Trip Out to Aussie

On Monday the 23rd, Mom and I headed to the airport at about 11am and I arrived at Jessica's home in Berry at 1PM on Wednesday the 25th. With the time differences, this totaled to about 32 hours in route to my final destination here in Australia. Woof. No worries though, what's really neat about travelling though is how fast you can make friends because you already have something in common with them: the destination!

I was hanging out waiting for my delayed flight to Dallas and met an Aussie that was on his way home, Matt. He had been working in the states for 2 years in law enforcement and sounded so excited to get back. Matt was the one to inform me that there was a tornado in north Minneapolis just the day before. Wow, I told myself that I wasn't going to be that stupid American and I already was without leaving the US.

You have no idea how long I had been praying that I sit next to someone who would be willing to be my pal on this journey. My prayers were answered when I met Kate in seat 29E. She was on her way to Brisbane with about 20 other college students as part of a mission trip. They were from universities across the Midwest but all members of Crusaders for Christ. (Hazzah! God wills it!!)

When we got to Dallas, I followed Kate and congregated with the group as the chaperons gave some instructions. I did a great job blending in... OK, not really. Most of the students were doing more double taking than listening to their leaders ;) I played along as long as I could, but I am terrible at keeping an exciting secret. Seriously, I could never throw a surprise party. Besides the point, I was so blessed to find this excellent group of kids to hang out with during our lay over in Dallas as well as the 16 hour flight to Australia.

I especially connected with Emma. At first, I was surprised at how curious she was about me. Those feelings faded pretty quickly when I became genuinely curious in who she was and discovered how in tune she was with her spirituality. We pretty much exchanged life stories with laughs and tears included.

I think a lot of people out there are worried about being interesting or feel the need to prove that they are indeed interesting. I believe that each and every person we encounter on our journey will be absolutely fascinating. This is something that I struggle with and continue to work on. It is more important to be interested than it is to be interesting. Try it. Be receptive to being inspired.