Those of you from Georgia reading this will recognize the title if you've ever listened to “Tequila Sunrise” by the Eagles on 97.1 The River's radio station (and if you've listened to that station, you've heard the song, since they seem to have a limited amount of resources). No, the blog isn't dead, we've just taken a little vacation from it, and with good reason. Since Seth left the UK early to return to the States, we didn't want to advertise to the internet that I was alone in a foreign country. And then when I left, we didn't want to tell the whole world that our apartment in London was sitting unwatched. So, in order to get things up to speed here, I'll quickly go over everything that has happened...
Seth got his work visa!! This is obviously very exciting news on two counts, one being that he can work now in the UK and two that he can stay here with me rather than having to return to the States! So we are very blessed and fortunate that God has allowed him to return with me. We have a great support system here with the church, but I still don't know where I would be without him here with me.
In other news, my aunt Darlene passed away over the Christmas break. Most of you know that she was battling lung cancer for quite a while. The cancer was actually in remission, and she came down with pneumonia. It has been a really tough Christmas season obviously with this kind of news, since she was always the life of the party (especially around Christmas time). I think that my family and I are still stuck in the surreality of it, that being the fact that she is actually gone from us. But we know that she is in a better place – in Heaven with our Lord God. Her death has only made me realize even more the grace and love which God showers us with – we would be dead in our sins without Him, but because of Christ Jesus I know that Darlene is in a perfect and beautiful place now. She doesn't have to feel any more pain or fear. Just perfect joy and tranquillity in Heaven. This is the only true solace for my family at this time.
Dar was someone who just brought light into the room with her smiles, jokes, and laughter. She always showered all of us with love, and in our selfishness, we wanted to keep her here with us. I continue to also gain comfort from the fact that I was able to return home in time to see her one last time. I hope that she knew how much I loved her, and that she was not only a wonderful aunt, but a good friend. I believe that God wishes for us to seek wisdom in all things that happen to us, and this is no exception. I realize even more the importance of cherishing the moments that we have with one another, and to spend that time loving each other with the kind of heavenly love God puts within our hearts. In her death, Darlene reminded me how sweet life is, and to live it with vigour and laughter, and not to dwell on the bad times. We loved her, and we'll miss her, but thankfully she's in much better hands now.
Speaking of hardships (and because I think Darlene would have gotten a kick out of this story), my journey out of London was no piece of cake. I left my apartment early on a Saturday morning. I needed to take a train in order to get to the airport, so I allowed myself plenty of time before my flight. I knew there was supposed to be a bit of snow, so I left extra early just in case. Everything went smoothly until after I was through security, and walked by some large glass windows only to see everything outside already completely covered in white. The snow was coming down in torrents in big, bulky flakes. People were stopping just like me, looking out the window with a feeling of unease beginning to form a tight ball in their stomachs. Sure enough, my flight was delayed and delayed. After six hours of waiting to hear something, they announced that the flight was cancelled and that Heathrow was shutting down for the remainder of the day. All the televisions in the airport were on the weather, reporting that the snow was only going to get worse. Having never been in a situation of this sort before, I prayed that God would allow me to stay calm and make the right choices. Then, fighting back a strange sense of panic inside me, I went to the baggage claim where we were told we would receive more information.
Information simply meant a piece of paper telling us to rebook our flights. Well, duh! So I buy the internet at the airport, plop down on the ground out of the way, and start searching. My amazing husband was online and able to help me through it. The next available flight was for Monday – two days away. I was a little bummed, but happy that I at least had a flight out of the city before Christmas. Then, by a miracle (no, seriously) Seth found a seat on a plane for Sunday for me. I was ecstatic at this point. Seth followed up the good news with “Well, it is at another airport.” In that moment, I was so revitalized by the fact that I would be able to get out within 24 hours that I had convinced myself I could walk to the other airport if need be (just kidding...)
From that point, I was on a new mission. Find a way to Gatwick Airport, spend the night there, and get on my new flight in the morning. The line for taxis was insane (and the price...also insane), the buses that usually run between Heathrow and Gatwick weren't running because of the snow, and the tube was on and off. My best chance was to take a tube to Victoria in hopes that I could make it there by the time the last express train for Gatwick left. If I didn't make it to Victoria station in time, I would have to spend the night there, which was not as good of a prospect as the airport since Victoria station is drafty and unpoliced (as far as I know, anyway). On top of this was the risk that Gatwick Express wouldn't be running, and I'd simply miss my flight. I had to try.
The tube was successful at first, but then it stopped because of the snow on the tracks halfway to Victoria. Everyone had to get off with all their luggage (since many were in the same boat as me) and stand on the freezing, snowy platform, waiting in the darkness in hopes that another tube would come. We waited, shivering, and then miraculously another tube did arrive. I made it to Victoria just in time to catch the express train. The express train then also wasn't running because of snow on the rails, but they transferred all of us to another express train which did work for some reason.
Somehow I made it to Gatwick, slept on the floor (along with hundreds of others), and actually got on my flight. The airport was pandemonium, I was frightened and alone, but seriously, there's no way I made it without God. Somehow, I had this odd peace the entire time. Even if I got stranded somewhere or whatever, I knew that God was with me, and that He was going to protect me no matter what. I think the point of the entire experience was for me to learn to live in the moment, rather than always worrying about the next day and the next, because this was how it was during my flight adventure. Even though it was crazy and not very fun, I just felt peace.
Seth and I did have a wonderful time seeing family and friends while we were home. Now we're back in London for some time, not exactly sure how long. My mom said the other day that people ask her how she could stand it, us being so far away. Her response was “Because that's what she wants.” And she's right. We did want to come here and experience a different life, and that's what I plan to continue doing. More importantly, I want to do what God wants as well, and I know this is the plan He has for us at this time. But that's all for another post I suppose. The point is, we are back in London, and our families and friends are being amazingly supportive for this whole process. We can't wait to see what this new year holds for us!
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