The Journey There.... (Part one of the AA Goes to Guam series)

The day after the new year rang in, my journey began. Flying with a buddy pass, I was sure to wear acceptable attire and look professional, even though sweatpants and an extra thick hoodie would have been nice for the adventure ahead. Here's the breakdown:

• Made the flight out of Indy to Huston
• Missed two flights out of Huston
• Begged to try to fly to LA
• Made the flight to LA
• Spent 7pm-9am in the LAX airport~I've never felt more alone. The Lord impressed upon my heart that I would meet a man with whom I would share the gospel. Normally I would not gab it up with strange men, especially in the LA airport, but it ended up being quite a blessing. 
• It was about 1am and ALL the flights had left. Earlier I took comfort in huddling in large crowds of people waiting on their flights. But then. They were gone. In the entire airport, I only saw one other person who wasn't on construction. So, I sat down a few seats away from him. Eventually the security man asked us to move to another open room. For the rest of the night we attempted to grab some z's...but alas, the shrill and atrociously loud announcements shattered all chances. "ATTENTION! PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE PERSONAL ARTICLES UNATTENDED. NEVER TAKE BAGS FROM A STRANGER. THANK YOU."
• Thank you, Mr. Announcer. Thank you. But I was able to share the gospel with the marine from New Jersey with a very foul mouth, but kind disposition. It was a blessing not to feel alone and terrified the entire night. I knew he wouldn't harm me or steal my luggage. Thank you, Jesus.
• That morning we grabbed coffee and I prayed, prayed, prayed that I would make the flight to Hawaii.
• The tension that builds when you fly stand by is like no other. It's such a high to make the flight and such a low to miss it. It's like life. When there is a risk, there is a reward. 
• At this point I was a very rough sight to behold, and so I washed my hair in the sink of the restroom, saying to the passersby, "Don't judge me!" ; ) But she understood, she had spent the night talking to the construction workers...she felt my pain.
• She said, "If I don't make this flight, I'm going to get a drink and cry my eyes out. You're welcome to come with." I told her that I wouldn't join her in drinking, but I would join her in crying. Haha!
• I was SO freezing the entire night, that I decided to bight the bullet and buy a $549,000,000 blanket (Okay, so it was really $18, but still!). Underneath it I awaited to know my plight...and I MADE THE FLIGHT TO HAWAII!!! I was thrilled.
• All of the hustle and hassle of making sure the airline people know you're there and waiting on your flight...all of the hoping that someone doesn't show for their flight so that you can have your seat....it makes you much more appreciative of flying. And it also makes you feel like a second class citizen, if you let it. I wondered if this is what minorities used to feel like before equalities were distributed.
• Once in Hawaii (which is breathtaking to fly over, by the way), it looked as if I wouldn't make the flight. But I wasn't too upset because I have wonderful friends who are missionaries over there.
• But thankfully, I made it on the plane, and to Guam. : ) I was greeted by smiling faces and a lovely lei and island necklace. 

 

Pretty, aren't they?

I read and thought a lot during my trip. Being alone is not common in this culture. We're constantly running from it. We text, twitter, facebook, phone, blog, skype...all so we don't feel ALONE. But sometimes, God wants us to just be...and be before Him. He is enough. He is in the lonely LAX airport, because He is with me. Sometimes, I am alone. And you know, that's okay. Not everyone needs to know my every thought or every movement. 

Thus, my adventure began...check back soon for a post about my first week on the gorgeous island of Guam.

To God be the glory, Audrey Ann

Post coming...

God did it.

The Running Waitress is no longer a waitress!
The entire story of how God gave me this precious gift will be coming soon.

just so you know...

• Destination: Guam
• Vocation #1: Kindergarten teacher!
• Vocation #2: ESL Teacher!
• I'm going to help teach an Authentic Beauty course (the physical health portion)!
• The family I'll be living with run the school.
• Their daughter, Abigail, was a friend of mine from Teenpact. We will share a room and I look forward to the "iron sharpening iron" relationship we will have.
• I leave very soon!
• My heart is overwhelmed with excitement, nervousness, and one great big, gigantic to-do list!

I l.o.v.e Christmas

My apologies for the long absence. There is much going on and I am excited to share about it, soon.


I--ice is beautiful. Now, I don't like it on the roads, but it is so pretty, don't you think, especially in icicle form?




L--lights. Christmas lights are delightful. Sorry, I am my father's daughter and couldn't resist the pun. ; )


O--opening presents, but giving them is way more fun.


V--vanilla flavoring from Mexico that tastes like coconut to put in baked goods.


E--eating. This is a given.




C--carols. There is powerful doctrine in many of them. Really listen the next time you sing, "Oh Holy Night"


H--hustle and bustle


R--Risen. Christ is risen from the dead. This is what makes Christmas so exciting.


I--homemade icing on cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.


S--Santa. I adore the old fashioned Santa paraphernalia. No. I don't buy the whole "you can spell Satan with Santa." You can also spell 'dog' with 'God.' We are only taking the English language into account. Christmas is about Jesus, but I can still think that the legend of Santa is cute, as long as it doesn't inhibit the understand of the truth and glory of the gospel.


T--tinsel. One day I will have a vintage tree with tinsel. *heart*


M--My family. I don't even want to think about not being with them at Christmas.


A--Amy Grant's Christmas Album. best. ever. I hear it and my spirits leap. no joke, folks.


S--Smiling at strangers while shopping...


Merry Christmas, dear readers!
And happy birthday, Abbi!

I'm a little teapot

Refinement: Removing the old that clung, revealing beauty.

The year 2010 has been, without a doubt, the most disappointing and difficult year of my twenty-two. And yet, through the massive disappointments, my Savior showed me that He and He alone is to be my hope. I must only ever run for Him.

I have idolized ideas of my future, and found that nothing compares to the greatest of knowing Jesus Christ.

It's all empty.

One of my favorite pastimes is antique store shopping. I love to browse at everything, especially the dishes. So many times I find these lovely silver pieces that are utterly tarnished and smudged.

I am like that. My refinement takes rubbing. My Savior gently, yet firmly, removes the dross. He does it for His glory and my betterment. But man, it hurts...like crazy. It's a sharp, acute pain. 

But He is beautiful, and I want to be a shiny piece of silver, one so pretty and clear that when He looks at me, He sees Himself.

May it be so.

It's a good thing I enjoy running during Autumn...

or else my waistline would be doomed.

Pumpkin desserts are delectable, and if I had the metabolism of a freight train (which I don't in the slightest), I would try a new recipe every day. Instead I opt for a new recipe about every week. So far I've baked pumpkin cake and pumpkin roll. Next up is pumpkin cheesecake. Mmm! Add some coffee and a good book, and let your worries leave you.

Happy Autumn!

(Images courtesy of google images)

a thing of beauty

"'When I went forward, I'm sure my mascara was running, my slip was probably showing, I felt completely humiliated and humbled before the cross of Christ and the Christians who had been witnessing to me. But nothing mattered but Jesus.


For the first time in my life, I wanted to declare before everybody who Jesus Christ was, who He was for me, my Lord and my Savior, and that He had died for my sins: I was a sinner, in need, needing--needing His forgiving grace and power.'


After a battle that lasted a year and a half, Cindy surrendered to the King."


~A personal testimony of Cindy Bauer by Latayne Scott