Good afternoon! Or morning, or evening, whenever you are reading this. 

      I am Megan Collins, nice to meet all of you! I'm super excited to read about each of you and how God has led you to this particular trip.

      So, a little about myself... I live in Morton, Illinois, which is just outside of Peoria. I was actually born in Neenah, Wisconsin and my family moved down here when I was about 8 years old. (I like to say that because Wisconsin is awesome, and Illinois is just random. Really, who moves to Illinois? I dare you to name someone who has done so by choice.) I have a brother, Kyle (20 years old in March) who just moved to Colorado Springs in January. He's training to be a firefighter. I miss him. I am totally into his business all the time, and I just learned he met a girl. And is smitten :) I hear wedding bells! I also have a sister, Shelby (12), who will be starting junior high next year. Gulp.  It is so incredibly weird. Every day I look at her and she looks older, which makes me feel old. But it's awesome watching her grow and mature in Christ, and its a joy to be a part of that.

      I actually graduated a semester early from high school this past December, and am only in my first semester of college. One of the many reasons I graduated early was because I was considering going on a semester-long missions trip. I felt God leading me to missions about a year ago, so I started praying about it. As I contacted different organizations, it was a ride to watch God open and close opportunities for me. Eventually, God led me to AIM and this trip in particular.

      The only previous missions experience I've had is with my youth group; we have gone to four different states on five or six different trips in the past five or six years (they all run together!). Each was only a short week long. This is my first international and extended stay missions trip, and I am absolutly pumped about it! I know God has called me to missions; whether it is full time or just this trip, I'm not sure yet. Either way, my future is pretty open. 

      I am still considering what to study throughout college, or even where to go to college. I am currently attending a local community college, and am looking forward to transfering somewhere else. I have a couple of ideas about what to study, but like I said I don't know where God wants me yet. I'm thinking about going into English and eventually working in a publishing house, going into social work or psychology, or maybe doing something with international studies. But I will not be surprised at all if I end up doing something completely unrelated to all three!

     I work at a Ford Dealership as a receptionist about 20 hours a week. I've worked there for about a year and a half and honestly don't enjoy it a whole lot. But, a job is a job and I am SO grateful to have it. I get to work with and meet some interesting people.

     In my free time I read, watch movies and/or the shows Psych and MASH--my all-time favorites, no doubt!-- and go on long bike rides. Some of friends and I attempt to find other things to do around here when it's warm, such as kayak down the Illinois River--that water is so nasty. I have attempted mountain biking before and have the bruises to show it, but have never gotten into it. 

I live for spontaneous adventure, and I love to eat, to talk, to laugh, and to serve other people. Doing all five simultaneously is prefereable :)

     An interesting fact about me is that a handful of my friends call me Luang. Pronounced Loo- ang. I'm sure there is a story behind why, but I don't remember. I almost wonder if it just kind of happened with no explanation.

    I lead a freshman girl's bible study at my church (freshman in high school) which is really cool. We just started going through Colossians a few weeks ago. It's something that I constantly pray about: that these girls really listen and take something away from the Word of God each week and apply it to their lives. It has been so awesome to watch them grow, and one is going to be baptized soon, yay!!! I also help with 3s and 4s on Sunday mornings, which is a blessing. Kids are crazy haha. But I love watching them learn and grow. Honestly, I'm not a total kid person, but I love being with them and just lovin' on them when I have the opportunity. I really love mentoring people around my age, just sharing the love of Christ with them. It is so cool to see a thirst and hunger to love and know Him more!

    God has really been working on my heart this semester, and I'm praying he's working on your's too. He's been teaching me a lot about swallowing pride and having true, genuine faith in Him. I absolutley love it. It's been hard, but so awesome! I'm excited for this summer, I know it will be mind-blowing in so many ways!

I can't wait to serve with you all!!

With love,

Megan