News Clips:
-We'll be heading to Kings Dominion in September to raise money for summer missions. If you would like to join us, we would really appreciate your help.
-In the fall, we will be putting together a team of students to travel to Hong Kong next July for the Baptist Student World Conference and Mission Trip.
Please keep this group in your prayers as they will be fundraising and preparing to minister in Asia .
-Mark your calendars now for the BSU Christmas Open House at Susan's on December 8th from 4-6 PM.
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The BSU Goes To China
"It was the culmination of a dream that Susan Blanchard had dreamed for a long time", read The Religious Herald article as it described our recent mission trip to China. How true! Many of you may even remember that dream from your days in the BSU. What I couldn't have possibly known about my dream, though, was how we would fall in love with China and the people there during our brief stay from May 23rd-June 3rd. Without a doubt, we left a portion of our hearts with our students when we returned to the states. With excitement, though, we know a portion of their hearts now resides within us as well.
While there, we had the opportunity to teach conversational English to students at a teachers college in Nanjing through learning labs which took place in the city. We also were blessed to participate in public worship services each Sunday, to visit the Amity Bible printing company, to teach an adult English class at the YMCA, and to visit the seminary in Nanjing. We left with a huge awareness and appreciation of the Christian church in China and all God is doing there through the China Christian Council. Praise be to God!
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Congratulations Class of 2002!
May 12th marked a time of new beginning in the lives of our seniors. Welcome to our alumni family, graduates. We are very proud of you and your accomplishments.
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Life After The Nest
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| Jessica Beverly
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"Hi everyone! I hope you all are doing great! Kevin and I moved out to the country! We are renting a beautiful little townhouse in Marshall, VA (not too far from Front Royal). We still work at our jobs in Northern Virginia, but we commute together and it hasn't been taking long at all. Please keep in touch!"
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| Lani Carnill
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"I will be traveling to Parsons, WV to do construction, vacation bible school and street/house-to-house evangelism. Our church partners with a church in the area so that people will be able to get plugged in somewhere. But, it won't be all hard work. We'll be doing some spelunking, hiking and swimming too! Pray for our team's preparation - that we would love the people we are going to serve, and that we would be effective in spreading the gospel for God's glory."
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| Melissa Fallen
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"I'm moving back to Richmond this summer and headed to BTSR in the fall."
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| Kayti Graham
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"I'm working as a (volunteer) youth worker for my church, and LOVING it. And, in July I start a part-time job as an art therapist in a detention home!!"
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| Krista Mann
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"I finished my first full year of teaching fifth grade at Pearson's Corner Elementary in Hanover County, and I am blessed to be able to say that I truly love what I do. It was a challenging year, but fun, and I look forward to another next year! Even bigger news was that of my engagement back in April. The wedding is set for July 20th of this summer, and we will be living in the Mechanicsville area, not far from my school. Oh, forgot to tell you about the guy! His name is N.W. Manuel, Jr. and he's a manager for Ukrop's. We met in church a few years ago through our young single's department and have been friends for a long time. The wedding is going to be at Bon Air Baptist Church here in Richmond, at 4pm. Anyone who's in town is more than welcome to attend!! :) I'd love to see anyone/everyone who can make it! So life has been pretty crazy lately, but wonderful, and I am extremely happy and richly blessed. Take care, and God bless!!"
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| Hollie Writtenbury
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"This spring was an eventful time for me. I took my band to compete in Orlando, Florida for spring break! Talk about exhausting! After 2 very busy years in Smithfield, I have decided to take a break from high school band. The Lord has provided me an opportunity to teach band at Hunt-Mapp Middle School right here in Portsmouth. It is a magnet school and is less than ten minutes from my apartment, plus it will free up most of the extra hours high school required. I spent a wonderful week at Ridgecrest for Church Music/Worship Leadership week just after school got out. And for the first time since I've been teaching, I am actually taking my summer off! I am still adjusting to being home all day long! I am working as the pool attendant at my apt. complex, meeting lots of new neighbors, and enjoying time for me! I enjoyed seeing some of you on my visit in March, and if anyone is ever in the Tidewater area please look me up and come visit!
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How to Recognize Grace
It takes you by surprise
It comes in odd packages
It sometimes looks like loss
Or Mistakes
It acts like rain
Or like a seed
It's both reliable and unpredictable
It's not what you were aiming at
Or what you thought you deserved
It supplies what you need
Not necessarily what you want
It grows you up
And lets you be a child
It reminds you you're not in control
And that not being in control is a form of freedom.
Marilyn Chandler McEntyre
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How Can I Help?
One way you can help as BSU alumni, is to talk with the seniors in your church this summer about BSU and the benefits of becoming involved with a campus ministry program once they arrive on campus. Many community colleges also have BSU programs, so be sure to encourage those students as well.
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How Virginia BSU includes YOU
Did you know that once you are alumni there is a special section on the state BSU web page just for you? Take a look at Virginia Baptist Collegiate Ministry. There, you will not only find exciting information highlighting the wonderful ministries taking place by the various BSU groups throughout our state, but you will also be able to access a section for "Alumni and Friends". Here you can connect with other alumni from the state, acquire various resources which might be of interest to you, and have the opportunity to make tax deductible donations to our ministry online. Check it out and mark it as one of your favorites. I really think you'll enjoy this site. :-)
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Change of Address
If you have moved or have changed your email address, please let Susan know so your alumni information can be updated. Also, if you are receiving this newsletter and no longer wish to, please email your desire to be removed from the mailing list. Thanks!
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