En Route

While I was away in Kansas, I wanted Gregg to be here to take care of the cats, the house, etc. Of course, he would go to work during the day, but I wanted him to experience what I do, when he goes away on a business trip. At first, he balked, and said that he would plan a business trip while I was away, but I persuaded him to reschedule it. He was kind enough to drive me to the airport on his way to a work meeting. It was my first flight alone in four years, and it felt weird to check in and go through security by myself.

As I was waiting to board the plane, Maribeth sent me a text message to say that Lilly (their Boston Terrier) had suddenly taken a turn for the worse, and had just died. I wondered if I should postpone my arrival, but she said, Don't be silly. So I boarded the plane, and settled in by the window, planning to mind my own business and read a book.

I don't like to talk to strangers on airplanes; I don't know why. It's such close quarters, and I like to pretend that I'm in my own little bubble. But do you remember (in the previous posting) when I said I had decided to "let God have at me" this week? Well, He didn't waste any time. The couple seated next to me were quiet for about half an hour, and then somehow, a conversation began between me and the wife.

She is a writer.
She has published two children's books, and is at work on another book. We discussed our books, and our reasons for writing them.
Her husband is a retired pastor, who served at a university which was attended by a number of Gregg's cousins, aunts and uncles.  They have lived in Norway in the same small town where Gregg has relatives.
We found we had a lot to talk about.

We discussed our spiritual backgrounds, our families, and more. I said that I was going to visit a friend who had registered us for a Christian women's conference; I didn't know what to expect from this conference, but I knew that the speaker was a teacher and writer whom Maribeth admires and loves. That was enough for me to give it a try...and part of agreeing to let God do whatever He wanted to do with me.

By the end of the flight, I had received a great deal of encouragement, and thoroughly enjoyed this couple and our conversation. It was a good beginning to my trip. I could feel God at work in love, and my heart lifted.

I gathered my bag and backpack, and walked outside of the airport to look for Maribeth. I had no idea that in just a few days I would be watching her get up on stage in front of 9,800 women...nor did she.