Wow. God must have something in store for me here, because Satan has been trying hard to keep me from coming. I must first say that I've arrived safely and am getting settled in. Getting here, however, was an adventure all on it's own.
I wrote my first blog at the Philadelphia airport. After 8 hours there, I boarded a plane for Frankfurt, Germany and after 7-8ish hours arrived at this dark, quiet airport. WHen I first checked in at Cleveland they could only get me my first 2 boarding passes and told me that once I got to Frankfurt, just go up to the gate and get my last 2. I found my gate, but there were no flight attendants there. I didn't worry though, because I knew I had 12 hours at this place, so I had time to wait. THere was literally nothing at this aiport. I was stuck in this one hallway, with almost no one there and nothing to do. There also was no where to exchange money to get euros to make a phone call, so I had to buy much too expensive gummy bears in order to get some change back in Euros. I was able to make a very quick and expensive phone call to Brad, which was mostly me crying because I was tired and lonely. There was no internet connection and hardly anyone around, and basically none who knew English. I decided to take some sleeping pills and pass the time that way. WHen I woke up, I still had more time to kill, which I will say again, was extremely difficult to do in this airport. FINALLY, about 2 hours before the flight, a HUGE plane pulled up and lots of people starting showing up. This was the biggest plane I had ever seen. 2 full levels and just ridiculously large. Workers finally arrived at the gate, and I went up without worry to get my ticket. WIthout even looking me in the eye, the man handed me a ticket and told me I was on standby, the plane was 20 people overbooked. WHAT?!?! I was confused. We made this reservation months ago. He quickly pushed me aside and told me just to wait around. This is when I started to panic a little. I tried the internet again, all forms in German, and still couldn't get it to work. I finally found someone to translate the big red letters on my screen for me and he said that it said the internet was down due to technical difficulties. Wonderful. I bought another much too expensive candy bar to get some euros to call home and NONE of the phones worked. I literally tried 5 phones, and not one of them would work. I became quite a site to behold as I'm pacing this place crying and trying every phone. While all of this was going on, people began to board. I decided to try talking to a different man at the gate. THis one was much nicer, but he still told me there was nothing he could do. For some reason this was the only flight that wasn't booked. The earliest he could get me out was in 5 days. Yes, 5 days. I lost it. Poor man didn't know what to do as I stood there at his counter sobbing. He told me just to take a deep breath and go pray for a miracle. I stood there for the next half hour until every person had boarded that plane. The man checked his computer and then looked up at me with a hopeless expression on his face. He came around the counter up to me and said he was so sorry but the plane was completely full. He just stood there as I cried and another older lady was yelling something at him in German, and then all at once, he walked over to the counter and said, let me try this one thing. He turned around, looked me right in the eye and said "Don't get your hopes up, this has never worked before." He made a phone call and rambled on in German. Finally, an older man in a neon vest who looked like he worked for the airport, but mom is convinced was an angel, smiled at me and winked. My first glimmer of hope.
The man who had been trying to help me turned around with a smile and said, "I guess miracles do happen, I got you a seat." I didn't know what to do so I ran up and gave him a hug and my leftover euros and told him to go buy himself a drink. haha He ran me down the terminal and gave me quick instructions. I'd be sitting on a jump seat with the crew during take off and landing and during the flight, I'd sit in a smaller jump seat in the back of the plane. When I stepped on to this plane I was in awe. A huge grand staircase led up to the first class and business class. I obvoiusly wasn't going there. THe main flight attendant led me back halfway through the plane and sat me in a jump seat in the "kitchen" area. I buckled in and sat there with the crew during take off. I then was moved to the very back of the plane. Now, I must say again that this plane was HUGE. I thought I had reached the back 3 times. Finally, I made it back there and there all by itself was this tiny fold down seat with next to no cushion by an emergency evacuation door. That was me. Facing backwards, all by myself, next to the restrooms and the air vent. I sat down and as my teeth chattered from the cold air blowing on me all I could do was laugh, this was my life. I took some major sleeping pills to try to eliviate the misery and woke up a few hours later covered in a blanket and pillow, they took good care of me back there. =) Passing the rest of the time in that seat was pretty miserable, but I managed. When people would come bak to use the restroom they would either stare of giggle. I was quite the show. Then they would go back to their brand new cushiony seat with personal tvs. Coach class seats never looked so inviting to me as they did then. haha
Anyways, the story doesn't end there. For some reason you're not allowed to sit there during landing, so I had to be moved back up to the middle of the plane where I was for take off. I got all strapped in and was ready to land when things got messed up again. One of the flight attendants seat belt was stuck in her chair. The main flight attendant came up to me and told me to quickly get up and give her my seat. SHe then grabbed my bookbag and through it behind someones seat, grabbed my arm and literally run up to the front of the plane. We went all the way up to the cockpit, minutes before landing and she opened a door that led into a closet. Yes, you guessed it. She shoved me in there and told me to keep quiet and not to come out. It was all I could do but burst out laughing. I could hear the pilots talking and feel the rumblings of the plane. It was a bit scary, but still all too hilarious.
I was finally rescued after we landed and was allowed off the plane. My last little flight went much smoother. I'm so thankful for the flight attendants on that flight, I knew they risked their jobs for me. We serve a God who still works miracles people. It sure encouraged me as I thought that GOd must have something good in store for me here, if He made that much of an effort to get me here. What an adventure already.
School starts in 2 days and I'm very anxious for that. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I'm excited to meet my children. I miss home and everyone so incredibly much and I think it will help once I have some babies to take care of. I get lonely at night, but it is teaching me to cling to God's Word. He is always present with me.
Sorry this is so long, but I thought I should share. =)
