mkvanoven's profile

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Hometown

Bradford, Arkansas

Places I've been

I've traveled to every state in the United States except Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska. I would love to go to all three before my travels are over. I've actually lived in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, Florida, and Kansas. I am probably just the opposite of most people my age, but I would love to live in a cold state, like Maine or Massachusetts. Hot weather drains me.

More about me

My name is Mary Katherine VanOven and I am 55 years old.  I have been married to a wonderful man for 21 years.  I have two sons from a previous marriage that I am very proud of.  One of them has finally achieved his doctorate in theology, and the other one is a parole officer in the local prison system.  I have six grandchildren, 4 boys, and 2 girls.

    I am a Christian minister of song and I also teach the gospel when I'm given an opportunity. 

    I am a Senior at UALR in Little Rock, Arkansas and I will be a graduate by December, 2007.  My major is Liberal Arts.

Activities

I love to walk early in the morning for at least 30 minutes. I sing and play keyboard. I write novels, short stories, and poetry; and I love to paint nature scenes with lots of trees and old houses. I enjoy learning new things and I guess that is part of the reason that I am working on my degree. The first 35 years of my life was spent pursuing a singing career in country music. I was successful to a point, however I never made it to the top. I did get to do a cameo part on the Johnny Cash show and I also sang with Waylon Jennings in 1976. That was a long time ago! I had a record to reach the top 50 in Billboard magazine in 1982, however my record company went broke and that was the end of that. Now I sing Christian music with my husband who is also a singer and evangelist.

Favorite Charities

My favorite charities are helping the poor here in our country and also in other countries. I give to ministries that are reaching out to the poor and hurting people all that I can. I love helping children. I also give to the Fellowship of Christians and Jews and to help researchers find cures for diseases such as cancer. I enjoy doing singing benefits to raise money for good causes.

Favorite Music

My favorite music is Christian. I like other types of music also, such as classical, oldies, and soft rock. Country music is special to me.

Favorite TV Shows

I enjoy watching LMN; they feature all types of movies, such as murder mysteries, thrillers, sad, and auto-biographies of things that have really happened. I especially enjoyed "The Man From Snowy River epoch" and old movies like "Little House on the Praire." I enjoy Law and Order and Matlock, and Perry Mason. I sometimes watch Oprah, she has some very interesting things on her program. My favorite shows are on Christian television, I really enjoy hearing a good message and learning more about the wonderful God I serve.

Favorite Movies

The Titanic, and Roots were a couple of the best movies I have ever watched, but the very best one was "Gone with The Wind."

Favorite Books

I literally have my own library. The problem is that most of the books that I have are on alternative health. I have studied alternative health for many years. I have several novels by Danielle Steel who is my favorite female author. John Grisham is one of my favorite male authors. I enjoy magazines such as Prevention and Readers Digest also. However, my all time favorite book to read is the Holy Bible. It inspires me to be a better person and gives me peace in every circumstance of life.

Favorite Quotes

My favorite quote was spoken by Jesus Christ: "Today is the day of salvation; now is the accepted time. "Give, and it shall be given, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men will give into your bosom."

Favorite People

Jesus is my favorite person that ever lived on earth. But other than Him, I appreciate Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, and many other men and women of faith for all of the years that they spent helping others. On the other side of the coin, I am amazed at Bill and Hillary Clinton for balancing the economic budget. I don't know how they did it, but it is a documented fact that it was done! Of course I loved President Kennedy.

Favorite Places

I love the Mountains; the beautiful forests, rivers and lakes relax me. I enjoy looking at mansions and then painting them on canvas. I love my old home country of Ireland, I would love to go there and see where my ancestors came from and how they lived. Most of all, I love being at home with my family and friends and my time with the Lord.

Favorite Animals

Cats, cats, cats. I have owned a cat since I can remember. When one died it wouldn't be long before a new kitty would be growing up at my house. I also like dogs, horses, and chickens.

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