what really happened
This post has been hanging around in my head long enough. It's time to get it on virtual paper…
Anyone read that email I sent about our travel plans? Here is the link to boost your memories. Yeah, that one. :) Welllllllll. "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9 NLT was our reality. Here is what really happened:
1. Leg One.
We arrived at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport around 4:45am and were greeted by the beautiful faces of many that we love who more than generously helped us move our luggage from the JAARS bus to the check-in line inside. That was until the TSA sped over lightning fast and acted very nervous and concerned. (I guess too much of a crowd is a potential security breech... maybe that is what set off the ticket agents to delay our check-in?!) Anyhow, everyone took their places along the half glass wall leading to the escalators and Marty and I began our one hour and ten minute check-in ordeal. We still are not sure why it was a big deal. Though our passports were taken to the back by a supervisor who informed us of some new "form" for everyone traveling internationally with no return ticket. (Just so you know... we never saw the "form".) Perhaps our delay was our nine pieces of luggage, our exuberant crowd, our six one-way tickets to the rain forest, or Marty's dark complexion, but yes - more than one hour later - US Airways finally began to weigh our bags. As the agents accepted bag one of nine onto the scale, our crowd threw up their arms and cheered! It was definitely the highlight of the entire trip. :) Marty and I are convinced that it was the delay that caused the agents to overlook our overweight bag being more than overweight (70 pounds was the limit and this was already a $140 charge!).
As the two ticket agents fought over us (yes, they were arguing over checking us in) they snapped back and forth at each other for our bags' weights. One ticket agent snapped to the other, "what's the weight on that one?" and the other replied, "just mark it at 68.5 already!". We see this as God's provision! (Leg one, and miracle one.)
The goodbyes were hard. Watching your children's and husband's hearts ache and feeling your own being pulled to shreds is just something that hurts with a pain words can't describe, but God's presence was overwhelming. His Word is true!
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 NLT
(Follow this link for my dad’s friendly photo journey of the Charlotte leg of our flight.)
We made our first trip through security (check point numbered too many to count): showing all six passports and boarding passes (making sure to match each correct boarding pass - we had 24 to pick from total - with each picture page of the correct corresponding passport) while removing 12 shoes, one hat, five jackets, five belts, emptying five laptops from five backpacks (each to be placed in its OWN plastic case to go through the x-ray machine), removing all cameras and electronics from said backpacks and Jade's carry-on - all the while stopping up the line behind us with great ease - and fighting to control tears. Gotta love it! :)
After a yummy breakfast with my parents (who God allowed to be there for a ten dollar charge as they were flying to OshKosh for AirVenture later that same morning) and calmed tears we made our way to the gate. Our departure was on time and our tears flowed again. Our seats were wayyyyyy in the back of the plane and everyone was stoked to finally be on our way. The excitement was palpable (except for Tia who was terrified of her impending death on her first-ever-flight and crying quietly). Though we ALL enjoyed a great laugh as our ever-so-feminine and very southern steward with exceptionally large lips, I might add, tried to calm a foreigner a few seats in front of us (after he continually hit the emergency call button overhead numerous times - all within less than ten feet of said overly-feminine- larger-than-average-lipped-steward!!), explaining the air coming from the vents was "Con. Den. SAAAYYYYY. Shuuuun." not smoke and that the plane was not going to explode into flames. :)
" 'There is hope for your future', says the Lord." Jeremiah 31:17 NLT
2. Leg Two
We arrived just on time to the not-so-lovely (and now our least favorite place on planet Earth) Los Angeles International Airport where we begin to wait out what we thought was a very long 12 hour layover in terminal two.
Our first meal consisted of six, ELEVEN dollar each, not so yummy sandwiches washed down by six, THREE dollar each, sodas. Yeeesh. We decided on Burger King for dinner at this point (boy, if we had only knew...).
And so the wait began. We made ourselves comfy at our gate and there we waited, waited, and then waited more.
The highlight of leg two was a wonderful visit with a partners / high school friends of mine at some point in the afternoon (all I know was our departure was scheduled -ha!- for 9:45pm). Well, Miriam, Taylor, Jade and I did. Marty and Tia held down the fort on the front line to avoid jumping in and out (if it were only that simple...) through TSA again. Jade and Leilani found they were kindred spirits, and enjoyed running (almost) wildly back and forth through less crowded areas of the terminal. God was so good to allow me this time with friends again. Kathy, Alex and Leilani are the only three beautiful things that we know for certain exist on CA soil. :), because we hugged them!
I think it was around six or so California time (nine pm Carolina time) that we decided we would allow ourselves food again, and so BK it was.
Our gate began to grow more and more crowded, and shortly before boarding was to commence, we began the normal potty patrol routine. I briefly remember between the lines and sinks and such, Miriam glancing my way from across the now more than ever familiar ladies bathroom in terminal two, letting me know her nose was bleeding. It was just a regular nose bleed at first and nothing to concern anyone (the cabin air is dry and she had shed plenty a tear throughout the day). However, after returning to our gate and sending Taylor and Tia to retrieve multiple stacks (I imagine we went through about a foot worth in height) of BK paper napkins through the ever steadily growing crowd we began to get more and more concerned. Virgin Air sent over a travel nurse and gave us some tips until they realized we were flying Air New Zealand. (Then the disappeared!) Then the couple across from us began to grimace as many other oddly did the same. (I suppose if I step back and try to imagine what we looked like then maybe the looks were not so odd?) Next, a lovely lady from either the land of Oz or New Zealand tried to ease our every growing concern, sharing her stories and experiences about her son's past problems with nose bleeds. Shortly after we watched this same lady (she was at the very back of the boarding line) pass through the front of the line and disappear to get on the place, Air New Zealand agents piped in letting us know that they would not allow us to travel until paramedics okayed Miriam would be safe at 30,000 feet. Of course, LAX paramedics were at least 30 minutes away and the airline was beginning to make final boarding calls. Tears flowed yet again and anxiety grew. We felt stuck, alone, and scared. Mostly scared for Miriam's safety.
The paramedic showed (what time? I dunno...), and was at the very least NOT CONCERNED at all, informing us it was just a nose bleed. Well, by the time we had clearance for Miriam to fly again, the second and only other flight for the night was boarding its very last passengers. Air New Zealand said, "sorry" and we began to fumble trying to find a way to get unstuck. I asked the airline agents about using the internet, and they shuffled me to a kiosk - that didn't work. We were clueless at what was next. I called our ticketing agent and she said the same thing as the airline, "sorry". However, she did add that her husband and her had guests over and he should have never answered our call. This added greatly to our stress levels. Just writing about this (and I know the outcome) still makes my heart race a bit. I think what happened next is me mouthing off something nasty, quite loudly, to Air New Zealand about their unwillingness to help us with internet access.
Marty was tending to Miriam. We swapped places, and Marty vented to agents... who basically told us they would help us to the baggage area below to retrieve our bags and help us outside the terminal (they would rebook our flights for 24 hours later, but we were on our own to find a way from Australia to PNG with Air Nuigini). Yes, they were just kicking us to the street. Meanwhile, Jade was out like a light (Praise God!) and I vividly remember staring into Taylor's exceptionally bloodshot eyes. Some things just stick in your head. Her pitifully swollen eyes were something I will never be able to remove from my memory. I remember feeling total despair. Marty was back and forth on the phone to different family members, and then had another discussion with the airline agents. Maybe it was Marty's more polite conversation with the airline agent or Taylor's pitifullness... maybe it was everything all together, but suddenly I was being swept away to the Air New Zealand first class lounge to use the unlimited high speed internet access. I stomped my way up the stairs (yes, stomped) and into a lush room full of yummy smelling passengers drinking red wine while they watched big screens and the panoramic, gorgeous view of the tarmac. I am sure that I was a sight to them all...
Of course the first thing I did first was log in to Facebook and request our urgent prayer need. Duh. :) Next, I proceeded to try to look up rescheduling our flights with Air Nuigini. What I found was dead end after dead in. I mean it was as though my heart and life had been removed from reality and was being stomped to its revolting death over and over and over again. Once again I felt hopeless. All I could find out about the Air Nuigini flight rescheduling were charges that added up to about three grand. Money we didn't have.
By the time I left messages with three different Air Nuigini agents in three different countries (who by the way never returned my calls - another duh - I think), and checked Facebook again it was back down to reality in the regular terminal leaving my wine-sipping fellow Air New Zealand passengers and their weird looks behind.
Another vivid memory I have it letting Marty know what I had found about our three thousand dollar future charges, and watching him explain through choked up words and possibly a few tears to the Air New Zealand agents, what our situation was. Here is where another miracle occurred. All the sudden, out of nowhere and by God's mercy alone, Air New Zealand had a change of heart. They went from chunking us onto the streets of LA to escorting us to the Hilton for the night. Yes, the Hilton. We traveled, much in shock, with the Air New Zealand escort out to the main ticket counter where we were greeted by a supervisor with a new travel itinerary (including newly and FREE rescheduled flights with Air Nuigini), dinner and breakfast vouchers for the Hilton, calling cards, and the notification of not one but two reservations - all paid in full by the airline. This coupled by the airline holding our luggage for the connecting flight 24 hours later, the fact that at this point Jade was still sleeping, and Miriam's nose bleed was just about completely dried up made it easier to breathe again. So off to the Hilton we went. Needless to say, we didn't die (though we felt close to death) as we departed on the shuttle to the hotel. LA is crazy, y'all. (Leg two, miracles two through too many to count.)
We settled into our rooms at the Hilton, extending our checkout time until 6:30pm (after all, the Hilton is nicer than terminal two!), picked up a couple of overpriced pizzas (thanks to Air New Zealand vouchers), scoped out the laundry area for our clothes in the morning, and updated Facebook with our praise to God on how our night had ended. All was well, including Starbucks muffins for breakfast and the cartoons watched from the feather duvets.... until the throwing up and diarrhea began around noon the next day. First Miriam, and then Taylor.
And the Facebook status for prayer was updated again.
The afternoon that had barely slipped by the day before now flew by as Miriam and Taylor took turns in the one bathroom we were down to (only extending our checkout in one room). The afternoon slipped by as we waited on extra laundry (because of the digestive problems) to dry. Marty and I were convinced that we were the worst parents ever... we had no choice but to check out and try to make our flight. The despair from the night before was nothing now. We were completely and utterly hopeless... convinced there was no way the girls could travel and us forcing them to try was our only choice. I have never in my life seen Miriam and Taylor so sick. If we were at home, we would have taken them to the ER. It was that bad. But we weren't at home and so at the last minute possible we drug them to the curb of the Hilton at LAX (where I did not even attempt to stop Taylor from laying on the concrete) and began the saga of public bathroom puking that lasted until we boarded at 9:45 that night.
Those three hours went by so fast... running behind one kid and then another to bathroom after bathroom while at the ticket counter, going to security and then leaving to the bathroom twice more, and then returning to security again. The hours slipped by, but somehow they lasted forever. Marty and I were at complete loss. It really seemed we were backed into a corner.
So we did what anyone would have done in our situation and told the girls to look at un-sick as possible. All we needed we Air New Zealand to tell us we couldn't fly again.
Well, long story short we boarded (and they called families to board first - which means the crowd was sparse for us as we found our way to our seats), Miriam puked again right after takeoff, and Air New Zealand spoiled us rotten. They moved Marty, Taylor and Miriam to the last row of seats on the plane (each girl had not one, but two bathrooms at her disposal) and showered them with attention, Ginger Ale, and crackers for a total of eleven plus hours.
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1 NLT
3. Leg Three
Auckland International Airport. Things I remember: you don't have to remove your shoes going through security; New Zealand toilets are fancy; Taylor's bag was searched twice and she was pulled to the side and questioned by security (hmmmm... maybe it was how pitiful she looked?); the kiosks that sell toothbrushes and toothpastes steal your money if in fact toothbrushes and toothpastes are even in stock; and the sun shining outside across the beautiful New Zealand view was glorious.
4. Leg Four
Our people ate on the flight to Australia (for the first time in 36 hours) and everyone was recovering nicely. Other things I remember: we were grateful that we had extra time to go through customs and security (the original two hours would not have been enough); the little green running man sign means exit not bathroom (LOL - found that one out the hard way!); Subway in Australia doesn't have oil and vinegar, Australians call lettuce "salad" (my girls fit right in!); TSA likes to cut locks off of baggage (expensive TSA approved locks); the Brisbane airport is not allowed to sell ice (??); French business men don't wear deodorant; everyone's feet stink EVENTUALLY and can be washed in a sink when necessary; and Jade is exceptionally impatient when she is tired (this combined with our first change of clothes in more than 36 hours in a public bathroom led to quite a meltdown for her). The miracle from this leg of the flight is that even though Air Nuigini had indeed NOT rescheduled our flights and we were NOT on the flight to PNG, we left as scheduled. Yes, I admit even after our past experiences and miracles by God's merciful hand, a bit of panic still set in when we were notified. The Air Nuigini counter was operated by Qantas agents who felt great compassion on pitiful us and our pitiful children. Even though their computers told them that Jade had already flown the day before. Go figure. The miracle of this leg of the trip was that the Qantas agents somehow managed to book us all (for no extra charge) TOGETHER on the exact flight we thought we had originally been booked on. (Leg three, and miracle number-I-don't-know-what complete.)
4. Leg Four (no wonder we were barely standing)
Air Nuigini. Flights. Are. My. Least. Favorite. Of. All. But we didn't die. Things I remember: holding Jade extra tight since all the Australian business guys around us were taking endless shots of liquor; Taylor crying AGAIN this time into her pillow that has been soaked in some sort of lemon lime carbonated beverage; even when sparks fly out from under landing gear fires don't always follow; customs in PNG was simple compared to the land of Oz; our luggage arrived with no other locks removed; security at Port Moresby International Airport is cool with missionaries traveling to Ukarumpa (they waved us through the lines!); and the SIL employee that met us is one of our favorite people on planet Earth.
We spent two days in Port Moresby rather than three (thanks to a gushing nose bleed coupled with the food poisoning episode - no thanks to the not-so-great-BK). Praise God. While we were there, Taylor spiked a 103 degree fever, and Miriam and Marty suffered from dehydration. Good times were had by all.
5. Leg Five
Things I remember: We made it to Ukarumpa earlier than scheduled; the SIL flight was our very most favorite (we saw gorgeous views of snaking rivers through the jungles - or bikpela bus - and traveled through puffy, snow-white clouds); and we were greeted by friends who had prayed us all the way from our start at Charlotte Douglas International Airport six days before.
Things we learned from leg one through five: no one in our immediate Driggers' household is ready to fly internationally sooner than three years from now; we don't like Burger King; we will always loathe LAX (especially the ladies bathroom in terminal two); and God is still in the miracle business.
"You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your powers among the peoples." Psalm 77:14 NIV
That is what realllllllly happened.
Anyone read that email I sent about our travel plans? Here is the link to boost your memories. Yeah, that one. :) Welllllllll. "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9 NLT was our reality. Here is what really happened:
1. Leg One.
We arrived at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport around 4:45am and were greeted by the beautiful faces of many that we love who more than generously helped us move our luggage from the JAARS bus to the check-in line inside. That was until the TSA sped over lightning fast and acted very nervous and concerned. (I guess too much of a crowd is a potential security breech... maybe that is what set off the ticket agents to delay our check-in?!) Anyhow, everyone took their places along the half glass wall leading to the escalators and Marty and I began our one hour and ten minute check-in ordeal. We still are not sure why it was a big deal. Though our passports were taken to the back by a supervisor who informed us of some new "form" for everyone traveling internationally with no return ticket. (Just so you know... we never saw the "form".) Perhaps our delay was our nine pieces of luggage, our exuberant crowd, our six one-way tickets to the rain forest, or Marty's dark complexion, but yes - more than one hour later - US Airways finally began to weigh our bags. As the agents accepted bag one of nine onto the scale, our crowd threw up their arms and cheered! It was definitely the highlight of the entire trip. :) Marty and I are convinced that it was the delay that caused the agents to overlook our overweight bag being more than overweight (70 pounds was the limit and this was already a $140 charge!).
The goodbyes were hard. Watching your children's and husband's hearts ache and feeling your own being pulled to shreds is just something that hurts with a pain words can't describe, but God's presence was overwhelming. His Word is true!
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 NLT
(Follow this link for my dad’s friendly photo journey of the Charlotte leg of our flight.)
We made our first trip through security (check point numbered too many to count): showing all six passports and boarding passes (making sure to match each correct boarding pass - we had 24 to pick from total - with each picture page of the correct corresponding passport) while removing 12 shoes, one hat, five jackets, five belts, emptying five laptops from five backpacks (each to be placed in its OWN plastic case to go through the x-ray machine), removing all cameras and electronics from said backpacks and Jade's carry-on - all the while stopping up the line behind us with great ease - and fighting to control tears. Gotta love it! :)
After a yummy breakfast with my parents (who God allowed to be there for a ten dollar charge as they were flying to OshKosh for AirVenture later that same morning) and calmed tears we made our way to the gate. Our departure was on time and our tears flowed again. Our seats were wayyyyyy in the back of the plane and everyone was stoked to finally be on our way. The excitement was palpable (except for Tia who was terrified of her impending death on her first-ever-flight and crying quietly). Though we ALL enjoyed a great laugh as our ever-so-feminine and very southern steward with exceptionally large lips, I might add, tried to calm a foreigner a few seats in front of us (after he continually hit the emergency call button overhead numerous times - all within less than ten feet of said overly-feminine- larger-than-average-lipped-steward!!), explaining the air coming from the vents was "Con. Den. SAAAYYYYY. Shuuuun." not smoke and that the plane was not going to explode into flames. :)
" 'There is hope for your future', says the Lord." Jeremiah 31:17 NLT
2. Leg Two
We arrived just on time to the not-so-lovely (and now our least favorite place on planet Earth) Los Angeles International Airport where we begin to wait out what we thought was a very long 12 hour layover in terminal two.
Our first meal consisted of six, ELEVEN dollar each, not so yummy sandwiches washed down by six, THREE dollar each, sodas. Yeeesh. We decided on Burger King for dinner at this point (boy, if we had only knew...).
And so the wait began. We made ourselves comfy at our gate and there we waited, waited, and then waited more.
The highlight of leg two was a wonderful visit with a partners / high school friends of mine at some point in the afternoon (all I know was our departure was scheduled -ha!- for 9:45pm). Well, Miriam, Taylor, Jade and I did. Marty and Tia held down the fort on the front line to avoid jumping in and out (if it were only that simple...) through TSA again. Jade and Leilani found they were kindred spirits, and enjoyed running (almost) wildly back and forth through less crowded areas of the terminal. God was so good to allow me this time with friends again. Kathy, Alex and Leilani are the only three beautiful things that we know for certain exist on CA soil. :), because we hugged them!
I think it was around six or so California time (nine pm Carolina time) that we decided we would allow ourselves food again, and so BK it was.
Our gate began to grow more and more crowded, and shortly before boarding was to commence, we began the normal potty patrol routine. I briefly remember between the lines and sinks and such, Miriam glancing my way from across the now more than ever familiar ladies bathroom in terminal two, letting me know her nose was bleeding. It was just a regular nose bleed at first and nothing to concern anyone (the cabin air is dry and she had shed plenty a tear throughout the day). However, after returning to our gate and sending Taylor and Tia to retrieve multiple stacks (I imagine we went through about a foot worth in height) of BK paper napkins through the ever steadily growing crowd we began to get more and more concerned. Virgin Air sent over a travel nurse and gave us some tips until they realized we were flying Air New Zealand. (Then the disappeared!) Then the couple across from us began to grimace as many other oddly did the same. (I suppose if I step back and try to imagine what we looked like then maybe the looks were not so odd?) Next, a lovely lady from either the land of Oz or New Zealand tried to ease our every growing concern, sharing her stories and experiences about her son's past problems with nose bleeds. Shortly after we watched this same lady (she was at the very back of the boarding line) pass through the front of the line and disappear to get on the place, Air New Zealand agents piped in letting us know that they would not allow us to travel until paramedics okayed Miriam would be safe at 30,000 feet. Of course, LAX paramedics were at least 30 minutes away and the airline was beginning to make final boarding calls. Tears flowed yet again and anxiety grew. We felt stuck, alone, and scared. Mostly scared for Miriam's safety.
The paramedic showed (what time? I dunno...), and was at the very least NOT CONCERNED at all, informing us it was just a nose bleed. Well, by the time we had clearance for Miriam to fly again, the second and only other flight for the night was boarding its very last passengers. Air New Zealand said, "sorry" and we began to fumble trying to find a way to get unstuck. I asked the airline agents about using the internet, and they shuffled me to a kiosk - that didn't work. We were clueless at what was next. I called our ticketing agent and she said the same thing as the airline, "sorry". However, she did add that her husband and her had guests over and he should have never answered our call. This added greatly to our stress levels. Just writing about this (and I know the outcome) still makes my heart race a bit. I think what happened next is me mouthing off something nasty, quite loudly, to Air New Zealand about their unwillingness to help us with internet access.
Marty was tending to Miriam. We swapped places, and Marty vented to agents... who basically told us they would help us to the baggage area below to retrieve our bags and help us outside the terminal (they would rebook our flights for 24 hours later, but we were on our own to find a way from Australia to PNG with Air Nuigini). Yes, they were just kicking us to the street. Meanwhile, Jade was out like a light (Praise God!) and I vividly remember staring into Taylor's exceptionally bloodshot eyes. Some things just stick in your head. Her pitifully swollen eyes were something I will never be able to remove from my memory. I remember feeling total despair. Marty was back and forth on the phone to different family members, and then had another discussion with the airline agents. Maybe it was Marty's more polite conversation with the airline agent or Taylor's pitifullness... maybe it was everything all together, but suddenly I was being swept away to the Air New Zealand first class lounge to use the unlimited high speed internet access. I stomped my way up the stairs (yes, stomped) and into a lush room full of yummy smelling passengers drinking red wine while they watched big screens and the panoramic, gorgeous view of the tarmac. I am sure that I was a sight to them all...
Of course the first thing I did first was log in to Facebook and request our urgent prayer need. Duh. :) Next, I proceeded to try to look up rescheduling our flights with Air Nuigini. What I found was dead end after dead in. I mean it was as though my heart and life had been removed from reality and was being stomped to its revolting death over and over and over again. Once again I felt hopeless. All I could find out about the Air Nuigini flight rescheduling were charges that added up to about three grand. Money we didn't have.
By the time I left messages with three different Air Nuigini agents in three different countries (who by the way never returned my calls - another duh - I think), and checked Facebook again it was back down to reality in the regular terminal leaving my wine-sipping fellow Air New Zealand passengers and their weird looks behind.
Another vivid memory I have it letting Marty know what I had found about our three thousand dollar future charges, and watching him explain through choked up words and possibly a few tears to the Air New Zealand agents, what our situation was. Here is where another miracle occurred. All the sudden, out of nowhere and by God's mercy alone, Air New Zealand had a change of heart. They went from chunking us onto the streets of LA to escorting us to the Hilton for the night. Yes, the Hilton. We traveled, much in shock, with the Air New Zealand escort out to the main ticket counter where we were greeted by a supervisor with a new travel itinerary (including newly and FREE rescheduled flights with Air Nuigini), dinner and breakfast vouchers for the Hilton, calling cards, and the notification of not one but two reservations - all paid in full by the airline. This coupled by the airline holding our luggage for the connecting flight 24 hours later, the fact that at this point Jade was still sleeping, and Miriam's nose bleed was just about completely dried up made it easier to breathe again. So off to the Hilton we went. Needless to say, we didn't die (though we felt close to death) as we departed on the shuttle to the hotel. LA is crazy, y'all. (Leg two, miracles two through too many to count.)
We settled into our rooms at the Hilton, extending our checkout time until 6:30pm (after all, the Hilton is nicer than terminal two!), picked up a couple of overpriced pizzas (thanks to Air New Zealand vouchers), scoped out the laundry area for our clothes in the morning, and updated Facebook with our praise to God on how our night had ended. All was well, including Starbucks muffins for breakfast and the cartoons watched from the feather duvets.... until the throwing up and diarrhea began around noon the next day. First Miriam, and then Taylor.
And the Facebook status for prayer was updated again.
The afternoon that had barely slipped by the day before now flew by as Miriam and Taylor took turns in the one bathroom we were down to (only extending our checkout in one room). The afternoon slipped by as we waited on extra laundry (because of the digestive problems) to dry. Marty and I were convinced that we were the worst parents ever... we had no choice but to check out and try to make our flight. The despair from the night before was nothing now. We were completely and utterly hopeless... convinced there was no way the girls could travel and us forcing them to try was our only choice. I have never in my life seen Miriam and Taylor so sick. If we were at home, we would have taken them to the ER. It was that bad. But we weren't at home and so at the last minute possible we drug them to the curb of the Hilton at LAX (where I did not even attempt to stop Taylor from laying on the concrete) and began the saga of public bathroom puking that lasted until we boarded at 9:45 that night.
Those three hours went by so fast... running behind one kid and then another to bathroom after bathroom while at the ticket counter, going to security and then leaving to the bathroom twice more, and then returning to security again. The hours slipped by, but somehow they lasted forever. Marty and I were at complete loss. It really seemed we were backed into a corner.
So we did what anyone would have done in our situation and told the girls to look at un-sick as possible. All we needed we Air New Zealand to tell us we couldn't fly again.
Well, long story short we boarded (and they called families to board first - which means the crowd was sparse for us as we found our way to our seats), Miriam puked again right after takeoff, and Air New Zealand spoiled us rotten. They moved Marty, Taylor and Miriam to the last row of seats on the plane (each girl had not one, but two bathrooms at her disposal) and showered them with attention, Ginger Ale, and crackers for a total of eleven plus hours.
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1 NLT
3. Leg Three
Auckland International Airport. Things I remember: you don't have to remove your shoes going through security; New Zealand toilets are fancy; Taylor's bag was searched twice and she was pulled to the side and questioned by security (hmmmm... maybe it was how pitiful she looked?); the kiosks that sell toothbrushes and toothpastes steal your money if in fact toothbrushes and toothpastes are even in stock; and the sun shining outside across the beautiful New Zealand view was glorious.
4. Leg Four
Our people ate on the flight to Australia (for the first time in 36 hours) and everyone was recovering nicely. Other things I remember: we were grateful that we had extra time to go through customs and security (the original two hours would not have been enough); the little green running man sign means exit not bathroom (LOL - found that one out the hard way!); Subway in Australia doesn't have oil and vinegar, Australians call lettuce "salad" (my girls fit right in!); TSA likes to cut locks off of baggage (expensive TSA approved locks); the Brisbane airport is not allowed to sell ice (??); French business men don't wear deodorant; everyone's feet stink EVENTUALLY and can be washed in a sink when necessary; and Jade is exceptionally impatient when she is tired (this combined with our first change of clothes in more than 36 hours in a public bathroom led to quite a meltdown for her). The miracle from this leg of the flight is that even though Air Nuigini had indeed NOT rescheduled our flights and we were NOT on the flight to PNG, we left as scheduled. Yes, I admit even after our past experiences and miracles by God's merciful hand, a bit of panic still set in when we were notified. The Air Nuigini counter was operated by Qantas agents who felt great compassion on pitiful us and our pitiful children. Even though their computers told them that Jade had already flown the day before. Go figure. The miracle of this leg of the trip was that the Qantas agents somehow managed to book us all (for no extra charge) TOGETHER on the exact flight we thought we had originally been booked on. (Leg three, and miracle number-I-don't-know-what complete.)
4. Leg Four (no wonder we were barely standing)
Air Nuigini. Flights. Are. My. Least. Favorite. Of. All. But we didn't die. Things I remember: holding Jade extra tight since all the Australian business guys around us were taking endless shots of liquor; Taylor crying AGAIN this time into her pillow that has been soaked in some sort of lemon lime carbonated beverage; even when sparks fly out from under landing gear fires don't always follow; customs in PNG was simple compared to the land of Oz; our luggage arrived with no other locks removed; security at Port Moresby International Airport is cool with missionaries traveling to Ukarumpa (they waved us through the lines!); and the SIL employee that met us is one of our favorite people on planet Earth.
We spent two days in Port Moresby rather than three (thanks to a gushing nose bleed coupled with the food poisoning episode - no thanks to the not-so-great-BK). Praise God. While we were there, Taylor spiked a 103 degree fever, and Miriam and Marty suffered from dehydration. Good times were had by all.
5. Leg Five
Things I remember: We made it to Ukarumpa earlier than scheduled; the SIL flight was our very most favorite (we saw gorgeous views of snaking rivers through the jungles - or bikpela bus - and traveled through puffy, snow-white clouds); and we were greeted by friends who had prayed us all the way from our start at Charlotte Douglas International Airport six days before.
Things we learned from leg one through five: no one in our immediate Driggers' household is ready to fly internationally sooner than three years from now; we don't like Burger King; we will always loathe LAX (especially the ladies bathroom in terminal two); and God is still in the miracle business.
"You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your powers among the peoples." Psalm 77:14 NIV
That is what realllllllly happened.
WOW! Very enlightening and entertaining. You should write for a profession, Sara. All of this confirms what we know so well. God is good and provides for our every need - just not always in our time or by our chosen means!
ReplyDeleteLove you all!
Ellen