when the unexpected happens

A week ago this morning, we were dealing with the unexpected...all air travel had come to a halt and the best the airlines could promise us was a re-booked flight 5 days later, what were we going to do?
Well last Friday morning you could just about feel the panic and the doom in the hearts of the crowd sitting in the West bonhough train station in Vienna. We were all there you see, in a desperate attempt to purchase a train ticket out. Funny how a holiday can so suddenly go sour when faced with unknowns and no end of unknowns in site... how much will this cost? how long will this take? what if we get stuck? what about responsibilities waiting for me at home?
Well certainly this was an opportunity to trust God and a unique opportunity to be the light of Christ - though to be honest my heart wanted very much to be grouchy, and look out only for myself. (just get me home to my own bed and Clean Cloths!)

Thank goodness God does not leave us to our own devises. As my heart filled with worst case scenarios I was reminded of Matthew 6:25-34
'...do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on, Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?...But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...'
Don't be distracted Abi! God has a plan and a job for you to do even in this!

This is how it went one day at a time:

On Thursday night we met Soo Jeung, a Korean student living in England for the year who was to be on our flight back to London. She was all alone - so we asked her if she wanted to join us as we tried to get back home. She said yes!

After much deliberating we went to a hotel subsidized by the airline, thankful for a place at least to sleep. Some how we got much more! A bathroom the bigger then my kitchen (which I guess is not saying much considering the size - but still it was a nice treat), and when we got up at 5am we enjoyed a complimentary breakfast which I very much wished I had had the appetite to sample more of then I could - who ever heard of fresh squeezed Kiwi juice? If only it had not been so early I definitely would have given that one one a try. Instead I enjoyed a nice coffee and croissant - delicious and not too heavy, just right.

While in Vienna...

and it rained, and rained, and rained. I thought maybe winter had returned. I wore just about every article of clothing I brought - which was not very much - trying not to risk my fashion sensibilities too much which meant that I went a tiny bit cold on one or two occasions. Nathaniel had a good laugh at me over this.

(I would have wanted to sit on these seats if they had not been dripping wet)

The weather certainly did not stop us from exploring that beautiful expensive city though ...

(enjoying one of the free things Vienna has to offer...
a statute of Mozart in the wet park)

thank goodness we remembered our umbrellas!

When Nathaniel and I were making plans to move to London, I would say something like "how wonderful! we are so close to so many places I have always wished to see..." and I would proceed to list off all those wonderful cities and countries: Spain (to see the Smiths and Rachel of course), Scotland and Wales (cause they are so close - and I think I have a bit of Welsh in me so really we must!), Paris, Rome! and Nathaniel would say "that is only if we can make our bank account stretch past our daily needs - sure that would be nice!" Of course Nathaniel was right, but I couldn't help but dream, and hope that somehow we might squeeze in at least one or two trips!

Travel certainly has not been in the budget since we arrived - and yet God knows how to give good gifts when it seems least possible. About a month ago Aunt Gillian invited me to go on a trip with her - she had not decided where, but she had extra air miles and she would like some company.

And so I went to Paris! We filled four days with drinking coffee (the real way according to Aunt Gillian),

seeing the sites,


listening to music in subway passages,


and getting as much time with Gillian Jackson (Nathaniel's youngest sister) as we could!

But with all that we saw and did, the very best part was coming home to the arms of my wonderful husband!