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| HERE SHE COMES!!! |
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| Hermana Mower and President Foote |
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| RELEASED!! |
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| Mission Plaques |
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| "Baby" Brother!! |
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| HOME, SWEET HOME!! |
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016 - AIRPORT!!
Thursday, August 18, 2016 -- Month #18 - Week #79 - Day #549
2:20 pm (Honduran time)
Today I have 18 months. Wow.
Woke up and got dressed and ready, and then went out with the HLE's to look for another house (common theme these days) for Hna's Erickson and Escobar, and then we had to get back to have the elderes pick all my stuff up again and go to the airport.
And we got to the airport, and the craziness started. I hate traveling when I haven't done it in 18 months! Sooooo lost. And it's fun because I'm chilling with 5 elderes, so at least I got man power. Although they're about as lost as I am.
All the preliminary bag checking and whatnot wasn't fun because my bags were overweight so we had to move some stuff around and pay a fee... (sorry Dad!). But I got to keep all my stuff! That's sort of the important part. Gah! Stressed me out a lot.
And then we headed upstairs to get body scanned and backpacks rummaged through, and they took my tweezers and hair cutting scissors (I don't remember travel rules anymore... sigh) and were all confused as to why I was carrying my stuffed bear in my backpack (because she didn't fit in my suitcase) and why it had boots and a hat. And my Texas flag. And why I had scriptures. And also Tampons. Basically I just didn't make a lot of sense to the security people. Oh well.
But we passed inspection, and went back up to start boarding. Where they once again checked my backpack. I think I'm very checked now! And we boarded the plane. And it's like some new model that's like a spaceship! I felt out of place, coming from Honduras. But I got the window seat! I was so happy! I love having the window to look out of in planes.
We also were given a turkey and cheese sandwich to eat (which was REALLY good! I've missed food like that) and the normal pretzels and peanuts and drink. I got water, I'm sort of avoiding all types of soda right now.
And my fellow passengers observed me writing and asked me what my little keyboard device was and how it worked and all that fun stuff. I always get those comments. But it really has been nifty to have my AlphaSmart, and it's much easier to write and edit how I want to record my days. Thanks, family!
So now I'm just chilling in my seat, with a seat belt (I haven't used a seat belt in 18 months...oops) and just writing up to this point in time. It's still really surreal that I'm headed home and that I'll be able to see and hold and talk to my family again in a matter of hours. I'm afraid to see how huge Samuel has gotten! But I feel older and wiser and have a better grip on life, even though I'm sort of nervous and unsure right now. But I'm gonna be alright!
8:00 pm (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Sooooo I just had the most miraculous run of my life! But I made it to my second plane, and now I'm flying to Texas, I just really hope my bags get there alright.
We got to Georgia, and had 30 min to get a gate open to taxi in, and then I was on the 30th row to get out, so that was stressful. Then we had to go through customs and deal with the government, but we got through fairly quickly, other people had to wait and we were already done and gone, and then we ran like hellions down to baggage claims because my flight was boarding in 15 mins at that time, and found my suitcases, and E Ascencio was nice and got them off the carousel thing, and the other handle broke off, so I have a suitcase with zero handles, just the rolly thing, but that's not good because the handle had all the tags and important transfer information...yeah. But then I wheeled myself over to do the whole customs check thing, again, and quickly handed off my suitcases to the nice bag guy, explaining that the handle broke off, and he was surprised, but said he would move the tags over...ay. And then I had to x-ray my backpack and self again, after basically cutting in line with another lady that was coming from Rome, so that was interesting, but I got through! Sorry people, sorry! And then booked it WAY over to where they say where the gates are, and then hopped on the train thing to take me to the gate, still putting on my necklace and earrings, and then ran some more over to my gate, found the nice desk people, scanned my ticket, and then got on the plane 10 mins before takeoff.
Yeah. I was praying real hard at that point that I could just please get on the plane. And that my bags got through, as well. But now I'm good! Waiting for the fasten seat belt sign to go off so I can go to the bathroom...cold and nerves aren't my favorite.
And it's weird because it's apparently 8:00 pm at night and there's a lot of sun. So it feels like maybe 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm? We're also above the clouds, so that's probably why there's still sunlight, but in Atlanta it was raining lightly when we were boarding.
(At home in San Antonio, Texas, USA)
Well, I have been picked up by my family and am home! It was so good to see them again. We went to the church to have President Foote release me from missionary service, and we had some dinner. Mom and I then stayed up all night talking. I'm so tired! But I'm glad being home.
It was sad to take off my tag and not be Hermana Mower anymore. But there's gonna be a whole lot more adventures I'll have in the future!
Today I have 18 months. Wow.
Woke up and got dressed and ready, and then went out with the HLE's to look for another house (common theme these days) for Hna's Erickson and Escobar, and then we had to get back to have the elderes pick all my stuff up again and go to the airport.
And we got to the airport, and the craziness started. I hate traveling when I haven't done it in 18 months! Sooooo lost. And it's fun because I'm chilling with 5 elderes, so at least I got man power. Although they're about as lost as I am.
All the preliminary bag checking and whatnot wasn't fun because my bags were overweight so we had to move some stuff around and pay a fee... (sorry Dad!). But I got to keep all my stuff! That's sort of the important part. Gah! Stressed me out a lot.
And then we headed upstairs to get body scanned and backpacks rummaged through, and they took my tweezers and hair cutting scissors (I don't remember travel rules anymore... sigh) and were all confused as to why I was carrying my stuffed bear in my backpack (because she didn't fit in my suitcase) and why it had boots and a hat. And my Texas flag. And why I had scriptures. And also Tampons. Basically I just didn't make a lot of sense to the security people. Oh well.
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| Lyndsey crocheting my Texas Polar Bear (a year ago...back in August 2015) |
"Amethyst" -- My TX Bear with boots & hat!!
So we managed to survive that, and got to wait for a while, and then this lady calls E Ascencio and I up to the desk to inform us that they're going to randomly search out suitcases. Whoo! So we got to put on security vests and go down to the tarmac to watch a guy go through our belongings and explain why we had those items. Yeah.
And my fellow passengers observed me writing and asked me what my little keyboard device was and how it worked and all that fun stuff. I always get those comments. But it really has been nifty to have my AlphaSmart, and it's much easier to write and edit how I want to record my days. Thanks, family!
So now I'm just chilling in my seat, with a seat belt (I haven't used a seat belt in 18 months...oops) and just writing up to this point in time. It's still really surreal that I'm headed home and that I'll be able to see and hold and talk to my family again in a matter of hours. I'm afraid to see how huge Samuel has gotten! But I feel older and wiser and have a better grip on life, even though I'm sort of nervous and unsure right now. But I'm gonna be alright!
Sooooo I just had the most miraculous run of my life! But I made it to my second plane, and now I'm flying to Texas, I just really hope my bags get there alright.
We got to Georgia, and had 30 min to get a gate open to taxi in, and then I was on the 30th row to get out, so that was stressful. Then we had to go through customs and deal with the government, but we got through fairly quickly, other people had to wait and we were already done and gone, and then we ran like hellions down to baggage claims because my flight was boarding in 15 mins at that time, and found my suitcases, and E Ascencio was nice and got them off the carousel thing, and the other handle broke off, so I have a suitcase with zero handles, just the rolly thing, but that's not good because the handle had all the tags and important transfer information...yeah. But then I wheeled myself over to do the whole customs check thing, again, and quickly handed off my suitcases to the nice bag guy, explaining that the handle broke off, and he was surprised, but said he would move the tags over...ay. And then I had to x-ray my backpack and self again, after basically cutting in line with another lady that was coming from Rome, so that was interesting, but I got through! Sorry people, sorry! And then booked it WAY over to where they say where the gates are, and then hopped on the train thing to take me to the gate, still putting on my necklace and earrings, and then ran some more over to my gate, found the nice desk people, scanned my ticket, and then got on the plane 10 mins before takeoff.
And it's weird because it's apparently 8:00 pm at night and there's a lot of sun. So it feels like maybe 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm? We're also above the clouds, so that's probably why there's still sunlight, but in Atlanta it was raining lightly when we were boarding.
Well, I have been picked up by my family and am home! It was so good to see them again. We went to the church to have President Foote release me from missionary service, and we had some dinner. Mom and I then stayed up all night talking. I'm so tired! But I'm glad being home.
It was sad to take off my tag and not be Hermana Mower anymore. But there's gonna be a whole lot more adventures I'll have in the future!
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Wednesday, August 17, 2016 -- Month #17 - Week #78 - Day #548 - Las Flores, Villanueva, Cortes
Happy 2 months to Hna Vasquez!! She's doing great!
Today was the last day in my area! We did some stuff around the house, last counsels to Hna Vasquez, and I started packing my suitcases! Then after lunchtime we went house hunting again with the ZL's to find a house for Las Flores elderes and I'm pretty sure we walked all over creation in our area. And I left my sandals all clean in the house, so I was walking around in flats and I HATED that. My poor little feet hurt. Darn rocks.
And we finally got back home around 4:00 pm-ish to have me finish up packing, and got the house cleaned up a bit. Then the office elderes came and took pictures of the house, took my suitcases down, and took Hna Vasquez and I over to La Victoria. Dropped her off, had some last tears and goodbyes, and we headed back up to SPS. Then I got to chill in the truck while we went to the office, then waited for our passports to get picked up in the Terminal, and then to the office again, and THEN to Castanos to crash with the HLE's there. Long day. Hna Estacuy was sick all of a sudden that afternoon, so she was asleep, but she woke up and said hi, and I cut her hair as well. And Hna Phillips and I stayed up talking forever, I wrote a few more letters, and showered and hopped off to bed. My body is exhausted and tired! Mission life is tough sometimes. And I'm nervous for tomorrow. So much traveling and waiting.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Tuesday, August 16, 2016 -- Month #17 - Week #78 - Day #547 - Las Flores, Villanueva, Cortes
Today was the best District Meeting ever! E Matamoros gave me free reign to talk about whatever I wanted and to share my mission counsel to the district, and I chose to talk about the Consecrated Missionary talk from Elder Tad R. Callister. And mostly I just commented and shared a few experiences about each point (we have 4 missionaries with less than 6 months in our district) to help out the newer ones get the joke a little faster and keep on working. And afterwards they all got to share what they learned/felt, and so that was sweet as well. They all love me! I felt really happy.
And then the zone had a surprise goodbye party type thing right afterwards! They sang the happy birthday song, but changed the words, had a strawberry cake, soda, and a few little presents exchanged and everyone took pictures with me. That really touched me, to be honest. I had never seen something like that in all my mission, and I've seen a lot of missionaries go home. So that really made my day.
And we went to a few citas and then started saying goodbye to a million people. I did manage a good half of the ward in 4 hours, so that's pretty good. I had to leave the other half of the pictures for Hna Vasquez to hand out when she introduces her new companion next week. But I got the most important ones to me taken care of, so that was good.
But it was a pretty good day, getting to the end and it's making me stress just a little bit. Trying to take care of Hna Vasquez, and the area, and get myself ready...yeah. I think I'll be happier when it's just over.
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