Devotional

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.“ (Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV)

If you ever went to camp in middle school, you probably memorized this verse. You might have even called this verse your “life verse” at some point. However, many of us have abandoned this verse post-secondary education. We think of it as a clichéd verse that isn’t extremely relevant to our lives, as we are now older and wiser. However, this verse is now more relevant than ever. In middle school, there were so many things in our lives we couldn’t control; but now as young adults, we have almost complete control over our lives. Now more than ever it is important to know that God is truly in charge of our lives and has specific plans for us. Meditate on this verse and what it means for you today. 

Personal Story

The wedding of Justin and Jordan Pruett

On Nov. 18, 2015, Jordan Williams and Justin Pruett were married in Roanoke, Va. at their parent’s church, Vitton Church of God. I attended this event with my roommate and her sister after we drove five hours to the area.

“I wasn’t excited for the drive, but when we arrived and caught up with our friends and family my excitement was renewed,” Kate, my roommate and a friend of the bride, confided.

To find more information on the event, I read the program and other written materials at the wedding, including a chalkboard of facts about the bride and groom. The ceremony went smoothly, and both families smiled and clapped as the bride and groom shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

“Everyone around us was crying at how beautiful the ceremony was, and soon I felt tears in my own eyes,” Allison said, getting emotional again thinking about her friend’s ceremony.

The reception was at the reception hall down the road from the chapel. I talked with various members of the families of the bride and groom, as the couple was largely unavailable.

Karen, the mother of the bride, said “They’re just so in love, and it was a beautiful ceremony. I can’t wait until I have grandchildren!”

The reception dwindled after the bride and groom drove away following the sparkler celebration outside. Justin and Jordan are now the Pruetts, and the town of Roanoke now misses two of its residents.

On the ride back, Allison stated, “I want my wedding to be as romantic as the Pruetts!”

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact:

Celina Tolbert

(555)555-5555

celitol@mail.regent.edu

FOR RELEASE 11:45 a.m., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14

Regency University Slashes Tuition Costs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia -  Regency University will lower tuition costs by 20 percent starting January 2016. University officials met over the weekend to finalize and approve this tuition reduction as suggested by university president Pat Stevenson.

This tuition reduction was proposed after Stevenson spent time in prayer and had many discussions with board members in regards to attracting students to Regency University over Libertea University.

“I really felt the Lord calling me to action; He wanted me to sell my house and reduce tuition at Regency University. He also asked me to donate my horses to Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,” said Stevenson. 

This reduction will be the first in the university’s history after many years of rising tuition costs. This tuition reduction will not result in any job losses.

Regency University is a made up private Christian liberal arts college located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This article is for a class assignment and is not actual news. The statements and claims in this post are fictional, as are any individuals mentioned. For more information, go to www.regencyuniversityisfake.edu 

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Travel Story: NYC

Travel Story Assignment

COMM 350

November 15, 2015

The Big Apple of Your Eye – New York City

            There’s a reason people in the movies risk everything and take a bus to New York City – it’s a magical city full of dreamers. In fact, New York City was once the capital of the U.S. (History.com, 2015).

            New York City is one of the biggest cultural meccas in the United States. Over eight million people occupy the city of New York (History.com, 2015). Many of these people are descendants of immigrants from all over the world. In the 1900s, millions of people came to the U.S. through Ellis Island in NYC (Newyork.com, 2015). This has lead to many interesting neighborhoods and areas, such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown and many other areas with rich cultural history.

            You can stay in a hotel, hostel, or even someone’s apartment. Enjoy your stay in hipster Williamsburg or bustling midtown Manhattan. Shop at stores from all over the world, all in one location throughout the city.  Walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge at night for extraordinary views. Check out some parks in the city, including Washington Square Park, Battery Park, Central Park and many more.

            Experience the seasons fully with picturesque autumns and snow filled winters, along with fresh springs and warm summers. Get around the city with the vast and widely used public transportation system including buses and a huge subway system. Eat like a local at restaurants in every flavor on every corner. Take the ferry to Staten Island for a free photo op in front of Lady Liberty.

            Visit one of the museums in the city; they have a museum for everyone; history, art, science and many more small museums, some of which are free to visit. Go to events and watch out for celebrities performing or in attendance. With so many events to attend, like Broadway shows, gallery openings or book signings, this town is star studded.

References

A History of New York City - NewYork.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.newyork.com/resources/history-new-york-city/

New York City. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.history.com/topics/new-york-city

Broadcast News

Nov. 13, 2015

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A robbery of a Chesapeake bank caused a police car chase and eventual vehicle crash on Thursday afternoon.

The suspects robbed Southern Bank on Greenbriar Parkway and drove off with police in pursuit. The car chase ended on Indian River Road when the suspects’ car crashed near Military Highway.

The suspects, Scott Rhodes and Ronald Lovelace, attempted to run from the crash site but were quickly apprehended by police. Fortunately there were no injuries.

The suspects are also possible suspects for another robbery. Lovelace was the suspected driver and Rhodes is thought to have gone inside for each robbery. 

References

Chesapeake bank robbery leads to police chase, crash at intersection; two suspects arrested. (2015, November 19). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://wtkr.com/2015/11/19/chesapeake-bank-robbery-leads-to-police-chase-crash-at-intersection/

Police chase leads to multi-vehicle crash in Norfolk. (2015, November 15). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://wavy.com/2015/11/15/police-chase-leads-to-multi-vehicle-crash-in-norfolk/

Pursuit of bank robbery suspects ends in Virginia Beach crash. (2015, November 19). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://wavy.com/2015/11/19/pursuit-of-bank-robber-ends-in-crash/

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Link to the original Document with QR code: https://docs.google.com/document/d/135tz73veWmcsC1k-Sj409do10OCSWMXZjrZiuRqYYp0/edit?usp=sharing

Photojournalism Assignment

Photojournalism Assignment

Photo captions in order of image:

1 Left to Right: Ciara, Keith and Christina Tolbert pause for a photo before beginning the four hour car ride to Busch Gardens from their home in Greensboro, N.C. 

2 The Tolbert parents look at the Busch Gardens sign as they arrive at the park and prepare to park.

3 View of the projected curtain and scenery of “Scrooge No More,” the first show that the family attends after entering the park.

4 The Tolbert sisters pause between the Ireland and France areas of the park near a wagon across from the wolf exhibit.

5 View from Celina and Christina Tolbert’s seats at “Gloria!” in Ireland that afternoon.

6 Christina Tolbert is in awe of the view of Busch Gardens from the sky as she and Celina ride the Sky Ride that evening from the France station to the Germany station.

7 Ireland has green lit up trees that the Tolbert family admires while walking along a path on the way to the Germany area of the park.

8 O’Tannenbaum, the tree in Germany that offered a lights show for the Tolbert family to view next to the Fest Haus.

9 Blue trees and shimmering string lights lit the path as the Tolberts left Busch Gardens late that night.

10 From left to right: Christina, Keith, and Ciara Tolbert sit at a table in IHOP the next morning enjoying a breakfast before returning home.

Meet Celina

Hi There!

I'm Celina Tolbert, a college student following God, finding myself, and quirking it out. I'm a Christ follower, writer, actress, lover of travel, and dreamer of big dreams. My writing has been featured on xoJane, Femsplain, Self Tape Scandinavia, and more. I currently co-own and run the start up I founded, thequirkyquad.co.