Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine

This week, I flew three legs of flights from the west coast to the east and, yes, it was the RED EYE. Add to this, that I was taking with me a very active three year old boy and a lap child--32 pounds, but not quite two.

I couldn't sleep the night before the flight, but I got up and read my Bible and read the scripture, that "God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine," and prayed that this would occur for these flights.

We survived the flights! Here are some of the answers to the prayers.

Initially, as an after thought, I asked whether my parents could get a gate pass to help me get the two kids (two backpacks, stroller, and carseat) through security. The ticket agent said she would make an exception and do this for us!! The kids were so wild that it took all three of us adults to look after them and the luggage, but we didn't lose them or the luggage.

There was an extra (free!) seat for Ava on all three legs of the flights, even the 10 p.m.-6 a.m. flight from San Francisco to Dulles which was overbooked. This was particularly amazing. The flight was overbooked, yet there was an extra seat directly across the aisle from our seats, and Eli was able to take it. On the first flight, there was a guy assigned to the seat we needed and he was very gracious to find another spot.

Both children slept soundly during the long, overnight cross country flight. The friendly people next to Eli, kept him covered with a blanket and a pillow under his head. They even gave us their pretzels since we had slept (I had attempted, at least) during the snack times.

Random people helped me carry the carseat when I needed help.