Here I am in my small room with no electricity, running water, comfy toilet, hot shower or TV! What’s an American to do!? Be grateful for what I do have, which is a wonderful host family that consists of my Mama, who is superwoman if I’ve ever seen her.  A Papa, who is sensitive to [...]

I am currently on the train to Philadelphia where I will have a full day of orientation and meet the 20 or so other Americans that will be sharing in this journey with me. Excited is no longer the word to describe how I am feeling. While I’m a bit anxious as to what is [...]

In 4 months exactly I’ll be on a plane to Rwanda (still hard to wrap my mind around this). I’ve dreamed of the day daily and it is soon approaching. It was just 2 months ago that I received my invitation and thought I’d concern myself with preparing in the new year. So here I [...]

Many movies have been made about the Rwandan genocide here is the most recent and the director is a Return Peace Corps Volunteer. new-rwandan http://www.kinyarwandamovie.com/

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never SURRENDER.” Tupac By the time I leave for Rwanda it will be 2 years since I started the application PROCESS for Peace Corps. In those 2 years I’ve experienced some life altering circumstances. Most significantly being [...]

Lira is a BEAUTIFUL singer from South Africa, she inspires me in so many ways. Her music has been the soundtrack for this new season of my life. Please look her up, you won’t be disappointed I am a child born of love So let Love remain in my heart and my mind Let love [...]

Thank you for your interest in my blog. Feel free to contact with me with any questions. The PC application process requires much patience and flexibility. Best wishes to you in your journey!!!

LOL!! excited and anxious is exactly what I'm feeling. Me too....

I am sooooooooooo excited and anxious for you!!! I feel like Im going. Can't wait til this new chapter of your life begins....

Congratulations Paul!!! What a wonderful opportunity!! I'm definitely going to check out this book and some of the others, thanks for sharing!! Take care :)

Hello, Congratulations on going to the Peace Corp. I have been considering signing up and just signed up last night. Please continue to post your adventure. I have so many questions and even though we do not know one another, your excitement is contagious. I am a single mom of four. My children are "newly" grown so it is time for me to spread my wings. I have taught for 15 years and hope to be able to take a leave to join the Crops. One of my girls and my son would like to do the same. I will be checking in regularly. I am so excited and nervous for you. Renee/Nashville

Yeah, I got a new job in DC as a development director with an international aid organization. Part of the job is to develop and lead international service projects in South America, Africa, and in DC. I'm so happy to hear that you're going to Rwanda, you will be great!!!! BTW, if you haven't read it, get the book "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza- an awesome, awesome book about the genocide in Rwanda. Check it out: http://www.lefttotell.com/

Thanks Paul!!! I'm so excited never thought Rwanda was even an option. I think it will be a perfect fit for me :) New job in Zambia?! What?! You'll definitely have to come for a visit!! I must visit Zambia too!!! Take care!!

I'm so happy for you! I should be in Zambia for my new job some time before the end of next year, or the beginning of 2013. I'd love to come and visit you in Rwanda, That's one place in Africa that I haven't been. Be assured of my prayers for you and your family as you get ready to depart from them and begin this amazing journey! All the best, Paul

I received my invitation last week, I’ll be serving in Rwanda!!!!!!!!! I leave in May 2012 and my official title is Community Health Agent. I am still overwhelmed with emotion so this blog will be short and sweet I hope to later post on how family and friends received the news, my overall excitement that [...]

Wonderful! I am in the same situation as you and I grew from the resentfulness of not being placed right after college but I see it as an AMAZING blessing. I hope you all the luck!

“If chasing your dreams is robbing you of your peace, start giving more thanks for where you are until you get to where you are going”. Kirk Franklin      After coming across this quote I began to be thankful that although there was a delay in the Peace Corps process (read last post), I was [...]

I thought I’d wait until I received my invitation before updating again but who knows when that will be so here we go…. As I was drafting another post I received news that not only changed the content of this post but my service in the Peace Corps. It’s true, the best way to make [...]

Happy belated birthday! We share the same birthday! Keeping my fingers crossed that you get your invitation soon. Shunda P.S. I am friends with your sister Litithea and Jacquee's sister.

After reading a few journals this week it seems as though placement is getting settled into the new office, getting re-acquainted after the holiday and re-placing volunteers who were going to Guinea. This gives me hope that my invitation is soon to come. I have to laugh at myself when it comes to pushing the [...]

It will only be a matter of time until you find out where you're going (and where I'll be visiting)!! Try not to let that RAS get the best of you!

I’m deep in the what Peace Corps applicants call RAS, Restless Applicant Syndrome. In an attempt to reduce my symptoms I emailed the Placement Office on Nov. 1 with this: “I am waiting as patiently as possible for the final placement review, in the meantime is there anything I can do such as starting an [...]

Your are my sunshine my darling sunshine thats why I love you please don't take my sunshine away,I'm so very proud of everything you have done and plan to do it will work out in God's timing and you no he's on time.LOVE THE BLOG Keep rising to the top!!!! My best Litithea

We all know that PC strongly suggests not making drastic changes until you receive an invitation (January?). However, I just cannot imagine a 6-week window to get everything done in preparation to leave for 2-years. I ‘m so close to an invitation I can taste it!!! The medical clearance was the biggest hurdle and I’ve [...]

oooops....i didnt read the prior post.....well.....Patience is a virtue (lol)

Thanks Kylene!!! I've read a few of your entries and you seem to have patience...LOL I'm praying I have more than 6 weeks to prepare to leave!!! Thanks for the info and advice, very helpful!!

I thought by now I would have heard something! I’ve read blogs and most applicants have heard from placement within a week after receiving medical clearance. I received clearance on the 22nd and haven’t heard NADA, no email, NOTHING. I’ve been watching my cell phone like a hawk…LOL I’m leaving for a cruise on Sunday [...]

Not sure how to formulate this entry because so much has happened since I submitted my medical packet. This has been the longest part of the waiting process thus far and the reality is I could be leaving the country to serve in the Peace Corps!! Medical clearance was fairly smooth, since submitting my medical [...]

“…is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” While cruising PC journals it became clear to me that I will be able to be creative again. This excited me because I have been lacking creatively. I can remember creating crafts, dances, jewelry,  clothes, hair styles, curtains, and a vanity set [...]

Quick update: I mailed  my medical packet on June 14th. I haven’t been obsessed with checking the Peace Corps toolkit mainly because I have found there is a delay in between the time I receive an email and the actual updates. So I randomly checked my toolkit late Sunday (June 18th) evening and learned my [...]

Originally written June 13, 2010 I feel/felt as though that serving in the PC meant putting life as I know it on PAUSE, that includes everyone that I know too. Well, I learned a lesson this week as I grieve the loss of my younger sister.  Life will go on, people in my life will [...]

Originally written June 2, 2010 Time was the theme today, my supervisor’s client was late to her therapy appointment today (by an hour) because she reported she does not have a clock in her home. This was HILARIOUS to me. No cell phone, microwave, cable box to check the time. I wish I could go [...]

Originally written May 24, 2010 May 8, 2010 I received my medical packet and had my first Dr.’s appointment on May 10, 2010. I had a follow-up appointment on May 20, 2010 to receive lab results and complete remaining medical documents (a BEAST!!). I left the Dr.’s office feeling so thankful for HEALTH. This was [...]

Originally written May 1, 2010 A writer I am not. I am however, ME evolving in every way, living life in my lane blossoming and breaking out of my cocoon. As I prepare to embark on a journey in which my Creator is calling me to, I hope to share every aspect of this journey [...]