UPDATE Week of July 30

When it blooms, it blooms!

Not sure if this is normal but our sunflower just keeps blooming and blooming and blooming. Hoping this is a metaphor for the Fellows this year - that these Fellows past and present would keep blooming and blooming and blooming. 

Wherever you are - I hope the same for you. May you bloom and bloom and bloom. 

WELCOME CHANICE WITHERS!

Welcome Chanice!

We would like to officially welcome Chanice Withers to the Winston-Salem Fellows! Chanice is another local. She is a graduate of Carver High School and has a wonderful way with people young and old. She has been a preschool teacher and a Young Life leader and last week she spent an hour on a park bench with a senior citizen listening to her story. 

Both her references and we as the Fellows believe this woman is primed and ready to have a pivotal year. Join us in welcoming Chanice!

(by the way - she has taught preschool and nannies - so if you are a potential host family with young children...just saying...)

HOST FAMILIES

Hosting a Fellow can be yummy!

Hosting is still our greatest need. 

I told Lia this week that if we don't find host families before the Fellows arrive, we could have them all live in our basement. 

She said something along the lines of if that happens you'll need to be finding a place to live too. 

Something like that. 

So help! Please! 

These Fellows make great additions to your family!

Contact the Fellows for information: winstonsalemfellows@gmail.com  

You too could have a Grace for the year!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK

Monday. Met with my mentor and then took Larissa and Conley, the Young Life student interns out to lunch. That was fun! Then, it was off to the County Manager's office where this guy who was easily ten years younger than me said, "Pardon me, young man." I'm not kidding! 

Tuesday. Met with my new friend Jemi at Off the Beaten Path Coffee - find it! It's worth it. Better yet - let me know when you want to go and I'll take you there! Had a great impromptu meeting with Lizzie Ward the Prez of Sunshine Beverages. Then, a planning meeting for Regenerate Forsyth. Getting excited for the Fellows to get their hands in some dirt this year!

David got to do some Lego Robotics

Wednesday. Was meeting day beginning with Blake Hill in his office at Cloverdale Kitchen that led to a lunch at the Penny Path Cafe with John Clevenger and ended with Tim Norton the Missions Pastor at First Pres for a walking meeting around Winston - which I needed after eating all day!

A-Ro was at NC Extreme Camp

Thursday. Was meeting day part two with a sit down with Gardner Barrier at FCDS then a jaunt down to Flywheel to meet with Rachel Barron with Next Level Communications. Then, a particular highlight, a lunch with the new Provost and new friend Anthony Graham. WSSU made a really good hire. Well done Chancellor Robinson. I am very excited about getting more WSSU Fellows, and I believe Dr. Graham is going to help! Also, had such an encouraging phone meeting with Dr. Anthony Atala that afternoon. We are blessed in this city to have such amazing people. 

Finally a sunny day!

Friday. Was a blur, but I did manage to sit down and spend a solid hour with Andrew Miller, one of our stellar new Fellows. Then, it was off to the mountains to celebrate Anna Rose's birthday three weeks late. 

How many people can you fit on a paddle board?

Saturday. My folks came into town and we went over to Kimberly Park Elementary to volunteer with Samaritan's Feet, a ministry that provides shoes for kids. 

Tamaji was pretty excited about his

What a fun time

So cute

Sunday. We had a great morning of worship at at church and then visited the barn where the girls showed off their stuff. 

Tapenga

Luigi

REMINDER HOPE INTERNATIONAL IS COMING TO TOWN

 Let me know if you would like to come!

FINANCE UPDATE

I might sound like a broken record, but THANK YOU for supporting the WS Fellows. We cannot nor would we want to do what we do without the support of the community. 

To partner financially with us. Send checks to: 

Winston-Salem Fellows

851 W. 5th St. 

Winston-Salem NC 27101

or give online at wsfellows.com/give

THIS WEEK

Monday. Exec Team meeting and meeting with Tripp Sanders at Redeemer Pres. 

Tuesday. Meeting with "Coach" the Mr. Bill McClain and Host Family Hunting

Wednesday. I begin training on an Emotional Intelligence Quotient Certification. Board Meeting.

Thursday. Meeting with Ginger Hendricks of Bookmarks. 

Friday. Heading to Philly for the weekend. 

More photos...

 Thanks y'all! Keep sharing the story and spreading the love.

UPDATE Week of July 23

Our sunflower opened up this week!

More on sunflowers later...

NOW IS THE TIME TO "ADOPT" A FELLOW!

These neat, friendly, respectful, self-sufficient, and homeless Fellows need a Host Family! This is where you can help. You have a home, and I know you know someone who has a home.

Here are a few things that former Host Families have told me:

"[She] brings so much joy to the house."

"We used to host exchange students, this is WAY easier than that."

"[She] has become part of the family."

Host families play one of the most impactful roles for the Fellows. These relationships become some of the deepest and long lasting. For example, no less than three Fellows have rolled through town this summer. How do I know this? Because they went to visit their Host Families. Did they visit me? Nope!

As uncool as that is - I'm so thankful that these Fellows love their Host Families so much.

Maybe this year, it's your turn for a life-changing experience: Contact me today (nederickson@gmail.com)

Connor graduated from Clemson and it appears from this picture he can sit on water!

Mathu is a Winston native who loves football and his mom

Trent is a multi-generation native of Columbia, SC. He did Young Life and ran a marathon!

Laura loves swimming and cooking but not cooking while swimming

Christian is from Maryland. He was a philosophy major and was a Young Life Leader.

Abby is from Wilmington. She makes her own jewelry and will make some for her host family. 

Bryan is a Winston native as well. He plays six instruments (at the same time!) and is family man through and through. 

Aly is from Orlando. She played tennis in college and loves sports. 

Tim just graduated from Chapel Hill. He was a history major and has a servant's heart.

Kelly is from the Eastern Shores of Maryland. She plays and coaches lacrosse and has a killer work ethic.

Andrew is from Toledo, Ohio. Is there anything else I need to say? Andrew also has started an apparel company. He will give you a shirt if you host him!

HIGHLIGHTS

A few highlights from the week...
Monday. We gathered some families together to remember some good times and pray out the Mussers.

These guys have known each other since they were in diapers!

Tres Amigos

Tuesday. I left my wallet and keys on the 11th floor of Liberty Plaza in the Z. Smith Reynolds offices at 5:15pm!

Wednesday. I had a great chili relleno with my friends Andrew Wild and Brian Edmonds who are great church partners at River Oaks Community Church! I also saved the future of humanity at 4:45 at Jugheads with Tripp Wilson (this is an inside joke).

Thursday. I showed up for a meeting at Tanglewood that was mis-scheduled in my phone! Ran the trails. So fun. Had a great time at Summer Stud that evening.

Friday. I went to Tanglewood for the meeting that I had previously thought was on Thursday. It was worth the wait! Thank you Dudley Watts and all the Department Managers of Forsyth County for your service to this community!

We also picked Anna Rose up from camp and attended David's horse show.

Swinging back into town

Welcome home Anna Rose!

David on Even

The Weekend. 

David won an award for swim team!

HOPE INTERNATIONAL IS COMING TO TOWN

This is a special event!

Please come and learn more about this amazing organization. 

AUGUST 6. 11:30-1pm. Lunch is Provided!

REGENERATE FORSYTH

I also had the chance to spend time with the Founder of Regenerate Forsyth, Eric Mathis, who the Fellows will be partnering this year to "tell the story of the plate."

Phase One was planting a sunflower in our front yard.

It's almost twice the size of David now!

Our sunflower opened up this week!

FINANCE UPDATE

Thank you for your support! Here is how to contribute:

Winston-Salem Fellows
851 W. 5th St.
WSNC 27101

or online

wsfellows.com/give

Once again: thanks!


LOOKING FORWARD

- Hoping to secure our final Fellow spot!
- Hoping to secure our final Fellows jobs!
- Excited about several meetings that are taking place this week, including but not limited to: Dudley Watts at the Forsyth Managers Office. Regenerate Forsyth at the Salt Box, Blake Hill at his office (Cloverdale Kitchen), Anthony Graham at the Filling Station! and Anthony Atala on the phone. Two Anthony's in one day! Woo-Hoo!

Exciting things are afoot. 

Keep sharing the story and spreading the love!

UPDATE Week of July 16

Look who ran into each other down at OBX!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

- Monday: Engagement Shindig for Reese and Julia...

Great to see the Summers! (in the background) Miss them!

Tuesday: Great planning meeting with Terrance Hawkins at a new favorite downtown coffee shop Off the Beaten Path 102 W. Third. Check it out!

This is Jemi the owner operator. She is an inspiration. 

GO!!! https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathNC/

Wednesday: Hanging out with Eric Mathis at the Community Garden and Love Out Loud's Service Week...

Let's grow this!

Also wrapping up a great week at Hope VBS...

Thursday: Hanging out with power ladies Erika Quaile and Jennie Hess as they plan a HOPE International Event that YOU ARE INVITED TO!!!!

Seriously - COME!!!

Event website:  Lunch with Peter Greer: Winston-Salem

Link to register online: Register HERE for lunch with Peter Greer

Friday: Getting a surprise visit from Lucy Coats who has loved David since the day he was born...

Saturday: Crashing the Kids for Kids Triathalon

Speaking at Camp Merri-Mac and Timberlake to the counselors and then hanging out with Kyle Welch that night. 

Camp Merri-Mac last fall

MEET ALY HALL and BRYAN PARDUE

Aly Hall

After receiving a recruiting letter from the Army tennis coach, I began to learn more about West Point. The Academy’s prestige, leadership development, and strong sense of duty and service appealed to me. I survived Cadet Basic Training the summer after a year of preparatory school and was thrilled to no longer be a new cadet. The academic year was grueling, but I dug in and endured the challenges West Point cadets face. I began to examine my next three years at West Point and my future career as an Army Officer. Through much contemplation and counsel, I decided to leave after completing my plebe (freshman) year and transferred to Covenant College because of the strong sense of community, commitment to Christ and serving others, location, and the tennis program. Some of my fondest memories include my amazing teammates, goofy coworkers and professors in the history department, tutoring my friends, and dorm life. I especially enjoy one on one conversations with friends at coffee shops. After graduating from Covenant this past May I am still unsure of what I want to do vocationally which is a major reason the Fellows program intrigued me. I am strongly leaning toward graduate school for psychology or pursuing a job in education. My passions include helping people, the environment, and service work. I want to learn what it means to be a Christian and faithfully follow Jesus in my vocation.

Bryan Pardue

My name is Bryan Pardue and my story varies from that of most of the fellows. I have not taken any college courses to pursue a degree yet. Not knowing which specific direction I want to take in life has taken me down a number of paths that have all given me an abundance of information. That is, knowing that I do not want to pursue that path. Since graduating high school, I have been diligently working to figure out my calling. I have worked case management for special needs patients, sales, missions, shift management, marketing, ministry, sports and even the medical field and I am grateful for all of the experiences. However, I am unbelievably excited to begin the Fellows and start working and learning with specific intention. I am eager to hone and sharpen my communication and networking abilities through the Fellows. But perhaps the thing that I am most excited for is the community. It will be interesting and encouraging to be with others with similar aspirations to mine and learning and growing with them. I cannot wait to be a part of this ambitious, Godly community and learn to serve well.

NEEDS

Do you have the gift of hospitality? If so, we would love you to offer it to the Winston-Salem Fellows by being a Host Family.

Contact Ned Erickson nederickson@gmail.com or

Virginia Perry virginiaperry@fcds.org

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Thanks for all of your support this year.

If you would like to donate to the Winston-Salem Fellows

send checks to:

WS Fellows

851 W. 5th St.

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

or give online at:

wsfellows.com/give

MORE PHOTOS OF SUMMER

David at camp

David at camp

The engaged couple

Natalie at the beach

Anna Rose on a horse