Monday, March 16, 2009

We Have Arrived...

We Have Arrived!

We miss you all already, especially our kids. Every time that we are in a new place, we think “wouldn’t the kids just love this”? This time is no exception.

ALL of our fights were delayed, regardless if they were connecting flights or not. We had a total of 33 hrs. of travel time. In Phx. The plane was over 1hr and 30 min late, so we missed our connection in Dallas, that is when we ran and ran, missed by 10 min. We took the next flight out of Dallas, and that was delayed too (not connecting) by almost 2 ½ hours. We got on that plane going to London, Bry and I could not sit together and I sat in-between two BIG men. One from Serbia and the other American, the American was not so nice, and the other one sweet as pie. However, they don’t wear deodorant in Serbia and was hot and kept fluffing his shirt to cool himself off…if you know what I mean. Bry, sat all the way in the back, BETWEEN my Serbians two BIG friends, that was a sight. Sometimes he went and sat in the bathroom, just to have some elbow room. Ha Ha (that is no joke, you can ask him yourself!)

Okay then we missed our connecting flight out of London and had to completely be re-routed and that plane of course too…was delayed, so off to Istanbul, Turkey we went. Yes, I said Istanbul. We didn’t figure on that but it was yet another delay but exciting! Since we were late leaving we were late arriving too. So…. Off that plane and into the airport where we met nice Turkish worker, who proceeded to take us to our plane quickly!! Emily and I thought, as long as he was walking, we would walk too, but that only lasted two seconds, before we knew it we were sprinting through the airport with our helper!! It was great fun, although we thought we would never make it, WE DID!! OH...and all this our friend who was to meet us Dallas, had to go on by herself, never communicating with us.

We boarded the plane and finally left there on time, and then our final destination on time. However!!! Our bags are LOST!! Yes, no clothes, except for the ones on our back, no jackets either!! And it is COLD!! Today it rained all day, we are guessing 35-40 degrees. Prayerfully we will have them tomorrow:)

We met some friends with like minds in the the airport and they helped us get a taxi and find our way to our beautiful apartment! What a blessing to have them to help us, they speak the language, so it made our job at 4am much easier. We met up with our friend, and my cousin this morning.

After some much needed sleep, about 3 hours, we all got up and got dressed, well kind of. I got some borrowed shirts from my cousin and Bry bought me a second hand jacket, with the sleeves about 2 inches too short. We wrapped up and off we went. We ended up having tea, and coffee in this cute little tea shop, underground, and enjoyed the company of the locals. After homemade Baklava (better than I have EVER had) and some coffee out of really small cups, we went to a store where one of our friends, played chess with a native.

We went shopping for GOOD food, and then home. It was a full day. I am so glad that we are able to get online, hopefully it will last. I don't know about pictures, because I tried to load them to you yesterday and couldn't. There will be more time tomorrow to try.

So far the people are great. I am so excited to have my cousin who speaks the language well. So far, Bry has been the most talkative, making friends where ever he goes. They think that he is one of them, some people have commented. It is true, he does look it!

Love to you all. I leave you with this quote:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Tho stretched from sky to sky.

Little C~'s, remember we are looking at the same moon. I love and miss you dearly.



We all got some sleep and

6 comments:

amyb777 said...

Awwwww! I'm so glad you guys made it ok. I will be praying for your luggage to be found and delivered to you. I am soooooo jealous!!!! I wish I was there. You know I love me some baklava. Love you lots and lots. Miss you guys tons.
Can't wait to hear more as your trip goes on. So much excitement to start with. LOL!

amy

Coral Christine said...

Hey mom & dad! i miss you so much and so did every one at the picknick! I wish i was there, Tell my cousin i said hi! Send pictures our something, im waiting for them.
And mom im fine nothings going to happen i just have to take lots of gross pills BLECK! well vitamans.. and you can be worrying about me im to scared about you! lol.. well im praying for you i miss you and can wait to see you! have funn

God's Girl said...

Wow! What an adventure you've been on. I'm so glad you have arrived. I will be looking forward to more posts on what is taking place there.

I love you guys! Praying for you!
May God use you in extraordinary ways with the people there!

(((((A Big Hug)))))
Julie

Lisa said...

Love the excitement ... It is like a Thiele version of "The Amazing Race!" Running in the airport has to be high on Pat's least favorite things list! Running anywhere is high on mine! :) LOL! Anyway I will look at the moon tonight and think of you ... when you look at it later ... know that it brings with it prayers from this side of the world!

Love you bunches,
The Days

Carmen said...

Hey! We took C3 & C4 to the zoo today. They got to ride camels and pet stingrays. I posted the pix in case you get a chance to see them.
http://web.me.com/balisana/Photos/zoo.html

amyb777 said...

Carmen wanted you guys to have links to the zoo pics from yesterday.


http://web.me.com/balisana/Photos/zoo.html

Love you guys. Have a good nights sleep. :)

amy

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