Multi-Cultural New Years Celebration

Member Spotlight: Brittney

This beautiful, outgoing, and hilarious young lady is Brittney. Brittney has been a member of our ward for about three years and was recently released from the Relief Society presidency. Currently, she's serving as the Friday Forum coordinator for the institute, which means she is the source from which our $2 lunches flow. This would make her an ideal person to befriend. 

Ten Facts About Brittney:

1. Her birth name was Rebecca Black. She was forced to change it to Brittney after some wacko stole her identity and made a music video.

2. She may or may not (emphasis on "may not") be called to serve in India.

3. She has successfully convinced me, using photographic evidence, that she visited New Zealand in high school.

4. She was baptized by our ward's second counselor, Shane Sanders, when it was still appropriate to call him "Sugar Shane." (Not that we've stopped.)

5. She's learning how to play the piano. She already knows how to play some other instrument too... maybe the cello? (Sorry, B-Russ.)

6. She is slightly afraid of babies.

7. She wants to work for USAID after she graduates from college.

8. She is also known as "Brussels Sprouts."

9. If your book bag, cell phone, or any other possession you leave lying around the institute disappears, your best bet is to blame Brittney, and, if you're a man, ask someone to check the women's bathroom.

10. Despite first impressions, she is actually a reasonably responsible adult. 

Brycen's Baptism

Brycen was baptized on December 15th. I've been in some of his lessons, and I can tell you all that you should totally get to know Brycen when we get back from Christmas break. He's going to be such a huge asset to our ward family and those of us who know him are so excited to have him here!

Triple converts! Nicola couldn't make it, but here are 3/4 of our new converts from this semester!

Nicola's Baptism

Nicola got baptized on December 7th. Less than a week later, she went to the temple. This girl is on FIRE!! 

Operation Aloha

The last few days of the Clemmers' mission in West Virginia. :)

Member Spotlight: Brad

Before we start complaining about bias in the spotlight selections, I'm working from a randomized list of wardies and institute attendees. 

This is Brad, our fearless leader. He's been the institute council president for the past three semesters and has been in our ward since the fall of 2009, so he probably doesn't need much of an introduction.

Fun Facts About Brad:

1. He served a mission in Brasilia, Brazil from July 2010 - July 2012. 
2. He's a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering at WVU. His career goal has something to do with stem cells -- ask him about it. 
3. He has a love for all food, especially anything coconut flavored. 
4. He's the oldest of seven children. His brother Steven was in our ward before leaving to serve as a missionary in Mexico in July 2012, just days before Brad came home from Brazil. They're wearing the same shirt in their pictures on the bulletin board. 
5. His favorite scripture is 2 Nephi 4:19 where it says "nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted."
6. He played lacrosse in high school and had a hilarious nickname I won't share here. 
7. He visits the temple every month and has been a temple worker since August. 
8. His birthday is December 5th, the same day the Clemmers are leaving. 
9. He was one of the original wearers of toe shoes in the ward. 
10. He's best-known for bobbing his head before he speaks and being late for everything. It's pretty endearing.

For more pictures of Brad... and me... usually from behind... you can contact Brittney, the creep.

Member Spotlight: Chiedu

This lovely lady is Chiedu. She isn't technically a member of our ward anymore because she moved back to Utah to prepare for her service as a missionary in the Philippines Cavite Mission starting December 18th, but she gets to be the first member spotlighted on the blog because she asked really nicely. ;) 

Fun Facts About Chiedu:

1. She's from Hurricane, Utah, which happens to be pronounced just as oddly as Hurricane, West Virginia. Before that, she lived in New York. 
2. She moved to West Virginia to live with her dad when she was 17, which made her the youngest person in our ward for a while.
3. Her birthday is March 16 -- don't forget to send her a birthday letter!
4. She has a not-twin brother, Obike, who is also preparing to serve a mission.
5. Her sister Ogacha has one of the cutest little girls I've ever seen.
6. She has a mission prep binder that's more extensive than anything I've ever used in college.
7. She knows at least one phrase in Tagalog... and she knows how to say "Tagalog."
8. She kept her plans to serve a mission a secret from everyone, even her family, until she opened her call.
9. She does not study Biochemistry. 
10. She's one of the artists of the beautiful painting hanging on the door of the Clemmers' office. 

Good luck in the Philippines, Chiedu! We love you!

Photo Scavenger Hunt

For FHE last week, we had a photo scavenger hunt. We started out as boys vs. girls, but the gender lines got a bit blurred by the time we were done.

Team A: Julie, Brittney, Heather, Brad, Sister Wood, & Sister Curtis
Team B: Brandon, Chiedu, Evie, Obike, Elder Hadfield, & Elder Sorenson

#1: Mountaineer Statue

#2: Don Knotts Star

#3: Someone wearing a Halloween costume

#4: Take a picture with someone who has the same first name

Team B was full of cheaters, exhibit one...

#5: Pretend to be arrested

#6: Take a picture with a dog

#7: West coast license plate

#8: Someone with crazy hair

Team B gets amnesty for all their CHEATING because they took a picture with Pita Pit Guy...

#9: Team member pretends to do someone else's job

#10: Ride the PRT to the medical campus and take a picture with a doctor 

Nobody did this one because it was ridiculous and we only had an hour

#11: Picture in front of a sorority house and a frat house

Team A actually read the directions ;)

#12: Group picture in front of Woodburn Hall

#13: A bowling ball from the Mountainlair Games Area

#14: A red leaf

#15: Grumbian Island

#16: Green car

#17: Philippines flag in the Mountainlair 

That's team A by the way... team B couldn't find it, even with Chiedu

#18: The mormon.org card in Clark Hall

 Team B was full of cheaters, exhibit two... they stuck their own card on a board instead of looking for the one that was already there.