Airport Adventure

Friday - March 21 - 6 PM

My sis, Julie, and sis-in-law, Deborah, organized a farewell party for me at a local church gym. We played volleyball and had a good 'ole time hangin' out! The realization that I would really, really miss these people finally sunk in.

Sunday - March 23 - all day

Visited my old church in E. Lansing to see all the people that I hadn't seen since leaving in Oct. last year. It was wonderful to spend time with these dear ones who've been in my life since childhood.

After lunch, I headed up to St. Johns to get together with the ladies who sat at my table at a conference that took place last Oct., about a week before our family headed out. We were just as loud in that restaurant as we had been in the conference room! We've kept tabs on eachother this winter and it was such a blessing to catch up with everyone again. (love you, all! I know you're reading this :D)

Tuesday - March 25 - 7 PM

Attended one last small group meeting at my brother and sis-in-law, Marty & Deborah's, place. Joe & Bethany just got back from their honeymoon, so they were there, along with the other 'college and career age' friends that have been coming since Joe started the group a year and a half ago. Some of them hadn't been able to make it on Fri. so I was grateful for the chance to see them - and of course the ice cream was an extra, very much enjoyed, bonus ;)

Wednesday - March 26 - 2 AM

My alarm clock rang, waking me up from the few hrs. of shut-eye I'd gotten. I reset it to half and hour later, then lay there going over my mental check-list - all my personal stuff packed and put away so a sibling can use my room while I'm gone; my back-pack and purse all packed and ready, stuffed to the fullest with...(going over everything I packed - again!)...

        2:30 AM

Made another attempt to print my boarding pass online; it hadn't let me do it the night before. Decided it might be a glitch in the system, so I'd have to check in at the counter once we got to the airport.

        3:00 AM

Prayed with my family; hugs and good-byes; Dad and I headed out on the 2 hr. drive to Detroit

        little after 5:00 AM

Said good-bye to Dad. He couldn't come in with me because nobody else had come along to watch the car.

And so it began! At 7, I was supposed to be on my flight and on my way to Guatemala! Little did I know the change of plans ahead.

There were a lot of ppl. in line at the counter, but within 20 min. I was able to speak with one of the Spirit Airlines agents. She tried checking me in on her computer. It wasn't going thru so she called another agent over.

"You only have a one-way ticket booked. You can't go unless you have proof of a return ticket," I was told. They offered to book one for me but it had to be within a 90 days since that's the time period allotted for a visa to Guatemala. No attempt at explaining to them that I could renew my visa while I'm down there would convince them to let me go without a return ticket booked. I didn't have a working phone on me, but didn't want to book a ticket without talking to Dad first to see if there was a better option. The agents offered no more help but finally told me where a pay phone was.

After several attempts to call home and no one picking up, I finally talked to Mom and asked her to call Dad for me. By the time I spoke with Dad, he was an hour away, but said he'd just come back and pick me up. It was pretty much too late to do anything else.

So, at 9:00 I found myself back at home, wondering what in the world had just happened! It was a first attempt at flying out of the country for me and I found myself wondering why it had to happen to me. Thru the tears (yes, this girl who doesn't cry very easily cried that day) and the dazed feelings one verse kept coming to mind. It was like a rock to hold on to at a time when I didn't know what was going on or what would happen. Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.Whether it was God keeping me back for another 2 weeks (I have another flight booked for April 9) or satan sticking his foot in to mess up anything possible, the promise is the same - everything will work out for good. Why? Because I love God and He has definitely called me with His purpose. 

I may never find out why, but I know Who's in control, so I can rest easy and don't have to worry. And, in the meantime, enjoy the extra time with my family and friends! 

Half-way

Ok. So, I didn't update you soon after we got back :( We hit the ground running when we got home and, 11 days later, the days are still packed full of activity! But, I can't get ahead of myself just yet. 
Back in Guatemala...

Maddie, Me, Lewis, Ansy, Julie,
 (Joey the puppy), Billy, Abbey

The Pattersons came over to Monte Flor from the mission house in town, the evening before we left, to say their good-byes. The morning of the 5th, a Wed., we woke up early to get last minute stuff together before heading to the main kitchen for a light breakfast. Billy said he wasn't able to fall asleep the night before because of being so excited about going home :D

Mom, Trish, (Ron), Craig, Dad

At 7:30, we loaded up our backpacks and two big suitcases into the taxi that came to take us to the airport in Guatemala City - a 3 hr. drive from Chichi. In spite of the fact that we were very happy to be going home, it wasn't easy saying our farewells to the Bindus family and Ron. There were many tears and hugs and orders to catch up if they come to the States for a visit or if my family goes back to Guate. in the future.

Good-bye, Guatemala! 

 

Hello, USA!! 

Eleven years ago, we traveled to Guate. for the first time as a family. We flew down, stayed for a month, and celebrated Ansy's first birthday while we were there. That was the only time that any of the 3 boys were on an airliner and, needless to say, the big highlight of this winter's trip was the much-anticipated flight home!

Lewis and Billy waiting for take-off

Everything went smoothly - no run-ins of any kind and hardly any flight delays. We stepped out of the airport in Florida, while waiting on our connecting flight, just so that we could truly add FL to our list of states visited :D We arrived in Detroit, MI a little before midnight but had to wait a whole hour till our check luggage finally came through. Joe and Bethany came to pick us up on a cold, windy, freezing night - exactly what we'd been waiting for! My first step into the frosty outdoors nearly took my breath away! No, I didn't slip on the ice :P But I had forgotten how stinging a cold, fresh wind really is and how refreshed my lungs feel after breathing in the arctic air (well, not quite arctic, but it was cold!) (One of the many highlights since we've been back has been ice skating and playing hockey with our bunch 'a friends! 
Joe and Bethany want to move into our apartment next door after they get back from their honeymoon. The previous renters left a big mess, so we were busy cleaning, tearing out carpeting, etc, for the rest of that week. 

Jay & Rachel and the kiddos came in from ND a week before the wedding, Joe & Gina got here on Thurs, and Al & Barb and kiddos on Fri. (as well as our much-loved cousins). Marty & Deborah and their darling, Annie Jo, moved back up to MI, from TX, while we were gone and they now live about 2 1/2 miles from us. What you see in the picture says it all - talking, eating, loudness, activity - family! One of God's greatest gifts. I was so grateful that I could see all of them before heading back down.

Kara and Dylan making cookies

"can I eat one yet??"

cousin love! Kara and Annie Jo 

Alexis and Annie Jo adore each other :D

<3 Mr. and Mrs. <3

Rehearsel for the wedding was held on Thurs. Friday was set-up and taking-care-of-details day. And Sat. was the big day! It was a beautiful, stress-free wedding, perfectly suited to the couple and what they wanted. In answer to many prayers, it was nice and warm with lots of sunshine (tho, we could have done without the mud :/ Oh, not to be forgotten - our family has REALLY been enjoying the leftover pizza and cheesecake! 
Yesterday, I realized that I have passed 'the half-way point.' There are fewer days left to spend than have already been spent. In other words, I'm leaving in 9 days!!
God has blessed me, so immensely, with friends who are standing by my side in prayer. After the wedding on Sat. a bunch of us got together at Marty & Deborah's house for prayer. Yes, I will miss my family and the changes in my siblings and growing nieces and nephews. Yes, I will, very much, miss my friends and all the fun, crazy times we have. But if I'd have to choose one thing that I'll miss the most, it's the times spent praying hand in hand with my peers. That privilege of having a support group that is there to lift me up in prayer and to come alongside with encouragement is something that I've too often taken for granted. Many times I've wondered, what'll happen when there's noone around to turn to when I can't stand on my own? In Psalms 62:5-7 I found such great comfort and strength and a reminder of where my hope and foundation truly are: 

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.