Recap: And I'm Off -- Take 2

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. . . . .   Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

If anyone had asked me on Tuesday (June 24th), "When are you going to Guatemala?" my answer would have been, "Tomorrow." My ticket was for June 25th. That's when I planned to leave but the truth of James 4:13-15 became reality for me just as I was about to leave for the airport. 

Wednesday morning, about 4:30, the car was loaded with all my bags and Karen was waiting to drive me to the airport.  I was saying my last goodbyes to my cats and dogs. Just as I leaned down to kiss Riker, he lunged forward and bite my face. My nose looked like it has been sliced and the blood flowed profusely from inside and outside of my nose. This was not part of my plan. My plane was scheduled for 6:45 a.m. That left no time for such emergencies. 

I really had no idea what to do so I went on to the airport -- bleeding all the way. Karen stayed in the car with my luggage on the off chance that I could change my ticket without a hefty penalty. Despite the fact that I was clutching bloody tissues to my face, once in the terminal, I had to wait in the line for the next representative. As I told her my story, she interrupted and asked me if I'd like to fly the next day. My response, "Yes, please! How much?"  Her reply, "No charge. I am changing your ticket now." Apparently they didn't want blood all over the plane ;-)

This was unusual behavior for Riker. He is not a biter. He is rarely aggressive and even then only with other animals who annoy him. He's gotten more jumpy in his old age -- he's 14 now -- and apparently I startled him. Who knew that it was providential and totally for my welfare?!  Apparently the Lord did not want me to leave on Wednesday.

It was good to have another day at home. My injuries were not serious. The nose slice was just a deep scratch and did not go all the way through. The bleeding eventually stopped. I had time to adjust the contents of my luggage, clean my house some and actually get some sleep before traveling. 

My parents did the airport run on Thursday morning. Daddy pulled up to the curbside check in and I was done before he even had time to pull away. Once in Miami, I meandered toward the next gate. My original schedule had a 3+ hour layover in Miami. Gratefully, I checked my ticket in time and it was then that I realized I had a 9:45 flight. It was almost 9:00 already. Of course my gate was at the end of the concourse that required a ride on the train. 

Once at the gate, I checked in to find out what time the plane would land. I had made arrangements to be picked up at the airport based on a much later flight. Once again, Providence smiled upon me. The clerk asked if I would mind sitting in an exit row. Sure -- no problem. Then she said that I had been so nice that she was upgrading me to first class - - - - - - free! My only experience with first class was walking through to get to my seat. I was not only able to reach Edwin to let him know I was coming in earlier, but I was served a meal on real china with real utensils. Since I had not had time to eat between flights, this was a special blessing. 

In Guatemala, I was the third person off the plane and both pieces of my luggage were some of the first to come out. Rudy, my contact, was waiting to take me to put minutes on my phone and then to the bus station. I was originally scheduled to take the 3:30 bus on Wednesday. Edwin had changed my reservation to Thursday at 3:30. Since I came in so early, Rudy changed my ticket to 1:00. Then I found out that there was another Huehue bound traveler joining me. She had a 2:00 bus ticket. So, of course, I changed my ticket to the 2:00 bus to travel with Melanie. The ticket agents were seriously ready to see me leave.

The bus ride was uneventful and we arrived a little tired but with all our luggage and sanity. Gail had a hot meal waiting for us and there were beds made up ready for sleep. 

My plan was to travel on Wednesday. God's plan was Thursday. God's plan was best! I have never had a travel day go so smoothly. So, when am I planning to return from Guatemala? If the Lord wills, I will return on July 22nd. Meanwhile, there are many more adventures ahead - - - if the Lord wills!