We woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to start our "adventure." Famous last words. When I checked our flight status, before my feet even hit the floor, I saw that our flight was CANCELLED!!!! So I ran to the window to see .....snow, lots of snow. I immediatley got on the phone to get a new flight. AND I bet you could never guess what flight they put us on! Yep, thats right, the 2:48 pm. J and I still left for the airport as planned, allowing plenty time for traffic.
We arrived at the airport safe and sound. So far the 2:48 pm was still on schedule. We prayed ALL morning long because there were other flights that were being cancelled at the last minute. In fact, the flight that left the gate before ours, actually took off but then turned around can came back because of technical difficulties. So our gate had to be changed.
On a positive note, we didn't have anyone that delayed us because of a panic attack like the last time. BUT we were almost delayed because of a gentlemen that was asleep at the gate who wouldnt wake up. We thought he was dead, seriously!!! Medics were called, airport security was all around. Turns out, it was a real live case of narcalepsy.
We arrive in DC a few minutes early. Praise The Lord. We hustled to our gate and boarded our flight to Frankfurt and we realize that our seats are in the middle!! IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MIDDLE!!!!! Oh and just an FYI, J is 6'3" and 300lbs. UGH!!!! It was the MOST uncomforatable flight ever, BUT we made it across the ocean. Again, another praise.
Next we boarded our flight to Kiev. It was a great flight. In fact, J and I slept, until we hear the captain say "Ladies and Gentlemen, I realize you can't see anything our your window but if you could it would all be snow. Kiev has shut down the runway so we have been circling for a while waiting for the runway to be cleared and open. I will keep you posted." SOOOOO, after circling an hour, we finally landed.....safely. And the airplane was filled with applause. Now is the time that I tell you that we had a 5 hour layover in Kiev so for once, we were ok on time.....hahaha, famous last words.
We head out to meet someone that we connected with on FB who had requested for someone coming from the US to Ukraine who could bring her a few pair of 180s(ear muffs). Which we did. We had a short chat then J and I were on our way to sit and wait for our next flight.
As we arrive at the terminal, a policeman walks up to us and starts talking in Ukrainian. I tell him "angliyskiy" and he says "umm....Exit......ummmm.... airport....boom." Ok, I understood that!!!! Now let me remind you of the snow that was coming down that made us unable to land just a few minutes earlier. So outside we go. Of course J and I wanted to wait in the doorway (while there is a bomb threat) but we were forced out side.....in the snow.....and freezing wind.
After our extremeties were going numb, they brought a bus around to take us to another building to wait. After about 2.5 hours, we were given an "all clear" and everyone rushed to get back on the bus to get back to the terminal to try to figure out flights.
So the awesome news???? When we called our facilitators (both of them) to figure out what to do....we receive the news that the approval from SDA for us to have court on friday was in hand!!!! Talk about praising The Lord in the storm!!
We were able to get back to the terminal and get our boarding passes for our original flight. That 5 hour delay came in handy!!!!
We boarded the flight to our daughter's region. It took off about an hour later because we had to wait for the plane to be de-iced and the runway was still snowy. But we arrived in her region safely! We met our driver and drove the 2 hour drive to her town. We finally arrived at our apartment (which is the same one we stayed in previously) around 12:45am on 12/12.
So our "adventure" JUST TO GET HERE started at 6:00 am (American time) 12/10 and ended 12:45 am (Ukrainian time) 12/12! BUT I can officially say that we HAVE COURT TOMORROW.
It's about noon now and we are finally getting up and at 'em. Good thing I packed packets of mashed potatoes and romaine noodles, it's breakfast. Then we will FINALLY be able to see E when she gets out of school!
I pray you read this blog and see how amazing God is. We definitely had a rough way to go and I am worn out but God fought every battle for us. And, although I had times of worry, He never did! We may have had delays on "our" schedule but everything was perfectly worked out on God's schedule. He had it all under control and He was making the path for us straight. The devil wants to break-up families and keep fathers from the fatherless. But God is almighty and when you walk in faith, you WILL be delivered. And the moment the judge gives a father to the fatherless tomorrow.....God will be GLORIFIED!
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