anyone was actually reading out there!!!!)

1 onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon oil
1 bunch chopped cilatro leaves (or 1/2 tsp. coriander)
1 tomato, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
black pepper (to taste)
1 lb. tilapia/catfish/other fish fillets
Saute onions in the oil until they’re golden brown. Then add the cilantro, tomato and spices and cook until tomato is tender. Add the fish fillets and cook about 5 minutes a side, until they are flaky and white. (I usually cover the skillet to keep in more juice.) We usually eat this with french fries or boiled potatoes and whatever vegetable I feel like cooking. Serves two.

We’ve added two new blogs/bloggers to our running list of UPC women who blog, Becky Williams of “The Williams Zoo Crew” and Jill Howell of “Howell Happenings”!

Welcome, girls!

Please toodle on up to the “Where We Blog” page (located at the top right of the header) or click here and check out these two family blogs…you might recognize those faces from church!

by Rinnie Hersman

I’ve been thinking about prayer a lot lately.  Ever since I was a child,  I have loved to pray.  There have been a couple times in my life when Ihave had prayer partners, and that has been a really neat experience.

For about a year in college, some of my high school friends and I
prayed and fasted one day a week for a Muslim high school friend of ours.  This was another neat experience, since we were spread all around the country, if not the world, and yet were joining together to pray for this friend’s salvation.

But the last years I feel I have not been doing a lot of praying.  And the praying that I do is usually brief, hurried, and often desperate:
“Please encourage so-and-so and thanks that you’re with them today.”

“Please make my child go to sleep soon, so I can get a break.” “Thank you for this food.  Amen.”

I was discussing this with my mentor the other day.  How I desire to
pray more often, and with more depth and more intentionality.  She
suggested that I journal my prayers.  She said that it helps her to
concentrate and focuses her prayers.  She has specific people that she prays for each day.

This reminded me of my mom.  She also has specific people that she prays for each day of the week.  And she has a notebook where she writes down prayer requests, as well as when God answers those requests.

As Bible studies get into full swing again, I’m excited about the
accountability of studying God’s Word with others.  And with my
homework, I’m hoping to also be more committed to intentional and faithful prayer.  I got a notebook yesterday, so that I can write down who I want to pray for, and when, and then can keep track of when and how God answers those prayers.  I’m excited to grow more in this area of my walk with the Lord, and be more faithful to Him in my communication with Him.

My reasons for sharing this with you are two-fold: to glorify God for
the excitement that He has given me to pray more intentionally.  And secondly, to share these tips from other godly women on things they’ve learned about prayer, so that you can learn from them too.

Jill Howell is a very lovely young woman but unfortunately she forgot to send me a picture of herself. This is what happens when I’m left on my own to choose a picture for this post. I cannot be held responsible for the quality of photograph used…because one WILL be used.

Jill is a young 30-something. She and Jason, have two kids…Natalie is 3 years old and Nicholas is 2 years old. Growing up she moved around a lot but considers Kentucky to be “home.” However she’s been in Florida and at UPC for 7 years. Currently Jill works as a SAHM (stay at home mom). The Howells are on staff with Priority Assocites (a ministry of Campus Crusade) and Jill is on the Wives’ Leadership team.

Do you have any pets?
no pets. I have too much responsibility as it is.

Daisies or roses?
Both! I love roses for romance, and daisies are just so cute and fun!

Vanilla or chocolate?
Chocolate for sure!

What’s your favorite dessert?
Fresh, out-of-the-oven brownies, cookies, or cinnamon rolls.

What’s your favorite vacation spot (real or imagined)?
For real, was Hawaii. Imagined is Italy.

What’s a weird thing about you?
I am hypersensitive to noises! Little clicking or tapping or music while I am trying to concentrate (my Life Group can attest to this one). It drives me crazy! (note from editor…I heard she made someone…I won’t say who…turn off her dishwasher once.)

If you could have one super power what would it be?
I would want to be Super Mom and be able to clean the house, cook dinner, play with the kids, etc. in the blink of an eye!

What’s your favorite TV show?
Grey’s Anatomy and Without A Trace.

Where can we find you at UPC (i.e. ministry involvement)?
5th Grade girls Sunday School and Women’s Bible Studies.

Can you think of a time when your faith was stretched or put in to action?
Almost everyday lately with raising two little munchkins who are 14 months apart and dealing with health challenges.

Do you have any Bible passage that’s special to you?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6

What question would you ask God if you were given the chance?
Where did God come from?

Thanks, Miss Jill! If you would like to get to know Jill better visit her personal blog at Howell Happenings

ADDENDUM FROM THE EDITOR:
After going back through my new email system I realized that Jill actually DID send me a picture, I just didn’t see the attachment. Oops! Sorry for slandering your name, Jill. Can we still be friends? Here’s a much lovlier picture of our girl!