Hello all!!

My name is Lauren Veitch (pronounced like 'beach' but with a v!), and I am super excited about meeting you all! It's already been really cool just to read about you! I live in Cartersville, GA and have two older brothers. Jimmy is 21 and has a 4 y.o. little girl, Mikensey, who is absolutely precious, and a 21 m. o., Logan, who is also quite precious! Philip is 19, and is my complete opposite. I'm not really close to either of my brothers (though I do love them to death), but my parents are basically my best friends. I was homeschooled for all my life, and I also graduated a year early (but didn't skip a grade..). Most people would describe me as mature for my age..I was born 40 basically. I like to have fun, but I'm normally serious-minded, logical, and responsible. Which sounds really boring...Anyways, I am in my first year of college at Carson-Newman College, which is in the huge town (not) of Jefferson City, TN. I absolutely LOVE school and the people that I've met here. I'm a nutrition major, which is slightly deceptive because I love to eat, and I have a large sweet tooth. I am on the leadership team of BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) here on campus. Currently I'm helping organize the Wed. night worship services, but I am applying for the outreach and missions teams for next year. I have three jobs on campus and work about 14 hours a week. I work in the Annual Fund Office, calling and asking CN alumni for donations; in the library as a student worker; and with Campus Ministries scanning ID cards at chapel and other events. 

In my spare time, which there's not much of during the week, I like to read, cook, bake, watch movies with the girls, go on hikes (though I don't get to do that much), drink coffee, take walks, have God talks, talk with my friends, read ridiculous Yahoo! articles, listen to Pandora etc. Speaking of music, I listen to mostly Christian music; I also like bands with sounds similar to Needtobreathe. I hate questions like that (what do you do in spare time), because I can never really think of what I like to do. One of you mentioned camping..I haven't been in a couple years, but my family used to go all of the time, and I love it. But I don't like to fish. I also don't like sports..that could be because I am not good at them and don't understand them. I do like to watch hockey and basketball, though. I HATE running. I do go to the gym several times a week, but only to stay healthy..exercise isnt 'fun' to me (I wish it were!). 

Hmm..what makes me unique. That's hard too. Well, I'm 17 and in college. I'm the first in my near family to go to school. OH! I get to spend my 18th birthday with you all wonderful people! I'm super excited about that! I danced with a company for the last 3 years, but dance isn't really my thing (ironic, I know). I don't enjoy primping or 'girl' stuff a whole lot. Don't get me wrong, I wear make up and watch chick flicks, but I'm not a pink and frills kind of girl. I can't think of anything else particularly interesting..

Mission experience..well, I've never ever done any trip like this one! I have been to Trinidad with my dance group on a 1 week trip, but we mostly just performed and danced, although we did go to an orphanage for an afternoon. I've been on a 1 week trip to Tampa, FL with my youth group and the past two summers I've participated in a 4-day mission trip to your own community kind of thing, which was actually pretty cool. Over fall break I went to Nashville with BCM and got to do a variety of things there. Finally, this spring break I'm going to Philadelphia for a homeless ministry trip. So I've never done anything anywhere near as intense as this trip will be, which is scary and exciting all at the same time! I'm super pumped about going to Africa with you all and being able to tag along for whatever God is going to do there. I've had a heart for Africa for a few years now, but God has kept telling me to wait on Him, and has kept the mission trip door closed. So when I discovered AIM and everything fell into place..well, that was the best week of my life! I don't know why God has chosen me for this trip (except because he is gracious and loving like that) or how he'll be able to use me, but I'm pumped to find out. That sounded like I expect God to do something amazing with me, but that's not how I meant it. Let's try again: I'm pumped for God to grow me and challenge me like I've never been challenged before, and I'm excited to be able to witness His kingdom grow. Further, I hope that going on this trip and the experiences we all have will teach me to be bold here at home in the States. One thing God has been working on me about it my influence here, everyday. While I strive to be intentional about my actions and attitudes, I know I still have so far to go, and I hope this trip will help me get there. 

I don't know if I'm called to missions for a long-term career, for occasional short-term trips, or just for this trip, but I am totally open for whatever He does call me to do. How awesome would it be to be able to see the world while sharing Christ with the nations? I will admit to you all that while I'm excited and can't wait, I'm also scared. I have no clue what to expect, and I am definitely a spoiled American. So hopefully God will strip me of my reliance on comfort and stuff while we're gone! I'm not one for cold showers (or no showers for that and I agree. I know that I need molding and purifying before we leave, and I am just praying that God will prepare me (and each of you) for this trip in whatever way necessary. 

Well, I think that's about all for now. I can't wait to get to know you all more and to be able to do through this amazing experience with you all! You are in my prayers and God bless!

Lauren