Greetings,
Well, I have finally arrived home in Georgia, safe and sound. Wow, I didn't realize how much the time difference and jetlag would effect me. I think I am finally getting used to the time difference and all. It sure is great to be home. My room here is actually dark, which is nice. I am used to sleeping with the security light for the church coming in my window. Even with curtains and a blind it was still kind of light at night in my room.
Well, about my trip home. It started out pretty uneventful. I got to the airport about 5:30. There was only one person in front of me for the inspection of checked luggage. They literally open the suitcase and check it out. I'm thankful everything got back in there and without damage when they were finished and zipped it back up. Then, I was next in line to get my boarding pass and pay an exit fee. While I was at the airport with the Bucks, I had some visitors come by. Pastor and Mrs. Lang, Miko and Donut, Bertha, Mrs. Joseph, Deeyon, and Mr. Kablo and his son, Eric, had all come to see me off. Here is Donut and me.

I'm sure gonna miss Donut. He is a cutie. He even gave me 2 hair flowers as I was about to go in through security. How sweet! About 6:30 we go were called to go through security. Then, we just waited in the holding room until we boarded. The flight from Majuro to Honolulu served dinner. I ordered a chicken dinner. They also had lasagna, but nothing can beat my mom's homemade, so I didn't want to get that. Of course I wasn't able to sleep. Then, the flight got into Honolulu about 3 am. I had to go through customs since I was reentering the country. Finally, I made it through everything and came up to enter at street level, and met the couple that was kind enough to put up with me...for a few hours... Steve and Patty. I was able to crash for a few hours before we went sight seeing in Hawaii! Got a few souvenirs, and we were off. They even bought me breakfast, lunch, and a shaved ice from North Shore! Very nice people. Well, I got checked in and my boarding passes for Honolulu to Houston, and Houston to Atlanta and went through security there. I get to my gate and find out it has been delayed! Not a long delay, but the problem comes when I land in Houston. Originally, I have a 30 minute layover from arrival to departure of the next plane. There was an airline worker that was helpful. He was able to move me from row 33 up to row 18! This way I would be able to get out of the plane sooner. The airplane from Honolulu to Houston was 9 seats across with 2 aisles! We even had our own tv screen in the seat back in front of us...we were able to watch whatever we wanted out of 9 channels. I didn't sleep again! Well, I got off the plane in Terminal E and the final plane was in Terminal B...and I had about 15-20 minutes before departure...which meant they will be ready for take off, not just boarding in that time! The little shuttle/train ride was a good 5 min. or so walk from where I was...one of the last gates in the terminal. While on the train, I met 2 other ladies traveling on the Atlanta flight. We finally get to the gate and...the doors are closed! They had already closed off the plane from the walkway. Well, they do our ticket things and send us down. Well, we get to the end, and the airline worker said that she was going to have to rebook us. She thought the first lady was only sending 1 person down, not three. So, we walk back up to the gate and while we are waiting...one of the crew guys...either pilot or co-pilot...came up and asked if we were going to Atlanta. Yep...he said, "So, let's go. We've still got 6 minutes." He wasn't allowed to escort us by himself. So we followed her down the walkway, down the outside steps, and around to the steps outside to the plane, and up the steps into the plane. We were finally on our way! I want to give a shout out to the crew member of the United flight that was able to get 3 of us that were late due to late/delayed flights from other parts of the airport! 
I still was unable to rest/sleep. However, I had not eaten anything since lunch the day before in Honolulu...I did have to purchase a snack box on the plane to Atlanta. I thought of getting one item, but when those things cost 2.99-3.99 for one, I figured I was better off paying 7.49 for a variety of small items instead. So, I had that and was on the final leg of my journey. I finally arrive in Atlanta!!! We are in D Terminal. Well, I walk all the way to Terminal C before I even think about the tram thing. So, I finally get on that, and it takes me to baggage claim. I come up the final stop steps to baggage claim where my parents are waiting! Finally I'm home!
Now the unpacking of all the boxes I sent and getting adjusted to American home life again. It was a great experience and blessing. I've learned a lot. I was able to get the pictures finally to work on my computer. Took camera to Best Buy. They couldn't get the pictures to show up on the store computer, so one of the guys tried it in his phone...the mini sd card. He was able to pull up the pics on his phone. So, he was able to transfer all 760 (remember these are all pictures from right after Thanksgiving until now) pictures from the phone to a computer and save it to a new thumb drive. It took probably close to an hour! Oh well, at least I now can get to them! Just unpacked my other camera...the one that stopped working...today. So, next time I go into Athens, I will be taking the camera to Best Buy to see if they can fix it, or if I need to get a new camera. 
Thanks so much for reading and following the blog!
Sarah

Greetings!
I am pretty sure this will be the last post from this side of the International Date Line!!! You probably won't hear much from me until I reach Georgia sometime on Tuesday. As, I will have no way to update anyone until I get home and get to Internet access again. One of the first things I will be doing when I arrive home( after some sleep I'm sure!) is look for a phone. I am considering StraightTalk through Wal-Mart. Believe it or not...I do kind of miss Wal-Mart! I guess not being able to go there for almost a year makes a difference. Of course, that was not by choice. :) Another thing I will get to do is get my hair cut! I haven't done that since I've left the states! Definitely in need of a cut! 

I can't believe the time is already here for me to leave! It seems like yesterday that I got here. I remember being homesick at first and wanting to quit after 1 semester. But I would have missed all of the Blessings that the Lord had for me, if I did quit. He helped me to persevere! He has taught me a lot of things along the way, too! God is good all the time. All the time God is good.! 

My bags are packed at least as much as I can pack! I do have to still get up in the morning and get ready. As, we give out report cards tomorrow. Bertha, our school secretary, will be calling first thing in the morning to make sure that the flight and everything is ready to go. Meanwhile, I will be handing out report cards from 9-4, and yep, taking my lunch one last time. Then, shortly after 4, we will be heading to the airport. I will be heading to Hawaii for a few hours. I will be staying with a couple that will be taking me to do a bit of sight seeing. I asked them what would they do if they only had one day because that is all I will have. Can't wait to see what they have planned! Then after visiting in Hawaii for a little while I am off to Houston, TX. I actually will probably only have enough time to get to the other flight...as I think I have about a 30 min layover from arriving in Houston to departure time to Atlanta! Then, it's Atlanta or bust! 

Last night the church had a farewell party for Lucy and me. It was great! One of the teachers, Charlene even made purple rice~because she knew that was my favorite color! How sweet! I have pictures too! So many handicrafts too! Love everything. And of course Marshall Islands water bottle and mouse pad to help remember my time here! I will certainly miss everyone here a lot. I will always have the memories that we have shared. Maybe one day I will return, if the Lord leads here again, or just for a visit! Either way, I know I will see many on the other side of Heaven one day. Boy, that will be a great reunion! 

Anyway, it's about 9:30 Sunday evening here. So, I better get some shut eye as it will be a long day tomorrow! 
Blessings!
Sarah