About the Author

Have you ever heard the saying, "You can take the girl out of a small town, but you can't take the small town out of the girl."?  Growing up in the South suburb of Chicago, Crestwood, Paula is truly a small-town girl who had big dreams, never thinking that any of them would come true.  God had different dreams for Paula as evidenced by her life.   Growing up in Crestwood wasn't easy.  Her mother and father divorced when Paula was in 7th grade, with her mother leaving her father and Paula staying behind to take care of her father.  She grew up rather quickly, learning how to cook, clean, do laundry, all the while trying to grow up and attending school.    Always having believed in God, but not truly understanding Who He is, she was searching for answers throughout her young adult life.  When Paula was 23 years old, she thought she had hit the big time when she answered an ad in the Chicago Tribune for a marketing secretary at the Chicago White Sox.  Having gone to secretarial college, hotel management school and securing previous jobs since she was 16, Paula's experience and resume got her foot in the door and an interview that landed her the job of a lifetime.  Working in the marketing department prepared her for many life lessons, but the most important one was meeting her husband, Dan, at Spring Training, after he had been traded by the New York Yankees.   A few years later, Dan and Paula were married and began their family.  It was truly amazing that Dan was never traded to any other cities, keeping them in the area of Paula's hometown.  There had been trade talks to the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves and even a possibility of one day Dan going to Japan to play baseball, but it never came to fruition.  It was after her second child was born, did Paula sense that God was speaking to her and calling her by name.  It was her neighbor, Mary, who had invited her to a Christian women's group dinner where Paula heard the gospel for the very first time.  It was there that she heard the words, "If you were to die tomorrow, are you sure you would go to heaven?"  That was the evening that she felt the draw of God, calling her to understand the truth of Jesus Christ and Who He is.  It was in a home Bible study group where Paula learned the truths of God's Word in that we are all sinners, that we need a Savior and that by His blood we can be forgiven and in a right relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ.   That was over 30 years ago and Paula has dedicated her life to following Jesus and making Him known.

Over the last 30 years, Paula has wanted to glorify the Lord Jesus with the gifts, talents and abilities that He has bestowed upon her.  Her first big challenge came when she was called to the Pro-Life industry, with a passion to help save the unborn.  Paula worked at PASS network for life in Tinley Park, IL twice, in the role of fundraising and marketing, but also learned how to share the truth of LIFE wherever she was called and counseling women who were considering abortion when needed.   In addition, she has served faithfully in each church she has been a member, teaching children, leading the women's ministry and even writing and directing an Easter Passion Play, using her previous community theatre experience, which showed the gospel to over 2,000 people.  Paula's true passion is teaching and leading women, including her current Ladies' Sunday School class, writing her own curriculum and sharing the love of God with the truths of His Word, as well as public speaking.   She has spoken at various women's groups and gatherings including organizing two Women's Conferences.  Worldwide missions are also an important part of her journey as well out of obedience to Jesus' command of the Great Commission.  She has gone on a mission trip to Ecuador and getting ready to go to Peru in May, 2025 where she will be doing hands-on projects, including teaching a group of women and children.   She currently serves at her church as the Missions Team Leader.  

Paula's dream of becoming a published author is her biggest mission of all.  During the COVID pandemic, locked in her house for numerous days, she took pen to paper and wrote, "The Adventures of Sheldon the Sheep:  Sheldon & The Shepherd", the first of three children's books that the Lord put on her heart.  Realizing that children need to hear the gospel, moreover our younger generation, Paula took a step of obedience and decided, along with her husband, Dan, to self-publish.  With a Spring date for the book to be launched, "excitement doesn't begin to describe what I am feeling about this book".   The book is a perfect way for parents to share Jesus with their family and for all of us to understand that He, the great Shepherd of the sheep, is always there is lead, guide and even get us out of trouble.

For more information about Paula and her speaking engagements and is available to speak on various topics, contact her directly at castmeamc@aol.com or you may contact her home church directly, Parker Road Bible Church in Mokena, IL at 815-463-1125.