Sunday, April 24, 2011

God is for the Poor

Happy Easter.

Let me give you a little background on this post. On New Years Eve, my Pastor (Keith Battle; www.zionchurchonline.com) preached about spiritual pregnancy, meaning God designed you to share a special gift with the world....and the pregnancy is the care and toil you go through in order to actualize and share the gift.

At that time my family didn't even know I had applied to the Peace Corps, but I knew it was what God wanted me to do, and I was confident that this was the time to do it, but (like in 2007) I was nervous for the reaction from my family. But I prayed over it and now, looking back, while my family is still scared, they have become my biggest supporters and advocates through words and deeds. So over the last several months, I have with lots of care and plennnnnnty of toil worked on seeing this spiritual pregnancy through. Unfortunately, in the process, I've neglected a ton of friendships and subsequently, I've spent less time at church and serving in church.

Well, I went to Easter service with my family today and I couldn't be more thrilled by the message I heard and the confirmation I received about my journey. Main point: You may be in the worst situation but God sees you and can help you. This message furthered the month long point of how God is for the poor and since Jesus is no longer on Earth, we are the ones who should show compassion and serve the poor..

Today Zion Church RESURECTED the lives of five families! One family was blessed with a furnished home; next family was blessed with financial support for a double lung transplant; a third family was blessed with $10K to care for her sick child, the 4th family was blessed with rent for 6 months and other gifts, and the 5th family was blessed with a minivan! NOW THAT'S CHURCH! Zion...A Movement-Not a Monument!
My church is amazing!

I've had such a warm feeling all day in reflection of today. I am more excited and dedicated to serving in the Peace Corps (wherever placement sends me) because God is for people and while I still have a lot to learn in this life, I know I have a lot I can contribute to a community somewhere. Today was a great reminder to continue to see outside of my own needs and think/pray for the needs of others. We can get so caught up in the Peace Corps waiting game and the worry of where am I going, when am I going, will my nomination stick?! Believe me I've experienced all aspects of the R.A.S. but after today I've settled into a strange calm. Everything will happen just as it should, I just need to focus on bettering myself everyday so that I can be a better volunteer in the community to which I am placed.

okay now back to studying....3 weeks left in my [last]semester of grad school and less than 2 months until my students graduate and embark on their higher education journey. I've got a lot to be grateful for =)

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Medically Cleared!!!!

Yes!!!! After a very stressful month of sending numerous faxes over to Peace Corps (see previous post), I am medically cleared!!!!!!! I am excited to now begin the placement waiting process. My only concern is that I have to go to a region that can accommodate my shellfish allergy.... (anyone have any idea where that might be?!) I am hoping that provision still allows me to go to my original nomination region of Latin/South America.. but time will tell and I'm more connected to the idea of being a youth development volunteer =)

Sunday, April 10, 2011

It's been awhile

Hello everyone,

Its been awhile since I've been near a computer in which I could access this site. There have been a lot of highs and lows in this medical process thus far, I debated even blogging about it....but honestly, if some of you guys had not blogged about your own medical journey, my own experience would have been even more difficult. So in light of 'to whom much is given, much is required' I will share what has been happening over the past several weeks.

So that good or bad update form March 23 was a bad a update. The WORST possible update you could ever have. Seriously, I got a letter saying my allergy was so severe that I could not serve in the Peace corps. Not a one year deferral, or even a two year deferral.... NOT EVER!! Needless to say I was pretty devastated when I received this letter, and immediately called my mom (who isn't too thrilled about this but will always encourage me to pursue my dreams). So through a teary eyed convo with my mom, I learned that that my allergy wasn't really an allergy but I simply choked on some medicine. In order to still be considered for the Peace Corps, I had to send in a convincing appeal which would be reviewed by their medical board.

So what do I do? I drove to the hospital the next day, picked up ALL my files from my hospital visit over ten years ago, faxed it to my doctor who wrote me a letter (I waited for this letter for a week) and then faxed all of this (with a personal statement) to my PC nurse. She literally made a decision the same day and sent me a letter saying that my medical review can continue but she had an additional letter for me.

First thought: Yesssss thank GOD! Second thought: what else could they possibly need? Well actually they wanted a lot. They need a retest of one of my blood tests and several personal statements about my allergies to shellfish and garlic powder (don't ask about the latter one, its so weird) So I'm going to finish all this this week.

I am really THANKFUL that they started reviewing my file two weeks after it was in and that my nurse is SO on it. Even with all these mishaps, my medical file has still been in for only a month, hopefully I can wrap everything on my end this week. I'm just thankful to still have an opportunity to serve.

This medical process has reinforced my desire to serve in the Peace Corps. I see why people say the application process is a mini preview to serving. I've learned a lot about myself already and I've experienced the entire spectrum of emotions in this process. This is still my only plan so God willing I will be able to see it through.