You’re Where?

My parents would have a hissy fit if they knew what I did last night. I will thoroughly enjoy telling them later! I am able to write you because I am stuck in Chicago and staying at someone’s house I have never met before. I was talking with my step-mom on the phone right before boarding the plane in Portland and she said, “Don’t talk to strangers.” I am sure getting in a car with a stranger and staying at their house would be included in that.

The flight to Chicago went without a hitch. I had nice seat mates and I looked out the window, read a book on the Rwandan Holocaust (here’s to light reading), and drew a picture of the airplane wing and clouds. When I arrived in Chicago, I saw a toilet with a automatic toilet seat cover. It was definitely one of those, “I haven’t seen that before!” moments.

When I found my gate, they told us after a while it would be delayed, then delayed some, and some more, and then it was those worlds no traveler ever wants to hear- CANCELED! I went to the desk and got in line and thanks to another traveler, called the number for United. They booked me on flights from Chicago to Cleveland to Washington DC to Greensboro. I was concerned but happy to get something decent. So many flights were canceled last night due to the thunder and lightening storm around the airport. I will tell you, you can only imagine the scene. It’s NEVER one I want to repeat. After several back and forth phone calls with Greensboro, they said they would try to find me someone to stay with for the night. I couldn’t leave the secured area to do what else I needed to do until that happened. Finally, a woman called to tell me she would be picking me up. I got an overnight kit from bagage claim, waited an hour to print up the new boarding passes and waited outside. Ann had been roaming the airport for an hour waiting for me, what a sweetheart! Knowing what I was wearing, she and her daughter picked me up – my “knight in shining armor” rescuing me from a night spent in the airport. She is the clerk at the Evanston Quaker meeting here in Chicago and VERY kind. She even took me on a tour of Chicago as I have never been here before. I saw all kinds of things, buildings with the history behind them, one of the Great Lakes, the Magnificent Mile and I got history as we went. I will try and write more about it later.

They took me home and I tried to sleep but didn’t do very well at it. My body was full of stress. Then I got a phone call telling me one of my flights was canceled. “I can’t believe this!” went through my mind. I called the number and they rebooked for two flights getting in at the same time. THANK YOU GOD! Though stressful, he has been with me every step of the way, and though I was screaming and crying inside, gave me the mind to know what I needed to do. I am very grateful for that. And I am VERY grateful for my new friends the Millers who say I am very welcome here. I love the Quaker world!

So I will conclude until I can write later, hopefully NOT from the windy city. And thanks to Tricia and Jeff for talking to me while I was at the airport and here is to you Peggy for talking with me last night as I drove through your hometown. It was nice to hear friendly voices on such a night. Please pray I and my baggage make it to Greensboro this afternoon. And that God would envelope me in unspeakable peace.

Well, it’s nearly six here and her son is here as well with his girlfriend and I am going to join them for breakfast. Thank you God for giving me such a blessing in such a time. I still trust you! (Just don’t cancel any more flights!)