Just wanted to let y'all know that I have made it safely to the little town of Youghal. We are in the dead center of large, beautiful rolling hills. The people are extremely accepting and loving. Our hosts, Nancy and Ernie, are great! They have taken us under their wing and I feel like one of their own. Big picture, I'm having a BLAST!!!! I'm learning new things every second, it's brilliant! (as everyone says ;) )
So from the beginning......
big picture: Pappadeaux, airport 2 hours early, WRONG AIRPORT, terrible traffic down 45, running through the airport, cutting through security, running to the terminal, barely made it!!!!
In case you're completely lost.... :)
Monday June 15, 2009
The day began great. Slept in, last minute packing, breakfast with Todd, and sweet goodbyes. :) We mosied on down to Houston, ate a delicious dinner at Pappadeaux, and headed to the Houston Airport, arriving at 5:10 PM (seemingly early/on-time for my 7:00 flight). As we tried to pick up my boarding pass, we were told that they were non-existent. As you can imagine, we were shocked. Then, the problem was diagnosed: wrong airport!!!!
A wave of panic hit as we realized that missing my flight was now a very real possibility. We quickly headed to the other airport (who would have thought!) My dad stepped up the driving as we rushed through traffic, passed on the shoulder, and received several loud and angry honks (I was in charge of the thank you waving :)). To make matters worse, the gas tank was completely empty (we drove about 12 miles as the car beeped 0 miles until empty). We prayed desperately that God would allow us to make this flight. I began to wonder what would happen if I missed the plane? Would I be able to go on this trip we had been planning the past 6 months? I was terrified. We prayed desperately that God would allow us to make this flight. I began to wonder what would happen if I missed the plane? Would I be able to go on this trip we had been planning the past 6 months? Needless to say, I was terrified.
Traffic came to a complete stop. I prayed that the Lord would comfort our hearts. I asked that if it was within His will, that he would make 1 gallon of gas like 10 and that he would do anything to help us work past my mistake. We turned off the air conditioner and rolled down the windows (whew! very hot--99 degrees.... ) As the car was rumbling, absorbing every bit of gas left, we received a call from one of the team member's dad who informed us that the plane was running 15 minutes late. Praise the Lord!!!
My dad zoomed through traffic, my mom prayed out loud, and my brother faithfully sat covered in 50.9 pounds (not even joking.... :) ) of luggage.
We pulled into the airport at 6:30, really cutting it close!!! I rushed through check-in and security, and said a very short goodbye to my family. I ran to the terminal where I met up with Haley, Patrick, and Chris (other team members) and we boarded the plane. 14 hours later, I arrived in Cork, Ireland! :)
Needless to say, I've already learned a whooooole lot :)...
I experienced my first trial--it was really cool to see my family join together so strongly to make my flight. It was through our crazy driving, my mom praying and carrying my worry along with me, and my brother sitting contently with a HUGE suitcase in his lap, that I was able to experience and see my family's love for me. As they sacrificed their time, carried my burden along with me, and called out to OUR Father in desperation AND thanksgiving I felt love in an out-of-body kind of way. It was the sweetest goodbye I have ever experienced.
Prayer Requests:
- Thank the Lord for safe travel! Thank Him for guiding us along our journey. Thank Him for using our mistake as a way to bring my family together and closer to Him. What an interesting blessing. Definitely not conventional (but really, the Lord keeps us on our toes, He never goes about things how we think He will, does He? ;) ).
- Pray that we may adapt to the time difference quickly. That we may experience rest and peace in Him.
- Pray that we would adjust to the culture and that my heart would be opened to serve however I can. That I would not let physical exhaustion affect my actions and ability to love.
- Pray for my team members, for our fellowship with each other. That our love would be authentic, deep and a reflection of God's perfect love to us. Let our relationship with each other be our loudest testimony to the people of Ireland.
Thanks y'all!! Much love :)
Ash
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