“All we are, we are. And every day is the start of something beautiful.”
--Matt Nathanson

Tears stream down my face as the speed of the airplane taking off pushes me back into my seat.  I get one final glimpse of the beautiful Columbia River.  Inhale. Exhale. As the lush, evergreen landscape below transforms into dry brown Midwestern fields—my sadness slowly becomes excitement.  Inhale. Exhale.  This is it.  The beginning of the rest…

It’s tough to pinpoint when exactly my Peace Corps journey began.  It had always been an option, but I never seriously entertained the idea of applying.  I never thought I was brave enough, adventurous enough, or committed enough to be a Peace Corps Volunteer.  But perhaps the greatest barrier was my reluctance to relinquish control over my future—where I would go, what I would do—to the Peace Corps administration.

But then things changed.  I got caught up in the excitement and hope surrounding a different kind of  presidential candidate.  His faith in the kindness and greatness of the American people echoed the lessons I had learned during my summers spent exploring distant countries.  I was motivated by his call for young Americans to serve at home and abroad. 

So I decided to give Peace Corps a chance.  As the days, weeks and months of the application process went by, I became more and more convinced that the Peace Corps was exactly what I should be doing.  I answered the call and joined the Peace Corps.

Life is calling…