I’m in Georgia Guys!!
This weekend was my first time flying alone and it was an experience I will never forget that’s for sure! I took a flight from Minneapolis, MN to Philadelphia, PA to Atlanta GA. Since it was snowing in Minneapolis on Saturday, they needed to defrost the plane which lead to a delay in our flight’s departure time. There were a few groups of people who had a close flight to catch when we landed but one cool thing is how they were all able to share their story a little bit and found out they were going on the same flight actually!
The best part of traveling I have experience so far has been the people you meet on the way, it’s interesting to see people band together and figure things out together.
There were a few people that I meet through the chaos of traveling (which I will expand on soon…) who I probably would have never met otherwise but I got to hear a little of their story which made the traveling mix-ups a little better. I will say it can be draining and nerve racking to talk to strangers at time and you do need to be careful too about how much you share, but it can make the experience that much better just to hear someone and their story.
There was one man I met on my flight from Philly to Atlanta who is from Pakistan, but he lives in Ireland and was coming to visit his uncle who lives in the Atlanta area. I learned that he has two little kids at home and could only stay for a short time because of that, it was interesting hearing his story and to be honest I wish I had asked more. I truly hope and pray he has had a good time here and that he arrives safe and sound at home.
I also met a woman in my arrival in Atlanta who was flying from Florida so definitely would not have meet her without this trip. I learned that she was coming to visit her daughter and granddaughter who live in the Atlanta area. We both were a little turned around by the Atlanta airport and by the time I met her I had already gone up and around the system to learn I needed to get on the train, which train to go on and what stop to get off on for the baggage claim. It’s interesting even if travel may not be the most fun adventure, it can really bring people together to figure it out, whether they be strangers, friends or family.
Here are a few things I have learned through my first experience flying/traveling alone:
1) The Atlanta airport lived up to its reputation of being the busiest and most complicated airport to be in, but I made it out and know some tips now!
2) It’s so important to stay positive when traveling, things can take a long time and traveling is very tiring. If you can stay positive through it that can make the experience so much better.
3) I don’t mind traveling alone, it’s not my favorite if I’m traveling to a new place, but I don’t mind it.
4) I am a lot more like my parents than I thought…many times when we (as a family) are traveling my parents are making friendships left and right. I never thought that would be me too!
5) These kinds of experiences are going to be a more regular thing and I am so excited for them! Even though I didn’t pray for those two people I had mentioned I wish I had, and I hope to pray for people who I will meet.
6) We are all on this journey together, God puts people in our lives to help when we need it. Everyday is an opportunity to reach out and show people Jesus, a simple hi to someone may mean the world to them.
THANK YOU so much to the Barch family for having me at their house for the last few days, it has been a joy to spend so much time with all of you!
TOMORROW is my first day of training camp! I’m so excited to meet everyone on my team, worship with them and grow at as a team together! Please keep our team and all the other teams who are training this week in your prayers. My team has gotten smaller so we will be having 10 people in a team right now. I don’t know how that will change or if it will change but will keep you posted. Be on the lookout for an update after training camp on all I learned and what God is doing with my team! Please keep my team and me in your prayer for safety and to be open to see what God is doing.
Thank you for all your prayer and for reading this long…. God Bless!
Please let me know how I can be praying for you and your family.
With much love,
Bethie
