Amazing journey!
I thought it was not going to take place when I almost missed the airplane on Thursday morning... I thank God for giving me the courage and confidence that I needed that morning. I didn´t want to miss the only direct flight to Miami. if I would have missed it, I would have missed the flight to Valencia too.
The entire trip would have been canceled; Aeropostal (Venezuela´s airplane) does not have any availability until 2008.
I prayed for courage when driving my minicooperS through the streets of Cordova... It was raining on Thursday morning... rush hour made it difficult for me to arrive on a timely fashion. As I drove over the over path, I noticed that 240 was quite busy and there was no way for me to arrive on time. Luckily, I had learned some side streets recently so I took the alternate route. I was quite discouraged when I thought I was not going to make it...As I prayed, I asked "Lord, please don´t let me quit now. I really want to spend the weekend with my folks.. let me try at least... please, don´t let me quit now..." I drove around Memphis cautiously.
When I arrived to the airport´s long-term parking, I initially couldn´t find a parking spot, then I realized it was full so I parked 3-4 blocks away. Oh boy! Was I going to make it in less than 30min. to the N.W. airline counter, pass security, and arrive to Gate #4 within the given time frame?!...God was the only one who knew my itinerary without a doubt! Once I parked, I ran as fast as I could towards the terminal.
I vividly remembered saying quietly "I am not going to give up now... Lord, give me the strength to continue running until I arrive to the Gate... if the lady from the Gate closes the airplane door on my face, then I will accept my circumstances."
At this point, I was determined NOT to give up... I prayed for patience, courage, and endurance. I wanted to visit my folks desperately and have been visualizing myself next to mom in the past month... so the more I thought about mom, the faster I ran.
When I arrived to the counter, the man from the counter reminded me that I was ONE MINUTE late to "check-in" my luggage; therefore, he was not guaranteeing the arrival of it. WHAT???? I didn´t want to travel without clothes! I prayed for guidance and confidence... few minutes later, I decided to run towards the gate.
The next barrier was TSA. I only had 20 minutes left before departure. I asked everyone waiting to go through security to pleeeeease allow me to "go ahead" in front of them after I explained my situation briefly. I thank GOD for giving me the courage to ask for help! I really needed everyone´s cooperation at this point otherwise I would have missed the plane.
When I arrived to the gate, I asked the lady from the counter for the status of my luggage. The lady reported that took approx. 4 minutes to load my luggage inside of the plane and I was ready to go! As I boarded the plane, I was soooo grateful that I didn´t not give up. I was on my way to Miami to pick up my dad´s medications and spend quality time with Amanda and Isabella (niece and godchild).
YAY! I'm so glad you made it!
I have been watching for an update. Tell your mom you have a friend named Amy praying for her in Collierville, Tennessee! Love you! Have a great visit.
Amy
Posted by: Amy | October 27, 2007 at 05:03 PM