ON MY WAY

What a day it has been. Let's see, I started the day (July 1st) in El Paso, TX. As my mom, brother and boyfriend tearfully drove me to the airport I kept thinking "this is so surreal". But of course, as soon as I arrive at the airport we are informed my flight is delayed 2 hours, giving me a little more than an hour layover till my connecting flight to Australia. Honestly, I was stressed, to the max. I kept thinking what would happen if I missed my next flight and all the other "worst case" scenarios. But as I said my goodbyes and marched up to security God totally reassured me everything would be alright.

Getting on the plane in El Paso was simple, and I sat next to a nice woman from Baton Rouge who let me vent to her all of my stresses and issues awaiting me at LAX. But a Christian herself, she was quick to remind me that God was in control and He has perfect timing. How could I be late when He controls the clock? Which brought me some ease. I passed the time by cracking open some letters my boyfriend Bobby and best friend Nicole had written me, they were so encouraging but I couldn't help but a bit sad for all of those I was leaving behind. I cracked open a book my dear friend Hollie gave me called The Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahney and I started to read. In the first few chapters God really started to convict me. Where was my joy, where are my priorities, why am I so worried? Before I could answer myself, the plane landed and it was time to run.

So literally, I ran to baggage claim. After wrangling 2 50 lbs bags off the baggage carousel I darted towards the island where I was to wait for a shuttle to take me from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4. Oh and I had to check my bags at Ter. 4 before 10:30....and it is 10:10. Talk about a blessing. This kind Asian woman who spoke very broken English, grabbed one of my suitcases and helped me run all the way to my Qantas counter. She said goodbye and walked away. I had made it there with 15 seconds to save. Thank you Jesus. I took a deep breath, called some family members and friends to inform them I was going to be okay and then made my way through customs. An interesting process. :) Finally, walking towards my terminal I see that most of my plane had already boarded, so I raced to the last gate and boarded this GIGANTIC bus of a plane. A double decker. Maybe a 747 or something (my brother could tell you). I take my seat and take a deep breath.

Wouldn't you know it, God had placed me in a seat right next to a Pastor from a Church in Denver who was traveling to Papa New Guinea to do missions. We talked about life, joked about the chaos of international flying, and He reminded me about how sovereign Jesus truly is and how awe inspiring his Gospel is. After sharing our supper I fell into a very deep (Ativan-induced) sleep and woke up 2 hours before landing, just in time for breakfast. The flight was the smoothest I had ever experienced and God just reminded me that He gave me the desire for Australia, He used people to bring this opportunity to my attention, Jesus raised all the money to come and He took total interest in all of the safety provisions to get me here...there is literally nothing to worry about because I am in the hands of my eternal Father and no one can take me from His grasp.

Now I sit at a computer at the house I will call home for 5 months and I can't even fathom how I was chosen for such an amazing blessing. This place is really something, it is like the Wizard of Oz. Like California mixed with Crossville, TN, and Hawaii. The drivers are crazy and pedestrians cross the street at their own will. It will be one crazy adventure, so stayed tune. Love you all and God Bless.