Facebook and General Correspondence Disclaimer:

Between the Birthday, Preparations for the 2 year+ departure to Uganda, the party and getting out here to Philly, I haven’t had much time to check the FB.  This may be the case for a while so sorry for those of you I’ve been meaning to write back to.  So if I haven’t yet responded to the thoughtful messages from you please know how much they mean to me and how much I love you all.

Should you ever wonder what the heck I’m up to and not know cause I haven’t told you, just be patient, remember all the happy things about acceptance and mindfulness:  Think about the last time I did something that frustrated you or the last time I made you laugh and remember the 4 nicknames I’ve responded to with a smile from many of you over the years- “Paul the Younger,” “Pauly B,” “Stinky,” or “Alcopaul” (although in the last 5 years ‘alcopaul’ has no longer been immediately relevant.  Think of these things and think of this phrase that made me laugh today but might make me cry in a few months:

“Every fart’s a gamble”

Peace Corp  Narrative

Sunday Morning Nov. 10, 2013

Somewhere over the USA bound for Philadelphia

It begins with gratitude.  For my parents, for all of you who helped me in the application process, whether it was perspective in discernment first hand advice on Peace Corps details, or letters of recommendation.

For those who came out at last minute’s notice from the varying chapters of my life to bid me farewell at church.  For those who Reading your words on the plane this morning was a beautiful thing. Thank You.

Certainly we are all standing on the shoulders of Giants. Today I said goodbye to my parents at the gate.  A wonderful young woman let them check in through security and we had coffee while awaiting boarding.

So many people helped me get to this point it is overwhelming in the best possible way, and to whom much is given, much is expected.  I don’t know what exactly lies ahead, many questions are either unanswered or have not been asked, but with the help of so many friends, employers and strangers along the way I feel prepared. And here is the wonderful thought from Chris McCandless and John Krakauer and Sean Penn that it’s been written somewhere how it’s not so important to BE strong, but to FEEL strong.   Here in this place listening to music  at the beginning of an incredible, life changing and perhaps life defining journey, basking in the love of friends and family’s kind words now in cards and in memory I feel the presence of God and find the source of all gratitude and grace embodied. Dad always used to talk about the 3 F’s: Faith Family and Friendship.  =)

And here in Philadelphia after a full day of orientation I must go to spend a few hours in very comfortable bed for the last time in quite a while.  Here’s hoping I get to spend some time tomorrow at the airport writing more observations from the last few days.  There is among our group of 44 individuals such energy, diversity, such laughter, such a vocalized shared purpose and such hope that I feel excited and at ease knowing I am in the right place at the right time. I go to join 136 other Peace Corps Volunteers in Uganda and 8,600 Peace Corps Volunteers serving around the world.

The next entry will be from closer to the equator than I’ve ever been in my life in the land Winston Churchill called, “The Pearl of Africa”   UGANDA

Peace, Cheers and Blessings,

Paul