Takeoff's, Landings, And All The Things In Between

On September 25, hours after we were already supposed to leave, my mother, and older brother and I piled into the car to drive to Chicago so that I could catch the next day's flight to England. First, we had to make a little detour and pick up my little sister. I couldn't start my big adventures without her being there to see me off. The ride was filled with lots of crazy laughter. Everything from mom overfilling a cup to a remark about blocked plumbing set us off.

Did I mention it was about 2 in the morning?

It was nearly 5am when we finally arrived at the hotel. I slept such a happy sleep, until my little sister came and woke me to tell me about the fire and canceled flights. Now, I don't know what is to be said about the man who started it all. I can say that the ripple effects were felt across the country. Since the fire was in Chicago, I believe that the Windy City felt it the most. My flight was fine, we were told. And I checked in normally. 

The good-byes were rushed, because they were about to begin boarding and I had to get through security. Mom and Little G (who really isn't that little) both teared up, and received more than one hug. Good Luck, they said. Be safe. Even my brother gave me a hug (I saw no evidence of tears in his eyes. Similarly, mine were dry too.) 

When I Finally made it to my plane, I was told that there was no more room and they had to check my carry on. They didn't just put it in the belly of the plan like I had experienced before; they tagged it for my final destination.  I am going to blame the lack of food and sleep for not thinking about grabbing anything but my computer from my bag. I didn't even get the charger. 

Then came the waiting. You know what song came into my head- something from Shrek the Musical. "I know it's today" has a line that goes 'The waiting, the WAIIIITIIING." The plane was supposed to take off at 3, but we did into get into the air until 5:10. I won't say how much my motion sickness kicked it. It was bad. But I could deal with it, knowing that the flight wouldn't last too terribly long. I was determined to get a window seat in the next plane. Only, by the time we landed my second plane was about to take off. I could not get aboard.

I was stranded in New Jersey (why New Jersey?) at night, alone. Without my carry-on.

Customer service had two people working. It took about an hour to get through the six or seven people ahead of me.  I was given a flight for today, about 24 hours from when I was supposed to leave. They did not offer me a room. It was my family that told me to go back up and ask for one. After eating my first meal that day (I had no time to eat before boarding, and hotels are not known for being gluten-free friendly at breakfast) I did just that.

God is good. Because even though the man who helped me wasn't really suppose to, he gave me a room for the night. It is one of the nicest hotels I have ever been in. 

If all works out I will leave the US today and enter England.

Things to consider:

Always have extra underwear in EVERY BAG

Keep your computer close to you and your Charger even closer

When traveling alone, eat regularly. Or else you will have a breakdown. Especially if you have a restricted diet.

Praises:

My next flight is a window seat

I got to sleep in a big, soft bed

I am going to YWAM; God will get me there.