From Bama to the Borderland: One Year

March 20th was a very big anniversary for me. Last year, on this day, I boarded a plane to Washington D.C. in order to begin my adventure as a Peace Corps volunteer. Two days later, I boarded another plane that took me to a country full of new people and experiences. I left behind all of my loved ones and the life that I had always known in order to embark on a journey that I always knew I was meant for. Saying goodbye to my family and friends was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do. It was also one of the best decisions that I've ever made. That one big decision led me to where I am today.

It hasn't been an easy year. Like anyone, I've had my good days and my bad ones. There have been many times when I didn't know if I could make it one more day. There were times when I questioned my purpose and my direction. There have also been days where my purpose was crystal clear and everything felt right. These are the days when I remember why I'm here. These are the days that get me through the rough ones, because ultimately, these are the days that really define my service here. They are the ones that make it all worth it.

Honestly, I've been procrastinating about writing this post for several weeks. I had told myself that I was going to write it on March 20th, but when the time came to do it, I just couldn't find the words. I think I was struggling with it because all of the experiences I have had and all of the feelings I have felt can't be summed up so easily. This year has been the hardest and most exciting year of my life. I am living on my own for the first time in my life. I'm getting the chance to work with and learn from people completely unlike the people I've always known. I am surrounded by other volunteers who are constantly inspiring and supporting me. I'm getting the chance to travel to places that I only ever dreamed of before. On top of all of this, I met Jesse, and he makes my heart content in a way that I didn't know was even possible.

It's been a long journey and it's not done yet. I still have a little over a year left and a lot of things that I still want to accomplish. It's been a year, and I'm just now starting to feel like I have the hang of this. Being away from my family and friends hasn't gotten any easier. I still miss them and long for them on a daily basis. There isn't a moment that goes by where I don't think about the times and memories that I'm missing with them. There also isn't a moment that goes by where I feel like I'm not exactly where I need to be.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me through out this journey. Thank you for the kind words you have said to me and for the prayers you have prayed for me. I don't know where this next year is going to take me, but I know with all of my heart that I'm going the right way.