Comfort Inn Covington

... to the people and the country that they have found.

Prior to leaving for this trip, I received an email from a good friend that wanted to wish me well and safe return. One thought struck me in particular - "Gods will will not take you where God's grace will not protect you."

Looking forward to a glass of wine, maybe an ambien and a flight we will not likely remember.

15 hours to Johannesburg.

... only by the brightly colored hair ribbons that anchored the sea of little braids and ponytails;

· The sound of church bells, loud and insistent;

· The two 60-something American Southern lady tourists standing in front of Salvador Dali's The Great Masturbator, trying to figure out whether to be awed ...

... we didn't realize when we landed was that we had 30 minutes
before our next flight took off. Our gate was 3 terminals away. Had to
get on a shuttle and commute to the other side of the airport. We got
there with 15 minutes to spare, but they had already closed the door.
FANTASTIC! We immediately went to the ticket counter where we learned
that the next available flight from Atlanta to LA was at.... 6:45pm
TOMORROW ...

... boating and fishing, as well as trails for walking and biking. It's a perfect park for a few days to let me get over jet lag and get back into GA time!

10/1/09

After a couple of days of getting caught up, biking and walking the trails, we packed up and got ready to head out when a "teenaged" cat came meowing up to me (Andy) for the 3rd or 4th time since we've been here. Jack, a 79 yr. old motorcycle riding fulltime RVer came ...

... them many a time to visit my favorite Techies in their Frat houses and at work...

This time walking around Atlanta, I couldn't feel these things at all; I felt like a stranger who had abandoned this city a decade ago, memories long lost.

It's not that I've been away for 2 years, but I also felt different because I was showing Atlanta to my boyfriend, therefore I felt more obligated to show him ...

... not be too far off-especially during the tiger safari. With all the shots I've had, all the bug away spray I'm sure the whole group is bringing, we should be protected against just about anything. At least anything I can imagine... The latest news I've heard is that there is snow in London. Tons of snow. Enough snow and ice to practically shut down the city and the heaviest storm they have seen in ...

... clear. Some people say "nothing worth doing is ever easy". So I imagine this trip, after all the emotion, planning, re-planning, and work, will be well worth it. I cannot truly say what makes the pull so strong to continue with these plans. After a short time of learning about these people and the ministry that is taking place in Mungeli, I find myself already connected, and wanting to experience firsthand the story they have to tell. I ...

... mine could arrive at 5:30 that night. I got hopeful. A little. Then I realized that 5:30 Texas time was actually about 7:30 or so my time. So I distracted myself with a good friend and a funny movie that night (Bolt--hilarious. Love the hamster!) and checked online around 9:00 that night. No such luck. That left the next day, Wednesday, Christmas Eve, as our last possible chance at getting approved in time for it to be mailed back to ...

... Just one week later I received a most exciting surprise in the mail. It was a letter from the Bishop's office addressed to Lindsey Mays and myself. Ripping open the envelope as if it were a much anticipated Christmas gift, I was please to see the following letter from the Bishop himself... "Dear Lindsey and Julie: I join the congregation of Covington First United Methodist Church and many others to pray ...

... disappearing as quickly as it had appeared, each as unanswered when it left my mind as when it had entered. Over the weekend I continued to watch the news, praying for peace and comfort to blanket the people in Mumbai. I watched my email, and never heard a word about the trip being canceled. My confidence grew, and I felt that sense of calm surround me once more. Even on Sunday morning. As soon as I reached the church, people were coming up to me saying ...