HIS Adventure: Transition Day Friday Jan 11, 2008

I'm not overly fond of early mornings. I figure if God wanted people up really early, then He'd have the sun rise earlier to provide light. That's one reason why I was glad I didn't need to leave until 11am from home to return to El Salvador. I'd cried a decent amt during the night- enough that my cat didn't want to sleep with me. Kim was off from work and was going to take me to the airport in Dulles (Washington DC), but kind of at the last min mom joined us too. To be honest, I'm really glad she did. Anyhow, I'd put my luggage in the living room and I was just looking around the house one more time. That's when it hit me, in my bedroom. I leaned forward, hands on my knees, and crying harder than I can remember. I'm pretty much a silent crier, but my mom still found me, walked in and embraced me. My chest was heaving hard as I sobbed. It felt like I would never catch my breath and and tears would never end. This was one of those cried that comes from deep within. I caught sight of Kim in the corner of my eye and waved her towards me. I figured I might as well make it a three-some and soak her too. I don't know how long we cried together...but it seemed like a long time. I don't know how mom got it together to pray over us, but she did. I can never speak when I'm crying.

I bought the house in Jan 15 2001, knowing I would get married and we'd live there the following June. So many emotions tied up in this house! Somehow, I said one last good bye to my home (not just a house), and my cat, and pulled the door shut. As mom pulled out the driveway, she turned on the radio. Want to guess what song was playing? "Friends" by Michael W Smith. Thankfully that song was nearly over. I already felt like I was dehydrated from crying. We made good time getting to the airport. I made some last min changes from my luggage into my carry on to make sure my luggage wasn't too heavy. Per my request, mom and Kim dropped me off at the curb side. Kim helped me get my luggage inside to the correct airline counter, then once last set of goodbyes to them both. I just couldn't do another big scene. I was already exhausted. So, finally, I had all the good-byes behind me and now I could focus on what was ahead. My luggage was allowed to weigh 50 lbs. One weighed 49.6lb and other 50.0, and my bags were put on the conveyer belt and sent on their way. However, when I went through security, my 2 cans of Price Smart size roast beef and 2 cans of turkey (that I had only just moved out of my big suitcase)were frowned upon. Although the cans are clearly sealed like all cans are, they said that there was liquid inside the can. I pleaded and told them my plight of yucky food in the orphanage. Of course, the more they shook the cans, the more they heard the swish of liquid. They determined that the roast beef definitely had more than the approved amt of ounces of liquid, and therefore those cans were thrown in the trash. I guess at least I got to keep my turkey, but I wasn't happy. Oh well, worse things could happen.

I had time to use the last remaining minutes of my USA pre-paid cell phone, so I called mom/Kim and my sister to let them know I was at my gate and all looked well. Fortunately, not only does this airline, TACA, have the least expensive flight to El Salvador, but it's also a direct flight, which is wonderful! The ride itself is only 4.5hr long, but it seemed longer this time. I had an isle seat and there was a 9 month old and his mom just across the isle. I held him at times to give his mom a break. Toward the end of the flight, I found out that his mom was a dentist that lives in San Salvador, and she attends the same church the Benners and I attend. How cool is that. You can be sure I got her card!

Wendy picked me up at the airport, 6:30pm in El Salvador. She updated me on things as we drove back to the Home. I learned that a team of 19 from her Univ. of Texas had just left earlier that AM. And we currently had 3 ladies, student teachers, living in the apt. above me, and another team of 2 other ladies who were there to help do whatever. I was very happy when we finally drove in the gates of the Home. The kids were up the hill in the church for their usual Friday PM devotions. That gave me enough time to call home and let all know that I was fine. The kids charged down the hill and greeted me very warmly....of course the hugs were immediately followed by "Where's Britney and Bobby?" (who had also been on Christmas vacation). They don't get that Ohio and Va aren't next to each other and we don't do absolutely everything together, although it seems that way to them.

I walked into my apartment, not knowing what to expect. I knew I had left it clean. I was hoping for not too much mold since it was dry season and since I'd left my windows open and ceiling fans running to circulate the air. But I stopped dead in my tracks when I entered my apart. The fans were off. A maintenance worker had entered before Christmas to get something, and turned off the fans. It was hard to tell in the dim lights how much of the thick layers on everything were mold and how much were dirt.

The next A

M I got a better look at things. Thankfully, it seemed the highest percentage of yuck was dirt, and a LOT of it. Unfortunately, there's a well used dirt road literally right beside my apt., the same side where I keep my windows open. And noramally the flow of air from the fans keeps a good portion of the dirt out. Now, however, not only was the dirt in, but it was into everything. You see, I had opened every single drawer, closet, dresser, end table, kitchen cabinet, desk, etc. I had a layer of yuck in absolutely every possible nook and cranny. My extra bedroom, not used for anything much except storage since I have no closets, had a huge amt of dirt on the floor (see the pic). I could hardly believe the amt! My couch and cushiony chairs were full of it too. I don't really know what to do about this. Beating them will only stir it up and have it land right back where it started. (Note the writing on the arm of the chair)