Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Connect with Angie Henshaw


How long have you attended Troy UMC?
12 years

What drew you to this church?
My husband and I were looking for a new Church home and when we met the people at the Church and Dennis we decided this was the place for us.

Share a favorite Bible verse, and tell why this is your favorite.
 John 3:16 - It helps me to think of all the loved ones that have passed before me and that I will see them again one day.

Share a favorite hymn or song, and tell why this is your favorite.

Blessed Be Your Name - I just enjoy the words and the music.

Tell us about your family.
Rob and I have been married for 20 years.  We have 2 children, Amanda - 17 and Nick - 14.

My daughter loves having you as a Sunday school teacher, and I loved working and bonding with you on the Ladies Retreat.  Tell us more about your involvement at church.

I was a music teacher for a couple of years, I have participated in a few committees, and I am currently teaching Sunday School for Kindergarteners.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?

Parachute out of a plane

What's the most beautiful place you've ever seen?

Hawaii

How may we contact you in order to make a further connection?
my email is henshawangie4@aol.com

Would you mind sharing your breakfast casserole recipe? 

HAM & EGG CASSEROLE 
1 (12 oz.) pkg. frozen hash browns, thawed
1 1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 c. finely chopped ham
1/2 c. sliced green onions, with tops
1 1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
Dash of ground pepper
6 eggs, beaten
Paprika
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients, except paprika in a large bowl. Pour into a lightly greased 11 x 7 x 2 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, until knife inserted into center comes out clean, usually about 40-45 minutes. Serves 6.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Connect with Dannette McKellar

1.  How long have you been attending Troy UMC and what drew you to this church?
      Since 1995.  We visited several churches when we first moved to Troy and felt at home here.  Plus it was close to home, which meant we would be more likely to get more involved than just attending on Sundays.

2.  Which service do you typically attend?
      9:00.  We enjoy the praise and worship music.  Also, my husband, Andy, occasionally plays guitar with the Praise Band.

3.  Share a favorite Bible verse, and why this is a favorite.
      Philippians chapter 4 gives me so much encouragement.  One favorite verse is Philippians 4:13 because it gives me courage to face difficult situations, while reminding me that I must depend on God rather than being too confident in myself.  Another favorite is Philippians 4:6-7.  I've prayed through those words often and God has used them to carry me through difficult times.

4.  Tell us about your family.
      My family includes my husband and best friend, Andy (we've been married since 1983) and Nike, the most affectionate cat I've ever known.  Im thankful my mom moved from Florida to Cambridge House in Maryville nearly two years ago; I enjoy spending time with her every week.  
      Andy and Dannette McKellar
      Dannette's mother and husband, Andy
      Dannette's cat, Nike
      Andy and I never had our own children, but we sponsor children around the world through Compassion International.  Since 2004, we've been blessed to travel around the world to meet a number of our sponsor children (the ones weve met are pictured in the collage).  It's been amazing and educational to see firsthand the poverty that exists in their worlds and the hope Compassion is bringing.    
5.  Share your involvement with Compassion International.
      We've been Compassion sponsors since 1990.  In 2004, God led us to Guatemala to meet our sponsor child, Viviana.  That trip changed our world as it opened our eyes to poverty and God's heart for the poor.  So we became volunteer advocates for Compassion, speaking on behalf of children in poverty to churches and individuals, whoever will listen.  We've been blessed to see Compassion at work in nine countries around the world and to visit Compassions headquarters in Colorado Springs Weve seen firsthand, so we are confident that Compassion is using donations as promised to release children from poverty in Jesus' name.  I also write devotionals every week to encourage other Compassion Advocates in their ministries.  It's been an amazing blessing to combine my passions for writing and encouraging others with my travel experiences to do God's ministry!

6. What do you do besides volunteering for Compassion?
      I work full-time for a financial services firm in St. Louis as a project leader in their information technology area. One of my favorite responsibilities is creating and facilitating project management training; its rewarding to see other project leaders grow and develop.  Outside work, I enjoy spending time with Andy, especially when were travelling or hiking.  We have a personal goal to hike in all 50 states, and have already hiked in 34, though our progress slowed down when we started traveling internationally.  I also love scrapbooking, especially when I am creating scrapbooks from our travels. 

7.  What has been the most spiritual experience of your life?
      Worshiping on our Compassion trips is near the top. I vividly remember the first Compassion center we visited in Rwanda, Africa. We were in a simple mud brick church with a dirt floor and no electricity.  The small church was dimly lit by sunlight streaming through the open door and windows.  But joy radiated from the faces of nearly 300 children.  I've never felt the Holy Spirit more than I did when those children began singing praise songs at the top of their lungs in their native Kinyarwandan.  We couldnt understand their words, but we knew God was alive in that place.  Andy often says he feels closest to God when he has his passport in hand. There's a lot of truth in that when you're visiting Christians in the developing world.  It's amazing to be with people who are overflowing with gratitude when they have so little.  















8.  How may we contact you in order to make a further connection?