We had a chance to fly with Greg and Don this month. This is a rare opportunity and I wanted to seize it! I usually try to find a quick trip with long layovers. This was not the case for this trip. What can I say homeschooling keeps us busy 🙂
On February 12, 2015 we met up with Greg and Don in SEA to head to OAK for the night. We had been watching the loads, now there were three seats available and we needed four seats for us all to go. I remember praying LORD either we all get on or none of us. I could have sent Esther and Jadon with Greg and Don. I wasn’t sure what I thought about that, knowing it is not easy to travel with kids and they were working. God answered in a huge way! There was a mechanic traveling to OAK to send out the OGG flight the next morning. That happened to be Greg and Don’s flight. He overheard us talking and offered to sit in the cockpit so we could all get on! What a huge blessing! As we were putting the kids to bed that night. Jadon says to Greg “Do you know why we got on that flight Daddy?” G: Why Jadon? J:” Because I prayed.” It was that simple for him. He gave God the glory. Oh my Mother’s heart was so proud to see him learning to trust the LORD, and teaching me to give him the Glory. It really is that simple.
We all made it to OAK and were joined by Ferol to head to OGG (Maui) the next morning. Again the loads looked good and there were seats, but at the airport the next morning there were rumors of another airline sending over passengers to Alaska. AKA our seats we needed would be gone 🙁 I tried hard not to worry and put it in God’s hands. After all he took care of us last night. We had an agent who saw what our family was trying to do. Right at the cutoff time she gave us the seats. Praise the Lord! What an amazing experience! The flight attendants loved that we had our whole family on board and announced it to the cabin. It is something that is really rare. I loved that we got to be there to experience it!
We were off to OGG for 24 hours. What would you do in Maui for 24hours? We chose the beach, Big beach actually! The kids had an amazing time playing in the waves. Well all except Rahab who wanted nothing to do with it. We also went to Greg’s favorite breakfast spot, Kihei Cafe. YUMMY! It was really windy the next day so we hung out at the pool and watched the Whale parade from the Grandparent’s balcony view. It was a quick trip! In fact as we were waiting for the van to head back home. The incoming pilot asked Jadon if he liked his trip to Maui. Jadon told him very sad and grumpy “My daddy only to me to Hawaii for a day!”
Now the real adventure begins! One flight left, SEA. As we were driving to the airport we checked the loads to SEA. it didn’t look good at all. Of all the flights on this trip this was the leg I was least worried about. It had plenty of seats even that morning, not any more. When we arrived at the airport the TSA line was enormous. The Greg & the crew went through the Crew line, he was working after all. Which left me and the kids to go through this line. The kids were extremely tired and didn’t want to push bags and get to the gate quickly. I kept thinking please don’t leave without us. We finally made it to the gate with lots of coaxing and patience. Considering what we made our kids do in the last two days, they were doing amazing! Getting on the plane didn’t look any better at the gate. We needed five seats this time and there were only three. We sent Jadon and Esther with Grandma. I was so bummed to miss this flight. The kids and I were going to get off in SEA and drive home. Greg and Don were going to continue onto PDX. I found out later the kids did not sleep one wink on the way to SEA. When they landed they were extremely tired. They made it on the plane to PDX and slept the whole 45minute flight! They were out and not wanting to be woken up for anything. I felt bad for Greg having two tired/crying children as he was leaving. He did have Grandma and Grandpa to help him though.
Rahab and I were left behind in Maui. The thought did cross my mind to stay longer. I was being frustrated about the whole thing and trying to figure out what do next. Then a huge blessing came. I got to document the take off! It was pretty cool to watch my husband and father-in-law do what they love.
Rahab and I hopped on an empty flight to SJC. We got to spend the night with Vawter’s and see their new house! It was quick stay, but so good to see them. Rahab and I made it to SEA the next morning. 2-15-2015
We had an amazing trip. We were all very tired, but glad we did it! These opportunities are unique and limited but so worth it!
-Chris
