Linda Hawthorne

About Linda:

She and her husband, Mark, live in Hammond.

Bachelor's degree in education from Hyles Anderson College in Crown Point.

Endorsement in sign language.

Free lance sign language interpreter.

Likes to read.

Accomplishments: Linda Hawthorne joined First Baptist Church in Hammond in October, 1987 and remains very active in the congregation. She currently works in the nursing home ministry that has services every Saturday at Miller Beach Nursing Home. She also is one of eight workers in the church nursery for newborns through fourth graders, about 50 to 75 on Sunday nights and during Sunday school. Hawthorne works with the two-year-olds. "Our pastor always says that if our nursery was to become its own church, it would be the third largest church in the state of Indiana," she quipped. Hawthorne volunteers in the church bookstore on Sunday mornings and works with deaf members of the church, more than 200, as needed. She was an interpreter for the church for 15 years until 2003. Hawthorne attends Sunday morning and evening services and midweek services. She attends TNT, Teaching and Training class, weekly and helps out with conferences, particularly the Women's Spectacular each October and

the Pastor's School in March. "I love my church, it's the center of my life," she said. "I always tell people I'm either sleeping, eating, working or at church."

Why I minister to others: "The whole point of our life is to give glory to God and if we can help someone, if we have a skill or talent, we should use it to help someone."

What I read: "I read books on marriage, Christian books and fiction stories. Right now I'm reading ‘A Wife's Purpose' by Cindy Schaap."

Advice: "Never quit. When your decision maker is broken, if you're sick, angry, mad, upset or depressed, don't quit or make a decision at that time. Wait until things calm down and then decide."

What inspires me: "People getting through what they're going through."

People might be surprised to know: "I enjoy reading children's books."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com