Landed...

I have landed safe & sound in Uganda. No bags! But I made it. That in itself is actually pretty amazing. It was touch and go for a bit. I am so thankful to be here.

Picture the movie airport scene. I arrive late in Chicago. The sweet gate agent calls ahead to ask if they can hold the plane & tells them I am running. I gracefully glide through the airport just catching my plane to Heathrow at the last minute. Except...this is NOT how it went down.

I was late & the agent called ahead. But there was nothing graceful about it. Because of recent weight requirements for luggage, my packing buddies decided we should beat the system & put my heaviest items in an awesome pink rolly bag, courtesy of Meg Chapin. SO I am barely moving, yet I feel as if I am sprinting, while hauling a 50 plus lb bag, a computer, and my exhausted self through the Chicago airport. I arrived at the gate wheezing, in need of a shower already, and I had completely missed my flight. My journey had only just begun.

Now for all you flyers out there, I know we have all missed plenty of flights in our days…but I was so defeated! They had already re-booked me therefore adding an extra leg to Frankfort, then Heathrow, then Nairobi, then Entebbe. I had an amazing nap & shower planned for my long layover in London that was clearly out of the question now. I lost my window seat & had been moved to the middle row!

In international travel, all these factors are of the utmost importance. They help maintain sanity & I was on the edge (exhausted). Everything was stacked against me. It was time to loose it. And loosing it is not something I routinely do. I was trying to remind myself that God had made it clear to me that I am supposed to be doing this.

Just when I was about to break down in O’Hare my friend Kristin called. She could tell I was upset & prayed with me over the phone. She reminded me that I have been called to this time; she prayed for peace, for rest, & for an “upgrade” on my next fight. Ambitious, but It never hurts to ask. (Thanks friend!)

Now I don’t believe that the Lord grants every silly request we lay before him. And I don’t know what your definition of an “upgrade” is. All I can say is that I had the entire middle row (4 seats) for the 8-hour flight to Frankfort all to myself. My long legs stretched out across the seats, my head hit the pillow, and I slept like a baby. Better than First Class! It was a gentle reminder that the Lord has been, is, and will be with me on this entire journey.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4: 6-7

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all the saints.

- Ephesians 6:18

God wants us to present our requests before him, no matter how silly they may be. That is his desire. We may not get the pony we prayed for, but our request is heard. He always has the bigger picture in mind. So while we may think our prayers are not being answered, it is truly that we are only privy to a piece of the picture.

My picture looks nothing like I imagined or even prayed for. I never would have thought I would be here in this place, at this time in my life, by myself. It’s hard to obey & know that He is there when you don’t see the finished work…so many of my prayers have yet to be answered. But I know that my prayers have been heard & I rest in just this one piece of the picture. When I look back, I see all the pieces he has put together thus far & it is a beautiful picture full of hardship, brokenness, redemption, love & joy! I know this piece in Uganda will be beautiful as well.

He is with me on this journey & He is with you on yours. There are so many days I don’t see Him. But just when we start to question & just when we start to loose hope; he gently reminds us He is there…and every once in awhile we get an “upgrade”.

(After a 6 day World Tour, my bags finally made it!)