We are excited to welcome Carli Rau to the family! Carli came to the New River Valley in 2014 where she began studying engineering at Virginia Tech. If you haven’t yet met Carli, make sure you introduce yourself to her at church on Sunday morning.
Tell us a little about yourself:
Carli is from Warrenton Virginia, which is about an hour and a half outside of Washington, D.C. Two of her older sisters also graduated from Virginia Tech, so the familiarity of Blacksburg was a big motivator for Carli to come here and complete her undergraduate degree.
What or who brought you to Northstar?
Several people I knew through Cru and others mentioned Northstar, so I decided to visit (plus they offered rides) and immediately liked the church and the people.
Where is the best place in Blacksburg to go out to dinner?
Hmm, there’s several good ones! I’d have to say Avellinos for Italian, Cookout for milkshakes, and Cabo for tried-and-true tacos.
What makes living in Blacksburg different than where you grew up?
First off, everything is much more convenient; the grocery store is less than 5 min away! Secondly, people are so friendly and helpful!
What is your favorite family tradition?
With regards to Christmas traditions at least, probably Christmas baking is my favorite, especially when we can do it together as a family. We make this sweet Alsatian bread, give away a lot of it to friends, and eat it on Christmas morning. It tastes so yummy!
What is your favorite thing about Northstar?
I love how Northstar strives to make everyone feel included and and is a family-like community.
What is one thing that you have learned since coming to Northstar?
I’ve learned how important it is to continually find ways to grow in your relationship with Jesus and not let it get stagnant. I’ve also learned the importance of serving in the community (being the church) such as Be’n’go Sunday to show people that Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mk 10:45a).
Where are you currently serving in Northstar and what is it like to serve there?
I’m currently serving with the children’s ministry, which Julie Jewell is head of, and I alternate between the nursery and toddlers. It’s fun getting to know the kids and their personalities as well as their families. It definitely has helped me branch out of just the college and GAP groups and get to know other people in Northstar.