Caitlin's Blog

Goodbye and Good Luck!

Last day. Hm...I could be that really crazy girl that just writes a single post like..

"Goodbye, God bless." And then sign off. That's lamesauce. Who wants to read that?!

BUT you know me too well. I have to share my wisdom and babble on and on about Liberty - because well, it rocks!

So, to all the doubters, skeptics, and apathetic high school seniors who have no idea what's going on...I have some wisdom. Let me preach it, just one last time. On the other hand, let me rap it - hypothetically... (*cue beat box*)

Hello, my name is Caitlin and I'm ready to say

Liberty University is more than just okay

There's volleyball, baseball, softball, and more

Hey, you wanna workout? Ya sure! Get sore!

Convocation in the Vines - that's what we all do

Famous speakers, great concerts, Tim Tebow and his crew

Don't think because it's Christian that it's gotta be lame

We got 12,000 students here that would talk about its fame.

Do you wanna be a nurse? You can practice with the best!

Do you wanna be a pilot? You can fly as a test!

I'm studyin' business, and I can't help but preach

The professors in this school - dude, they really wanna teach

I be learnin' real knowledge that can help me in the end

Am I open for business?! You can say that again!

I'm off to the be a Champion for someone who's my Lord

That man is named Jesus, and He's the first one on the Board.

He's the center of this school and everything it does

It's the reason that we're famous and catchin' all the buzz.

So, don't go around probably actin' like you know

'cause Liberty University - they be puttin' on a show!

Peace! 

That writing really made me want to break out the video camera and start out in a rap. Almost, but not quite. A few more words of wisdom for my future Liberty Flames:

• "Ring before Spring" -  A myth. Need I say more?
• Be nice to CFAWers - They just want to be accepted. And plus, you were or will be one of them, so be understanding...
• Don't expect a ton of snow - This place is in the South, after all (debatable?..yes)
• Live on campus at least one year of your journey - The camaraderie? The great roommates? All the friends? You'll love it - promise!
• Don't think you have to pick a major by freshman year - I know people who have changed about...5 million times before graduation. 5,000,003 times, to be exact.
• Put people before school - Jesus didn't spend 8 hours of his day studying the law. Nah, he spent time with people - built relationships - accomplished kingdom work. But don't think that negates studying all together...no sir. Do your best.
• Find a church - go to it - grow in it. Don't be a statistic of young adults that "peace out" of church once they leave "the nest." 
• Most of all, capture every moment of your journey - In pictures, in memories, in wonderful conversations. It'll fly by before you know it! 

Freshman year: Back when I was on the CREW team...good times.

Freshman year: Liberty trip to Brooklyn, NY! Will never forget this friend!

Sophomore/Junior year: Liberty football games with my hall. So fun.

Senior year: Rock climbing on the beautiful Blue Ridge Mtns.

My memories. Treasured always.

It's been a pleasure. 

Off to graduate now!

P.S. If any of you have questions about Liberty or the campus life, you can e-mail me at ctaylor19@liberty.edu. I'd be happy to convince you to go! :)

The Last of Everything

Folks, it's my last week on the job - It's OK, you can all cry alongside of me... :) This week begins my list of "lasts" at Liberty University. It seems quite surreal to be writing this blog and talking about my graduation -  which by the way is in 11 days, craziness! The time between my first day as a freshman and my last day as a senior flew by like that crazy fast roadrunner in Looney Tunes! It just always gets away from you!

Here's my lists of "lasts" that I have or will be experiencing this week.  I hope you can feel the weight of sadness in my voice - or is that joy? I can never tell...

                  1. Last week as a Student Blogger for Liberty University - I've enjoyed this opportunity more than any other job. Amazing to get to share my heart and experiences with you all. If you're just really bored, you can read the first blog I ever made here. 

                 2. Last day of residential classes - TODAY! Somehow I bribed (strategized) my way into having no finals during finals week, so today is my last test, last class...last time to sit in a classroom and listen to a professor speak for an hour!..for now, at least.

                 3. Last Convocation, which I didn't even attend. To my surprise...erm, disappointment...this convocation on Monday was probably the best of the entire semester. I heard it involved dancing, jumping, "God's Great Dance Floor," and Jefferson Bethke. Who messed up on that one? This girl!

                 4. Last small group with my girls - As part of my CSER, I lead and mentor two groups of high school girls for Thomas Road Baptist Church. During the last two years, I have nurtured these relationships and been able to have some amazing conversations. Best decision I ever made - some will be my friends for a long time to come. I will miss them dearly!!!

Just one of my two small groups - 9th grade girls and leaders <3

                 5. Last Sunday at Thomas Road Baptist Church - It's been my church away from home since freshman year. Amazing church leadership, including the preaching of Jerry Falwell Sr.'s son, Jonathan Falwell. 

                 6. Last paper for an undergraduate assignment - It's for an online class, and it's due in 6 days. Easy peezy lemon squeezy, but with no motivation, it becomes a like a terrible brick wall! Lord, give me strength! Woo!

...Or when I get up from writing my last paper - like a boss!

                 7.Last week to enjoy anything uniquely Lynchburg - including the T-Room (an amazing diner), Chipotle (don't have that back home), Liberty University, mountains, and of course, my friends!!

T-Room and Friends. Win-win!

Rock climbing in the Blue Ridge Mountains - I'll definitely miss that!

My school - that view! Never gets old...

I'll be writing one more farewell blog this week, but for now let's soak in this last week together. Finally, I encourage you to make the most of every moment because honestly, none of us know when that day will be one of the "lasts."

Big South Sweep

Liberty did it again! They just can't be stopped...ever! 

So, for the first time in my entire collegiate career, I decided to watch a little track and field action on Friday. To my surprise, it was Big South Championship time, and about 9 other schools were there. Yikes! Schools, such as Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, VMI, and High Point, were all present to compete on Liberty's home court...field...whatever. As you know, running is not my "cup of tea," but when I saw these women athletes getting 17 minute 5K times, I was beyond impressed. (I think my legs hurt just thinking of how fast I would have to run for that kind of time!) In the entire 20-year history of competing in this meet, Liberty University has not won one time...not two times...not even 5 times. Readers...Fans...my school has won the Outdoor Track and Field Big South Championship 18 TIMES! Like a boss, obviously... 

The Liberty men's and women's squads swept the 2013 Big South outdoor team championships on Saturday.

Here are some highlights of Liberty's amazing win:

• Liberty's men finished in a 1-2-3-4 sweep in pole vault and a 1-2-3-5 sweep in the 5K
• Women's 5K team beat Coastal Carolina for the 1st time in 2 years, which helped seal the Big South title in a narrow margin of 210 (Liberty) points to 203.25 (Coastal) points
• First place in men's 5K went to Caleb Edmonds with a time of 14:26.14 - Faster than a speeding bullet!
• Andre Washington became the 5th best in the Liberty 400 hurdle program when he clocked his personal best time: 51.95 seconds
• Janae Jones, a freshman at Liberty, became one of only three women at the school to complete a triple jump of over 40 feet. Her final was 40-4.25!
• Finally, the one win that caught my attention was from redshirt senior Ryan Smith who shot put his way into a huge win! For the fourth year in a row, he won the men's shot put competition with a personal best of 60-6 - That's about 18.44 meters! I watched it happened, and when he discovered the distance of his throw, the smile on his face was priceless. He also walked away with the Men's Outstanding Field Performer award - very much deserved.

Ryan Smith doing his thing - winning

To add to the dominance of Liberty's athletic program, this championship caused Liberty to gain a 7th consecutive "Triple Crown" - winning the cross country title in October, the indoor track and field championship in February, and the outdoor track and field championship this past weekend. --"Liberty University Athletics - dominating in athletics since 1971"--  Congratulations to all the athletes! It was a pleasure to watch! 

Liberty University Welcomes Spring

It's been a long time coming. After months and months of cold, harsh winter weather and random end-of-March snowstorms, Spring finally decided to show its lovely face around Lynchburg, VA. What does that mean for Liberty University? First of all, it means baseball. Lots and lots of Liberty baseball. A great way to tan - an even better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was a three game series last weekend. Liberty took on West Virginia University on Sunday, and although they lost 1-2, it was really fun to see the #FlameTrain in action (It's an actual hashtag now...apparently). 

The first 1,000 attendees at the game of Sunday got these brand new shades. I am lookin' so fly! - #FlameTrain 

Chacos and Liberty baseball. Welcome to Spring in Lynchburg.

Friends + Sun + Baseball = the Liberty life!

Two hours later, my legs were a little pink and Liberty walked away without a victory. Nonetheless, my friend and I decided to take a afternoon run and continue this amazing Spring feeling!  That's another thing...as soon as the weather shows any sign of warmth, every student and their dog decides to put of those cute Nike shorts and run around campus like its their job. Bravo to the for getting in shape! That's what I'm talking about! Also, note (for the women) that warm weather equals cute sun dresses/skirts - the flowing kind that move with every breeze. If you mix that kind of skirt, a (liberty way approved) tank top, and a pair of aviators, you would definitely fit in among the Spring-time madness. For the outdoors-y kind, Spring brings out the Enos - I'm talking about hammocking! 

Step #1 - Find two trees close together. Step #2 - Tie straps around tree to set-up Eno hammock, preferably higher so that your friend can set up his/hers below you. Step #3 - Use the "backwards jump and flip" trick to get into the hammock. Step #4 - Instagram your experience (This step is crucial). Now you are a LibertyU student in the Spring :)

Success! - even with the Instagram part! 

Lastly, warm weather means that the engagements start popping up all over Facebook, but that's another story for another time...Ring before Spring. Myth or Magic? Hm...

Now that I've told you all my secrets, share your stories of Spring with me! What makes it officially Spring time for you?

SA Coffeehouse at its FINEST!

Out of all my time at Liberty, I have never witnessed an SA activity as great, funny, or simply amazing as last weekend's Late Night Coffeehouse! For my new readers, the Student Activities Coffeehouse is a bi-annual event that showcases the finest Liberty University talent, including dancers, singers, and videographers. The first Coffeehouse of the year is in December, which is Christmas themed and absolutely hilarious, and the second one, which can vary in theme from year-to-year, is in April. Tryouts are held throughout each respective semester to "weed out" the best and the brightest of the student talent, so all that is left is magical. This last one, MY LAST ONE (*tear tear*), highlighted the funniest moments of late-night television, including clips from the Jay Leno show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Saturday Night Live. It was BY FAR the best Coffeehouse I have EVER seen...like ever! Let's see if your time at Liberty can trump my experience - here's your chance to say "challenge accepted!" 

A photo re-cap for my visual learners:

Notice the "applause" sign - just in case we didn't know when to clap. HA!

Of course, our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell, Jr., was there with his lovely wife, Becki. Presh!

Here's the deal, there was this country singer who had a voice of an angel...

...And a dance group that choreographed to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." - Everybody was singing along.. #90skidprobs 

Say hello to the new boy band of Liberty University. I'm not sure where their video is on YouTube, but it was really good.

And finally--a step back from the performances into a interview time with the Late Night host, Jake Holland

If you would like to watch any of the performances listed above (minus the boy band and interview), check out the Spring Coffeehouse portion of the Liberty University YouTube account. For those of you who thinks it takes to look to click that link, I'll hook you up with the most popular act of the night: "The Daily Saturday Night Whose Line is Mad TV with D-TREX Live" - That is definitely a mouthful!

Color Me Rad. Really Rad!

What's white and tall and colored all over? That's an awkward question, isn't it? (Dear Caitlin, please stop asking weird questions to your readers..) Ha, but for real, the answer is me! Small town, southern girl turned Color Me Rad crazy. Ever heard of this ridiculous 5K? It's only the most fun thing you'll ever do in your life - except coming to Liberty University, of course!

On most weekends, I sit down on my small plaid couch and turn on my brain to discussion boards and papers. Endless writing. If I'm lucky, there's some eating and some time to watch Doctor Who...but for the most part - homework. This weekend was atypical, and what a good atypical it was! Woke up 6 am and drove with some friends to Greensboro, NC to experience the most colorful run of my life!

So, what is this Color Me Rad nonsense? Back in the day...about 6 months ago...I wrote this little blog about exercising. I talked about the Color Run and making sure you move the body that the Lord God gave you. You can read it here, but here's the sum of Color Me Rad that I wrote: 

Another running event that should be coming to Liberty soon is a Color Run - it's more a running rumor than a fact. But It's my dream! For every 1k or so, colored powder gets thrown on the runners for extra motivation and awesome-ness. By the time you finish, you look like a tie dye t-shirt..but from head to toe. The Website for Color me Rad says, "Each section of the run adds a new explosion of color to your clean, painter's palate until you cross the finish line into a final blitzkrieg of color." There's one in Blacksburg on October 27, but I'm not sure that my body will be ready to take another 5k. I'm no cross-country runner. 

No, the Color Run didn't come to Liberty, but I thought driving two hours out of my way to look like a rainbow and chase an Easter bunny around a 5K track was probably a good idea!

• Fun fact #1: We didn't actually run. It was too crowded to do such terrible things.
• Fun fact #2: 7,000 other people joined me in this event...it was "off the chain!" 
• Fun fact #3: The "color bombs" were either made of powder or water based spray - stained my shirt, alright! 
• Fun fact #4: I just ran out of fun facts...so here's some pictures! :)

Before/After

"Color Bombing" fail

All the people wanting to be RAD!

I color bombed and then I photo bombed! :) What a success!

Campus Church - Dr. Wheeler

Freshman year. August 2010. Evangelism 101. Yes, it's a class. A required class. A wonderful class. Dr. Wheeler, the professor, spent every day, 3 days a week, refocusing the students on the power of gospel, the content gospel, the lies surrounding the gospel in the modern world, how to share it, and how others have shared it in the past. For one project in that class, we were told to share our faith with a person (a lost person) and report on the interaction and his/her response. At first, I got all "So, you're forcing us to evangelize?! Shouldn't that be a voluntary effort?" I was a freshman, and my faith and walk with the Lord was...raw. Looking back, I was ashamed that it took a required assignment for me to share Jesus Christ with someone. Three years later, thanks to professors like Dr. Wheeler and the work of the Holy Spirit, the gospel is my life goal, discipleship becomes a daily devotion, and my heart bursts with excitement to share at any chance. And now, I pray that passion never dies.

Last night, Dr. Wheeler took the stage at Campus Church and spoke again on this wonderful gospel. It's Holy Week, so the sermon was rather fitting. We opened to Matthew 7:21-23 and started with identifying the three types of people:

• 1. The saved, justified, and wholehearted followers of God.
• 2. The terminally religious who become involved in works and being owed something from Christ.
• 3. The unsaved, lost, and un-regenerated person 

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." - Matt. 7:21

Dr. Wheeler was not identifying the "back slid" (#2) to say that all Christians were in this state. He simply laid out the warning of becoming callous to the sacrifice of Christ. When Christ isn't all that we are, he becomes nothing that He should be. (That was all me... you can tweet that ;) But really, it struck me (more reminded me) - hit me like a thousand bricks that this message, this Jesus, should be the center of our conversations, our lives, and our actions.

Dr. Wheeler told this story of a young, 20-year-old man with Epilepsy who had every reason to stay quiet and hide on the "side lines" of life. But God got a hold of his life, and every day was a new adventure for him to share the gospel with strangers, with friends...and with people sitting at a stoplight! True story. He stuttered and stammered through most of the gospel presentation, but at least he was sharing. It was the overflow from the impact of the Gospel on his life. The last part of that story was this hope - -that when the day came when that man's named was called before Christ, thousands would stand and cheer because of his impact on their lives. (I got chills) Let that be me. Let me never makes excuses to shy away from Jesus. If I say that I love him, why wouldn't I want to talk about Him? I guess that's the question to you today. Where are you with Jesus Christ? Is He your everything? Is His sacrifice and resurrection the only hope that you have in life? Has the plague of being terminally religious crept into your life? Let the gospel of Jesus' payment of your sins and defeat of death in His resurrection saturate your whole being and radically transform your view  of Him today! 

Holy Week reading: Matthew 27: 27-31 

Guilty, vile, and helpless me;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bible Series: A Docudrama for Books

So, what does the most popular modern cable show and the largest Evangelical university have in common? Well, you know, the producers of such large projects obviously have to be friends! Kind of like best buds, but more formally...and professionally. I'm basically saying that we got the connections! Liberty students had the privilege to see extended footage of not-yet-aired episodes of this amazing show.

The TV miniseries called "The Bible" aired over three weeks ago on the History Channel and has since then gained the largest audience of ANY cable show on today. Take that Jersey Shore! ;) I hope some of you have caught at least a glimpse of this show - seen the plight of Abraham as he steps in faith through his journey or the epic deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt through God's servant, Moses - even the virgin birth of Jesus and his adulthood compassion on the people brought goose bumps to my soul...and arms. 

Jesus, as depicted in "The Bible"

As I watched Convocation on Wednesday in the comfort of my apartment, I was excited to hear Judah Smith, pastor of The City Church is Seattle, WA. He brought "the WORD" at Passion early on in 2013, and I was ready to hear some more profound 'hipster' truths! Bring it brotha! But, to my surprise, before Judah spoke, Johnnie Moore decided that we deserved a 7 minute clip of the next episode in "The Bible" Series..for free!! I was dying. I kind of love that show...so much! So, 7 minutes later, I had goose bumps again, was almost crying, and then got to hear from Judah Smith. What a day!

Regrettably, I did not attend the Easter Communion Campus Church event that night and missed another free 20-minute section of the episode. The Easter Communion was a special time of reflection of Jesus' death and resurrection as the Easter season approaches. A cross-shaped structure in the middle of the Vines Center held the elements for communion and students were encouraged to come and partake, as the Lord commanded. I've been to an event like this one before, and it's refreshing and really sets my heart straight to remember the sacrifice of Christ. The 20-minute episode spot showed the scene of Jesus' communion with His disciples as well as the events that occurred at Pentecost. 

Liberty University Easter Communion on March 20, 2013

Don't worry friends, I've been using my fact checking skills to follow this miniseries and its visual portrayal of the Bible. It's emotional. It's visually appealing. It's addicting. But it's also been accurate. I've even learned things from the Bible that I had never read before (and I've grown up in church all my life!). Sure, to crunch the entire Bible in 5 two-hour episodes is impossible - So, many scenes and stories were left out and shortened. But the message has been the same - we must trust God and Jesus is the ultimate Savior! Bravo to Mark Burnett for producing such an accurate, moving, and impactful production. It is a true example of taking back the secular culture to glorify God - Champion for Christ! 

Folly Beach and Sunburnt Legs

The nights of watching the tide creep up to my sunburnt legs...the days of bathing in the warm (but not too hot), spring sun...and the afternoons of doing nothing but reading stories from Elisabeth Elliot, basking in God's Word, and journaling for hours are...gone. Goodbye Spring Break! Hello final stretch to graduation!  

My friend and I were trying to figure out the right term for a person who takes pictures to tell the story of his or her life. Videography? No, that can't be it. Photographer? No, too general. Trust me, I think it took us a good two hours to find the right word. We will call this "personal photo journalism." That one has to be at least semi-correct, right? 

First day on the beach: freezing waters and overcast skies - still managed to get sunburned, hm...

First afternoon: walked the pier overlooking the entire beach and found a nice big chair - I felt so little!

Just me and my friend doing our thing - taking selfies, always :)

Second night: girl talk and a beach walk - refreshing!

Third day: Charleston bound - found the historic "Battery" downtown district - giving my battle cry!

Fourth day: plantation tours - beautiful Middleton plantation, one of dozens in the area

I found the animals to be my favorite part - draft horses, water buffalo, ducks, etc.

I don't think this one was taken on day four but it's from a cute, fairly unknown place called Folly Beach. It wraps up an amazing four-day getaway that turned out to be just what I needed. 

I thank God for days of rest, moments of encouragement from His Word, and friends to walk with me through this short period of time called life. 

"My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise YOU with joyful lips, when I remember YOU upon my bed, and meditate on YOU in the watches of the night." - Psalm 63:5-6

Spring Break for Dummies

It's March 8th! Yes! Yay! Perfect! I'm stoked! Like beyond happy! Sleep deprived...but pumped!! Why you may ask? Oh let me let you in on a little secret - - it may or may not be Spring Break at Liberty University. Ok, Ok, you're right - it IS that time for a  week-long, awesomely fun, relaxing, mind-numbing break! So, you're sitting around with your friends trying to figure out what to do. You could go home...But home is more than ten hours away. That kind of drive is usually not worth it for a week (I should know). You could just take a stay-cation and stay around Lynchburg...but really, who does that?? Oh, Oh I GOT IT! Pick me! You guys could go to the beach and spend four days sun-bathing, reading, exploring, and sleeping. How does that sound?

On Sunday my friend and I are off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard called the OCEAN! I feel like Liberty is strategically located to allow the mountains as an escape in one direction and the beach only a few hours away in the other direction. It's f-a-bulous!  Now you ask, "How would one go about planning such a trip on a college budget?" I got your answer in my pocket! Right here...Let me find it...Ok! Got it. Here we go!

1. Find a beach to visit

•    This feat may sound easy, but you're 3-6 hours from countless amounts of East Coast beaches. If you want to stay close, Virginia Beach is about a 3 hour drive straight east. If you pop down to North Carolina, there's the Outer Banks about 5.5 hours southeast. But, if you're like us and want somewhere a little bit more southern and tad bit warmer, try Myrtle Beach or Charleston, South Carolina - about a 5-6 hour drive to each place. Around this time, the weather is not extremely hot, but it should stay in, at least, the upper 60s. 

Distance from Liberty to Virginia Beach - 210 miles

Distance from Liberty to Myrtle Beach, SC - 310 miles

2. Find a place to stay

• This step might require connections, if you want to stay within your budget. For four days at a normal hotel, it would range you about $350-380, depending on the place. If you've got three people going, it might not be so bad. However, look for deals on sites like Expedia or stay with a relative that you may know. Maybe you know relative who gets discounts at certain hotel chains. Use your resources!

3. Calculate food and travel expenses before leaving

• It may seem simple, but buying three meals a day and driving that far (especially with gas prices these days) can get a little expensive. Try buy groceries for all of the breakfasts and a couple lunches - Pop-tarts, fruit, nuts, granola bars, peanut butter, bagels - these are all great ways to skip the $10 meal tickets that come with eating out. For travel expenses, make sure everyone knows before hand how much gas will cost. Usually a tank each way will do, so about $80-90 total, depending on your car

4. Research tourist must-sees and find addresses to your favorite spots

• In Charleston, plantations and historic buildings are all over the city. For us, we picked a local plantation called Middleton that will be about $15 for admission. Also, Myrtle Beach offers restaurants like Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe, so we plan on eating there for dinner. It only takes a Google search to find the "hot spots" for the area.

The Middleton Plantation house, can't wait to pet those sheep! :)

5. Finish all pending homework before break

• Just think, you can spend countless hours thinking about nothing but the waves in the ocean and the book that you're reading IF you just buckle down and finish any assignments due for the next week. If you're like me (which is highly unlikely), you stress over anything that is left undone. For me to truly relax, I have to know that my obligations have been taken care of. Ok, that's weird.. I know...Type A (It's rough...).

6. Find a good book to read while taking in some rays on the beach

• I thought of this one just a few days ago. Although the waves of the beautiful Atlantic might make for a sweet sight, that sight can not entertain me for six or seven hours. I took my good self into Life Way Bookstore and found a book called Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. Any books by her are great for women looking to lead godly lives. But, really, just find a book that encourages, makes you laugh, teaches, or just entertains. Try the Bible...I hear it's pretty great ;)

7. Go, forget your worries, relax, and have some fun

• For once, take a load off from school work and recharge your mind, body, and soul. Find an hour or two to meditate of God's Word and talk with Him - while taking in the vast shoreline of His creation. Try to make the vacation a real vacation. Sleep a lot! Eat a lot! and stay safe (might want to think about pepper spray, just for safety) 

Well, that's it. Peace out! I'm off to the BEACH! Happy Spring Break!