A Nerve Wracking Beginning

I just can't wait to tell you about our trip to Colombia.

Nineteen Fielder Church members from our three

campuses departed on Friday, June 21st.

Here are our departure instructions.

My daughter Susan took me to the airport.

We were determined not to be late, so she let me 

out where I thought we were to meet right on time.

Only problem--nobody there.

While she went to park I started down a long

hall with my giant suitcase full of gifts, etc., and

my carry on, while wearing my backpack.

Almost immediately a young man looked at me

and asked, "Do you need some help?"

And from that moment on I accepted ALL help offered!

I found the group. Susan found the group.

The group had to change ticket counters.

We trudged back past where I had started and

got in a nice short line to check in.

Jim and Elizabeth Parks insisted I go ahead

of them, making me first.

Someone set my huge checked bag, which we had 

weighed at forty something pounds before we

left home, on the scale. 56.5 pounds. NOOooooo!

Susan wasted no time opening it, and my new

friends started accepting items out of it

and putting them in their bags. 

Their kindness was already showing.

Jim, Elizabeth, Susan, and me before disaster struck!

But that problem paled in comparison to the next

one which jumped up.

I was not on the roster for that flight.

And it was full. My heart was sinking. 

Then the gate agent found my name on an earlier 

flight which was about to depart!

She rushed us off (back down that long hall again)

to try to catch it.

We rounded the corner to find a long security line.

(This is Gate A 11. If you are departing there, you need

to just spend the night at the airport. It is HORRIBLE.)

My girl nudged me along, asking people if we

could go ahead of them because "My mom is

going on a mission trip (the old mission trip card)

and is about to miss her flight."

Few looked very happy about it, but

we advanced to the head of the line...

which turned out to be the line going nowhere.

We stood there for-ev-er with the time ticking away.

It's not over.

Susan had shifted something to my carry on bag which

could not fly. I had tears in my eyes when they 

pulled it out for screening.

Slow, nonchalant screening.

When she finally got to it, the screener did throw

  the item away quickly and release me.

Thank you, Lord, I was very close to my gate.

The last group was being boarded when I got there,

but I made it!

I think I had about 5 minutes to spare.

If our leader had not had us change ticket counters...

If Jim and Elizabeth had not put me ahead of them...

If Susan had not helped me to the head of the line...

Any one of those three...

there is no way I could have made my flight.

God was working miracles from the start.

Those of you who read about my travels know this

could not have happened to a better person.

My nerves settled down as soon as I was on the plane.

It did not shake me up in the least to arrive in Miami

before the 18 others.

As it turned out, I was met by Shane from 

Compassion International, who took me to the

Centurion Club for a lovely lunch.

Meanwhile back at DFW my friends new and old

were gathering in a circle praying for me.

Sweet things.

I should have been praying for them. 

 Their flight was delayed at least twice, so

I don't remember what time they finally

arrived in Miami.

At least they all knew who Linda was from the start!

They were so glad to see me, and I them.

It was nice to fly on to Bogata, Colombia,

all on the same flight!

I told our leader, David Hynson, that I was really

rather glad the trip started as it did.

What kind of beginning would it be to my blog

if I just routinely arrived and boarded with my group?

(Recalling the event, though, is definitely

making my innards churn!)

Much more to come, compadres!

It will make you want to go!

OVERSIMPLIFICATION: Are you guilty?

Back in the middle ages, I was on the 

high school debate team.

As I remember it, we had to be prepared to debate

either side of an issue.

Today, however, people seem to find it a requirement

to be 100%, totally, completely on one

side or the other of any and all issues.

No compromise. No exception.
Most of us in no way believe there are two
sides to every issue.
Only the right side--our side.

What shall we consider first? How about immigration?

It's either "Build a wall, close the borders, and

'throw the bums out that are here illegally.'"

Or...

"Put out the 'Welcome All' mat.'"

 Neither of those in all practicality will work.

Perhaps the hottest debate in Texas:

Gun control.

It's either "Let anybody who passes a

 background check of some sort own an AK 47,"
Or...
"By law take away all weapons from everybody!

Then we will live in safety."

Or this: Most of you either think the Democratic
party or the Republican party is at least almost
 completely right.
You may not like to admit it in the light of day,
but you TOTALLY support one and have no use
whatsoever for the other.
Only JESUS has ever been totally without error.



How about the death penalty?
Have you dug your heels in on that one?
I think I had...until someone I knew was
executed for a crime he did not commit.
Think that won't make you doubt your stand?



I can't even "go there" when it comes to
global warming.
I don't understand enough about the debate to debate!
But I do know the One who "holds the whole
world in His hands."
And I believe He's got this one!



The issue not subject to debate to me is abortion.
I believe that life begins at conception;
therefore, abortion is taking of life.
I have, however, become aware that many are  
pro birth rather than truly pro life.
Where is their support once the baby is born?



When are we going to realize that we are
oversimplifying the solution to problems which
we may not even be capable of resolving.
Everybody needs to take a step back and realize,
"I just might not be the only one with valid ideas."
"Could it be possible that I'm not 100% right?"
When are we going to be willing to see and
consider both sides to our issues?


Let nothing be done through strife...
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
others as better than themselves.
Philippians 2:3


And when are we going to
turn back to the source of our lives and
trust Him for the answers to our problems?


If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek
my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then I will hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14


Are you one of God's people, called by His name?

2010 Trip of a Lifetime--to Haiti

This morning I was laughing at myself over the way

I am obsessing about taking an outfit or two to my

2 little girls in Colombia.
What do I take? Will it fit? What would they love?

I was remembering that in 2010, just months after

Jack died, I took 3 outfits to each of 19 girls in Haiti.

I was going to repost my blog about that when

I discovered that I had never done one!

I did find pictures from the trip, which I can't

resist sharing with you!

I hope this doesn't appear "braggy," but it was

so special and for various reasons could

not happen now.

Hang in there with me while I tell you how this

came about.

My Edward Jones rep is Britton Wilson who

is Rob's dear friend and roommate at Baylor

and who now offices in Boston.

His secretary is Linda Evans, who is my dear

friend, first by phone and then in person!

Linda's daughter, Kaitlyn, was serving at a 

wonderful orphanage in Haiti called 
Child Hope International.

Kaitlyn had said how badly the girls needed clothes,

but that they could not safely be sent by mail.

The Lord placed on my heart that this was 

something with which I could help!

At this time American Airlines would allow

me to check a 50 pound box to Haiti.

So I began to shop!

When my friend Carol Smith heard about my
venture she told her daughter, Kara.

Kara is an AA flight attendant who was

excited to go with me! And, guess what?
As a flight attendant,

she could check not 1 but 2-50 pound boxes!

Kaitlyn meticulously gathered sizes and sent me a list.

We carried each girl a dress, a pair of jeans, and a top!

Kara and Carol got flip flops for each (a biggee)

and we took some extra games and treats, etc.
Actually...there's no telling what all we carried!

And here we are weighing in at the airport:

 One box weighed 55 pounds, but

the agent acted like she didn't notice!
We were good to go!

Look what all we had in there:

18 new dresses 

 Just part of the tops

 18 new pairs of jeans

 Beautiful bracelets for all

made specially by my precious friend Charlotte Irwin

who has gone to be with Jesus.

And flip flops for all, including some for boys!
Underneath: the jeans!

Underneath: Hundreds of energy drink packs

furnished by Carol!

Now you might have noticed the number above was

 just 18. We had one baby, who you'll meet later!

Here are her things!

Oh, yeah! Dresses, jeans, and a top!

Here Kara is picking up one of our 50 pound boxes

from the conveyor belt in Port au Prince!

Ah, youth! I could not have done this without her!

Kaitlyn met us at the airport to pick up our boxes.

She brought two of the girls with her.

One was the baby, Estaline.

The other was an older girl named Mikaline, who
bonded with Kara immediately.

Here we all are--
That's Kaitlyn, Mikaline, me, Kara, and Estaline. 

We were on a return flight to Miami soon after
we delivered our boxes.
Now I wish I had gone to the orphanage and
spent a night, as Kaitlyn invited me to do.
I would have been safe.
This, however, was as far out of my comfort 
zone as my family and I were prepared for!
And farther than some of my friend's zones allowed!
(I'm lookin' at you, Adelene Howell and Beverly York!)



Some of the tent cities as we flew away and back
to our prosperous country.

Kaitlyn sent me a picture of all the girls wearing
their new outfits.
I've been on luxury cruises to exotic destinations,
but not one was any more exciting than this trip
and seeing those girls wearing those clothes.
No money better spent--no effort more rewarding.
To God and God Alone be all Glory.




******************


Kaitlyn is now Kaitlyn Evans Trabucco.
She and her husband Chad live in California 
and have a beautiful baby daughter, Navy!



I still sponsor Estaline, the baby in this story.
Here is her picture on my refrigerator!

I must admit that I did not remember all
these details.
There were notes on some of the pictures!

Love Was In The Air Yesterday

In case I've somehow missed telling you,

my granddaughter Susannah is a brand new

American Airlines flight attendant.

She is also engaged to a hunk named

Nick McCaskill.

One of the perks flight attendants get is 

choosing a "buddy" who gets to fly non rev.

Now I know you're all thinking Susannah

probably chose moi, but...surprise!

She chose Nick!!!

So I want to show you what yesterday

looked like for this darling pair!

Sus had a layover at DFW.

Nick happened to be in town. 

(He is based in Dallas with

Price Waterhouse, but works in Seattle at this time.)

So the flight attendant got the buddy to

meet her and fly with her to New York 

(her home base.)

Here is what it looked like in a few pics!

Waiting at DFW Airport!

Now this is crazy, but Nick's seat turned out to be

in the bulkhead right across from Susannah's

flight attendant jump seat! 

(Bear in mind, Nick's seat probably would have

cost me in the neighborhood of $60--

in addition to the regular fare!)

Get ready for the cutest from Nick's Instagram...

*All pictures posted with permission of darling couple!

(I think they're just trying to make up to me for not

being her buddy!)

A Quite Different Style of Travel for Me!

This is the way I customarily travel:

After hours of planning my outfits I load my suitcase

 to the absolute max--49.5 pounds out of 50 here!

And this is the way I customarily roll

(as you all very well know.)

(Thanks to Laurie Bianco)


Well...I'm going on a trip again, but it's going 
to be different! In more ways than one.
I am going to Colombia with 18 of my fellow
Fielder Church members!
We all sponsor Colombian children through an
organization called Compassion.
And we are going to get to meet our children!
I have been sponsoring my little girl for 
almost 6 years now. She will be 13 soon.



So we had a meeting last Sunday.
My first question, to no one's surprise, was
"How big a suitcase can we carry?"
The answer: "Fifty pounds!"
(Insert fist pump and "Yesssss!")
Oh, but wait. We have a "packing party"
where we all bring our suitcases packed with our
 necessities and fill them with all the gifts, etc. we
 carry to the kids, tutors, interpreters, and families!



And as to those necessities. It's not quite like this:

Not only do we not change 3x a day, these saints 
wear the same clothes 2 or 3 days! Yes, y'all.
It's true. And it's very hot there! 
And sometimes they wash their clothes out at night!



So...I think it will be frowned upon if I show
up at the packing party with 7 outfits, 6 pairs of
shoes, with matching  jewelry in little plastic bags
for each outfit. And no room in my bag for
anyone's stuff but mine. 


And then there's my hair. Somehow I doubt
it will hold up well in the Colombian heat,
especially since Susan says I must wear a hat.
Hat hair? Moi? Horror of all horrors!


I am almost totally kidding! 
I will cheerfully and enthusiastically fill my
suitcase with gifts! Can't wait!
I will have hat hair and/or flat hair.
 I'm just not sure about pictures...


We will also be blessed to get to visit not only
the church and Compassion center which Fielder
partners with in Sincelejo, but also we'll be
the first group to visit a new church and center
in nearby Villa Katy!
We will have Vacation Bible School for the
children and a "*waterpark day."
I'll tell you all about it when I get home!
(*not quite Hurricane Harbor, I've heard)



Truly I am as excited about this trip as any I go on.
Actually--even more so.
This one has heavenly ramifications and significance.
I know I will be a changed LJLS when I return.



On June 2nd we are having "Compassion Sunday"
at Fielder. 
It is only $38 a month to do immeasurable good
for a child in an impoverished area.
If you don't have one of these hanging on your
refrigerator, you need it.
You will be blessed as much as the beautiful child.

And maybe next time you can go, too!
(If I can do it, anyone can!)

Cruisin' on the Edge (Part 3) Dinner Companions

For Part 1 Click HERE
For Part 2 Click HERE

I requested traditional early dining at a large table.

When I checked onboard, I had "anytime" dining.

I went to the maitre'd before we sailed to request 

to be changed, (always a hassle) but this time

I was easily changed to a table for 6.

So the first night I go down for dinner. 

At the table are a couple, Pat and Gene,  

and a single man, whose name I heard as Pete.

My heart kinda sank, and I thought "Oh, no. 

Not this again."

Then the other two arrived, Terri and Dick.

Dinner was pleasant enough.

By the second night Pat and Pete, who were

go-getters, had arranged for us to be

moved to a coveted table by the windows.

When I arrived Pete was waiting outside to 

direct me to our new table and

  very kindly told me his name was actually Keith.

He was much younger than my suitors on the

last cruise and, uh, I def wasn't his type!

(Nor he mine.) HaHaHa

Pat and Gene were from Fort Lauderdale by

way of Jersey, I think. I sat next to Pat every night.
They had been married 57 years, long enough she
said that "she could have killed him and already
been out of prison by now!"

Gene was a fine gentleman, so kind and helpful to me.

They were very near my age.

Dick told us he was 68. Terri was much younger.

She told us she was 5 years old when he graduated.

They had been married only 3 years.

He was a truck driver, and Terri cleaned houses.
Dick told us that he was ready to retire when he fell in
 love with this younger woman who liked "nice things."

It was so sweet--they wore their wedding attire

for formal night--she a pink long dress, and 

he a pink tie.

Pete Keith was from Baton Rouge.

He had lost his wife to cancer last October.

This was his second cruise since her death.

He had the premier drink package and was 

determined to take full advantage of it and
consume every drop every day!

He had been an air force then a Continental pilot.

From his language, I would have assumed

a sailor.

The second night Pat told Pete Keith that she had

found him a girl. He was very interested.

The third night Pat told us the girl she had found

and her friend were going to stop by.

Soon these two girls walked up to our table.

That night it was just Pat and Gene and Pete Keith

and me.

So we met them, Cynthia and Dottie, they chatted

a minute, then asked, "So where is Mr. Available?"
Ohhhh, noooo.

They thought Pete Keith and I were a couple!

(Um...quite the opposite of Dick and Terri!)

Anyhoo, the girls sat down for a while with us.

The next night they dined with us.

And the three of them were inseparable after that.

Dottie was actually married. Cynthia was not.

Both were travel agents.

Dottie treated Pete Keith like a little brother.

She would call him down about his language--

especially around me!

They told him he needed to trim his eyebrows,

and HE DID!
I liked Cynthia and Dottie a lot.

The last night Keith got us a table for 8, but

Dick and Terri didn't come.

Here is a picture Pat sent to me, taken by a waiter.

 Left to right: Dottie, me, Gene, Pete Keith,
Pat, Cynthia

and just Pat and me:

Pat, Dottie, and I all bought rings!

*********

So many this trip.
I just hope each and every one of them
saw Jesus in me.

Cruisin' on the Edge! (Part 2)

If you missed Part 1, click HERE


When folks heard I was going on a cruise, their first

question was usually, "Where are you going?"

When I made the reservation I paid no attention

to the ports. Just let me on the Edge!
However, I learned I needed to stop saying,
"I have no idea," and at least start replying,
"the Caribbean!"

Our first stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I got a great picture of El Morro as we cruised in.

 I fondly remember the first time I ever saw this

old fort was with my travel buddy many years ago

at night.  We tried to take a picture and only

got streaky lines of light.

I toured it fairly recently, so I just stayed on the ship.

Lucky that I did, cause I got spectacular wildlife

shots from my infinite verandah.

My photos aren't usually this good, but just look

at those porpoises!

I could have zoomed in, but it wasn't even necessary!

(I just tickle myself to death, you know.)


After dinner I did get off the ship to take a
nighttime picture of the Edge and go across the
street to the Walgreen's I remembered to get
some Dr. Peppers.
The picture isn't all that good, and that crazy
Walgreen's had NO DR. PEPPER!
I thought it was downright un-American.

Next stop: Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

I understand this island is very pretty, but I never
got around to reserving an excursion.
So...I shopped instead and bought way more 
than usual for moi!
Pictures later.


Next up: St. Martin or St. Maartin, depending on
whether you are on the Dutch or the French side.
I'm getting ready to be the first person to board 
that little water taxi to go shop.

I only bought one thing. Can you guess what it is?
It's for the little girl I mentor.

(And burgundy is her favorite color!)


On the return water taxi trip, I got my postcard
shot of the ship!

This may be even better than my wildlife shot!


This is at Little Switzerland on St. Martin.
They took a picture of the necklace and earrings 
I had bought at Little Switzerland on Tortola.
I know--you can't see them very well here.
Trust me, I'll make you look later.

So that was our last stop. Just one more day at sea.
Here I am back on the ship with a sea faring vessel
made entirely of pearls.

And now...one of my many favorite things
about cruising.
Getting my hair done with a view!

And...a different kind of bird watching
from my verandah...

Near the end we had "High Tea at Sea."
It was lovely as my British friends would say.

This ship does pastries spectacularly!


But the best dessert, bar none, to me was:

the old fashioned bread pudding with vanilla sauce.
The best I have ever gained 5 pounds on!

I knew to look for this special spot from reading
Cruise Critic before I left home.
It is an area where you can see the hull, the bare bones 
of the ship, intentionally left exposed. 

You look through these louver like partitions!
No telling how many people I pointed this out to,
since I was so knowledgeable (and humble.)

Jack would have loved to see this!



This beautiful coral was in my stateroom. 
I had the bright idea that I should try to find a piece
of coral to bring home as a perfect souvenir.
After attempting to purchase pieces that were store
displays (!) someone finally told me it is
illegal now to sell coral!

I haven't mentioned the entertainment on the cruise.
It was certainly not my favorite.
There was a very funny, clean comedian, Fred Klett, 
I know I've seen before but enjoyed thoroughly.
There was a singer/dancer named Marcus Terrell 
who was well received by the audience but not
my kind of music.
There was a singer named Jordan Bennett who
would have been my kind of music, but...
I was busy getting off the ship to take a
mediocre picture and NOT get Dr. Peppers!
There was a very popular show featuring 4 young
guys doing Frankie Valli and Jersey Boys music.
Mark Oristano was onboard as a lecturer for
football fans of which I am not one!


The best show on the ship, IMHO, was The Liar's Club.
Three of the ship's most personable crew members
(one was the funny comedian this time)
are given words which lend themselves to
hilarious definitions--one honest and two
side-splitting lies. Then the audience votes. 
For instance, one of the words was "fullfart."
I laughed until my sides hurt at the comedian's
definition, but this one I knew!
Remember the boat I took into the fjord on my
last cruise? It was called the Fjordfart.
And the fart part meant "speed" in Norwegian! 
So "fullfart" means "full speed ahead."
But the lies were hysterical, as you might imagine.
Never miss a Liar's Club show if you have 
the opportunity!


So here you go.
X marks the spot where I had the time of my life.

Tomorrow I'll tell you a bit about my table mates!
Always an experience for this single cruiser!