I forgot to mention that we met some stage hands, a makeup artist, and ticket manager from the "Toruk" (sp?) Cirque du Soliel show! They were waiting in line with us at the Detroit Air Canada check in. Really nice guys. They didn't want me to take their photo, but said it was cool to take a pic of the luggage line they were guarding. Must have been 50 cases! We had a fun conversation.
What a wild ride we have had so far! Last night (Sunday) at about 7:30 pm our tour agent called. She was really struggling with getting us flights and suggested we try talking to United ourselves. I called their line and after waiting about 30 min they cut me off. Too many grumpy passengers calling them to re book cancelled flights I guess. I had the idea that we might go to the Detroit airport and talk to the ticket agents ourselves. So we hopped the shuttle and did just that.
The ladies there were very cheerful, playful, and helpful. They searched for flights, called for help, and searched some more. It looked a little dicey so we prayed. "Don't know where this one came from, but here it is!" Said the agent.
After a short night sleep, we were happy to say goodbye to the nice people at the Hampton Inn and get to the airport. Once there, another problem cropped up. I had to go from Air Canada back to United to have the agents work on our flights some more. They handed my paper back and I returned to Air Canada. "Nothing changed on your itinerary. They don't know what they are doing! " She said. She called the help desk and we waited. More problems. So we prayed again. "Ah, ok! I was able to integrate the flights. You are good to go now! " Praise God for answering our prayers!
We kept getting compliments from all kinds of people because of our peaceful, kind, understanding attitudes. "Truly. It is Jesus Christ. Without him in our lives we would be a mess! " I was able to share over and over again. We pray people will think about that and begin to look into Jesus.
We were very happy to board the jet for an uneventful flight from Detroit to Toronto. Val and I have had another relaxing day, waiting 5 hours for the Air Canada flight to Frankfurt, Germany. We ate delicious Indian food for lunch, worked on getting our phone service set up for travel, and reading. I visited a duty free MAC makeup artist and she graciously did my makeup. What a treat to be on the receiving end! When I returned to our table Val was fast asleep!
We will be boarding our flight for Frankfurt soon. It is 8.5 hours long. I'm looking forward to snuggling against Val and taking a little nap myself. I also brought along some great books I have been studying and am thankful to have many hours ahead of me to read.
Next stop is the Frankfurt Airport and an 11 hour layover. We have booked a "day room" at the Sheraton which is attached to the airport. We will be able to sleep, shower, and relax while we wait. Bryson suggested we take the subway to the city and do some sight seeing. We may just do that, depending on how we feel.
My texting is turned off now, but you can chat with me using FB Messenger! It is free and works internationally! I will check it when we land.
The Lord is with us, and with all of you. Lots of love from Toronto, Canada.
So we have now been booked for 2 flights from Detroit to Newark that have been cancelled, thanks to the winter havoc currently being wrought by Super Storm Jonas. The LATEST news from our tour company is that we will be flying out early on Monday at 6 am. Our flight to Tel Aviv leaves Newark on Monday at 3:55 pm. If all goes as planned, we should be able to make it to Israel on time. In the waiting time, Val and I are going to enjoy 2 peaceful, relaxing nights at the Hampton Inn near the Detroit airport. I'm looking forward to soaking in the bubbly hot tub and maybe watching a movie snuggled up in a soft bed with my honey. These are rare treats in our crazy busy life. Thank you Julia and Jacob for being our shuttle drivers between Midland and Detroit!
The kids met Val and me at Lanny's in Sanford for breakfast today. We had fun chatting and laughing and eating good food. Only Chris, Mallory, and Brad were missing from the company. It was such a delight to my heart to have my loved ones around the table together. I gave them my "In case we don't make it back..." blessing and instructions about provisions, will, etc., reminding them that the most important thing of all is Jesus Christ. Then we all joined hands, as is our tradition, and prayed, thanking our Heavenly Father for our family and praying the blood of Jesus and warrior angels to protect each one. Of course I cried as I hugged my precious children (boyfriend and fiancee are my kids too). We just never know when a conversation or hug will be our last on earth. Mallory, Brad, and Chris, consider yourselves hugged and cried over! Now Julia and Jacob are going with us to Detroit to drop us off at the Hampton Inn by the airport . Val and I are looking forward to 2 nights there to rest and relax while we wait for news on the storm in the east. Vacation has started!
We were supposed to fly out of Detroit to New Jersey tomorrow, (Sat 1/23) but a frigid entity named JONAS decided to dump a bunch of SNOW on the east coast. Alas, our flight has been cancelled. Thanks to a lot of help from my receptionist Harmony, and patience from my lash clients, I was able to cancel and rebook hotels, and navigate another flight plan with our tour company, while working. Whew! Our plan is to stay Saturday night in a hotel by the airport and fly from Detroit to Newark Sunday at 9am. I'm not counting on the flights actually running, but am happy to get out of Midland and have time with my beloved Val. Its ok, whatever happens. I am, however, disappointed at not being able to attend a service at Brooklyn Tabernacle on Sunday as planned. I have longed to worship God with these precious saints for years and Val and I were leaving two days early so we could do so. I wanted to hear the choir live and sit under Pastor Jim Cymbala's teaching. Oh well. Maybe another time. I'm thankful to be safe, and to be with my husband on the adventure of a lifetime.
