So, I hop on Bering air and I totally don't even know how I ever flew on those airplanes before without being absolutely terrified. Its like you're moving in slow motion but you're flying and its so loud that you can't even hear yourself think straight. As the plane moved up and down and left to right I realized that we would not be going through some very nice or smooth air. On the bright side of things, it was a beautiful sunny day and I could see the mountains and the Bering Sea so very clearly. As we approached Elim I started to recognize the signs that we were getting close. I guess when I lived her before I never realized how well I knew the scenery around these mountains and I surprised myself with how well I knew where we were going and that Elim was just around the next mountain side.
When I saw Elim for the first time in over a year I just smiled.. not just any smile but the biggest smile I have ever smiled in my whole entire life! haha but seriously, no really, I did!
I took pictures of course, of the village from the air. When we landed I immediately recognized some of the people on the runway. Sharla and Gregory some of the students from the school came to meet me to say hello and of course Bubba's mom said a great big hello! Mark was there to pick me up with the school truck. Carl was there to help me unload the plane and load up the truck as well. Victor showed up to say welcome home and by that point I had already felt truly at home.
Its really odd. To be welcomed by so many people in such a warm manner. Its almost for like one moment of your life you're a complete celebrity. hhaha but it really does feel like it. Anyway, when we went down to the school to load up the truck that's when all the kids at the basketball court saw me. If i could replay it back for you, you would just have to imagine a stampede of kids all running towards you screaming your name "teacher Sammy!" "teacher Sammy". I got so many hugs and so much love.. I just think my heart may burst.
The kids helped load up the truck with Mark and Carl from the school, we all went down to my apartment, and then we unloaded all of the boxes into my house! After the kids left I started unpacking. Annette came over to help me nail some things to the wall and to put up some curtains (since its light out until midnight!) maybe even later…
About 22 knocks at the door later I finally let some more kids in the house but the first to arrive was a little girl who just happens to hold a very big part of my heart. I heard a whisper outside "teacher sammy?" "teacher sammy are you in there, its Katya Susan Dan***) of course she used her whole name haha! I let her in, she hung out with me, helped me make my bed and we discussed the many things in which she missed about me from preschool. We even sang some old songs together in my bedroom while putting things away. Strange isn't is? Having kids over to your house is a trusted and very normal thing to do here in Elim. I love that part of this culture.. I love that we can all be a big family even if I am their teacher.
More girls came over to visit and help me and after I was done putting away the things in my room we took a walk down to the beach which I had promised to do. Bethany was there too. She just doesn't change. Her cute little chubby cheeks and loving nature.
I had such a great first day back in Elim. I really did. I couldn't imagine a better welcome than the one I just had. Thank god for people like this, for children so smiley and for the fresh air of Alaska in my face once more.
Goodnight!
Elim!
Sammy
Just beautiful!!! That is amazing!
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