The Lord Provides...

Yesterday was our day to fly home from New Hampshire. Great trip, relaxing, and good memories with family. I think we were all ready for us to come home and get into a good routine again. So we were checking into our flight about 4 1/2 hours before online. We saw we were missing our connection to get back to Portland, so I called United. Well, after about a 1/2 hour, they said it would be several days before we could get back to Portland. That just wouldn't do with Andrew's first day with Nike today. So I said we would split up, could he get Andrew home? Yes, if you can get to the airport in 1 hour 45 minutes. No problem, right? Well, we had to finish packing, and drive the hour to get there. He also said I should come and try and fly standby. So everyone rushed to help us throw things in our bags, get the boys ready, carseats in, etc. It was a tornado. Stress filled the air, but we made it. Who knows what we forgot, but we arrived at the airport with 40 minutes to get checked in, through security, and on the standby list...that's not much time with two SCREAMING kids. In our rush, they missed food, so were hungry, we were stressed, and trying to get all of our poorly-packed stuff through security. It was a mess. Andrew made it, and took Jakey with him (insert sly smile here...he's crazy). We had to divide diaper bags and toys, and what little snacks we had, but they made it on. Did I mention both boys were still in full fit mode? Noah and I did not, so I was left with a screaming child and no promise as to how we'd get home.

I talked to 4 different agents all saying I could get to Chicago, but it would be days before I could get to Portland. That just wouldn't do, who was going to watch Jakey for Andrew's first day of work? So I decided to talk to just one more agent. Noah's still screaming. He said he could get to Denver (if we ran) and out in the morning for sure, with standby tonight. And a hotel and food if we didn't make it out. Ok, that's better. So we ran. And we stopped to buy Noah an airplane so he would stop SCREAMING! And we made it on the plane. In separate seats, in separate rows. Both middle seats. No one would trade. Here is my 3 year old who won't stay in his seat next to two huge men, poor thing. No one would trade, I couldn't believe it. So a male agent started yelling at me, saying why would I book to separate seats...ok, like I would do that? Another lady agent bravely came to my rescue. She defended me and started offering $100 dollar vouchers to anyone who would switch seats. Four people ended up moving so we could be together, in the last row...with two inches of leg room. But we were together and we were getting closer to Oregon.

The flight went great...don't tell Andrew who was in tears over Jakey who was literally screaming the whole time. It was so bad they gave him a free beer. ;) We got to Denver and waited to see about standby. Several hours later, after 153 trips up and back on the escalator, McDonalds, and lots of books read, they started boarding the plane. It seemed like forever until they announced the plane was checked in full. But we waited. Every time they called a name, Noah said, "No, my name's Noah!" I'm not going to lie, I did encourage him to go over and say, "Do you have a spot for me?" But they didn't. This whole time, we prayed together and talked about how God would take care of us. I felt a peace, I just was trusting the Lord. When does he not take care of us?

So after they announced a few more names and people got on the plane, I started to get emotional. The lady walked away. We stayed. She came back and said she could get us on. Not together, but just to go find any seat we could. I was crying, thanking her. I told her how important this was, and thanked her. After walking to the back of the plane with no empty seats, only one in the exit row where we could not sit, the lady paged me. "Ms. Boria, please come back to the front of the plane." I was sobbing now. I thought we had to get back off after coming so close. A lady I had befriended and who felt sorry for me was talking to the flight attendant about giving up her seat for me. So sweet. They said, "No." Back up at the front, the lady asked me to move to the door. Still crying, I did. Then she said, "Right up here." and pointed to first class. What? After all of this? First class? Still crying, Noah and I took our seats. Another flight attendant came over and reassured me. I told her our story, and she gave me a hug and said how happy she was we were here and that she would take good care of me. So was I. Noah saw me crying and said, "Mommy, are you sad? God took care of us!" No, I was happy, and realized how God always provides, but not always provides, he gives us His best if we are fully trusting in Him. Bruce and I had some conversations about this during the trip, so I felt like it was a little message from the Lord, reminding me of how true it was.

So several drinks later, after dinner, Noah and I leaned back and read some books together, we played with his airplane for hours, and enjoyed the time talking in comfort. It was a special time, and we prayed and thanked Jesus for taking such good care of us...and He really did.