Abundantly Blessed

So, I really don't know where to begin with this post. I guess I should start out by telling all you faithful blog readers that 1) this post should probably be 2 or 3 posts, so it may get a little long...in other words, I'm apologizing (warning you) now. 2) I'm writing this post from my mom's kitchen table...yes, you read that right...my mom's kitchen table...in America!!

First, the beginning...several months ago my dear Papa Jim (my dad's dad) was diagnosed with brain cancer. Due to the location of the tumors they were unable to operate. They did do a round of radiation and he did GREAT! The doctors said he had a good 3-5 years left. Then he got pneumonia and got put in the hospital. He was released from the hospital on a Friday afternoon. However, by the time my grandma got him home, he was so weak he couldn't get out of the car, they immediately turned around and went back to the hospital, he was admitted to ICU with pneumonia again. This time he also got a NASTY case of thrush from all the antibiotics. Finally, he was better, just really, really weak. They sent him to a nursing home for rehabilitation. He was set to come home and that morning woke up with a fever...not going home. A couple of days later, he fell and broke some ribs. Then, he got put in the hospital again with pneumonia. At this time, our family finds out the doctors told him the last time that they could not cure the pneumonia, only treat it. This time, his body responded to the antibiotics but we are told, eventually, he won't respond. He decides, he doesn't want to be anywhere but home, so he is released and hospice started coming in. Then, we are told, he has a 0% chance of being here at the end of the year. So, after much prayer, Arnett and I decided that Zeke and I should go home and see him. Arnett decided not to come home with us. After months of hating Mali, he's finally reached a place of contentment...Thank you Father for that!!

So, God provided the time away from the field for Zeke and I to come. He also provided plane tickets purchased using frequent flyer miles...Thanks Dad!!! I was a nervous wreck about traveling that far with a 2 year old by myself. My layover in Atlanta was only an hour and a half and if you've never traveled internationally that is not near enough time to get through customs and make it to your next plane. I was really anxious about this particular leg of our journey. But God, He's so good to us!! Let me just tell you exactly how well our trip went....

First leg: Bamako to Paris. 5 1/2 hour flight. Take off time: 10:45 pm. So, the trip started off late. We didn't leave Bamako until 12:30am (almost 2 hours late). My layover in Paris was only supposed to be 3 hours, so I was instantly a little bit more nervous about this leg than before! Zeke slept about 3 hours on this flight and did SO well. Thank you Lord!! We landed in Paris about an 1 1/2 hours before my next plane is leaving. For some reason, instead of parking us at the terminal, the pilot stops the plane in the middle of Timbuktu!! We have to exit the plane using steps pushed to the plane, not through the hallway thingy. Then, we board a bus and take a 15-20 minute bus ride to the terminal. My nervousness at this point is even higher. I keep telling myself...God is in control. I get to the terminal, find out what gate our flight is leaving from and head that direction. We make it through security (you have to go back through when in Paris). Thankfully, they have "travelers with children" lines, so we got through really fast. I stopped to buy a bottle of water. Made it to our gate and immediately boarded the plane. It worked out perfectly!! I was a little nervous that I'd have to chase Zeke all around the airport but God took care of that!!

Second leg: Paris to Atlanta. 9 1/2 hour flight. Zeke did so good on this flight too. He slept 4 or more hours!! We got several comments on how good he was. Thank you Father!!! Then, God, in all his awesomeness got the plane there an HOUR early. My layover went from 1 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours!! When I got off the plane, we headed straight for customs. They have this ridiculously long line that you have to snake your way through. Of course, it's all the way to the back of where you enter the long snake maze. I thought, "Well, Praise the Lord I have extra time!" However, I was still a little nervous. Then, as I'm making my way through the long snake, I was right at the edge of the snake, near where you enter. The custom's agent says, "We've opened up the lines on the other side." So, I was able to duck under the ropes and was 4th or 5th in line on the other side. We made it through customs in 15 minutes or so!! Praise God!! We got our bag really quickly (you have to claim your bag after customs and they do periodic checks on them) and we weren't called for a bag check!!! We then made it to our gate with over an hour before take off time!! I was able to buy a milkshake and some water and let Zeke run around some!! Praise the Lord!!

Third leg: Atlanta to Jacksonville. 46 minute flight. Now, at this point, Zeke and I had been traveling 22 hours, but my little man is a trooper!! He did so well on that flight. Praise the Lord!!

So, I just have to Praise the Lord!! He was with us the entire time and we couldn't have done it without Him!!! Lord, Thank you again for always providing and looking out for us!!! You are truly wonderful!!

Please pray for our time here. That we'd have a good visit with my papa and other family. Pray for Arnett as he is in Mali. Pray that he would be able to have a lot of good visits with our African friends. Until next time...