Leaving my Home ~Amanda

Kathryn, Stephanie, and I were the only ones who "toughed it out" and decided not to get ANY sleep last night. My reason: You are more tired when you only get two hours sleep, than if you just don't get any at all. So, after we got the house ready, the 'for rent' sign was replaced, mom and Stephanie did the packing with much help from the Weber family, and we did dishes and final cleaning. At 1:30am, we finished off our popcorn kernels, and some mangos we had picked that day. I had decided ahead of time not to cry until the day I was leaving. Even as Tatiana was with us last night, talking, reviewing sign language, and deciding when we should see each other again, I had to hold back tears. We all have made such wonderful friends here- I just hate to be returning to the States. To pass the hours rolling by to 5a.m. we three girls looked at the pictures of our trip. Remembering how we felt as we first arrived and the things we found as "abnormal" that now were part of our daily life and routine took up the time in a joyful way, leaving us with laughter, and stories to discuss in hushed voices as to not wake up those trying to succeed with a few hours of shut-eye. Then, Kathryn and I squished side-ways onto our hammock for the last time, and watched Part 2 of the Broadway show Wicked. It was great. I really like it. It has made me enjoy The Wizard of Oz more.... so. As soon as we finished, we got up to get ready, and before I could finish brushing my teeth the hard and annoying way we have found necessary here, Oscar had arrived to help with bags and wish us farewell. Soon the whole family was up. There wasn't too many complications at first, only Lori getting locked out on her porch and having to have Pedro let her out, adding to the truth we have in our Utila Paradise song, "Even Pedro thinks that our mind is gone" Once the truck was loaded, we attempted to all fit in it as well.... then the rain began to fall. It was only right to rain on such a sad day. To our amazement it was the most rain we had yet during our stay on our Island home. Ducking under trees, squinting our eyes against the fierce droplets of rain, and holding our breath every time we would stall going up or down one of the curving hills, we slowly made our way to Diana, Jose, and Yessey's home. We were able to tell them goodbye, my tears accompanied. The rain poured harder. We then made our way to the airport. Once we got out of the truck, we might as well had just gone swimming in the sea one last time- we were drenched! Our bags were placed under a shelter and we soon joined them. Sadly, all of the mosquitoes decided that it would be best to find shelter with us. They-like us- hadn't yet had their breakfast. Unlike us- their breakfast was right beside them. We were dancing, slapping, jumping, running, swatting, squishing, spraying, and itching. Because of the weather, our 6 o'clock flight was transformed into an 8 o'clock flight, which could have caused delays and flight misses, if not for us, for the Webers. A man who was waiting for the flight out of Utila with us, commented and said that he believed it was our prayer together that made the rain stop for enough time for the flight to come in to take us away. Tatiana, Doris Amanda, Diana Josephina, Nelson, and Oscar were there to see us off. We watched as Pumpkin Hill shrank into the distance, and our familiar Main Street, became hardly noticeable. Soon we were surrounded by the sound of the loud engine, and looking into white clouds. I believe we all dozed off for a while. When we landed in San Pedro Sula, it was so nice to be able to ask in Spanish where we were to go now, and then what to do next. The language barrier was no longer a taunting problem. The airport that had seemed scary, unfamiliar, unclean, and unsafe, now was a comforting atmosphere. The Wendy's that was our last 'fast food' for three months, became our first 'fast food' since that time. The flight to Houston went well... I slept of course, and dreamed in Spanish about all of my friends back in Utila. "Welcome home" It was a nice thing to hear from the immigration officer. We are home. Looking around though, I don't like what I see. I love America, I love the order and respect that we enforce.... but I love Utila. I love how everyone there is totally themselves. They're loving, real, personal, and always there. When you pass each other in the streets, you're never in a closed car.... everything is open, and everyone talks as you pass. You know everyone so well you're a huge family. Not just a city, a community. Our last flight home to DFW went very fast. We were greeted by My grandma, memaw, papaw, dad, the Orr family, and the Watson family. It was so sweet. After talking for quite a while, we were ready to go home and see our dog. At home Aunt Deanna, Uncle Rob, and Jeff were there with great smiles and hugs. It's good to be home. And you know what..... TRIXIE LOVES US! She remembers, and is SO happy..... she needs to gain some weight again, and she needs some fur back..... but we'll spoil her up real soon. We are about to eat Braums.... funny.... Braums. We had to absorb all the cars around our neighborhood. I miss Utila. But I trust God's plan for my life and I know that Texas, the Untied States of America... more specifically Hurst, is where I'm supposed to be right now. And I'm going to take what I've learned from Utila, and do my absolute best at making my home, my city, like a big family, a community.I am so thankful to God for this amazing opportunity I've had, and hope to return one day. We are working to finish posting the pictures. Sorry, I know now that we're home it's not as cool and all.... but we still want to post them for you all.
Forever in God's Plan
,Amanda