How I got into Rotary......

It all started this past summer.  This couple from my church, the Starnes, were hosting an end-of-summer party in their neighborhood.  I did not even want to go for some reason.  Looking back I can't remember why, but for some reason I did not want to go.  It was all by chance.  We went and it was a cookout with great food.  UNTIL it started to rain.  Which was dreary, but we all went inside and ate ice cream instead of leaving.  I am thankful of this so much.  We decided to leave about an hour later, after the rain had passed.  Somehow on our way out  of the house and to the car we got stopped by this couple.  I do not remember how or why.  It all worked out for the best.  A man named Sandy and his wife were leaving at the same time.  Somehow we got to talking, it was totally random and by chance.  He and I talked for almost an hour and we got to talking about Rotary, as he is a Rotarian.  I was really interested.  The spring before that, in 2011, I really wanted to go to Australia.  So badly.  I was sure that this was where I wanted to go.  It was the only place I thought that I would be happy.  As I got into the process of applying, we go to choosing countries.  Australia was not on the list.  To say the least, I was kind of sad.  But then I started researching the other countries.  I came to the conclusion that ALL the countries were awesome and that I would love to go to any and all of them.  When I finally found out that I had been chosen to go to Brazil I was thrilled.  I could not wait to go.  I knew from my research that it was tropical, and I love warm weather.  I thought to myself, "this is perfect!"  And now I can't see myself being chosen to go somewhere else.  Brazil is the country for me and I am so excited about it.  When I look back on it, it is absurd that I am doing this.  It all started with a random conversation and everything just kind of happened and fell into place.  I have met so many people in my quest to learn more about Rotary and Brazil.  Everyone is so nice and willing to share their knowledge.  I can't wait to learn more!