Walking On Water

When I first asked God to go on an adventure with me, I did not think it would start off the way it did. Just goes to show be careful what you wish for.

It all started way too early in the morning of February 24th.  I got up in the morning, got ready, and soon after saying goodbye to the rest of the family, set off with my Dad to the airport.  Thus begins the tale of worry and stress. I'll spare you all the tiny details and make a long story short, I missed my flight.  However, everything was going to be okay, because I would simply catch he next flight to Chicago where I had a connecting flight.  I was on standby, which means you still have to go through all the checks.  And when I was back there waiting, a lady with two young girls motioned for me to sit with her, so I did.  We began a conversation and I shared a little bit of how I got to a spot where I was going to teach in South Korea and how I was worried about missing this next flight.  She in return tell me about her story.  She is a missionary in Germany, who had come home for a short visit.  She had such an encouraging presence to her that everything seemed like it was going to be great! She prayed for me and reminded me that I have to trust that God had gotten me this far, He wouldn't just leave me hanging. I thought that I had hit the only bump I was going to hit and that was it.  I'm not sure exactly how to put into words the conversation I had with that woman, but it was one I'll never forget.  I ended up getting onto that plane to Chicago.  

Leaving Birmingham

Oh hey there Chicago! 

I get to Chicago, the plane would have had just enough time to arrive and dash to the next terminal to my next flight, however, that plane was late.  So, I missed the flight. At this point I was back to being a bundle of stress and nerves. I was inwardly terrified. Imagine a basket that sits by the lovely knitting ladies that kittens play in, I felt like I was just a pile of strings in that basket.  I wasn't sure what to do, where to go, who to talk to. It was all I could do at points to not just collapse on the floor in tears.  I was upset that I felt like I was letting so many people down because I would be late and have to change plans. I have a tendency to be really hard on myself and try and think through where I went wrong and should have done; which in itself isn't a bad thing until you take it too far like I do. 

So after a long while of getting more exercise than planned and becoming a Chicago O'Hare transit riding pro (I mean I went back and forth at least 10 times), it was finally decided that I would have no choice but to wait until the next day and take a flight from Chicago to Japan, then Japan to Seoul, South Korea. 

First time riding on the Chicago Transit here... first out of many many times.

Did I mention I had no clue where my luggage was during all of this either? 

I eventually went and checked in at the Hilton hotel attached to the airport, got some food and drink, and after making a few phone calls, attempting a journal time, and watching half an episode of Duck Dynasty, I passed out of sleep for about 10 hours. 

On my way to the hotel I saw this guy playing his saxophone, it made the day 10 times better.  

View from the Hotel room toward Chicago

When I woke up the next morning, I got a shower and sat down to have a little prayer time before starting the day. During my quiet time, I'm reminded of the story in Matthew 14: 22-32.  This is the one where the disciples are in the boat in the middle of a storm and out of no where they see this figure in the distance and they were afraid, which to me is an absolute thing.  I get creeped out by just the thought of a scary movie, so to think of being on a boat, in the middle of the sea.  The wind is howling, the waves are roaring, it's not exactly peaceful, and then on top of all that a person just appears out of no where.  I probably would have screamed bloody murder.  But I digress... anyways, they figure out its Jesus, and Peter says "Hey, if that's really you, let me walk on the water with you!"  Which, in my opinion, is a cool idea... how many people can say they walked on water? So, Peter starts walking on the water with Jesus *cue Lecrae and the old College/Career Crew (you know who you are)* and then Peter looks around at the situation he is in and starts flipping out and sinking.  Remember, this isn't calm water he is walking on, its a storm.  And then Jesus catches Him and just says "Oh you of little faith, why do you doubt?"  And I can just imagine it... because I realize that that is exactly what happened to me the day before.  I basically asked God to let me walk on water with Him, and as soon as I step out of the boat of all that is normal, I look at my surroundings and sink.  I'd say that that was one of the more enlightening prayer times I've had.  But it made an impression.  

So, I started that day not looking at any negative or bad circumstances, but keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus.  I flew from Chicago, to Japan, to South Korea.  The lady even told me where my luggage was and put it in the computer to put it on the plane with me.  YAY!  The trust exercises certainly weren't over, but they haven't been as trying since then.   

I do want to say a quick thank you to everyone who sent me their encouraging words and prayers.  I want to thank my parents for taking such awesome care of me.  Love you guys! 

So began the journey...