perspectives from students about the pandemic gripping our nation.
Jeremiah de Sesto
This is Jeremiah de Sesto. The way that Jeremiah pursues the Lord is so inviting to the people he is around. He makes Jesus at the center of his life in a way that captivates others. He loves well, he lives passionately and he is open and bold about what he believes in. I am so lucky to know this one!!! Last week, I quickly finished the new Netflix show,…
Katie Carmichael
Katie is such a gem of a human! She is down to earth and real, she is witty and funny, and she pursues the Lord actively in her life. She is a great friend to her people and I am so lucky to know her! Recently amidst the craziness of school and corona, I have learned that our God is a god of peace and perfect timing. It has been…
Lauren Ethridge
This is Lauren Ethridge. Lauren is brilliant, a hard worker, and a passionate pursuer of Christ. I am so lucky to learn from her and be in her joyful presence. I’ll be honest, during this crazy season I haven’t used this time wisely and productively. I came into it having had a semester abroad cut short but learning to be grateful for the time I did have. As the days…
Gracie Chambers
Gracie is someone who leaves her people feeling well-loved. She is fun and hilarious and brings such a light into any room. She is also intentional and compassionate, and someone who will most certainly change the world one day and most certainly also already has. In this season of life everyone seems to be affected in some way or another. Understandably so! For me, life in this global pandemic has looked…
Grace Huff
At the beginning of this year I was convinced Grace and I were destined to be friends because we have basically the same last name. Grace is wise, motivated and driven, and kind. She sees the world in such a beautiful way and it is such an honor to know her! ‘Life’s what you make it.. so let’s make it right’ – this classic Hannah Montana quote has become my…
Connor Lamb
I had the blessing of getting to know Connor in Jamaica, and I left feeling so inspired by his love for people and his intimate relationship with the Father. He sees life very honestly and clearly, and it was such a breath of fresh air at a time where I didn’t even know I’d need to hear it. Connor leaves a profound impact on the people he encounters, and our…
Alyssa Hooper
Alyssa is a wonderful friend to her people, a compassionate and gentle soul, and a wise follower of Jesus! She cares so well for others in a way that clearly reflects the Lord’s character, and is such a light to those around her! Recently I have been wrestling with the truth that my identity is not found in my productivity. As a college student, we are used to juggling 98437 things…
Maurie White
Maurie is laughter in human form. She is fun and hilarious, always knows how to put a smile on my face, and is wise and full of love for Jesus. And I miss seeing her beautiful face every week :’) During the first half of the semester, I completely overloaded myself with schoolwork, coaching, and other college stuff to the point where I didn’t have time to simply sit down. That…
Mary Kate Skilling
MK is someone that radiates sunshine and joy and rainbows. She is compassionate, a wonderful friend to her people, and a brilliant soul. And the way she sees the Lord is truly beautiful. I have been planning my future my entire life. Future grad schools, careers, relationships. I never realized that I had pulled myself so far away from the present until I took a step back, unwillingly but ultimately…
Nick Milavec
Nick is a friend from my hometown that I didn’t know until college, and once again I think we are forever bonded for our love of FayCo. It is clear watching the way Nick lives that he seeks to leave an impact, and in one year I’m convinced he’s already passed that goal with flying colors. Nick loves SO well, he cares deeply and intimately for his people and for Jesus, and…
Chad Lanier
Chad makes every interaction a fun one. He is honest in the most refreshing way. He is fun and always down for a drive to McDonalds in his truck (seriously, Chad and his truck have been there for me at some very needed times in my life.) Chad is fun but he’s also a great listener, a kind friend, and a wise follower of Christ- and his heart to serve…
Olivia Ellington
Olivia is someone I’ve wanted to know for a while because I’ve witnessed the impact her presence has on her people. Olivia is constantly joyful and deeply cares for those around her. She is also so alive in her pursuit of God and it is clearly reflective in the way she lives. She seeks to make others feel known and loved, and she does it beautifully. Man oh man am…
Maddie Jackson
This one is a SOUL SISTER. She walked into my life at just the right time and she has taught me so much about Jesus in this past year that it’s honestly ridiculous. The way she sees God is unique and beautiful. The way she loves is unique and beautiful. I know that no matter how long it’s been since I’ve seen Maddie, she will always have my back, offer…
Caitlyn Cox
What I have to say about Caitlyn is mainly anticipation. In a few months I’ll get to share a home with her and I couldn’t be more excited. She is constantly hyped up by her friends as one of the greatest angels this world has ever seen, and as a compassionate and generous friend. She is so clearly loved by her people and I cannot WAIT to experience the way…
Margaret Timberlake
Margaret fits in the category of ‘people that showed up at exactly the right time.’ She has been a joyful, wise, kind, and consistent friend. She is reliable and easygoing, and has had such a meaningful impact on so many people she has surrounded herself with! I always look forward to seeing this one after a long day. In this strange season of life we are finding ourselves in, I…
Daniel Salyers
Some of my favorite college memories have been spent with this one. Daniel is full of many ideas and endless amounts of fun, but he is also wise and sees God’s character so clearly. He is insanely talented, but he does it all for the glory of God. He brings joy and laughter out of everyone he is around, and it is such a gift to know him! “Recently, God has…
Matt Busse
Matt was one of the first people I met at UGA – thank goodness for Jim and that I chose to sit behind him in our Spanish class that day, because it has led to one of my weirdest and most favorite friendships! Matt is joyful and he is a protector of his people at heart. He is the definition of bold in his faith to me, and I always…
Josiah Norris
This is Josiah Norris.Before I had ever really spoken to Josiah, I was told we’d get along. (And thanks to our public speaking lecture, we got that chance!) Josiah is intentional in every situation he is put in: he has shown me such kindness in such a short amount of time and always asks questions that show me he isn’t just making conversation, but he actually cares about people and…
Kweku Hudson
I had the blessing of spending a week with Kweku in such a spiritually alive place (hey stanns – miss u). Kweku is bold in his faith and in the way he loves others. His outgoing nature and friendly presence makes others feel like they belong. I am so excited to get to walk alongside him again in a few months and witness the great work God is doing in…
Jonah Duyvelaar
Jonah is an encourager at heart. He has a ridiculous way with words (literally read what he wrote, like dang), and a ridiculous talent for making anyone he is with feel like they matter and they are valuable. Jonah remembers people, he constantly yearns to understand people’s hearts, and he is an example of Christ to many! Jonah seeks people out – he is bold and passionate in faith. Honestly,…
Eshan Shah
Eshan is universally known as the guy that loves Jesus. You cannot have a conversation with him without seeing firsthand the hold the Lord has on his life. He constantly seeks to understand Jesus and know Him more deeply than most anyone I know. He has been a consistent supporter and provider of wisdom not just in my life, but in so many others’ lives. You can’t walk around campus…
Drew Philo
Drew is one of my favorite people to be around. He has an innate ability to make everyone he’s with feel so comfortable being themselves, it is evident he genuinely wants to get to know those around him, and he is the epitome of ‘the first will be last and the last will be first’ in so many lives. Drew beautifully lives out God’s command on his life, and he…
Tommy Rhodes
Tommy is one of the funniest (and most random) people I know. Like, I met Tommy while he was perched in a tree, that he had climbed, in the middle of dozens of people. And when I saw him in that tree I just knew: now THIS is a guy I want to be friends with. Tommy’s fearless ability to be himself no matter what is a testimony to the…
Abby Haley
Abby was a friend crush from day 1 of Jamaica for sure. She is a fun-loving and hilarious human who raises the energy level of a room. She is also someone who cares deeply and loves intentionally. I’m truly inspired by the joyful way she walks through life. I cannot wait to walk alongside her in just a few months when we live in the same city again! Recently God…
Lindsey Woodham
I don’t even know where to begin with this one! Lindsey has been a consistent friend of mine for over a year now and I am always so blessed just to be in her presence. There are few who have loved me as well as this one has. She is constantly laughing, and she cares for me like no other. Watching the way she’s grown this year has been such…
Carolyn McClain
Carolyn has always been one of those people I have been waiting for the opportunity to get to know better because I have seen the way she lives and loves from afar, and it has truly inspired me! She is bold in her pursuit of the Lord, she is so willing to share the ways He is working in her life, and watching her care for and lift up those…
Emily Bowers
Emily is one of the first people I met in college (thanks again, Freshley!). Her boldness in the way she approached her faith and the things she was going through last year inspired me from the very beginning. Emily is honest and joyful and wise and never fails to put a smile on my face. This is definitely a unique season for everyone, but a silver lining I have found…
Anna Smith
Anna is someone who loves and gives beyond capacity. Within a few times of meeting her I had this weird feeling that she just got me. I am always so comfortable being myself around her because she has encouraged me to do just that! Anna is brave, wise, and kind, and I cannot wait to get to walk alongside her and all the Lord is doing within her next year.…
Claire Weathers
Claire is always a fun presence to be around. She brings so much joy into my life and every time I’m around her, I’m laughing. She is a fierce protector of those she loves and someone so easy to trust. And she is so loved by her people in return – I can’t count the amount of times I’ve been around people boosting Claire for the impact she’s had on…
Katie Rothenhofer
Katie is someone I think I could spend 24/7 with for a whole week and it still wouldn’t be enough time. Katie is so kind it amazes me, her laugh is contagious, and she has always cared for me so well. She made me feel so loved even when we had barely met. Katie loves her people in a way that reflects the Lord’s love for her, and it is…
Aubrey James
Aubrey was an instant friend for me and every moment with her is a precious one. She is one of the most authentic and welcoming people I have ever met, and I don’t say that lightly. Aubrey is easy to trust, she is one of the strongest women I know, and she is a go-to adventure buddy (thanks for jumping out of a plane with me!). She takes on life…
Lindsay Hummel
Talk about God’s timing. I met Lindsay way back on the first day of rush week, and got to do life with her every day after that because God gave us the gift of living three doors down from each other. Lindsay was the first person who made Athens feel like home. She was the first one who really wanted to get to know me, and she sat with me…
Claire Meyer
Claire is someone you cannot not smile around! She is hilarious and brings fun and life into any situation, and yet she is also so kind! She makes me feel loved whenever I’m around her and it is clear her joy comes straight from above. Claire is powerful, she is doing big things for the Kingdom, and she is fiercely loyal for her people. The Lord has taught me so…
Skylar Barth
Sky was a friendcrush for me at the beginning of this year, and now we’re living together in a few months – what a transition! Skylar has such a comforting presence that immediately invites in everyone she meets. She is encouraging and trustworthy, and she brings out the most authentic side of those she is with. She sees the best in people, she gives the best advice, and she is…
Sarah Grace Tatum
Ever since the first time I met SG, she has been someone I couldn’t wait to get to know. Her ability to bring her raw and unique self into every conversation has inspired me from the beginning. SG is truly hilarious: she is wild and random and all things joyful, and I don’t think I have ever be anything less than 110% engaged when I’m around her. She is confident…
Chloe Glass
Coco and I became friends because the Lord knew we needed each other. We say it all the time and it’s true – He made us roommates on our mission trip to Jamaica for a reason. Chlo has never ceased to be there when I need her the most. We have seen each other at our best and our worst, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have…
Luke Turpin
Luke Turpin is the kind of guy whose first and last name you say together. He’s just that important. Luke is someone who can have everyone laughing in a matter of minutes while also seeking to know the real and authentic versions of people. He is caring and a fighter for his people, and he livens up any room he walks into. In this strange season of life we are currently…
Peter Hess
Peter is someone you can trust within moments of meeting him. He is such a fun presence to be around and his compassion speaks volumes to the way he wants to truly know those around him. His motivation is an inspiration to us all; the Lord is doing such awesome things in his life and it is such a blessing to have a front-row seat to it all! Over the…
Jacey Conti
This is Jacey Conti.I’d definitely describe Jacey as a go-to. She is someone you know you can trust. I get to share a home with her next year, and there is no way we would have gotten everything worked out smoothly if it we weren’t able to lean on her leadership and determination to get it all planned out. This woman is strong, kind, passionate in her faith, and wise.…
Emily Summers
Emily is a ball of sunshine. She was one of the first upperclassmen I met during my freshman year, and a big reason Freshley became a home for me. I always looked forward to finding her every week at the front of the room, and seeing her friendly face meant a lot during a hard season. Emily has a way with words, a talent for seeing the light in people,…
Sarah Riley
Sriley is already one of my closest friends, and quite honestly the anticipation for where we are headed is too much for me to handle. Soon Sri and I will go from seeing each other once a week if we’re lucky, to falling asleep 2 feet away from each other, and I don’t know if the world is ready for that level of crackhead. Sarah is my perfect balance. She…
Alexis Kellner
Alexis was one of my first friends in my sorority, and for a long time, I found a home in her. I don’t think she knows how much her friendship meant to me those first few months, but I can say with confidence I would not be in Pi Phi if it wasn’t for her. Watching Alexis grow and change this past year as she’s pursued and encountered the Lord…
Madison Henry
I get to share a home with this one and I cannot express in words how excited I am to get to be around her joyful spirit all the time. Madison has loved me well since before she even really knew me. I do not say those words lightly – I have never felt anything less than fully seen by Madison, even when we’d barely met. Her presence has such…
Taylor Vismor
Taylor has been such a blessing of second semester. She was a very needed light during my 9:05am exhaustion, and I am thankful that a classmate turned into a friend so quickly. Taylor is hilarious and fun. After one conversation with her, I felt like I had known her my whole life. She is so easy to trust, so easy to love, and someone I am constantly giggling around. She…
Eliza Ashby
Eliza was one of the first people I felt like I needed to get to know at the beginning of this year. Eliza makes me feel loved in a unique and valuable way that I am constantly thankful for. She is wise and real, and she has such a lighthearted view on life that always leaves me laughing. Eliza specifically stands out in my mind as someone who always turns…
Autumn Sturhahn
Autumn is pretty much THE reason I am still in my sorority, so that is pretty special. She wanted to get to know me at a time when I felt so alone, and her impact on my life has stayed with me ever since. Autumn gives the best advice, she has the best laugh, and she is someone I always know I can turn to when I need to unpack…
Sarah Burnett
Sarah’s words are meaningful- I think that’s the first thing I can say about her. In one of our first conversations she told me about her idea of quiet confidence – I’ve repeated that phrase so many times since that day because I loved the beautiful image of humility and love that it painted. Sarah is wise, and she understands life in a deep way that inspired me on day…
Caroline Clark
Caroline was one of my first friends at UGA; we met way back on orientation day and then happened to be in the same Jamaica small group- crazy how life happens that way sometimes! Caroline has always been one of my biggest supporters. She has never stopped encouraging me or telling me how loved I am. She is hilarious and compassionate, and also so close to the Lord it is…
Sarabeth McClure
Sarabeth is hilarious. I don’t use that word lightly- she actually has our entire Jamaica team on the floor laughing on the regular (she sent us breakdancing videos. I mean, come on). Sarabeth brings an insane amount of light and joy to any conversation she’s in- her presence is so valuable and it is so evident how much she cares for her people. Watching the way she lives has had…
Annalise Morning
TThis is Annalise Morning.Annalise blows me away on the daily! She is such a joy to be around and the Lord is doing so many incredible things in her life. She is kind and honest and real and I value that so much. She has been a constant in my life for a good minute now and I am so thankful for her presence and the way I watch her…
McKay Powers
McKay is one of the wisest people I have come to know in the recent months, and she needs to give herself more credit for the heavenly mindset she brings to a conversation! McKay is so clearly able to step back from herself and see God in all things, and this is so evident even just in these words she sent me! McKay has not met a stranger, and she…
Lindsey Bott
Lindsey is such a blessing! She has been a constant in my life for a while now, and someone I am beyond overjoyed to see the work God is doing in her. Lindsey makes others feel so seen and known, and the first time we hung out I felt so comfortable to share parts of my heart with her- that welcoming presence she carries is so special and hard to…
Berkeley Chandler
For a long time people kept telling me I needed to be friends with Berkeley, and now I see why! Her presence is so valuable and getting to watch her lead up-close this past week in Jamaica was such a treat! She loves in such a unique way that makes others feel cared for, and she is so wise! With everything going on with the corona virus, there are two…
Stuff With K-Huff 