Friendly Friday

Hope your Friday is off to a great start and you're ready to watch the Hokies take on the UC Bearcats tomorrow.  Meet today's friendly face, Kaylee!

 

Name: Kaylee Marie Waldrop

Major: Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise 

Coffee, Tea, or Neither? Coffee all the way! Starbucks is one of my favorite places to be!

What do you like most about VT? I enjoy the community here at Virginia Tech! Coming from a small town, I was a little nervous about living on a big campus but I still feel that small town community here at Virginia Tech.  Not to mention the people are absolutely a blessing!

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? I think that I would be a teacher and live overseas as a missionary.  I love children and the chance to spend time teaching and guiding them would be amazing!  I also think I would open a bakery! I love, love, LOVE baking and decorating and would enjoy doing that all day long!

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? I love the beach!  I always feel relaxed at the beach. I always lay in my beach chair with my headphones in jamming to Jesus music.

Are you reading any books right now? When I am not reading textbooks, I read Francis Chan’s “Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.”

Favorite place to eat lunch? A Mexican restaurant called El Caporal back home! Our family friends own it and the people there are always a delight to see.

How has God encouraged you lately? This past week my heart has been really heavy on the topic of grace.  I guess it is in response to Big Weekend.  When reading my bible, I came across Romans 5:1-3. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this GRACE in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  These verses reminded me of how much grace God has for me, grace that I am so unworthy of but yet He still pours out on me.  I encourage each of you to reflect on this topic when you find spare time. 

Friendly Friday

It's back...Friendly Fridays that is!  Hopefully you'll enjoy meeting our first face of the semester, Kelly Crider.  Be sure to check your inboxes because you might just be the next face of Fridays around here :).

Name: Kelly Crider

Major: Marketing Management

Coffee, Tea, or Neither?: Coffee 

What do you like most about VT?:  Well, I love a lot about Virginia Tech and am beyond blessed to be here, but I think one of my very favorite things about the place is the true feeling of community.  I also just adore the laid back feeling of the Town of Blacksburg.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? I think I would want to do international mission trips!  See all of God’s creation while ministering to his people!  I would also love to do some more work in Inner City ministries, and maybe expand UrbanPromise!  Maybe also get coffee with just about everyone in the world and hear their stories and encourage one another, that could be cool!  Or make brownies for the whole world. I would also totally throw something crazy in there like ride over Niagra Falls or fly a plane!

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? I like to put some Tenth Avenue/Chris Tomlin Pandora on and crawl in my bed, fuzzy socks on and covers all bundled J  Also, as of recently, go hammocking!

Are you reading any books right now? Well, outside of the Bible I got some nice textbooks I’m working on…but also I am reading Captivating and My Life is Not My Own.

Favorite place to eat lunch? On-campus probably West End…a hot chicken tender salad to be exact!

How has God encouraged you lately?  Well looking at John 4 this week in the studies God has really comforted my heart with the woman at the well.  Especially verses 17-19 how Jesus just lays the woman’s “baggage” right out there yet still pursues her, and SHE is the one who changes the subject.  That paired with Jackie saying at Big Weekend that Christ “has already loved me completely” have been encouraging to me in that I am broken, and the Lord knows yet still loves and accepts me and I can lay my burdens down with him at the cross instead of trying to run or hide with them!

Friendly Friday!

Name: Annalee Hunter
Major: Theater Arts

Most interesting hobby: I make faith based Jewelry!

Favorite thing about being a student at VT: This might sound strange, but one of my favorite things about VT is ABP in squires, and not because of the food. I love seeing fellow believers (member of BCM or no) sitting down and reading their bibles or talking to friends about Jesus. When I walk into ABP I sense such a great joy about the place, and I know it’s because Jesus dwells strongly in those walls because believers gather there to praise Him. It’s a form of ministry which is inspiring, rare and beautiful.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasnt a restraint: what would you do? My mother has never been out of the country and has never had a chance for a vacation. Once she had a chance to go to Europe for a month without paying anything. But because I was going through extreme anxieties among other issues, she chose to stay because of me. So I would take my mother all over the world and experience every kind of culture with her. She has such a thirst for knowledge and seeing my mother talking, laughing, and sharing the gospel with people all over the world and having new adventures would be one of my most treasured gifts in this life.

What is my favorite thing to do to rest and relax? When I have had a long day and I just want to rest I instead clean my room, change my sheets, take a shower, put my favorite night gown on and snuggle up in my bed with my cat next to me and my sleeping music “Tranquil Babbling Brook” playing in the background while I read my favorite book.

Are you reading any books right now? I’m reading Every Woman’s Battle (compliments to Lindsey Skipper), Wild At Heart (Such a good read), and I’m re reading my favorite book as a child called Mara Daughter of the Nile (It’s still as good as I remember!). And of course, I’m reading my all-time favorite book: the Bible!

Favorite place to eat lunch? My mama’s kitchen!

What are you looking forward to about summer? Studying with the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo Tuscany for 6 weeks. Some of the greatest physical theater actors teach there! God is the one gave me this chance, ALL Him!

How has God encouraged you lately? God has been teaching me to rely completely and totally on him when things couldn’t get worse. I always struggled with getting into His word as much as I should, and recently God has been challenging me to get in the word almost every day. And wow, each time He always teaches me something new, and each time I have to end my “Jesus time” I don’t want to. He’s been showing me patience, endurance and humbleness. Every day my love for Him gets stronger and stronger. He is my everything.

Friendly Friday!

Pictured on the right!

Name: Renée Chaney
Major: Biology

Favorite thing to cook or bake: Peanut butter cookies, definitely.

Favorite thing about being a student at VT: All the awesome people I've met, the food (particularly Moe's), the beautiful scenery, and maroon and orange!

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasnt a restraint: what would you do? I would definitely want to study abroad/travel!

What is my favorite thing to do to rest and relax? Take a nap or watch movies.

Are you reading any books right now? I'm going to start Mocking Jay this weekend! (After my tests are over.)

Favorite place to eat lunch? Moe's or Pita Vera.

What are you looking forward to about summer? Depending on what I'll be doing (I've applied for a lot of internships) I might be going to the beach with my family to celebrate my sister's high school graduation. I'm also looking forward to the possibility of living in Blacksburg this summer!

How has God encouraged you lately? I've really been encouraged by the fact that God is completely in control. I get stressed really easily about being on time or about things that aren't in my control (such as what I'll be doing this summer), and lately I've been learning to just give it all up to God and I've been a lot happier because of it!

Renée is typing ...

Friendly Friday!

Welcome back to Friendly Friday! Today we have featured our lovely Allison (pictured on right of photograph)


Name: Allison Leigh Wingfield
Major: Environmental Policy and Planning, with a minor in Public and Urban Affairs

Favorite cartoon: I’m sort of indecisive, so I’ll go with Arthur and Scooby Doo. They were the staples of my childhood and I remember coming home from elementary school every day and watching them with my mom and little brother. It was always the highlight of my day :)

Favorite thing about being a student at VT: When the weather actually cooperates, I just love how beautiful this campus is, especially with all the spring flowers and buds. The beauty and renewal of this season reminds me of how awesome and caring our God is.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn’t a restraint: what would you do? I have a pretty long bucket list going, so it would be amazing to cross everything off of it someday.
What is my favorite thing to do to rest and relax? I love coffee, so whenever a cup of Joe is involved, good things happen. I also love to cook for people (just not in the yucky dorm kitchen…). But really, anytime I can just hang out with people and laugh I am a happy camper!

Are you reading any books right now? Hopefully I won’t lose any friends with this admission, but I have been reading The Hunger Games since Christmas...I promise to finish it before I see the movie though!!! Other than that, I’ve been reading through Exodus for Lent (since it has 40 chapters!).

Favorite place to eat lunch? I love the Greek salads from West End, especially when they are made by Chelsea Goodsell ♥

What are you looking forward to about summer? I still don’t have a job or anything planned so far, so I’m really just excited to see what adventures God will take me on. I am also SUPER excited to see what happens as far as the BCM summer mission trips!

How has God encouraged you lately? I have several close friends who are either not Christians, or have been struggling with their faith recently, and God has just provided so many opportunities for me to share His love with them. I struggle with “evangelism” sometimes, so God showing me how to be a light for Him through these close relationships has been such a blessing and a joy.

Friendly Friday!

This week we will meet Shannon Wilkinson!

Name: Shannon
Major: HNFE (exercise option)

Favorite childhood toy/fad: Disney princessess. I'm seriously obsessed.

Favorite thing about being a student at VT: I absolutley love the unity of the body. Going to such a big school but being so connected is really amazing.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasnt a restraint: what would you do? Wellllll I think probably something with hunger and feeding more people. Or maybe invent a way to use the epedimic of obesity here in America and by decreasing that, increasing the amount of food for those in chronic starvation.

What is my favorite thing to do to rest and relax? I love to read or watch TV. I literally like just about everything I read or watch so I never get bored.

Are you reading any books right now? I am actually, my girls in brown fam and I started reading Boy Meets Girl together. If any of yall want to join, holler at Becky cause we just started. And I also ready my anatomy book on a regular basis.

Favorite place to eat lunch? Um on campus probably ABP but in the whole world, theres this little mexican place where I live called Tippy's Tacos. Its the only legit non chain place in Springfield.

How has God encouraged you lately? I think I've been pretty encouraged just by how joyful I feel when I'm surrounded by the body. Like no matter how the day has been, just grabbing lunch or going to 6 33, being with my sisters and brothers just gives me a whole new zap of energy and I love it. One of the best things is that I have that in my apartment so our joy just kind of builds on eachothers and all of us are crazy and happy all the time.

Friendly Friday!

Ladies! Welcome back to Friendly Friday :)
This week we are featuring our very own: ALLYSON GILLIS!

Name: Mary ALLYSON Gillis. If you can’t tell by the capitalization I go by Allyson but my parents named me Mary…still bitter after 22 and a half years.

Major: English: Literature, Language, and Culture Pre-Education track. The idea is to go to grad school for Elementary Education (eventually), but lately I’m wondering if I want to pursue something more along the lines of Linguistics.

Favorite childhood snack? Dunkaroos? not sure if they’re my favorite because I am one of the most indecisive people you will ever meet, especially when it comes to food, but definitely loved them and got some for Christmas thanks to my mommy and the power of Amazon :)

Favorite thing about being a student at VT: Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum jk. Such a tough question to answer though. I know it’s cheesy, but probably just being a HOKIE. We have such a strong sense of community, focused on sports but involving so much more than that. I have also met some incredible people here and made some fantastic friendships through the BCM. I don’t want to even think about leaving it all behind in a few months.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do?
For fun: Travel around the world and even just this country-I haven’t been west of the East Coast. And I want to see the world and also live by a beach somewhere.
Professionally: Somehow be able to teach little kids during the year and spend my summers traveling around the world as a linguist documenting endangered languages and preserving the culture of the speakers.

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? Cuddle on the couch with a nice warm blanket and watch SPORTS, tv, or a movie-it’s even better when I’m at home and I can add my puppy into the cuddling mix.

Are you reading any books right now? Several. As an English major when am I not? The main novel right now is The Help for a class (already seen the movie). I have Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity that I’ve recently bought and not yet started…hoping to change that soon.

Favorite place to eat lunch? Too indecisive for these "favorite" questions, but Cabo Fish Taco is one of my favorite places in Blacksburg.

How has God encouraged you lately? God has really encouraged me a lot lately, especially through going to Passion, which was AMAZING!!! I’m recently single and God has put a peace in my heart about being single that I’ve never before experienced. Rather than dwelling on “loneliness” of not having a boy around me, I am taking this opportunity to improve my relationship with Him because that is above everything else. He has also surrounded me with some amazing people that have encouraged me, and for the first time I feel like I’m finally able to encourage others a bit too.

Friendly Friday!

Sorry about posting this so late on Friday afternoon! I had it all finished, but for some reason I actually had to work at work today. Who would've thought. Anyway, without further delay, I present to you: Katie Leachman!

Name: Katie Leachman

Major:Math Education and Music Performance

Favorite Childhood Cartoon: Rugrats

What have you appreciated about VT thus far? I've appreciated the fact that while as far as administration I'm just another number/incoming freshman I still feel like I'm a part of a really tight-knit community, between the BCM, my piano studio, and getting to know friends of friends.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? I think that I would move to New York City, go to Juilliard, and be in Wicked on Broadway.

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? I LOVE TO SLEEP. But when I'm awake, I like to make bracelets--lots and lots of bracelets.

Are you reading any books right now? I'm reading a book required for my piano studio called "Talent is Overrated" by Geoff Colvin. I typically don't like to read though, unless it's Harry Potter.

Where is your favorite place to eat lunch? Chik-fil-A.

How has God encouraged you lately? God has hugely encouraged me by giving me an eternal perspective. I've always been one who cares way too much about the grades I get and how I can be the best at everything, because I've felt like they define me and my worth. But just recently I've come to a liberating understanding that as long as I continue to glorify God with my heart and my life, the grade I get on my philosophy exam doesn't matter, and is even being used for good and the glory of His kingdom. So no worries!

Friendly Friday!

Name: Ar Moehrle

Can I just mention I love the chevron background on this blog? (yes, Ar, you can :) )

Major: Human Development

Favorite thing about cold weather? Ugly sweaters parties in igloos

What have you valued most at VT? That my life is not my own, and my own plans do not prevail. VT was my absolute last choice for colleges—I only agreed to apply because of the food & football (I lost every football lottery freshman year & I now have food allergies). I selected a small liberal arts school in the North with basketball, no Christian ministries, and a social requirement of dressing preppy. When I was picking my roommate, my parents told me I was going to Tech instead. Fun fact: Tech is in the South (yep), a football school, has Christian ministries up the wazoo, and we’re an engineering school. When I got here, I tried to change my major, but God was clear that I had to keep HD. I joined the clubs and ministries that I wanted, but God made it evident that those weren’t where He called me. Sophomore year I tried repetitively to make plans to transfer, and nothing worked. God has clearly put me here, and I find value that His plans win over mine any day.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? I would partner with a business-savvy individual to start a benevolence ministry under the non-profit structure of the church. This would entail knocking on businesses doors to receive donations to be distributed to families in need. Through building relationships with those in the community, the Gospel can be shared because though we may meet material need, the most important need is that for salvation.

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? Take something & make it anew--like photoshopping pictures; sustainable crafts; remixing music; reconstruction clothing.

Are you reading any books right now? Just finished “Stumbling Toward Faith: My Longing to Heal from the Evil that God Allowed” by Renee Altson

Favorite place to each lunch? Taco Bell.

How has God encouraged you recently? God has been really encouraging relationally these past few weeks. I’m a verbal-processor so talking about what God’s doing in my life helps me process. So, I love listening to people verbally process what God’s doing around and in them. In many of my friendships, I’ve had sisters come to me expecting words (& get mad when I didn’t say exactly what they wanted to hear), but lately God has brought me many situations where I get to sit and listen to how He’s orchestrating someone’s life to bring Him glory. LOVE hearing what’s He’s doing all around us even when we’re not aware of it.

Friendly Friday!

Hey Ladies -

Thanks for hanging in there with us, we're still trying to figure out how the blog is going to work, what will be featured on it and which days. Also, April has been sick this week so be lifting her up in prayer as she prepares for a fun weekend, hopefully all better!

In the mean time, we have a new featured lady for this week, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to Krysten!

Name: Krysten Marshall

Major: I'm currently in University Studies, but I'm looking to switch into Apparel, Housing and Resource Management. (Maybe.)

Favorite hot drink & why? Chai tea from Deet's. It tastes like Christmas in a cup and Deet's has the best!

Why did you choose VT? I chose Virginia Tech on a whim. I decided one day that it would be my first choice of the schools I applied to, but I began the semester with no idea what I wanted to pursue for a career. I knew the campus was beautiful, the people were friendly, it had great educational opportunities and Hokie football was amazing. That was all I needed to know!

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? If I could do anything, I would run a marathon. I ran the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in May 2011 and I'm definitely planning on doing at least one full marathon before I graduate from Tech.

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? This just might make me a total weirdo, but I enjoy cleaning to relax. I'm a very organized person, so it gives me a very nice settling feeling to know things in my room are clean and organized.

Are you reading any books right now? Adjusting to college has left me up to my neck in textbooks and novels for future essays. However, I have "Heaven is For Real" about 10% completed on my Kindle and I'm anxious to continue that when I find the time.

How has God encouraged you recently? God has really encouraged me by bringing me to the BCM. I started school here with very few good friends. After being surrounded by so many non-Christians in my dorm, I felt like it'd be difficult to find a group of people in which I'd fit in. Since attending 6:33 and bible studies with my Brown family at the BCM and going to NLCF Sunday services in Squires, I've really felt God working in my heart and bringing wonderful people into my life. I'm very thankful! :)

Friendly Friday

Chelsea, our BCM president, is kicking off our Friendly Friday series! Every Friday we'll meet a different woman from our BCM community so check your inbox frequently because you might be next :).

Name: Chelsea

Major: Communications: Electronic/Print Journalism, Psychology

Favorite Movie: I'm not a huge fan of picking favorites; but I usually like anything that is eclectic, funny, or scary.

What do you like most about VT? There are many things that I love and enjoy about Virginia Tech... but I think the one thing that makes me praise God the most is the beauty. This campus is one of the most beautiful campuses that I have ever seen, the buildings, the air, the flowers, the people - everything about this place is extraordinarily beautiful. My favorite thing to do (when I ever have free time) is to just walk around outside on campus and take photos of beautiful things.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? I would take a year or two off and I would travel throughout the world, photograph beautiful things, experience all sorts of cultures and help wherever I was needed.

Are you reading any books right now? I just finished an amazing book actually, but right now I recently checked out the "spiritual disciplines handbook" from the VT library and I am trying to work that into my relationship with God at the moment, and also trying to finish The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.

How has God encouraged you recently? God encouraged me this weekend despite my self-pity in my sickness. I was sitting alone at home on Friday night, and God came to me and He revealed some things about me and how I was relating to Him about the future. God reminded me that at this moment in time, He has me in a place where I need to seek the face of Jesus, to listen to Him and enjoy His comfort. That I am in a place right now to slow down and listen to my Jesus speak words of love toward me, and not to worry about what I am going to do when I am graduated. So, I did just that, and God poured out His love on me :)