So I have about a week and a half left in Australia and I wanted to give a few of the highlights of what Jess and I have done so far...
Took a dingo for a walk
Saved a duck from impending death by a dog
Saw the Sydney Opera House while hiking all around the city in one day
Went to the Hillsong Church for a Christmas Spectacular that wasn't quite so spectacular
Made friends with Jenny the wallaby
Hugged a koala
Yes, I know that most of my highlights have to do with some kind of Australian animal. Oh well. It's been fun. Let's hope the next half is just as great.
Miss you all, hope you are having fun in all the snow!
PS- on a Peace Corps/Malawi note, as Jess and I made the 10 hr trek to Sydney, I got a great feeling of what Malawi is going to be like as I was looking at the scenery out of the car window. And I'm pumped!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
off to Australia
I am leaving in 12 hours for Australia! As compared to what I know I will be like in 2 months, I am relatively stress-free. Mostly I am just excited to spend 3 weeks with my friend Jess!
On a side note... I've been doing a lot of research on Malawi, talking to some people who know about the country as well, and trying to read up on what life will be like for me over there. And overall, I have been very encouraged. As per my last post, I have been a bit nervous and stressed, but I have been repeatedly assured that I am following the Lord's will for my life. And how can I be worried when I know God's in control? Some days we all just need a little perspective...
Happy Holidays from down under!
"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
On a side note... I've been doing a lot of research on Malawi, talking to some people who know about the country as well, and trying to read up on what life will be like for me over there. And overall, I have been very encouraged. As per my last post, I have been a bit nervous and stressed, but I have been repeatedly assured that I am following the Lord's will for my life. And how can I be worried when I know God's in control? Some days we all just need a little perspective...
Happy Holidays from down under!
"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
here comes the anxiety
It has been five days since I found out that I will be going to Malawi. The excitement over it all is still definitely there, however the nervousness and anxiety has hit me quite hard. I keep asking myself if I am really one of those people who can not only survive, but thrive and be effective in an environment completely foreign to me for two whole years...yikes. I mean, I'd like to think I am strong enough, but one never knows until placed in that situation.
So, that's what has been on my mind these past few days. Don't get me wrong, I am over the moon right now about being able to live out a dream I have had for the past year. But still...
So, that's what has been on my mind these past few days. Don't get me wrong, I am over the moon right now about being able to live out a dream I have had for the past year. But still...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
to the Warm Heart of Africa
Today it finally arrived - my invitation to... Malawi. No, not Maui. And yes, the place where Madonna adopted a baby. Until this afternoon, that was all I pretty much knew about the country.
It's so hard to describe how I felt opening the letter. I had a list of countries in my head where I thought they would send me and Malawi was definitely not a place I expected them to send me. I'm not really sure why.
But it's finally here. IT. The invitation. Crazy to think that I've waited over a year for a big envelope to arrive at my door. I will be leaving February 24 and my job title is "Community Natural Resource Management/Forestry and Parks Extension" volunteer. That's a mouthful. And it certainly didn't sound at first like anything to do with business advising, but after reading about the program in Malawi and the Environment/Natural Resource program, I believe that I might even have the opportunity to mix my desire for business/entrepreneurship and my passion for animals!
So excited beyond words right now!
It's so hard to describe how I felt opening the letter. I had a list of countries in my head where I thought they would send me and Malawi was definitely not a place I expected them to send me. I'm not really sure why.
But it's finally here. IT. The invitation. Crazy to think that I've waited over a year for a big envelope to arrive at my door. I will be leaving February 24 and my job title is "Community Natural Resource Management/Forestry and Parks Extension" volunteer. That's a mouthful. And it certainly didn't sound at first like anything to do with business advising, but after reading about the program in Malawi and the Environment/Natural Resource program, I believe that I might even have the opportunity to mix my desire for business/entrepreneurship and my passion for animals!
So excited beyond words right now!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Me?! I'm going to Africa???
The day has finally come! I got the phone call from my placement officer yesterday that I've been invited and that I will get it by mail hopefully on Monday or Tuesday. I will be getting an envelope that tells me exactly where, when, more specifics on the assignment, etc.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I truly have so much to be thankful for, aside from receiving something I've been waiting over a year for. I have an awesome family who supports me and a wonderful, healthy nephew whom we get to spend more time with.
More updates to follow soon!
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I truly have so much to be thankful for, aside from receiving something I've been waiting over a year for. I have an awesome family who supports me and a wonderful, healthy nephew whom we get to spend more time with.
More updates to follow soon!
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Countdown
18 days until AUSTRALIAAAA and I get to see my wonderful friend Jessica Newlin!
Am I getting excited yet? YES! I can't believe it's been almost a year since we've seen each other. I just keep dreaming of dingoes and Hillsong...
HOWEVER, I still haven't heard much from the Peace Corps, other than that I know for sure that my Placement Officer has my file which is a good sign. So, I have no idea whether or not I will be hearing from them before I leave. Arghhh
But God is still in control and I know that I have so much to be thankful for. Hm... a good reminder for this upcoming holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Another lull...
I haven't updated in a while because frankly, there just doesn't seeem like much to update on.
One of the difficult parts of this process is the time in between each milestone when it seems that all I do is just wait around to hear from the headquarters. I was incredibly excited to be medically qualified and although I know it was a huge hurdle to get through, I am still not done. I am still guaranteed of nothing. So it definitely tests my patience and my faith in God's plan for my life, but I think that there is plenty to be learned in this meantime.
One small development is that I called the Office of Placement two days ago. I am traveling to Australia to see one of my best friends for 3 weeks in December (look for a forthcoming post on that one!) and I was concerned that if I get my invitation while I was away that I would not be able to officially accept it. Anyway, the placement assistant said that there is a possibility I could receive my invite before I leave. What an absolute blessing that would be!
So if you would like to pray for me, please pray that I receive my invite before I leave for Australia on December 12th!
Again, thanks for your prayers, concerns, and for even reading this blog. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have people in my life who care enough to take part of this journey in my life...
One of the difficult parts of this process is the time in between each milestone when it seems that all I do is just wait around to hear from the headquarters. I was incredibly excited to be medically qualified and although I know it was a huge hurdle to get through, I am still not done. I am still guaranteed of nothing. So it definitely tests my patience and my faith in God's plan for my life, but I think that there is plenty to be learned in this meantime.
One small development is that I called the Office of Placement two days ago. I am traveling to Australia to see one of my best friends for 3 weeks in December (look for a forthcoming post on that one!) and I was concerned that if I get my invitation while I was away that I would not be able to officially accept it. Anyway, the placement assistant said that there is a possibility I could receive my invite before I leave. What an absolute blessing that would be!
So if you would like to pray for me, please pray that I receive my invite before I leave for Australia on December 12th!
Again, thanks for your prayers, concerns, and for even reading this blog. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have people in my life who care enough to take part of this journey in my life...
Friday, October 2, 2009
One Last Step
So I received the letter in the mail today saying that I am OFFICIALLY medically qualified for service in Africa and all I can think is that it's about time. I can't believe I've waited six months just to hear this news but I am very happy all the same.
Again, all that is left is for me to receive (or not receive) an official invitation. But honestly, who knows how long that will take. It could be weeks or even a few months. But things are still moving forward, no matter how slow it may seem. So I am extremely encouraged and hopefully take it as a sign from the Lord that this is what He wants from me.
I am really really thankful for the people in my life who have prayed for me and have been constantly asking me for updates during this process. So if that's YOU, then I want to sincerely THANK YOU. I can't tell you how appreciative I am. And I ask for continued prayers because this next step is really huge and decides as to when, where, and even if I am going to Africa.
PTL!
Again, all that is left is for me to receive (or not receive) an official invitation. But honestly, who knows how long that will take. It could be weeks or even a few months. But things are still moving forward, no matter how slow it may seem. So I am extremely encouraged and hopefully take it as a sign from the Lord that this is what He wants from me.
I am really really thankful for the people in my life who have prayed for me and have been constantly asking me for updates during this process. So if that's YOU, then I want to sincerely THANK YOU. I can't tell you how appreciative I am. And I ask for continued prayers because this next step is really huge and decides as to when, where, and even if I am going to Africa.
PTL!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Medically Cleared?!
Wow, so God chose to work really fast in this situation...
I just got an email this morning saying that "A decision has been reached regarding your medical review. Please look for a letter in the mail". Funny how this decision came about 12 hours after I wrote my last post. I am speechless right now. Thank You Lord!
Although this does not mean that I am officially cleared, I believe that it is very good news. I have to remind myself at each step in this process not to get my hopes up because nothing is guaranteed.
So for those of you that have prayed for me, THANK YOU. I truly appreciate it. God is so good.
Next stop...getting a placement officer and hopefully receiving my official inviation!
I just got an email this morning saying that "A decision has been reached regarding your medical review. Please look for a letter in the mail". Funny how this decision came about 12 hours after I wrote my last post. I am speechless right now. Thank You Lord!
Although this does not mean that I am officially cleared, I believe that it is very good news. I have to remind myself at each step in this process not to get my hopes up because nothing is guaranteed.
So for those of you that have prayed for me, THANK YOU. I truly appreciate it. God is so good.
Next stop...getting a placement officer and hopefully receiving my official inviation!
Monday, September 28, 2009
It's been a long journey, but there's still more to go
Hey Everybody,
Welcome to my blog! For those of you who know, I am hoping to go to Africa in February with the Peace Corps. My program is in Business Advising and right now I am waiting to have my medical application cleared so that I can eventually receive a final invitation. Long story short, I have been in this process for a year now and most days it feels as if it will never happen. But I trust in God's plan for my life and I continue to pray that this is His will for me. If not, I know that God is still good.
As far as a timeline goes, I am hoping to be meidcally cleared in the next few weeks, then I will hopefully receive a final inviation that will specify further which country I will be going to, what exactly I will be doing, etc.
So in the meantime, I would GREATLY appreciate prayer. Specifically, that this process would be speedy and that I can receive my final invitation soon.
Thank you all.
Welcome to my blog! For those of you who know, I am hoping to go to Africa in February with the Peace Corps. My program is in Business Advising and right now I am waiting to have my medical application cleared so that I can eventually receive a final invitation. Long story short, I have been in this process for a year now and most days it feels as if it will never happen. But I trust in God's plan for my life and I continue to pray that this is His will for me. If not, I know that God is still good.
As far as a timeline goes, I am hoping to be meidcally cleared in the next few weeks, then I will hopefully receive a final inviation that will specify further which country I will be going to, what exactly I will be doing, etc.
So in the meantime, I would GREATLY appreciate prayer. Specifically, that this process would be speedy and that I can receive my final invitation soon.
Thank you all.
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