Just traveling through

                                                                                                                                9/23/11
I woke up this morning way to early with mixed feelings of excitement and fear.  I have spent so much time thinking, preparing, worrying about this journey, and now it is time to go…ready or not.   My dad and I loaded up his truck and headed for STL.  I wish I could say that I was facing the start of my journey with courage… but I can’t.  I started crying before even leaving the house. (I hadn't really recovered since saying goodbye to my mom last night).  He did his best to distract me by blaring the disco and oldies station.  My favorite was when “I will survive” came on. ☺  I think I was just overwhelmed with the entire experience (and it’s no big secret that I’m a crier).  
We arrived at the airport and carried in my very heavy bags.  I went to check in fearing that my bags would be over on weight and that I would have to pull things out at the last minute.  I sat my bags on the scale and sure enough… both bags were over.  I stood looking at the man helping me as he put the stickers on both of them and checked them without saying a word.   I sighed a huge relief and added it to my list of “reasons the Lord is clearly in this journey with me”.   We headed to security and the tears started flowing.  I couldn’t help it… I said goodbye to my dad and made my way through security with tears streaming down my face.  After lots of strange looks and “a random security screening” I boarded the plane.  As the plane took off and I watched Missouri and Illinois get smaller I asked the Lord to keep my family and friends safe.  I spent time thinking about all of the people who have poured into my life, who have pushed me and encouraged me, the people who have loved me unconditionally, who have always stood beside me. 
My flights were pretty uneventful.  I watched movies and thankfully slept quite a bit.  I met several kind people along the way who were also travelling to the Philippines.  I endured a 1-hour flight, a 13.5-hour flight and a 3.5-hour flight before landing in Manila.  I stepped off the plane and instantly started sweating! Turns out it's still hot in the Philippines. :)  I stood in the immigration line, picked up my bags (all of them!) and met the Harvell’s.  I made it!