Singapore arrival

W grins from ear to ear. "They bumped us up."

They are Delta and their rep at the gate takes a liking to W. Though there's a long line for upgrades, she seats W and me side by side in Business Elite. We have fully reclining seats with down-like pillows and comforters. We sip refreshing orange juice as we wait for others to board. The menu choices are for a three-course dinner: soup and salad, [halibut], and a choice of desserts. W has the tenderloin. I try a bit of everything on my plate, but it's like they're feeding us everything the other passengers are not getting. Too much!

I tuck myself in after dinner and a movie and sleep for nearly 6 hours. I'm awake in time to ask for a late breakfast. The tray comes laden with fresh fruit, a quiche and sausages, and two croissants with a pot of preserves. I'd need these wide seats if I'd attempt to eat it all. Tea, fruit, and a few bites of quiche does it for me.

Our trip through security at Tokyo Narita goes smoothly, especially after we are pointed to a short line in another section of the airport. We eat a bit of congee in the Delta Club. It settles W's stomach. We both skip the beautiful sushi with regret: I'm still full from breakfast.

We're rested and wide awake, flying almost 7 hours to Singapore. Some people at Changi International Airport have dust masks on. The fires from Indonesia produce a grey haze that lies over the island as our taxi driver swirls through the streets. These guys are amazing: we tell them our address and they rush off. There's seldom a wrong turn, just a rush to drop us off and catch the next fare.

Singapore haze

It's 2am by the time we find the elevator for our block and haul our stuff into the flat. Our friends, the Taylors, have gotten in just before us and are asleep. We sleep soundly until 7am. Taylors have head out for a breakfast meeting so we catch up on emails and have a piece of toast. The smell of smoke permeates the flat.

At 9:30am, the clock back home says 6:30pm. We normally have a minimal adjustment upon arrival in a new time zone. (We feel jet-lagged for days when we return to Seattle's dark climate.) Our bodies feel like its morning, but we'll see how the evening goes. We're glad to be here!

Read more:

*Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don't know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both. Ecclesiastes 11:6 NLT

*His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away. Daniel 7:14 NIV

*But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 NIV

*Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT

Moravian Prayer: God, our lives become unmanageable and we grow weary. Knowing you are the same yesterday, today, and forever provides unimaginable comfort and joy. Amen.

A delay and a pit stop

Our afternoon flight out of Springfield is cancelled due to thunderstorms and fog to the north. By then, we've had lunch with our friends and said goodbye, packed up the house, and taken a taxi to the airport.

The next flight is delayed, so we sit at the airport for 7 hours. Of course we miss our connection to Seattle. W makes sure Delta rebooks our flight for Asia for a day later. We wouldn't even have turnaround time at home, and our teaching supplies have to come with us.

Though W's a Platinum flyer, Delta refuses to pay for our hotel room. W goes online to find a place to spend the night. He gets an excellent rate at a boutique hotel: the Hotel Indigo. We just miss the shuttle and have to wait a half hour for the next one.

We get to the hotel  at midnight, close to the time we expected to be home. There's a long line at the hotel counter. Everyone else in line has vouchers. (Delta gave all the regular passengers a voucher but not W with all his miles? Hmmm. It's their prerogative: the delay was weather-related, but it seems kinda cheezy and arbitrary, especially when we're tired.)

Oh well. We're exhausted and happy to find a nice place to sleep. Beauty feeds my soul. And the room is beautiful, the bed comfortable. There's a tea tray on the end of the bed. The furnishings are gorgeous and modern. The spa-like bath is enormous and clean clean clean. (Not to be taken for granted, at this point and going forward!)

We're up by 5:30am and once again, have to wait for the shuttle. It fills up and takes off without us, before its departure time. But the driver comes back as quickly as he can to get those still waiting. Within a few hours, we're on an uneventful flight.

Seattle is cold and rainy after the humidity and heat of Missouri. Our d-in-love R picks us up, has lunch with us, and waits while we run an errand. It's good to see her face. Family!

Finally, we make it home. We do laundry, repack, and prepare what we need to teach for a month in SE Asia. There's no place like home. Even if it's just overnight. And our granddaughter is bringing her parents over for a quick evening visit. Doesn't get better than that!

Lesson for the day: this is the beginning of inconveniences. This little one, with a blessing of such a lovely space to enjoy, is NOTHING. Our desires are not comfort or ease. We really do want whatever it is that brings God glory.

Waiting is good for us - and teaches us that we are not the center of anything. And the extra day at home? What a treat! I am grateful.

Read more:

*The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. Ecclesiastes 12:11 NLT

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Psalm 20:1-5 NIV

*O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1 NLT

*Paul said, “I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 NLT

Moravian Prayer: Great God, we know even our finest words of praise and our great hymns of thanksgiving can never fully express our gratitude for your sacrifice. May we share your love with the whole earth! Amen.