January 11. (written on January 12) Praise the Lord for His goodness, mercy, love, and grace today.
I did not sleep very well last night. Stomach was hurting when I went to bed so could not get to sleep. Finally got up and made a lemon-soda drink which helped a lot. Didn’t get up until around 7:00 this morning.
After breakfast, Daddy swept the floors, and I put all the small rugs and the dirty rag towels in the washing machine. There was last minute packing to do as well. Otherwise it was a quiet morning. I wrote a couple e-mails, but was too tired to concentrate on computer work so did some crocheting.
I was thankful for a nap after lunch. Then the dishes had to be done before we left, and some food items put in the freezer.
A few minutes after 3:00, Bro. Clarke arrived and took us to the Charlotte airport. Arrived there around 4:00 and checked in, went through security, and found our gate. There was time enough to get a bite to eat before our 5:21 plane flight. Wendy’s was close by so I got a cranberry pecan chicken salad, and Lewis got a double burger. The salad was huge, and I couldn’t eat it all.
Shortly they announced that our plane was delayed because of weather. The plane that was to take us to Chicago would not be in for quite a while yet and would not leave Charlotte before 6:30. That meant that we would miss our connecting flight to Dallas. Daddy went to the desk to see what could be done; and, praise the Lord, they transferred us to a direct flight to Dallas on American Airlines. A special answer to prayer!
We had to go to another gate and terminal for that flight which was to board around 6:30. As we were sitting there waiting, a man came and sat down a couple seats over. Shortly Daddy noticed that he was reading a book that looked like a Bible. When Daddy asked if that was a Bible, he said “Bible, Arabic.” The man did not speak English, but could say a few words. He pointed to himself and said “Christian.” Then “Jesus - God.” It was exciting to meet him even though we couldn’t communicate with him.
On the plane, I sat next to another woman in her 70’s so engaged in conversation with her. She had come from Roanoke and was going to be with her daughter in Arlington, TX. Originally she is from NC so is familiar with Shelby and Kings Mountain. We talked about our families and other things, but also had the opportunity to tell her a bit about our ministry in PNG and also how the Lord had answered prayer for our flight to Dallas today. Said she attends a Presbyterian church, but didn’t keep the conversation going to be able to get into more personal spiritual things.
Landed at Dallas a little before 8:30 CST, but it took a long time to get to the terminal. Bro. Cobb arrived shortly after we got there, but our checked baggage did not arrive. United had promised to transfer it from their flight to the American Airlines flight. Daddy checked at the desk and found out that our suitcase indeed did not make it on our American Airlines flight, but it was on the next flight from Charlotte which would be arriving in a half hour. It would be at another terminal, however, so off we went in the car to the other terminal. Praise the Lord, it was on that flight.
Picked up our bag and headed for Bowie. It was after 10:00 now. Stopped at a Burger King for a bite to eat. Arrived at BBTI around 12:30 a.m., very tired, but thankful to the Lord for bringing us safely here.
January 12. Slept in until I’m-not-sure-what-time this morning. Daddy got up at 7:30, and I was still in bed for another half hour, I think. After taking a shower, eating breakfast, and having quiet time, I wrote in the journal what I could remember of yesterday’s events.
Daddy gave a good message in chapel this morning from John 6, the missions miracle. It is one he has given before, but it always speaks to my heart and seemed to speak to the students’ hearts too. Visited with a few people afterward, but I was so tired, I could hardly think straight.
We had our lunch (breakfast too) in the kitchen (where food is provided for guests to use) and then went for nap. I slept close to 2 1/2 hours -- just could not wake up. After I finally got up, we went for a walk around the campus. It was a lovely, sunny, blue-sky day, and the walk was refreshing. Had some good conversations throughout the evening.
“5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Ephesians 1:5,6