Hana Ryman’s husband, Matt, is the High School Ministry Director.

How long have you been at UPC?

A year and a half

Where are you originally from?

Born in Dallas, TX; grew up in Minnesota.

What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?

Aerobics, hanging out with high schoolers

What’s your favorite dessert?

Cheesecake.

How have you seen God work in your life recently?

He is persevering me in my discipline to read His word, which is something I’ve always struggled with.

How can we be praying for you?

That I would be growing in my love and service of others. That the Lord would strip me of my pride and selfishness.

This cartoon reminded me of the time my brother told me that traffic lights were operated by little mice that lived inside them pushing buttons. I lived with that misconception for years. In fact, I’m still not totally convinced he wasn’t telling the truth. It could happen.

Best ever Sunday Brunch German Pancakes”

German Pancakes from Karen Bradley and Loraine Irvin (from Apple Country Cookbook)

1 stick butter/margarine (1/2 cup)
8 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk

Melt butter/margarine in 9×13 pan in oven (I like the stoneware for this.) Mix rest of ingredients in blender. Pour in pan and bake at 450 for 20 minutes. Cut into squares and serve hot with syrup.

Rinnie: We loved these growing up, and called them Couches and Chairs (because of what they look like when you serve them.) They are also known at Dutch Babies - not sure where that name came from!!

by Ruthie Delk

I often struggle with how to read my bible. What exactly do I do with it when it’s sitting in my lap. If I find a passage that’s interesting how can I make it more meaningful? What if it doesn’t “speak” to me.

I was reminded recently of something that I learned in the Under His Smile (by Sue Cortese) women’s bible study that I did a few years ago at church. As I looked over this material again, I was reminded how much this helped me and thought…I bet other women would appreciate this so I thought I’d share it!

When you are reading a passage of scripture try asking yourself these questions…

REFLECT
What is it saying? (rewrite it in your own words)

WORSHIP
What have I learned that I can praise God for?

REPENTANCE
How do I fail to realize this truth in my life?
What am I like when I forget this truth?

REMEMBERING THE SAVIOR
How is Jesus the ultimate example of someone who lived out the truth of this verse?
How is Jesus’s death the ultimate payment for this sin/need of mine?

ASPIRATION
How does this verse show my what I should be or do?
How would I be different if this truth were powerfully real to me?

I hope this will be encouraging to you. At the very least the next time you are staring at a passage and not sure what to do with it you’ll have somewhere to start!

I woke up early this morning at 7:45 am. Yes, that’s early for me. I usually wake up much later but when I wake up early I really enjoy it. It’s quite, everything is still, I can’t here any noises from outside yet. It makes me wonder why I don’t get up early every morning.

I spent in prayer and reading a book I got for Christmas and have wanted for a long time, The Creative Call. It’s written by local Christian woman and I’m loving it so far. The book is about learning and hearing from God about how he wants us to use the creative gifts he’s given us. It’s about remembering our artistic gifts for those who have put it aside, or have been discouraged to be creative.

I’m trying to make it a habit to wake up early every morning to spend time in prayer and study. It’s going to be hard for me but on mornings like this I realize it’s worth it.