Day 27

Monday May 27^th, 2013

We finally made it to America.  I slept maybe 7 hours; I will take that.  A few of us had to get backs gate checked which was fine with me, less to carry.  But some were pissed.  As I got off the plane and starting walking to customs they were all freaking out thinking we should wait for the bags.  I asked ‘did you ask someone?’ ‘well no;.  Stupid!! So I did, and I was right about going straight to the carousel.  Everyone was so worried about immigration and we got right through and just had to drop our bags off.  It was so simple, really.  I told everyone not to stress and I was right.  I am right fairly often! We got coffee/hot chocolate and boarded the plane.  The flight home was quick and we all waited for each other to walk down the escalator.  I felt as thought I were returning home from my mission once more.  Except all of their parents were waiting and mine was by the curb, which was just fine with me.  I felt embarrassed for everyone else.  We took a group photo and I left.  It’s weird to be back home.  I feels normal, yet different.  Everything is in pristine shape.  I forget how clean my mom is.  I started looking at my clothes and realized in Ghana they were okay; here? Not so much! They were dirty.  My suitcase smelled of smoke. It was so strange.  Everyone liked the things I got them I think.  The girls even liked their skirts; and they fit! I just feel blah.  Maybe it’s because I am tired or more because I am back to feeling like I don’t fit in.  I mean I hae never felt like I have, but it feels worse somehow.  Nobody really asked about the trip.  My own brother gave me the cold shoulder.  But that’s how it is.  One day I will be gratudated and can go and do what I want without having to look for acceptance from my family.  Ghana has changed me; once again the world has given me  a new perspective.  And for that, I am eternally grateful.  I love Ghana and I can’t wait to go back and pick up my kids.

Day 26

Sunday May 26^th, 2013

Final day in Ghana.  I was up and went to church.  Everyone bailed but the regulars and blonde Sam.  Richard pulled me aside and thanked me for the phone.  He said he knows it was my idea and that he is grateful.  I felt touched.  I love that guy.  He is an amazing man and I feel like I can’t give enough to him.  I will miss Richard so much.  We sat around the Osda house watching ‘Pitch Perfect’, and ‘Zoolander.’  We were all ready to just go.  The drive to the airport was really sad.  Along the way the road was full of Ghanaians just out hanging out.  It felt like they had all come to say good bye to us.  They waved and smiled and yelled Obruni.  I am going to miss that.  Customs and all that through the airport was brutal and then saying goodbye sucked; especially to Richard.  I feel like him and I are brothers-even more so than my own brother and it was just hard to say goodbye.  I really had to choke back the tears.  As we moved on I became Papa Spence and was in charge of 12 annoying girls.  Okay, not all are annoying, but most are.  We got situated at the gate and I had some CD to spend so I bought a $6 dollar can of pringles.  Security was ridiculous again; we had to walk through and get body searched and carry on’s were searched.  So freaking annoying.  Then I sat by Cassie the whole way and she just kept rambling on and on and wouldn’t take a hint.  She revealed that she is Lesbian and an alcoholic.  I knew one of those.  Her breath smelled so mad; add that to the 4 babies surrounding us and I was ready for bed.  I am so glad I dropped $300 on noise cancellation headphones.  

Day 25

Saturday May 25^th, 2013

I woke up and went to the temple with Tasha, Lisa, and Cait.  We minus Cait did a session.  I ended up being a witness couple and had to do the prayer circle.  Ugh! My first time doing both but I kind of liked it! Tasha and Lisa came up as well so it was okay.  I really loved being in there.  We got into the celestial room and it was so peaceful.  You couldn’t hear any traffic or feel anyone tugging on you asking you to buy something.  It was so nice.  I just felt rested and content and I had really missed it.  I am so grateful I could go there.  We went to the craft market and I bartered and bartered for the painting I wanted.  I paid 50 CD more than I wanted but it was worth it.  It is so cool! We all just tied up loose ends there.  Then Richard took Cassie and I to this shoe market; it was the coolest place.  I have never seen so many shoes in my life.  And they were so cheap.  I got 2 pairs of sandals for $20 bucks.  It was so cool.  I just liked being there because it was where the Ghanaians actually shop and hang out so I felt way more connected to them.  I loved it.  We then went and go Richard a new mobile phone.  We told him our idea on the bus and he was literally speechless.  He had no words.  I thought he was going to cry.  I kept saying that he has been really blessed this trip.  I am so glad we could help him.  He is so excited.  We got him a Bluetooth head set and he had it on all night long.  He looked so legit.  We got back and everyone got dressed up in their African clothes and we went out to dinner to a Chinese restaurant.  We all looked so good.  It was so much fun to dress up.  I kept getting compliments on my clothes and my hat;  they turned out so good.  The Chinese was so amazing.  $600 CD for a meal but a delicious meal.  I had octopus and frog and fungus.  It was so great.  Afterwards we all went to the casino and played roulette for a little bit.  Tasha had never gambled and she won! Beginners luck.  It was so much fun.  There were these guys there all painted up in whitey tighties posing into weird positions and celebrating the soccer game.  It was so funny.  One was even grinding up on brown sam.  It was so funny! We got back home and had our final debriefing.  People were crying and happy and again Richard was so grateful.  Lisa talked about her first time coming here and that when she got home she just cried and missed it so much.  She said she felt that she was in mourning; and that is exactly how I feel about Estonian.  She said nobody understood and I totally understand.  I felt good to know that somebody understands how I feel about Estonia.  It just feels right.  I was meant to be there just like Lisa is meant for Ghana.  I can’t believe it is our last night here in Ghana and that we leave tomorrow.  I have loved every second of this place and the experiences I have had.  I am a changed person.  How can I change so much in 3 weeks? It is so amazing how I feel and how motivated I am.  I am so blessed and grateful to have the parents I do and that they are able to help me financially and support me to come here and live my life.  I am so grateful that God has lead me here and I just need to keep trusting in him and following what he wants for me.  Words can’t describe what I have experiences, how I have felt, what I have seen, and what I have gone through.  I am grateful for the memories that will stay with me forever.  I love Ghana and I am excited to come back and get some of my kids in the future.