Name:Hey! I’m Louanne Elliott. Sorry, that’s probably a little confusing. My first name is Ivy and I’ve been filling out all the stuff with “Ivy” because that’s what’s on my passport. Louanne is my middle name and I just go by that. I also answer to Lou, lou-lou and many other variations.

The Where:I am from Florence, Al. Since many of you have mentioned accents, I don’t think I have an Alabama accent, although people from the north have told me I do have an occasional southern drawl. Also, I do say “ya’ll,” like it’s my job.

Academia:Currently, I am a sophomore at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa…Roll Tide!:) Right now I’m majoring in Public Relations with a minor in English but that could very well change. I honestly have no idea what I want to do with my life, and I’m perfectly ok with that.

Killing Time: In my free time, I just like being around people and talking, laughing and relaxing. When my friends and I hang out, we’re either stuffing our faces at the sorority house or going to see a movie. I’m a sucker for games: Apples to Apples, Last Word, Charades and RUMMY! I’m terrible at rummy, but I love it. On campus, I’m involved in IJM, show choir and I’m also in a sorority: Kappa Alpha Theta.

Likes:  I love to sing! I’m one those people that randomly bursts into song so I apologize in advance.  I love to dance (not well) and write! Other random things I like would be hot wings and coffee (not together of course), naps, animals, traveling, Broadway and chacos.

Dislikes:I dislike anything mathematical, loud ticking clocks and politics- as much as I want to, I just can’t get into it.

Previous Experience:In summer 2008 and 2009 I went to Latvia and stayed at a camp for 2 weeks that was a 10 minute walk from the Baltic Sea. My team and I put on a retreat for Latvian and even some Lithuanian teens. The time I spent in Latvia is indescribable. I still keep in touch with some of those teens. I also volunteer at other retreats through my church back at home.

The Nit N' Gritty: What I’m excited about for this trip is just to be able to completely immerse myself in God and his purpose and just get away from superficial garb for a while. I’m really excited to see what the Lord is going to do and I know he has great things in store for us. The other night at church, we were singing “The Glory of It All” by David Crowder and there is a part in the song that says, “We will never be the same,” and ya’ll were absolutely put on my heart when I heard those words. God is about to use us in amazing ways and things will never be the same. The people we minister to will never be the same. I keep up with the current Kenya blog a little bit and that same night, I read someone’s entry that was talking about the moments that change us and it said, “you will never be the same.” I’m so ready to be alongside you all as we come together and show the people of Kenya the Love of Jesus. Matthew 28: 18-20