Among my many visits last week, I picked up a stomach bug, which hit me Thursday night, the eve of our day trip to France. The Lord was very gracious as I never got sick, but by the time I woke yesterday (Sunday) morning, the nausea was much worse, not better. Not exactly how I wanted to start my day of international traveling. I must say I am incredibly grateful to have so many praying friends, which I believe is what got me through the trip, which was not so easy—-that and the Lord's mighty hand of love, which is so evident when we have eyes to see.
For example, as I was doing some last-minute things, I spotted a couple of wristbands that help with motion sickness/nausea that I had just happened to leave out. I've never worn them, but today would be the day! Thank you, Lord!
Fastforward to the airport: As I pass through immigration, the lady asks if I have a resident permit. No. My last trip was in September? No, October, to Albania. This is when she tells me I have overstayed my visit and starts flashing my passport in the air to show me that there are no stamps to/from Albania in October. Oh no…it wouldn't surprise me if Albania didn't stamp, but how I wish I had checked when I was there and could do something about it!
Me: Okay, so what do I need to do?
Lady: Pay a fine.
Me: May I see my passport? (I was going to find those stamps!)
Lady: No. You have to wait for my colleague to come.
Trying to remain calm, I start searching for emails with my tickets to Albania. Her colleague arrives and whips out her badge that says "Police." I have to follow her. As she types things into her computer, I decide to find pictures from Albania; and would you believe that I had taken pictures of my boarding passes both to and from Tirana and never deleted them? Praise God! I've never done that, but will plan to do it from now on! She calls her boss who agrees to let me go without the 350CHF fine, but lets me know it's my responsibility to make sure they stamp my passport with a legible stamp in the future. She confesses that Italy (Rome was my transiting country in/out of Schengen) is infamous for not stamping or at least not legibly). I can only imagine the future conversations I'll have with the Italians and Albanians…🤪
So much for my plan to get a banana at the airport. (I couldn't stomach the food I had at home). By the time I made it to the gate, it was 10:44, one minute before boarding. Thankfully I had all 3 seats to myself and was able to lie down most of the 9-hour flight to Philadelphia, which was just what my body needed, especially since I'd have a 6-hour layover before the flight to Charleston.
When I landed in Philly, I was pretty weak, having nibbled on only crackers and pretzels all day. How would I manage my bags? But there was a man with a cart just sitting there! Perfect timing because the machine with the self-serve carts (which charged a fee) was broken. He got my bags and took them all the way to re-check. Don't worry, I tipped well, full of thanks for this man!
The fact that I made it home so easily was again an act of God as the southeast has had winter storms causing delays and closings of all sorts. My flight was on time, and while there was a good bit of turbulence, we had an otherwise easy flight.
I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 26: 6-7
Sometimes it takes storms and sickness and false accusations to see and appreciate God's hand of love in our lives. Now, time to practice what I preach and keep this same attitude as I file a claim with the airlines for my zippers which appear to have been cut and now make it extremely difficult to open and close my bag. Not so easy...😬
