Oh the Places You’ll Go… Due to Delays and Missed Flights

The Awesome Pic was Borrowed from: http://www.ski-transfers.com/blog/2013/11/how-to-sleep-in-zurich-airport/

So, if you have not heard… I am heading back to Brussels for another 3 months!

Sorry to not inform you earlier, this summer has been WONDERFUL, but insane!

By heading back to Brussels, I mean to say, I am there now. Or I will be shortly. I am writing this in  Zurich, Switzerland (but it will probably be posted from Brussels when we arrive tonight).

Trying to get to Brussels have been a test on my patience and trust. We started out with being delayed out of OKC, so right off the bat we had to reschedule ALL of our remaining flights. So I went from going to OKC – Chicago – Brussels, to having to to OKC – Chicago – Zurich – Brussels.

So we are delayed from the top, then again by an additional 30 minutes before we boarded, so we get into Chicago with 20 minutes to go to an entire new terminal (by train thing), get out of security, go back through TSA security, find our gate and board. I was thinking, “We can do this!” But then we hit the TSA line.. and it was long. We waited there for 10 minutes before I had given up all hope of making the flight. So as Jennifer (my Brussels Buddy for the next 3 months) and I are discussing going to get a Deep Dish Pizza, since we are in Chicago, we hear this precious angel saying “Anyone for Zurich?” So obviously I shout “US”, probably a little too loud. This precious heaven-sent TSA Angel whisked us through TSA, and the lines then onto our plane, absolute last second. Prayers of thanksgiving were happening for sure!

Then the plane we RAN for, literally, sat at the gate FOR AN HOUR! Literally. There was so much traffic that we could not get out of Chicago for an hour. We finally took off and Swiss Air took good care of us. We landed too late to catch our connection in Zurich (UGH!) but they rebooked up hassle free and we just have to hang for the next few HOURS until it is time for the flight home! At this point…. I just want to be in a bed!

Then, we finally get a gate for our plane in Zurich and decide to head to that terminal/concourse and we have to go through Passport Control. No biggie right.

WRONG

The super nice lady starts asking me all these questions about why I am coming and what we are doing and why did I go to Belgium 3 months earlier this year and when I am coming back now. So I am being all informative and vague and she informs me that apparently I have been in the EuroZone too much the way the Calendar and stuff works and I am not allowed to enter until a later date… which happens to be tomorrow. What?!?! Come again??!?! What is about to happen. Well, she calls one of the other security guys in and the talk (in Swedish – Thanks bros) and come to the conclusion that since I am a mere 7 hours early, they will grant me access anyway. PTL – I am still not sure, because by my calendar I should be good, but ya know… whatever.

The whole travel process was a mess, and I am just thankful that God was able to make it happen, because honestly, I am pretty sure that we would not have made it today if He was not awesome!

Quick Summary of the Things I Learned Today!

1. Some people are just forgetful and needy, (me – as I forgot the material for our English Classes we are teaching this week) and others are AMAZING (My new roomie – literally have known her for a week – who drove the forgotten packets to the airport – 40 min drive one way – so I could have them for the trip!) Love the servants and amazing people in your life!
2. Swiss Air is my favorite! The food was good, the movie selection was great, the staff was stellar and when we missed our connection in Zurich because the flight was late, they rebooked us and it was ready for us when we got off the plane, AND they gave us a voucher for lunch! Thanks for the Love Swiss Air!
3. When you pray for patience and trust, the Lord grows those in you. He doesn’t just give them, He forces growth in them. [This isn’t “new”, but still reinforced today.] God is FAITHFUL!
4. People who at first appear “too cool” are just as klutzy and normal as the rest of us. Case in point: On the flight from Chicago to Zurich I was by this Euro looking guy who come off “too cool” and was obviously irritated that I made the flight and he lost the opportunity to have an empty seat next to him. Well, after dinner, bro spilt his a cup of wine all over his shirt, pants and seat [Note: He was not drunk… just a klutz). I said, I’ll get some napkins, and jumped up and went to the back for napkins. When I came back, he was all like “I don’t even know what happened” [please include Euro Accent – Swedish I believe if you are being particular], and I responded, “No worries, I am surprised I haven’t spilt my drink on me. It’s usually me spilling stuff.” He gives me a strange look and goes “Really?” and I was like “Yeah, I am kinda a klutz” and laughed at myself. He looked at me for a second, the chuckled, said thanks and we went back to watching our separate movies. He was much less “cool” the second half of the flight, or just actually cool.
5. Added As I’m Posting this… Coming back to Brussels felt like coming home. I know this makes some of you real sad to hear, but once we landed, there was a sweet familiarity and comfort of being here and back where I know things, especially after Zurich and Swedish and Swiss Francs!

So, from my Euro Home… I’m out! It’s time for me to go to bed! Much love and I’ll keep you posted of my adventures in Belgium!

RSVP 

(Répondez s’il vous plaît – Respond, if you please!)

What is your craziest travel story?

A Day in Paris

So late. So sorry. It has been a mad house around here and I have been beyond busy. I finally got around to editing some of the pictures from our day trip to Paris two weeks ago and wanted to share them with you.

Please enjoy, and know that I did!

Monet!

MonetMonet

Picasso

But no Van Gogh, because they were on strike and that portion of the Musée D’Orsay was closed.

More to come soon from a trip to the Royal Gardens and another day trip to Bruges.

Day one!

Day one (or two… depending on how you are counting.)

I made it safely and easily with no mishaps and I was even able to sleep a little bit on the plane. I also watched When the Game Stands Tall and My Best Friends Wedding, one of my favorite movies.

[So… if you know me in real life, you know I have this crazy loud boisterous laugh that I can’t always control. Well, I figured out where it came from! Julia Roberts has that laugh and when I was younger I idolized her and wanted to be just like her. That’s what caused me to start wanting to dye my hair red. Just saying…]

Sorry, side tracked by talk of Julia Roberts… hate to say its really not that abnormal.

So, since landing and getting to the flat, I have unpacked, had breakfast, spent some time reading in 2 Timothy, started my Piyo DVD program and did some Cardio X from P90X, but mostly just the Kenpo X stuff. I also showered, did my hair even put make-up on. Now, I am writing a post. Pretty much anything to avoid going to sleep and to ward off jet lag.

Oh the dreaded jet lag. My first trip, it was SO BAD that I was falling asleep every time I sat down. Now, I have learned better how to handle it, and I know that I need to be active and sweat. Last year we went for a run that day and the difference it made was insane. So I wanted to run today, but it didn’t work out well so… DVD workouts in the flat.

Then, I had lunch with K and discussed what things would be looking like for the next few months. Finally, we went off to english class for the youth and I was able to help K and R with that portion of what I will be helping with.

God is doing a lot of big things here and I am so thrilled to be able to be a part of it.

Much Love

Be praying, please, for:

Language – French is HARD!

That I would long to spend ever more time in the Word

For the Lord to speak clearly and to hear clearly what He would have me to do.

[P.S. – Please don’t expect daily blog post… I cannot manage that – lets just be real. If you subscribe (over there to the right,) you will get an e-mail when I post then you can read it!]

[P.P.S. – The photo below is an example of why I have the best friends in the World!]

Twas the Night Before Belgium…

Twas the night before Belgium

And all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring

Except for a Morgan.

The bags all packed

By the front door with care

With Prayers

The Jesse and her

Could make it the airport.

The snow has come quick

And mounted with ease

While Morgan whined loudly

Wishing snow to be gone.

[Hope you enjoyed that… it just came to me… Because I am a dork like that.]

ANYWHO…

It’s here.

The night before I leave.

I cannot believe that in 12 hours I will be on a plane heading for Belgium.

For three months!

This is just insanity – of the best sort.

I am so excited and honestly, these past few days, I have been absolutely blown away by the kindness, love and generosity of my friends and those in my life. Even my Middle Schoolers… they have been sending me the most encouraging text and letters. I am amazed. Simply blown away.

The Lord is so good.

I learned a long time ago that on my own, I am not well liked and I am not very likable. [I am OK with this assessment of myself – don’t worry, my self-esteem and all such things are fine, I am stating fact.] However, The Lord has been so faithful to me and has grown me into this person that people love. [Hope that doesn’t come across as prideful… oh gosh!] Seriously though, I grew up in my hometown being generally disliked and picked on, and now the Lord has been so gracious to give me favor is so many environments and so many people that love me and show me love that I cannot even begin to process it. I look at my friends sometimes and just ask they, “Why do you fools even like me?” or “I still cannot believe that you wanted to be my friend.” I really ask these questions… and I know that it must be because of the Lord being faithful, gracious and loving. There is not other reason I can even begin to accept or believe.

So unending thanks to God, my Lord, for his Faithfulness in loving me, despite how broken I am, and for giving me the privilege of my friends, my church and this call to Belgium. I don’t deserve such extravagant gifts, but He gives anyway.

So… anyway.

T-Minus 12 hours…

Until I Fly Away.

Woah!

Keep up with me on here because I will be trying to update regularly.

Absente

Man, sometimes like really catches up with us and we just get too busy! I am so sorry that I have been absent these past few days. I am trying write at least 3 times and week and really stay engaged in this blog and with you all!

So just for today, I have been absent because things are really taking off for my trip to Brussels here next month! I have about 6(ish) weeks before I leave and I am starting to get really excited, and scared. It’s going to be a great time, lots of fun, lots of struggles, lots of growth!

For those who do not know, I am traveling to Brussels Belgium this upcoming month to work and partner with a church I know there. I will be engaged in a variety of ministries there and helping the local church with their needs. For some more information about my trip you can visit the following website, and learn more about what I am doing.

www.giftforgood.com/belgium-bound

Finally, on that website you can give to help make this trip possible. I know I do not personally know many of you, and many of you may not be Christians or support what I am going there to do, but if you are willing, I would love any kind of financial support you can offer.

Your prayers are also highly coveted.