So, I had this slight problem with my baggage, in that one bag weighed 70 pounds and the wieght limit is 50 lbs per bag and you get 2 bags. My smaller one was about 30, so I surreptitiously put my small bag on the scale frist and then threw on my big one...I think I made it without a charge becasue they said nothing, except the guy loading it commented how heavy it was and it got a special sticker (darn books will get you every time). then as I went through security they immediately pulled me over to the side away from the line. This freaked me out at first but the lady kept calling me "dear" and "sweetie" so I figured they didn't think I was a terrorist. But they did blow test me for explosives and open all my bags in front of me.
Sitting there I was trying to stay real calm...I mean, I had just said goodbye to my family and I was saying good-bye to my home country, and for some reason I was calmed by seeign my flute come out of my bag. I always find comfort in small familiar things while travelling, and seeing my flute and knowing it was with me gave me some comfort. Weird, I know.
The flight from SFO to London was good. I sat next to a french couple that was very nice. Prinfe Caspian was showing on the plane, and for those of you who know me well you know I was VERY happy with that. I didn't sleep much though, and was starting to feel it when we arrived in London. (BTW, I was on the side of the plane where I got to see Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, and the Thames River. SO COOL!)
So, I have never flown alone before, much less internationally. And the place to beign navigating on your own is NOT London Heath Row (LHR). It was like an endless maze to "connecting flights." Around a circle of stairs, a subway type vehicle to a building, then more stairs, then a bus to another terminal, more stairs, security (again?) where I lost my hair cutting scissors (totally forgot I had them in my bag) then an endless maze to find my non-existent gate.
Because my flight was cancelled.
Crud. So I talk to the nearest information person and she stared at me like I had four noses. I had to explain that I dont fly much and I don't know what to do. So I had to go back to the Iberia desk and request a new flight. Which also meant that I had to find a way to get a hold of Kathie to let her know I'd be an hour late. There was WIFI but it cost to buy and my dear laptop only has a battery life of 9 minutes. So a very sweet lady helped me dial internationally.
I was frazzled by this point. It was about 6 in the morning CA time and I had slept about 20 minutes. So I decided to calm down and pull out my Bible and pray for awhile. I have been reading Acts and it's been a huge comfort to me to read all that Paul went through (I have it infinitely easier!)
Then God revealed something to me. I was sitting there with my two big bags of stuff, expecting to find comfort that at least some of my things were with me, even though I had no clue if my baggage would make it to my new flight (I switched airlines). But suddenly I had no desire for them to find comfort. I am not here in Spain to find comfort in things. I am here for the people. It was like God completely removed my dependence for things familiar, and I was completely ok with it.
Then this morning I went to the Munroes church. Everyone was very welcoming (one woman was already asking if I could teach her English). I came to Spain fully ready and expecting that everything will be different. The language, the way we greet each other (30+ new people and only one handshake!), the songs, everything. So when worship started I was even expecting my interaction with God to be different. But He was the one thing that was the same. I know we say that God doesn't change and is alwas the same, but for me to know that He is the same here as in California really made a huge impact on me. And it wasn't like the way that my books I brought are the same. It was like He was saying "I've been here all along. Welcome." And He truly is the same here as everywhere else. The one thing that's the same. SO althouh He removewd my necesity for things familiar, He remained incredibly the same.
I will write more about my house and roomates later. I did meet my land lady last night and got several Spanish lessons :) I am posting a picture of the view from my room. This si basically what my house looks like. I have a brand new bed, desk, and drawers in my room. I am very blessed and am starting to feel right at home!
I wonder if the parking is always like that.
4 comments:
Aw, even though your first solo international flight was bumpy, I'm glad that God still revealed His "same-ness" to you and that you no longer need things to comfort you. :)
Yes. What lena said. And also to that end I will try not to bring you comfort while you are there. :)
But in all seriousness, iina, that is super cool that you're finding that God's identity isn't defined or contained by your comfort, or by your home church or your favorite things. Very neat!
Welcome to Europe... again! Flying internationally is always an experience to remember regardless of travelling alone or with a group. Whew, they let you got away w/ a pair of sicsoorss in US customs?!? that's amazingly rarre. anywei, glad you made it safe & sound thru all that was thrown at you... and i thnik they do park like taht when they can!
soooo, I finally got around to reading your updated blog! I'm so glad you got to Spain safe and sound and that God comforted you all the way through=) He's awesome like that. I sympathize w/ you about Heathrow, it's freakin HUGE, I can't imagine navigating there by myself. props to you=) Can't wait for your next update! Love you and miss you!
p.s. what's weird is that the menu on this blog and all the instructions on setting up an account are in russian for me...hm, that's so weird
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