While I was away at Relevant there were certain things that I discovered about my heart — some serious, some silly, but all new, all me. So of, course, I knew I had to share them with you. Y’all. {There were quite a few people with some sweet Southern Drawls so I thought I’d try to integrate that into my Minnesotan inflection influenced writing.} Donchaknow y’all?
1 – I actually enjoy flying. Let me repeat it. I actually enjoy flying. And I have no idea where that came from. As my trips out to Harrisburg were ticked off the tally with each one I began to realize how much I love the moments when that plane leaves the ground and soars into the air. I even love the turns as that big, heavy, plane banks. Crazy. Oh yes, and then there’s the pop {or soda for the non-Midwestern readers}. How could someone not love pop poured for you at 30,000 feet? The ginger ale was amazing. 🙂
2 – I don’t mind taxi rides. Due to the high volume of snow in the region the flight schedules were all messed up. I hit my gate in Harrisburg on time, only to hear pleas from the desk for passengers who might have been willing to give up their ticket and be rebooked in return for a $400 voucher/credit. After the first cry, I thought that I might just check it out — since I’m going to a big hub airport anyways. Totally qualified. The deal was that the airline would put me on a taxi to Philadelphia where they rebooked me on a flight home to Minneapolis. I arrived home 2 hours later than planned with a new ticket in my pocket.
3 – I’m glad I didn’t have to pay that taxi bill. When I was dropped off at Gate B it was already close to $250.
4 – I’m hoping to use that ticket to go to the 2:1 Conference this spring. That’s my goal. My lovely, sweet, kind, and generous roomie Cheryl at Relevant is putting this altogether. She’ll do great, and it will be amazing and encouraging.
5 – Places in the country other than Minnesota can get snow. And a lot of it. It was crazy to see the puffy white flakes floating down around my Pennsylvania hotel. And it was even more cute to see all the gals from Florida and Texas outside throwing snowballs at each other.
6 – I want Samuel healed from Celiac Disease. I really want that for him. This weekend it became so apparent to me how my heart aches for him and his journey, and how much it desires for that little body of his to have victory over that auto immune disease. I really honestly and completely hate it. I do love that my friends were there supporting me as those tears of grief poured from my weary eyes in a conference room crowded with women.
7 – I discovered just how much God desires for me to be authentic. Sometimes the authentic life means being silly, being me, and joking about how much I learned to love flying. Honestly, that’s a testimony to the power of prayer. Here I was, a bit terrified about flying, and then I felt like I was to let go — to trust — and instead I’m giving this amazing gift of loving flying. Then there are other time where living authentically means admitting that there are things in life that really hurt. Celiac Disease hurts my heart. But, even in those raw places of my heart I will still praise my Lord and give Him all the glory. You see, God is good. In all. In the flying places and the Celiac places. He is good.
Off to make coffee. At home. It’s good to be home.
linking up with my sweet friend carissa. So thankful for her miscellany monday freedoms.
13 comments
Wow… that is and expensive taxi ride! Sounds like a great weekend. Prayers for a cure for Samuel.
LOVED this post, sweet friend! I only wish I could have been with you and hugged your sweet neck…that’s Southern speak too. ☺
Looking forward to seeing the authentic you show up in your posts. (((HUGS))) and prayers for your sweet Samuel. Our God is greater than we can even fathom. He certainly can heal him.
I hope you have a nice time there.And i hope your son gets healed too.I can understand your pain.I hope things get better for you aunty=)
so many gifts… the surprise enjoyment of flying and a $400 voucher?!!!! that is perfect! God provides in some random ways, huh? tell me about this 2:1. i clicked the link but it didn’t work.
i’m so happy your time there was good. hunter doesn’t have celiac… but you know the whole egg allergy thing makes me sad too. i can relate on a lesser degree. i love how God takes our hurts and somehow heals the depths of our hearts. He will do that for you. whether it means healing Samuel or healing your heart.
love ya!!!! i’m glad your home.
It sounds like your time was so worthwhile and full of unexpected gifts…so glad for you!
Sweet friend – I feel so blessed that we were able to spend time together this weekend. Joining you in prayer for Samuel.
How amazing and wonderful would it be if we were able to connect at the 2to1 Conference too 🙂
God has awesome plans!!
Welcome home, Rachel! I grew up in South Dakota and spent my entire life in the upper Midwest (until this past year in Texas!) so I too get a complete kick out of people who constantly use “y’all” and get so excited about a little snow. Quite charming. 🙂
Our oldest son has had more surgeries and visits to Children’s Hospital in the past 14 years than I care to count. I understand the pain of seeing your child suffer. Yet I also know they’ve made Jacob so strong in so many ways and have taught him to rely on the Lord’s strength and not his own, as well as having a heart for others who are hurting. (plus as a boy he likes to brag about all his cool scars 🙂
So as you see Samuel grow and deal with Celiac I pray that – whether or not he experiences complete healing – that he will see God’s hand and power in his life. It’s an amazing thing. (Jer. 9:23-24 are some great verses for Samuel to cling to as he gets older!)
Sounds like a great conference! I will pray for Samuel to overcome Celiac’s.
amazing discoveries! 🙂 and that snow!!!
love this post about authenticity! God is good in all things. 🙂
nice post thanks for sharing loves from holland…God bless you
You are so funny!
Continuing to pray hard for your family!
Psalms 28:8-9 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
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Welcome home! Those are great discoveries…wonderful lessons to learn and pass along.