I thought I would be on my way to India right now, but I am in England on a layover! There have been quite a few bumps in the road, but I'm not exactly complaining about this one alternative! My flight from Atlanta ended up having a 2 hour delay (due to the volcanic ash in Europe) making my second connector flight fron London to Chennai impossible to make. However, I had family and friends surprise me in Hartsfield, and they stayed with me in line and helped work out the details. By the time we finally reached the front desk to check in (1-2 hours later) the check-in personnel ended up being a total godsend; he invested a good half hour working out my personal details and formulating the best "plan b" for me (which included staying for free at a nice hotel in London with room and board paid for)! This also meant I did not have to spend the night in one of the airports but had a nice cozy bed to sleep in instead! Once arriving in Heathrow, I had the kindest English couple help me navigate through the airport and even locate my bag (which freakishly ended up at another baggage claim area making me worry that they had already sent it to India). They also helped direct me to the right check-in desk to organize my hotel and stay.
Then the next day I was off! I met some wonderful Indian people during my travels, all of whom either helped me with my "directionally-challenged" tendencies or offered me informative advice about India! Here are some "stream-of-conscious" thoughts I had the night at the Renaissance Hotel (in London). I am sharing them now because I thought they were kind of entertaining:
I've had great food. I lost the most important button on my button-down shirt (the top) one and let's just say it was a little too* late when I realized this embarrassing moment. My travels feel like they have been taking a long time, but I believe You are working. I paid the most I've ever paid for a diet coke (2 pounds!) though I don't think I've ever bought a diet coke. My hotel is paid for, and I have food vouchers and a huge bed with a million pillows. I've had two nights of delicious soup. I'm currently watching Glee and am full of peanut m&m's. i enjoyed my last conventional shower for two months. I feel You are telling me that Your purposes are prevailing and GOING to prevail. In any deterrent, You may be saving me from something worse. You are sovereign, and nothing the Enemy can try to do can hold a candle to Your power. May I live in Love and not in fear. Thank you for the prayers that are sustaining me. May I never treat any person I come into contact with as simply "ordinary" as C.S. Louis states (paraphrased). Amen.
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