It's 1:36pm and I'm still trying to calm down from the recent adrenaline rush that ran through my body as I rushed through the South Station trying to buy my bus ticket.
As I mentioned earlier my flight to Augusta this morning was canceled so I was left to wait for the flight scheduled for 1:30. By 12 I hadn't heard anything so I patiently went up to the desk and inquired about the flight. It was several minutes before I was given a more clear answer...that was at about 12:15. The pilot, who was due to fly to Augusta today at 1:30, suggested that I take the bus because the weather didn't seem to be letting up. They sent my luggage to baggage claim but when I got down the stairs I didn't know where to go. It seemed like I ran all over that baggage claim area to try and find my luggage and finally someone directed me to the right place.
By the time I retrieved my luggage I was afraid that I had missed the bus because it was just turning 12:30. The guy who brought down my luggage pointed me in the direction I needed to go and I hurried over to the bus stop where several other people were waiting. I talked to one lady who works for an airline in Colorado and she said that if I pushed enough I might be able to get a refund on my plane ticket. She said she was in Maine to see family for thanksgiving and to attend her niece's baptism.
The bus was actually a few minutes late...but I was relieved to catch it. When I couldn't find my luggage earlier I was so confused, not really sure what I was going to do if I did miss the bus. To finally sit down in my seat after waiting so long for a flight to Maine was assuring.
Because we hadn't purchased our tickets yet we were supposed to get off at South Station, purchase them inside quickly and then come right back to the bus. Once we arrived I left my lap top and lap top bag on my seat and my luggage was safely stored under the bus. I followed the other passengers inside to the Concord ticket booth and we made it to the front of the line. When I reached the counter I turned over my only form of payment, my Discover card, and the guy says that they only accept VISA or Mastercard. I had to think really fast because if I can't pay for my ticket I'm stuck. All kinds of scenarios run through my head until I remember that I set my card up so that I could withdraw money. I ran over to the atm and when I return to the ticket booth the line is outrageously long.
By now I am restlessly frantic. What if the bus leaves without me? All of my stuff is on the bus...my luggage and my lap top. My heart was racing in my chest a million miles a minute. The wait through the line seemed like an eternity but really it didn't take that long. I grabbed my ticket and made a run for it to the bus. Passengers aren't permitted outside the station unless directed by staff and there was a HUGE line waiting to get on the bus. By God's grace one guy came around the corner and asked if anyone was going to Portland, Maine. I slipped through the door with a couple who was waiting to go to Portland. Everything was fine. I made it. The bus didn't leave without me. They didn't leave with all my belongings. I was safe.
This day has been one crazy one but I can rest assured that God has been with me...leading me every difficult step at a time. It's like Psalm 139:7-10 that says, "Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast."
Though everything around me is going crazy...God is going steady with me!! He's along side me as I'm chasing luggage and catching buses!
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Flight 1007 Canceled
I'm on my way home to Maine to spend Thanksgiving with family. This morning I was up at 3am to leave by 3:30 to arrive at the Newark airport for a flight to Boston where I was supposed to catch a connecting flight to Augusta, Maine. Here I am at the Logan airport having been here for a little over an hour or so. Due to stormy weather conditions my flight to Augusta, ME scheduled to leave 3 minutes ago (10:40) was canceled. Now the plan is that I wait for the 1:30 flight...if by 12:30 they think that it will also be canceled then I'll be taking a bus home.
Oh the joys of travel! The flight here was a bumpy one but I ended up sitting next to a lady who had lived in Sao Paolo, Brazil for over eight years. She was ecstatic to hear about my plans to visit at Christmas time and assured me that I would enjoy myself very much. I was also able to promote JET Incorporated. She works for a company that still has a hub office in Belo Horizonte and who are looking for someone to teach some of their staff members English. It was very exciting talking to her about it.
When things like that happen...I can see the hand of God. Things like that can't be just coincidence. In fact, we sat beside each other the whole ride and didn't really start talking till the flight was nearly over. We started talking because I was so nervous throughout the flight and she rejoiced with me when the plane finally landed. It was at that time that I told her that every time I fly I get nervous and that I was especially nervous to fly to Brazil. That's when she lit up and told me that she had lived there for eight years about nine years ago.
It will be so nice to go home and relax and be around people who love me unconditionally :) That's what home is...a safe haven. Thank God for the times that we can go there and be completely ourselves...
I love the people I've met since being in Vineland but I know, after only being there for a couple of months, that it's not the place for me. But I will continue on and keep my commitment there until June. I'm sure that God has plans that I can't even imagine. It's all part of trusting him to lead me and do with me what he wants to and where he wants to.
Oh the joys of travel! The flight here was a bumpy one but I ended up sitting next to a lady who had lived in Sao Paolo, Brazil for over eight years. She was ecstatic to hear about my plans to visit at Christmas time and assured me that I would enjoy myself very much. I was also able to promote JET Incorporated. She works for a company that still has a hub office in Belo Horizonte and who are looking for someone to teach some of their staff members English. It was very exciting talking to her about it.
When things like that happen...I can see the hand of God. Things like that can't be just coincidence. In fact, we sat beside each other the whole ride and didn't really start talking till the flight was nearly over. We started talking because I was so nervous throughout the flight and she rejoiced with me when the plane finally landed. It was at that time that I told her that every time I fly I get nervous and that I was especially nervous to fly to Brazil. That's when she lit up and told me that she had lived there for eight years about nine years ago.
It will be so nice to go home and relax and be around people who love me unconditionally :) That's what home is...a safe haven. Thank God for the times that we can go there and be completely ourselves...
I love the people I've met since being in Vineland but I know, after only being there for a couple of months, that it's not the place for me. But I will continue on and keep my commitment there until June. I'm sure that God has plans that I can't even imagine. It's all part of trusting him to lead me and do with me what he wants to and where he wants to.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Where?
Where am I?
At this very moment I am sitting comfortably on my freshly made bed in my little attic bedroom in Vineland, NJ.
I'm in Vineland interning at the Chestnut Assembly of God church. I'm interning with the Young adult pastors and am involved in other various ministries including choir, young adult worship, homeless ministries, as well as mentoring at a boys and girls club once a week.
The mentoring experience is one I am super excited about. Although most weeks my assigned mentees never show, I've had the opportunity to mingle with other kids and make a difference here and there in small ways. One girl wants to be a writer when she grows up and I've encouraged her to write a short story and bring it in for me to check it out. Another little girl was discouraged one day when one of the staff yelled at her for making a paint gun with pipe cleaners in the craft activity...she didn't say anything but I knew that her feelings were hurt so I encouraged her and said, "It's okay...you did a great job!" That short and to the point comment made her day. And making her day made my day!
Thanksgiving is coming up soon and I'll be going back to Maine for a brief vacation. It will be great to be with family and friends for a little while. Each time I'm away now I miss everyone more and more. I'm especially excited to sleep in my big comfy bed in my bedroom at my parents' house :P So a lot is going on...things are happening. Times are not always easy...but I know who holds me securely. Thank God for his faithfulness through every season!
At this very moment I am sitting comfortably on my freshly made bed in my little attic bedroom in Vineland, NJ.
I'm in Vineland interning at the Chestnut Assembly of God church. I'm interning with the Young adult pastors and am involved in other various ministries including choir, young adult worship, homeless ministries, as well as mentoring at a boys and girls club once a week.
The mentoring experience is one I am super excited about. Although most weeks my assigned mentees never show, I've had the opportunity to mingle with other kids and make a difference here and there in small ways. One girl wants to be a writer when she grows up and I've encouraged her to write a short story and bring it in for me to check it out. Another little girl was discouraged one day when one of the staff yelled at her for making a paint gun with pipe cleaners in the craft activity...she didn't say anything but I knew that her feelings were hurt so I encouraged her and said, "It's okay...you did a great job!" That short and to the point comment made her day. And making her day made my day!
Thanksgiving is coming up soon and I'll be going back to Maine for a brief vacation. It will be great to be with family and friends for a little while. Each time I'm away now I miss everyone more and more. I'm especially excited to sleep in my big comfy bed in my bedroom at my parents' house :P So a lot is going on...things are happening. Times are not always easy...but I know who holds me securely. Thank God for his faithfulness through every season!
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Meeting and Eating
For a couple of months now my sisters and I have been meeting once a week for Bible study. And as of late we've been adding members. Every week we decide on a place to meet and because both of my sisters have kids of their own and have to feed them, Food is often a requirement before our Bible study. Since this is the case every week I get a text message from both of my sisters...usually at different times...saying, "Where are we going to meet and what are we going to eat?" At first I was okay with the whole eating thing until I got a little annoyed by the weekly question, "What are we going to eat?" Frankly, I don't care. Seriously, I would rather not eat at all and just have coffee and cookies during the meeting. Sometimes I feel as though the eating part of the meeting actually distracts from the point of the meeting in the first place. Haha.
Anyway. Sunday rolls around and one of my sisters texts me and says, "Where are we going to meet tomorrow and what do you want to eat?" Because my frustration has come to a bit of a boiling point I text back hastily and say, "Do we have to eat?" :P She replies, "Well we don't have to but we do have to feed the kids." Rather than reply back I just leave it cause I really don't care whether we eat or not and what we eat.
The next day, the day we meet, my other sister sends me a text and says, "Where are we going to meet and what are we going to eat? And don't say that you don't care." This makes me even more frustrated. LOL. So...since I was planning to go to Rockland that day I replied with the following: I am going to Rockland from Searsport around 1. Not sure if I'll make it back by 4...What about meeting at Hollis...I can bring brownies I made Thursday. We all could eat separately and then meet after.
So we decided on 5:30 at Holli's house. Molli was going to bring some veggies and dip and I was bringing the brownies.
After we finished the Bible study I voiced my frustration about the whole food thing. LOL. So after a bit of discussion over the issue we came to the conclusion that if they wanted to eat before or during they would do so but without consulting me. :-) I know...this all must seem pretty silly! LOL For our next meeting we are going to meet at my Aunt's house and those who want to eat can come early...those who do not, can come just for the study. It works perfectly. :-)
That's not all! Haha. After the whole ordeal over eating at our meetings I was feeling a bit like a little brat. But today I was reading in Matthew 6 and was comforted by the words of Jesus himself:
Matthew 6:31, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?.....
hahahahahahaha!!! Of course, I HAD to send that verse to my sisters to plead my cause!
So now you all know NEVER to ask me, What shall we eat? LOL
Anyway. Sunday rolls around and one of my sisters texts me and says, "Where are we going to meet tomorrow and what do you want to eat?" Because my frustration has come to a bit of a boiling point I text back hastily and say, "Do we have to eat?" :P She replies, "Well we don't have to but we do have to feed the kids." Rather than reply back I just leave it cause I really don't care whether we eat or not and what we eat.
The next day, the day we meet, my other sister sends me a text and says, "Where are we going to meet and what are we going to eat? And don't say that you don't care." This makes me even more frustrated. LOL. So...since I was planning to go to Rockland that day I replied with the following: I am going to Rockland from Searsport around 1. Not sure if I'll make it back by 4...What about meeting at Hollis...I can bring brownies I made Thursday. We all could eat separately and then meet after.
So we decided on 5:30 at Holli's house. Molli was going to bring some veggies and dip and I was bringing the brownies.
After we finished the Bible study I voiced my frustration about the whole food thing. LOL. So after a bit of discussion over the issue we came to the conclusion that if they wanted to eat before or during they would do so but without consulting me. :-) I know...this all must seem pretty silly! LOL For our next meeting we are going to meet at my Aunt's house and those who want to eat can come early...those who do not, can come just for the study. It works perfectly. :-)
That's not all! Haha. After the whole ordeal over eating at our meetings I was feeling a bit like a little brat. But today I was reading in Matthew 6 and was comforted by the words of Jesus himself:
Matthew 6:31, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?.....
hahahahahahaha!!! Of course, I HAD to send that verse to my sisters to plead my cause!
So now you all know NEVER to ask me, What shall we eat? LOL
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Annie's Song
The room was crowded. People were scattered forming
groups around the room. The sound of silence was
unbearable. We all know the cliche, "it was so quiet
you could hear a pin drop". What was happening? What
was the matter? Was anyone going to stand up and be
courageous? They were waiting for someone to utter a
word.
One second....two seconds...three seconds pass by. No
sound. No word spoken. Four seconds...five, six,
seven...Wait, was that a word from someone in the
corner of the room?
One tiny little voice was heard. It was the voice of
little Annie. The room was crowded with cowardly
adults who dared not utter a word and the one to break
the silence was a stature of insignificance but one
with a spirit of courage.
"I believe in Jesus," she said as she aimed her words
at the man holding the gun in the middle of the
crowded room. Inch by inch she made her way to a
foot's distance away from him. People around her
tried to stop her in her path fearing for her life.
She pushed them aside and continued on.
"I believe in Jesus," she exclaimed one more time once
she was standing directing in front of the gunman.
Gasps were heard from those same speechless people
from moments before.
The gunman aimed the gun at Annie's head and then
ordered everyone to clear the room who did not share
her beliefs. Some hesitated not desiring to leave the
girl but eventually fear overcame them and one by one
the people hurried out of the room...not daring to
look behind. Cowardly they came in and cowardly they
went out. When the door shut behind them, it left the
gunman and Annie face to face in the middle of the
room.
When he heard the door shut the gunman prepared his
gun to fire and asked the girl one last time, "Will
you deny Christ or die?"
"I believe in Jesus," she began before singing this
song, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells
me so, little ones to him belong, they are weak but he
is strong..." Suddenly from behind the door where the
others had escaped to, they heard a gunshot that
abruptly ended Annie's song...
Moments later, Annie was safe in the arms of her
Heavenly Father singing a new song.
Jesus Loves Me this I know for my Father tells me so,
little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is
strong, yes Jesus Loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, yes
Jesus Loves me, my Father tells me so.
groups around the room. The sound of silence was
unbearable. We all know the cliche, "it was so quiet
you could hear a pin drop". What was happening? What
was the matter? Was anyone going to stand up and be
courageous? They were waiting for someone to utter a
word.
One second....two seconds...three seconds pass by. No
sound. No word spoken. Four seconds...five, six,
seven...Wait, was that a word from someone in the
corner of the room?
One tiny little voice was heard. It was the voice of
little Annie. The room was crowded with cowardly
adults who dared not utter a word and the one to break
the silence was a stature of insignificance but one
with a spirit of courage.
"I believe in Jesus," she said as she aimed her words
at the man holding the gun in the middle of the
crowded room. Inch by inch she made her way to a
foot's distance away from him. People around her
tried to stop her in her path fearing for her life.
She pushed them aside and continued on.
"I believe in Jesus," she exclaimed one more time once
she was standing directing in front of the gunman.
Gasps were heard from those same speechless people
from moments before.
The gunman aimed the gun at Annie's head and then
ordered everyone to clear the room who did not share
her beliefs. Some hesitated not desiring to leave the
girl but eventually fear overcame them and one by one
the people hurried out of the room...not daring to
look behind. Cowardly they came in and cowardly they
went out. When the door shut behind them, it left the
gunman and Annie face to face in the middle of the
room.
When he heard the door shut the gunman prepared his
gun to fire and asked the girl one last time, "Will
you deny Christ or die?"
"I believe in Jesus," she began before singing this
song, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells
me so, little ones to him belong, they are weak but he
is strong..." Suddenly from behind the door where the
others had escaped to, they heard a gunshot that
abruptly ended Annie's song...
Moments later, Annie was safe in the arms of her
Heavenly Father singing a new song.
Jesus Loves Me this I know for my Father tells me so,
little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is
strong, yes Jesus Loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, yes
Jesus Loves me, my Father tells me so.
Monday, 22 November 2010
Just felt like writing
It's nearly 1am in the morning but I can't sleep.
Thanksgiving is coming quickly and it's going to be the first Thanksgiving I'll be home in two years. It's going to be different that's for sure. In fact, I'm not even sure how I'm supposed to feel anymore.
However, I am thankful this time of year. I have a lot to be thankful for: Family, food to eat, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet but especially Christ's love. His love is something that I've taken for granted so many times over the years. And in the last week or so I've really been overwhelmed by his love. His love is unconditional for one thing. He loves us not because of who we are or what we will become but because of who he is. Jesus Christ was fully man but he was most definitely fully God. Because he was God he was love. He cannot help but love us. That is why he died in our place taking the punishment of our sins upon his back.
I am thankful for his love because without his love I cannot imagine where I would be right now. It is only by his righteousness that I am made right with God and it is only by his love that I have peace and fulfillment. His love is more than enough to keep me in the palm of God's hand.
For Christ's love toward me I am most thankful.
Thanksgiving is coming quickly and it's going to be the first Thanksgiving I'll be home in two years. It's going to be different that's for sure. In fact, I'm not even sure how I'm supposed to feel anymore.
However, I am thankful this time of year. I have a lot to be thankful for: Family, food to eat, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet but especially Christ's love. His love is something that I've taken for granted so many times over the years. And in the last week or so I've really been overwhelmed by his love. His love is unconditional for one thing. He loves us not because of who we are or what we will become but because of who he is. Jesus Christ was fully man but he was most definitely fully God. Because he was God he was love. He cannot help but love us. That is why he died in our place taking the punishment of our sins upon his back.
I am thankful for his love because without his love I cannot imagine where I would be right now. It is only by his righteousness that I am made right with God and it is only by his love that I have peace and fulfillment. His love is more than enough to keep me in the palm of God's hand.
For Christ's love toward me I am most thankful.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
More literary inspirations from the past...
I am so thankful for my collection of journals that I have kept over the years. When I look back through the pages of yesterday so often I am inspired by past victories and testimonies of God's goodness. Also over the years now and then I would be inspired to write down bits of poetry; that is if you want to call them that. I haven't written much lately...mainly because it's something that I have to be inspired to do.
I'd like to share a few with you:
Let my words...
Let my words be few
Let my actions speak loudly
Let my words be true
Let my actions speak kindly
Let my words be action
Let my actions speak words
The Beach...
Birds in the air
Winds blow the sea
Water splashes the rocks
Children play on the sand
Nature's Masterpiece...
A piece of Heaven
Painted in the sky
Picturesque Beauty
Reds, pinks, colors of every kind.
God Bless!
I'd like to share a few with you:
Let my words...
Let my words be few
Let my actions speak loudly
Let my words be true
Let my actions speak kindly
Let my words be action
Let my actions speak words
The Beach...
Birds in the air
Winds blow the sea
Water splashes the rocks
Children play on the sand
Nature's Masterpiece...
A piece of Heaven
Painted in the sky
Picturesque Beauty
Reds, pinks, colors of every kind.
God Bless!
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