Kristin's seven hour layover

They hide the Starbucks in the Miami airport.

I think it's a ploy to lure sleepy travelers into a psychology experiment: How far will people actually go to get their Venti Caramel Macchiato?

Answer: They'll trudge to the far end of the North terminal, down a tiny stairwell, and into the cramped American Eagle, five-gate, basement terminal. 


I think my addiction has reached a new low.

But regardless, it has sustained me during the seven hour layover I scheduled between my flight from Detroit to Quito. I obviously wasn't thinking clearly when I booked this flight. Which is probably true, since I originally booked my flight for the wrong day and fifteen minutes later had to beg American Airlines to change it for me without a fee.

And yet, no matter what I do to mess things up, the Lord has routinely intervened on my behalf. Each time I've had a moment of panic, He reveals more of His plan for me and this trip, and soothes my spirit.

During my preparation to leave, especially these last couple weeks, the urge to freak out came in ever-increasing waves. The obstacles seemed to pile up: lack of medicine; chaos from going to Europe, moving out and moving home within three weeks; no one to pick me up at the Quito airport; no real understanding of my job; staying in an empty house on my first night. The list continues. Satan constantly found ways to grate on my nerves and sow doubt, fear, and anger into my heart.


But Satan is not our conqueror.


I am a testament to the power of prayer, especially those coming from a body of believers. Within a day of a particularly intense venting session where I voiced many of my concerns, friends and family members came together to pray for me and with me to find solutions. All of the sudden I had people to pick me up at the airport, someone to talk with about my job, and a place to stay if I didn't want to sleep in an empty house. E-mails I had sent out weeks ago were answered. People I don't even know volunteered to take care of me.

How is it that I doubt my Creator who has promised to provide for me? He has never left me, but has instead given me situations that increase my faith. He has surrounded me with a church family who prays, encourages, and supports me. He has given me friends and family who stand by me in my lowest moments and urge me to persevere. He has given me His Spirit of peace that prevails even in my most stressful states.


Our God is faithful. Always.


I pray the Lord impresses that truth on my heart and on yours. I look forward with anticipation what's to come in the next year. No doubt our Father has plans to mold Kim, Ashley, and I into women that glorify Him and exude His love.  Please pray that we'll be open to the moving of the Spirit in our lives and that we'll remain faithful to seeking Him every day.


Ok, time to pack up. Hopefully I can get some rest on this flight. I slept about two hours last night as I had many last minute things to do. But if you know me, that's rather par. However, functioning on two hours of sleep, even with the magic of Starbucks, makes for a rather cranky Kristin. . .


Much love, grace, and peace to you all.

~Kristin