Tennessee Travels

After some crazy events at the airport today, I arrived home safely.

I accidentally left a knife in my purse (definitely thought it was in my school backpack!) and it set of the security machine. The lady took my bag aside, and I told her honestly that I had no idea what could have set it off. She didn't know either until she found the "unidentifiable object" hiding in a side pocket under other things. Whoops. She told me I was lucky it wasn't an illegal knife, or then I'd have been in trouble. Ha ha.

I had two options: throw away my $30 knife, or leave security and go mail it to myself. I chose the latter, though it killed me to pay $10 to mail my own property to myself! The security lady "escorted" me out and instructed me to go back through security after I'd mailed the item. When I came back to security, I chose to go through a different line. This time I set off the beeper thing and had to be quarantined and wanded. Turns out it was just my bobby pins.

When I finally made it to the gate, my flight was delayed. Because of the whole losing an hour thing, I feel like I was traveling forever today! I was dropped off at the airport at 10:45 (ish?) TN time and finally pulled in my driveway at 5:00 real time. All for an hour and forty-five minute flight!

Our sermon on Sunday at Ty's church was on 1 Corinthians 1:17-20, and the pastor exhorted us to share our faith, examining how it is God who saves and gets all the glory. Actually, he downright told us we were in sin if we weren't proclaiming the message of the Gospel. I loved his boldness, though I was very convicted. As I waited in the boarding pass line today (finally!), journal and reading material in tow, I received a text from Mrs. W, encouraging me to look for an opportunity to share with someone on the plane. As I walked on, I asked God to show me where to sit. I found my seat and struck up a casual conversation with the lady next to me. As the plane began to take off, I held my breath (I'm very nervous on flights) and she picked up some reading material. In her hands she held The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life. I struggled with myself, trying to get up the gumption to talk to her when she closed her eyes and fell asleep - for almost the entire flight! I was so frustrated with myself, but kept asking God to provide a second opportunity. I didn't know what I was going to say, and I felt completely incapable, but I wanted to be faithful. As the plane began to descend, she opened her eyes and picked up her book again. I jumped in before she became engrossed in her book.

"I couldn't help but notice your book..."

I asked her if she was interested in spiritual things and told her that I was, too. We had a relatively short conversation - after all, the plane was landing - but I was able to tell her that in the words of Jesus, I had found what no other philosophy offers (thank you, Mom and Mrs. A for that world religions class!). She told me she tries to read the Bible every day and uses books like the one she was holding for supplemental material. I wish I had known more to say, to get to the heart of what she believed, but this was just a seed planting opportunity.

Well, I'll go ahead and share some (or lots of!) photos from my trip.

Enjoy!

Peacocks at Burger King?

We stayed at Allie and Jeremy's Friday night, and then headed out Saturday morning. They are so hospitable. Thanks, guys! Wish we could've stayed longer, but I was anxious to get to TN! ;)

Backseat ladies.

At Ty's park in Nashville.

We had a picnic. :)

Ty had flowers for me when we got there. I took them home with me today, and several people commented on them. I love yellow roses best of all.

Ty and Glenna skipping rocks at the park.

Cute, cute.

Even though it was the warmest weather they've had in months, I was still quite cold.

Thanks to Glenna for these lovely pictures of our nature walk.

One of many things I loved about our trip is all the great food we ate! Mrs. W packed lots of delicious food for us!

No, I am not wearing a toupee. Curly hair = the worst bed head. Ha ha!

On the way to church.

Plus one! 4 in the backseat!

Okay, so this isn't the best picture, but it captures Jeff and Mandi, my host and hostess in December. It was so wonderful to see them again!

Rice pudding in bed?

Why, yes!

Cute!

Crazy :-P

We decided to take some "blue pictures" since we were coordinating.

:)

This is the Grand Ole Opry hotel, which was breathtakingly beautiful!

This reminded me of the scene in Beauty and the Beast when they come down opposite staircases all dressed up before dinner. It made me want a beautiful golden yellow dress!

I took my picture in this $8000 mirror, just for kicks.

Revolving doors!

This big smile adequately conveys my thoughts on the whole weekend. As sad as I was to leave, I was just so overjoyed to spend TWO WHOLE DAYS with Ty and his family. That's more than I've had in nine weeks.

Even more laughter now, as Mom, Dad, Tsu, and I are watching an I Love Lucy episode set in Japan. Hysterical!