Frontier Flight 609

I recently visited Indiana Wesleyan University for work, and had quite an eventful trip home. Here's the saga:

I boarded my direct flight from Indianapolis to Denver and was a bit bummed to find out my seat was in the last row where the seat doesn't recline, but reminded myself it was just 2 hours. The pilot announced that they had some paperwork to do before we could take off, so I got to know the ladies in the seats on either side of me. Then the pilot announced that there had been a security breech and everyone needed to get off the plane... But we were told to leave our bags because we'd be back on the plane soon.

Sitting in the back row did have its perks... The flight attendant was nearby. She reassured us that security breeches are usually no big deal and that probably someone just walked onto the jet way or something. So we got off the plane.

Then as we stood in the boarding area, we noticed that off to the left, several policemen we're interviewing a very middle eastern looking man. I immediatey started worrying that someone was irrationally accusing this man simply because of his appearance... But didn't have any details of what was going on. Meanwhile, there was another man madly pacing the boarding area, and he just made everyone nervous! So the police started watching him too... But nothing happened with him. The middle eastern looking man was taken somewhere by police.

Finally an announcement was made that we had to go back on the plane and remove all of our carry ons... Because they had to inspect the plane thoroughly, yes, down to every screw, to clear us to go again. So 5 rows at a time, we did just that. Once the federal gov't had searched high and low, it was finally announced that we could board again. But since they'd already scanned our boarding passes, they simply checked our names off a hard copy list as we rebounded. We were told that we all got free TV for the flight as a result of our two hour wait.

People were SO mad and upset because they'd missed their connecting flights in Denver and the airline wasn't promising to pay for a hotel, and their plans were messed up that they just laughed at the announcement about free TV. :) I had a great situation because Denver was my final destination and I didn't have anything major I needed to be at. But still, I felt like the general freak out response and anger towards poor employees of Frontier who were just doing their best to help in a difficult situation totally out of their control... Reflects so poorly on the selfishness of our culture. It's obvious that people not only think the world does and should revolve around their needs and schedule, plus they think they should be able to control everything in their lives. When things all of the sudden are out of their control, it's seriously complete mayhem! Wow- very sad to watch. Especially if there was a real threat... What's a two hour wait versus a plane going down?

Once back on the plane, a passenger a few rows in front of me rang his call button for assistance. He "wasn't feeling well" and his friends thought he might even be having a heart attack. So they all de-planed and the paramedics met them. Again, a man is seriously not doing well, and many passengers were frustrated that our departure was further delayed. Really people?!

So... The flight attendants did their head count, and yep, you guessed it, they were like 3 people off from the manual check list they used when we boarded the second time. A Frontier employee came to the front of the plane and announced that he needed to read off every last name on the list. After he finished, he asked if those who didn't hear their names would ring their call buttons. Shockingly, about HALF the plane reached up to ring their call buttons. And then the entire plane erupted into laughter. That poor man standing there with an entire plane laughing in his face! It was hilarious though. Then after checking his papers, he announces that he totally missed an entire page!

We finally did take off, with a flight attendant still standing in the middle of the aisle when the "flight attendants please prepare for departure" announcement was made... i.e. SIT DOWN... Bless her heart... The plane was off the ground and she was grasping seats on either side desperately trying to sit down.

I'm thankful everyone was ok, and that we had a safe flight. While traveling is a pain with all of the security measures now, I am thankful for those safety precautions.

When I got home, I googled to see if there was any more information, and apparently the passenger interviewed by police had taken a bottle of liquid into the bathroom on the plane before take off, and he didn't come out for 25 minutes... And when he did come out he no longer had the bottle. He told the man next to him that he was doing a ritualistic foot washing. I googled that, and learned that Muslims wash their feet before their prayer times. He may have been only washing his feet... But why wait until on the plane when many airports even have special places for Muslims to wash in preparation for their prayer times?!

Whatever the case, the flight attendant said, "There was a very real threat this evening, and you should be thankful for every minute you had to wait.". Yes, I have much to be thankful for!

(sorry for typos... On iPad)

Church

I've been processing a lot about church these days... I think that coming back to the U.S. after three years away from the North American worship setting is one cause of that. And the reality of what church looks like in other countries is so incredibly different to what the reality is here. And yet, there are many similar basics. It's hard for me to put words to it. And while I have grown up in church and think I know what it is, I still find myself with lots of questions. In the end, I mostly long for the day when the Bridegroom will come for His church... because until then, it will always be messy because it's made up of people- fallen people.

This week I got caught on a verse in Acts and keep mulling it over in my mind. Seriously, it's really powerful. There is a lot in there, so I encourage you to "mull" it over, too. :) I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

How awesome would it be if this were reality today, and not just when these words were written?

Acts 9:31 (ESV)

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Theft Deterrent System

So, the car I purchased this summer (2000 Toyota Rav4) came with a Theft Deterrent System. I've known that Toby had this feature all along, but today, I truly experienced it!

4:15

I unlock and open my car door the old fashioned way- with a key. No fancy key fob with buttons or anything. Well, today I go to open the door, and I must have turned the key the wrong way, because all of the sudden Toby freaked out and started blaring a loud alarm sound off and on like a bull horn. I tried to remain calm, but was horrified because I'd come out of work a little early (having worked a 9 hour day yesterday), when most people don't leave work until sometime between 4:30 and 5:00. So I was trying to think fast about how to stop Toby's alarm from disrupting all of my co-workers at the office.

The office windows where I work are tinted, so I couldn't see in, but I was just imagining people gathering to look out at the freak show... seriously felt like I was living an episode of The Office.

I tried pushing different buttons to no avail. So I grabbed all the manuals out of the glove compartment and started flipping through those.

4:19

Then I called my dad on my cell phone (he works at the same office), and he could hear the problem without me saying too much and said he'd be down in a minute. Then I thought I'd call my friend Jenn b/c she also has a Toyota Rav4.

4:20

I left a message on her call phone. Then dad arrived. He tried several things, but the alarm sound continued at high volume.

4:21

Jenn called me back, and told me to just "push the button." Um, I don't have any button to push... she has a newer Rav4 with that key fob thing. Hm... she then looked up a phone number for the Liberty H. Miller Toyota dealership here in the Springs and texted it to me. What would we have done in the days before technology?! Well, probably wouldn't have never-ending alarms go off like this- ha, ha. Thanks Jenn!

4:28

So I called the dealership, and the receptionist who answered politely listened to my problem, and replied that she had never had a call like that before! So she transferred me to a technician. This technician was the most patient man ever. He said alarm systems are installed post manufacturer's production- so they are all a bit different... but most of them have a button on the lower left side of the car by your left foot. So we found one small round nob down there. My dad was in the driver's seat at this point, and Toby seemed to calm down if the door was shut. So my poor father, who is 6 ft. 4 in. tall, was trying to bend over, with the car door shut- to reach this button... while I stood outside the car and held the cell phone on speaker by his head through the rolled down window so we could continue to get instructions from the technician guy... with his right leg all the way over in the passenger's seat to allow for him to bend over.

OH DEAR! I really lost it when my dad says to the technician, "Sir, I have to contort my body here in order to reach this button. This is VERY difficult!" I was laughing so hard but trying to keep my dad from seeing my laughter as he was desperately working to help me. It very well may have been one of the funniest moments of 2011 for me, though.

Oh, but then the technician starts saying, "Hello? Hello? Are you there?" I panicked as if my only lifeline was lost, and then noticed the phone was somehow on mute. With all of the bending craziness, I think my dad's face bumped the mute button my phone. We quickly figured that one out and continued to talk with this most patient man.

Finally, we found a booklet describing the Theft Deterrent System... and on the very back page it reads, "In the event that you lose your securi-key..." with instructions on how to stop the horn with just an old fashioned key. And come to find out, we were not at all working with the correct little nob in the most awkward of places, but simply had to open the door with the key, push a button conveniently placed next to the steering wheel, turn on the ignition, and then hold and push that button again.

4:50

Wow. The technician was on the phone with us for a whopping 22 minutes! That poor man- our call may have been the funniest part of his day- or given him the worst headache. When we got Toby silenced, he told me to have a good rest of my day. I said, "Sir, it can only get better from here!" and thanked him profusely for his kindness and time...

A big shout goes out to my dad who also contorted his body in the heat to help his 27 year old daughter in her moment of crisis. Oh, what a memory!

I'm so thankful I wasn't at a wedding or funeral where the noise would've really been a major interruption and nuisance. I'm grateful I wasn't on my way to the airport or hospital and needed to get there quickly b/c the car wouldn't start! And it wasn't a real thief, and it did finally stop. And there were so many people to help me (and technology did benefit us after all). And hey- now I know how to control the system- and it works!! Oh, and I don't think people could really hear it in The Office b/c no one came out... but I guess I'll know for sure tomorrow. :)

New leaves?!

So, since coming back to Colorado, I've been working at turning over some new leaves. :) A lot of these are related to physical health, but some of these are related to finance or just plan lifestyle goals. Let me share through a few pictures . . .

I seriously went WILD when my mom and dad gifted me with this adorable lunch bag! I am trying to do less drive-thru runs for lunch, and instead bring leftovers or other stuff from home. It takes a bit more planning ahead, but saves time and money... and I LOVE packing stuff in this stylish bag. For some reason, I hated packing lunches for school and maybe it was b/c I used brown paper bags?! I feel so childishly happy about my new lunch bag. :)

Since coming back, I've been working really hard to eat healthy stuff. My stomach was not too happy the first few weeks I returned from Laos, and as I started changed my diet, I've felt SOOO much better. I love putting good stuff in my body. I've cut out lots of carbs, and do lots of fun salads! Breakfasts are protein fruit shakes these days- and they are SO filling, plus they are great to drink on the way to work in the car. Propel water and CLIF bars- two thumbs up. I've also gotten hooked on a WONDERFUL (and free) app. on my phone (although anyone can use it online) called "MyFitnessPal"... it helps you track your calorie intake and has great features like the ability to look up different restaurants as well as a scan bar that automatically enters calories for you! Several friends have already started using it and everyone loves it.

I am still working to get my hair healthy again. After bleaching it blonde for 10 years, I've gotten some shocked responses to my brown hair... but it really is closer to my natural color now! I'm getting used to it, and am excited to have healthier hair (and hopefully save a bit of $$ too). This picture was taken in Wisconsin after my teammate Sarah Laack's rehearsal dinner: left to right = Linda, Myrna, Sarah, me, and Bethann. Fun to see friends from Laos again!

My friend Jenny has introduced me to "P90X" with trainer TONY! It's a big commitment, meaning getting in to work closer to 7:00 am than 8:00 (still working on that one!) in order to get home and devote 1.5 hours to an intense workout before dinner time. And it's 6/7 days a week, for 90 days! I've just finished week 2 and lots of soreness... but I'm already finding I can do more reps on different exercises and am feeling better all around. It's so great to have the accountability of a friend, too. Sitting all day definitely warrants the need for some exercise each day. Thankful for good health!

Are you turning over any new leaves these days?!

Time Warp

That's the best way I can describe what it feels like to come back, after a three year absence, to a place I used to live. It's kind of humorous actually, how I automatically assume things are the way they used to be. I mean, a lot of the people I interact with are the same people. The roads I drive on are the same (well, except for the crazy new intersection of Academy and Woodmen). The beautiful mountains and blue sky are just like I remembered. And I'm even back in the same house with my parents that I used to live in. But I've been fooled. Things are not the same as they were three years ago!

One time I drove past my friends' house and asked my mom some question about them, to which I got the response, "They moved to new a new house! Don't you remember?!" Oh, yeah. I knew that they'd moved... I'd even gone to their new house!! But my mind was stuck back in the past.

I've also had several girlfriends get married while I was in SE Asia. I went to some of their weddings. I visited them and their new husbands while back in the U.S. on breaks. I saw pictures on Facebook of the married couples. There was no question in my mind that they were married. But for some weird reason, upon coming back this time, I kept calling them by their maiden names!

The other day at work I wanted to order some business cards. I remembered the process from when I worked there three years ago, and was relieved I didn't have to bother anyone to ask how to go about that. However, upon submitting my request, I was told that what I tried to do was a process they'd changed long ago. I was given the instructions for the new process. Gulp. I'm living in the past.

And then this morning, I suggested to some friends that we meet up at a coffee shop. And, you guessed it, they kindly told me that coffee shop no longer existed... and that we should go to another place, which I'd never heard of!

Change. It's a good thing, I think. ;) If things didn't change, it would mean we never make progress or improve. And how boring would life be?! It's interesting to me to think about change in our hearts and lives, too. I mean, I am SO thankful that God Himself doesn't change! This is one of my favorite things about God. And yet, He is a God of change- continuously working in us to change us more into His image. I'm so glad our God isn't in a time warp. In fact, He already knows the changes to come!

Hoping to come out of my time warp little by little here. Grateful for much grace I've been given in these days of transitions!

Fresh

Much of life feels "fresh" right now, so I decided my blog should feel that way too. Even though I have returned to many familiar faces and places in Colorado, those faces and places have changed in new ways... as have I. In the first weeks back, in conversations with friends, in books, and in my spirit- this theme kept emerging.

"... they will stay fresh and green ..."

Who, you ask?

Psalm 92 answers: those are planted in the house of the Lord and who proclaim He is their Rock!

Who wouldn't want to be fresh? And not in the racy way... ahem. In the "new, not faded or impaired, bright, healthy, attractive, full of energy, pleasant, cool, and pure" way... thank you Mr. Webster.

Seriously, who wouldn't want that description of their life?! And since I've started defining things, let me explain the fresh title of this blog. It comes from a book I'm reading and thoroughly enjoying and highly recommend: One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. She explains her journey to discover fullness in life. "Eucharisteo" is the Greek word for thanksgiving. However, "charis" means grace, and "chara" means joy. So grace and joy are wrapped up in giving thanks.

It really comes down to our choices in how we look at life and respond to it.

So in my desire to continue to live a life which is full and fresh, I hope this blog will be an outlet for offering gratitude as I filter life through eyes gazing towards my Rock. And I trust a source of joy to those who happen upon it.

Is it just me...

... or is it odd that:

• everyone wears a seat-belt and stares you down if you don't (or in extreme cases, refuse to go anywhere until you buckle up)?
• drivers actually stay in their lanes, drive the correct direction on the roads, and don't drive if they aren't old enough to have a license?
• the majority of people riding motorbikes seem to be big bearded men in leather?
• people talk really loudly, even if they aren't angry at all?
• my hair doesn't poof?
• no one crouches real low if they walk between two people having a conversation?
• men and women touch each other in public?
• there is a LOT of diversity in clothing, hair styles, etc.?
• clothes and shoes here fit me?
• parties and events are planned super far in advance?
• people talk about themselves more than they ask others about their lives?
• "half sizes" at restaurants really fill me up beyond what I need?
• many talk about things they "need" or "want" when they already have more than most people on this earth will ever have?
• there are these devices that give you directions when you drive?!
• spiciness, MSG, and toothpicks seem to be lacking at every meal?
• people wear shoes in the house... and there isn't a need to wash my feet before bed each night and watch lots of dirt wash away?
• playing games is for adults, and not just children?
• so many people know Jesus?
• the neighbors aren't asking me where I'm going when I leave my house, or where I've been when I return to my house... and in fact, I rarely ever see them?
• no one is asking me if I have eaten when we begin a conversation and no one invites me to eat with them if they are eating?
• I don't have sweat stains on my clothes each day?
• there is so much water that I've cut my shower time in half?
• much of the population is fat? Oh, and that "fat" might be a rude word with negative connotation?
• I can understand what everyone around me is saying, but they all seem to speak SUPER fast and use BIG words?
• the price of everything seems insanely high?
• men are not telling me I'm beautiful?
• an hour seems like plenty of time to spend visiting with someone?
• there are entire sections in the grocery store devoted to different types of cheese, or chips, or salad dressings?
• everything in the grocery store is packaged up and there are no signs of the animal related to the meat we buy... like heads, feet, tails, innards, etc?
• there are no temples, but churches on every corner?
• dads go to the pool or the park and pay attention to their children and play with them?
• there is no bargaining (except for those glorious weekend garage sales)?
• most of the population reads books in their free time (on a screen no less)?
• there was a dead bird in my backyard last night? Oh, wait- that actually doesn't feel so odd. :)

I could go on and on and on, but you get the point. Life is definitely different here- for better and for worse.