Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Called to serve...

Several years ago I was riding in a car with a boy who, though I didn't know it at the time, would break my heart into so many pieces I wondered if it could ever be truly whole again. Of course now in retrospect, I am more than whole than I ever have been and thank my stars it ended up just how it did. Yet another indicator of many in my life that God knows a lot more about me and what I really need than I do. I like having Him in my corner.

But I'm not here to talk about all that...

I'm here to tell you that as I was riding in the car with this boy, it was Halloween or near Halloween, and it was somewhat a pseudo-date-hang-stupid-thing going to this party and that party together.Clearly very promising foundation to build upon. Oh the red flags we spot in retrospect. As we were playing the “get to know you” game, I don’t recall what question he asked me nor the vein of the conversation. I do remember however, that I mentioned how I had been looking into the Peace Corps and was considering applying to serve as a volunteer. His response to that, to this wee barely 22 year old starry eyed girl who wanted so much to impress this, silly boy, was laughter, mockery, and patronization: “HA! Peace Corps is for bitter old  ugly chicks who can’t get married. It’s for tree-huggin hippies and pot heads.”  He proceeded to make fun of anyone who would choose such a path because it was clearly based on bitterness, loneliness, and boredom.  The thought that people would choose to join such a worldwide service organization for experience, perspective, and the vast opportunity to do something outside of yourself was inconceivable to him – particularly why a woman would want to do such a thing (ya know, instead of have babies... cause you can't do both). And any woman who wanted to participate, well, that wasn’t a woman for him. To think I could've figured out that he was not someone I wanted to be with in those first 2 hours of interaction instead of wasting 24 months trying to prove to this person I was worth it. I guess we all have one of those.

But I'm not here to talk about that either...


Entering the Peace Corps didn’t stick that year. I had college, I had other plans, I had growing up to do and I can’t say it wasn’t because of this naive boy’s ill-informed opinion and narrow perspective (who, by the way, is now around 33, still single, living in perpetual man-childishness and to my knowledge, has yet to kiss a girl… soooo… I win). I can’t say it was. All I can say is, 6 years removed from that car ride that I can still as clearly in my mind as the night it happened, the timing is more right now then it was then for a lot of reasons. It’s more right now than it was 3 years ago when I almost submitted my application again after getting laid off from my first teaching job. But... didn't. Why? I don't know. Because. Because it wasn't the right reasons... the right time... and I wasn't the right person yet.

However, all that shifted because as you know, I submitted my application to be a Peace Corps volunteer  and the reasons are my reasons and, I believe, God's reasons and all the reasons I know a lot more now why it's time to press forward in more profound ways then it was 3 or 6 years ago. What’s more, none of those reasons for joining or previously not joining have anything to do with being single and angry and bored; and that's a good feeling. Contrary to popular local culture, my life does not revolve around my marital status. Rather, I want my world to revolve around nothing to do with me at all. I want my gravitational pull to be towards other people  – and that’s why…



 I will be serving the good people of the
Pacific Islands for 27 months starting June 2013. 

I guess the best thing I've gotten out of this experience so far is the stark realization I'm not that barely turned 22 year old riding in a red Jetta with a boy who doesn't know what he is missing. I win again.

13 comments:

Jaime Van Hoose Steele said...

Super awesome!!! I feel like you will need visitors once you are there :-) Congrats pal!!

Mrs. Walker said...

This post is profoundly powerful. It made me tear up, to be honest. The pacific has such a deep place in my heart, because it changed my husband's life so profoundly. What an amazing thing you are doing, and what an incredible experience.

You are a strong woman. Not in the "Fem Nazi" way that people joked about in high school. In the way that you know who you are, what you want, and that you aren't afraid to do it. I love your statement, "Contrary to the popular local culture, my life does not revolve around my marital status." I would also include, how many kids you have, how much money you make, how active others think you are in church, etc. etc. etc.

I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures. I really am so impressed by you, even if that guy in the jetta wasn't.

Jessica said...

Oh man I just got chills when I read your assignment! This is awesome, you are awesome, and I'm excited for you!!!

Becca said...

Congrats! This is sooooo exciting!

Just a thought... said...

Congratulations! I'm excited for you and proud of you. Since this is a volunteer position do you pay your own way and support yourself or do they give you free room and board? What sorts of things will you be doing once you get there? Can't wait to hear more about it. The adventure continues ... 8)

Melissa said...

Major like. Well done, lady.

Arnold Hansen said...

Hey land of my birth New Zealand, and land of my ancestors- Tonga. You will find remote areas, bad roads and strange people. Wait, you are from Emery, you will feel right at home yuk yuk. Proud of you for deciding to serve and for doing it for your inner promptings. Forget what others say which in essence was the topic of your well done blog. Congrats again first Petty grandchild!

Andrea Jolene said...

Thanks Arnold! When I got the assignment I thought of you!

Andrea Jolene said...

Thank you! I will be answering all those questions soon!

Andrea Jolene said...

Aw thanks so much. I love the Polynesian people and am so excited to be part of a Pacific island family!

Unstoppable Lindsey said...

SUCKAFRIEND!! I knew it was bound to happen! Those people are going to be the luckiest people ever! You have no idea how excited I am for you....

Geeta Bisht said...

Beautiful...I must say that has inspired me more to follow what you want in life and I am very happy for you.All the best !! :)

Andrea Jolene said...

Thank you Geeta!