Hi, I am Maria Franchina and I am a Co-Director of Children’s Ministry at Palmyra BIC along with Stephanie Schell. I oversee all the children’s classes on Sunday morning by recruiting volunteers, planning activities, and preparing the materials. I have a deep love for children and watching them grow into the people God wants them to be. I am so blessed to be able to be a part of each child’s life that attends Palmyra BIC!
BASIC STUFF:
My husband, Matt, and I have been married since 1999 and met at Messiah College when we were 18. God has blessed us with four children in five and a half years, so we are VERY busy! We have two daughters, Abigail and Rian (pronounced Ryan). We also have two sons, Lucas who is prone to climbing everything possible and Logan who is all smiles. We thank God for them every day! I currently stay at home and work part time at the church. Before staying home I taught for eight years (first and third grade) the last five years at Derry Township. My husband and I have been members of the Palmyra BIC since 2001.
BIRTH DATE:
May 1, 1977
EDUCATION:
BS in Elementary Education from Messiah College, Grantham, PA
INTERESTS AND FAVORITES
Places: I love to travel and would basically go anywhere but lean more towards water and the beach.
Music: I spend most of my day listening to kid’s music but if I could pick I would say: The Beatles, Beach Boys, Josh Groban, ABBA, Chicago, and Dido.
Books: I love to read and read mostly mystery. My favorites at the moment are Nicholas Sparks, the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. Overall classics in my opinion are: The Zion Covenant by Bodie Thoene, The Harry Potter series, and Christy by Catherine Marshall
TV: If I get the kids in bed in time I watch: How I Met Your Mother, Fringe, and Bones. I am a HUGE fan of the old X-files series!
Sport Teams: Don’t watch sports and probably never will.
Movies: All time favorites: Anne of Green Gables, The Princess Bride, and The Sound of Music. Basically I watch chick flicks but my husband can talk me into action and sci-fi.
Hobbies: Reading and cooking (can I put down sleeping also??)
Dislikes: Parents who make threats to their kids to get them to behave in public but never act on them.
Odd Fact: I had reoccurring resistant malaria for 6 months of my life.
LIFE SCRIPTURE:
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
