I have had the pleasure of getting to know Rhoda through working with the youth. She’s very fun and the kids abolutely love her!

How long have you been at UPC?
Since January 2007.

Where are you originally from?
I am from Ocala, Florida.

What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?
I love watching movies, classic rock, acting, taking naps, studying the Bible, and home decorating.

What’s your favorite dessert?
I don’t really like sweets- I love salty food though. Chex mix, nachos, popcorn, and french fries! If I eat dessert it usually is fruit- which I love!

Favorite TV show?
My favorite TV show of all time is Cheers, which I have on DVD and have watched too many times to count.

What are you involved with at UPC?
I am involved helping my husband Clay with the middle school ministry through youth group, leading a small group, teaching the middle school girl’s sunday school class and helping run special events. I also help write and perform dramas for worship and assist with LIFE groups.

How have you seen God work in your life recently?
God has been very active in my life through my personal Bible study of the book of John. I found a great Bible study aid book and have really enjoyed learning more about John’s style of communicating the gospel.

How can we be praying for you?
Please pray that God would continue to sustain me as I remain active in my job as well as all my work at UPC. That He would clearly direct me as I work to be a leader to the middle school students at UPC and as I strive to be a helpful and caring wife to Clay. That I would look to the Lord to be my source of security and identity.

How long have you been at UPC?
About 3 years

Where are you originally from?
That’s a good question. I was born in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. Moved to San Bernardino, CA when I was 6 months old. Moved to Orlando, FL in 1991 in the great Campus Crusade move!

What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?
Swing Dancing, Interior Design, Crafts

What’s your favorite dessert?
Whoopie Pies….a Pennsylvania Dutch Dessert

Favorite TV show?
Just one? LOST and Bones

What are you involved with at UPC?
Bible Study with Karin Tome

How have you seen God work in your life recently?
Funny you should ask. The job He provided after graduating college has been taken away. I was laid off because of the slowing economy. So, I’m looking to see what’s next.

How can we be praying for you?
That I can find a job soon and just continue to trust that God knows where I’ll end up working.

Christy is not only famous for her announcements at UPC, but she is also a new contributer to the blog!

How long have you been at UPC?
5.5 years

Where are you originally from?
I was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, but only lived there for about a year. I spent most of my childhood in Wisconsin and have now lived in Florida for 11 years, which I think makes me a Floridian.

What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?
I love being outside…especially hiking. (Unfortunately Florida isn’t always the best place for that.) I love a good book, scrapbooking, making greeting cards and writing. I love spending time with my husband Johnny, my dog Maya and friends.

What’s your favorite dessert?
Carrot Cake…however cheesecake is a close second for me. Especially the white chocolate raspberry truffle from The Cheesecake Factory.

Favorite TV show?
I have several favorites: LOST, Scrubs, The Office, Top Chef, The Dog Whisperer, What Not to Wear, Dirty Jobs

What are you involved with at UPC?
I sing 1-2 times a month with the praise band, Johnny and I do the announcements every week, I am in a LIFE group and I am excited to begin contributing to the Women’s Ministry Craving Grace Blog.

How have you seen God work in your life recently?
Recently God has been reminding me that my identity and security come from being His child, not from other people or the things that I do.

How can we be praying for you?
For direction in my job/career path. (I do not know what to do with my life.)

Pam is amazing. She is the most administratively gifted person I’ve ever met, and she uses her talents to serve all of us at UPC. What a blessing she is. Read below to find out more about her.

How long have you been at UPC?
My family and I have attended UPC for 15 years.

Where are you originally from?
I was born in Ohio, moved to Florida as a kid, went to high school in southern Utah, back to Ohio where I attended the University of Dayton and met Keith, married and moved to Orlando in 1981.

What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?
Tennis, sewing, exercising, playing bridge (yes, young people like me still play bridge).

What’s your favorite dessert?
Chocolate chip cookies baked or just the dough!

Favorite TV show?
House

What are you involved with at UPC?
I have been the administrative assistant for the youth ministry for 6 years and recently took on the position of ministry coordinator as well. My strengths are organization and working with people so I feel blessed to be doing what I love.

How have you seen God work in your life recently?
Because I am a people person, I meet and talk with a lot of people each day. I try to be an encouragement to everyone but it is really God using me to reach others.

How can we be praying for you?
Pray that I don’t over extend myself and that God and my family are my first priority.

Christine is one of our new contributers on Craving Grace! I have had the privilege of getting to know Christine in the last year through our work with the youth group. She is an amazingly caring woman, and is being used for Christ in a big way both at UPC and in the community.

How long have you been at UPC?

I’ve been attending UPC almost a year now.

Where are you originally from?

I was born in Clifton, NJ but lived overseas for 15 years.

What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?

I love to hang out with friends, knit, make new recipes and have a passion for teens and the homeless. I love to try new things and love learning about healing through nutrition.

What’s your favorite dessert?

Hmmmmm, I love carrot cake and key lime pie. Unfortunately I’m allergic to dairy and so cannot have either, however I’ve come up with a raw version of carrot cake which is pretty good!

Favorite TV show?

I’m not sure that I have a favorite, but I like the CSI shows.

What are you involved with at UPC?

I volunteer with both High School and Middle School Youth and I am going to be a Hostess starting in September. I am also in a Young Adult LIFE group.

How have you seen God work in your life recently?

I quit my job 3 1/2 years ago to stay home with my daughter while she was finishing up school. I am a single mother and raised my daughter on my own, so it was important for me to be there for her more the last few years. God is such an amazing provider that I was able to do that. I recently took a job working for Homeless Services Network and while I love my job and know that I am called to be there, it only covers half my bills, somehow HE continues to provide for me each month and I am very blessed for that. The week that I started my job, a friend of mine referred a buyer to me and we are scheduled to close on her house tomorrow (I have my real estate license and help people in addition to my full time job). This was definitely a divine opportunity and has allowed me to witness along the way and will help with some of my bills.

Around the same time I quit my job, I also was called to ministry and as time progressed foreign missions. God has taught me a lot of patience in waiting and listening to Him as to when and where I will go.

How can we be praying for you?

For my finances and that His will for my future will be clear to me. That I will continue to seek and hear Him on what my next steps are for going into Foreign Missions. For my daughter to finish her degree at UCF next year and seek Him for her future.

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