Last year Larry and I each got a voucher from the airlines since we were willing to give up our seats on a flight that was over booked. They were good for a year and I barely made the dead line on using mine. (we were going to use Larry's to go to California but since his foot was still sore we just lost it since we didn't use it) I tried using mine earlier to go visit my friend Susan but between 3 of us trying to coordinate dates I wasn't able to make it when the first date was set. Kathy ended up going by herself. This time I knew I had to get with Susan myself if I was going to go visit her and so that's what I did. We came up with a date that would work for us both. We were hoping it would work for Kathy also and she had things worked out so it would....only problem was that she flies standby and wasn't able to get a flight out of SLC. (sad)
It was stressful for a few weeks before I actually went. Kathy wanted me to change the date for a month out so the weather would be better. I knew I couldn't because of the deadline on the voucher. I was also stressed not knowing if Kathy and I were getting a hotel for the first night or if she was going to make it and I would be stuck alone in the hotel. It was a crazy week or so until I finally decided I was just going to do what I needed to. I would get myself to Susan's apartment and if Kathy came she could do the same. That way Susan wouldn't have to worry about running around to pick us up.
While Kathy and I were waiting for the next flights we were having a bagel and visiting when I looked up and saw my sister and niece. We were all surprised and thought it was funny. Had we not been sitting where we were I don't think I would have noticed them walking by to get to their gate. It was a nice surprise.
Just before landing in Houston the pilot got on the speaker and told us that as a precaution we would be having an emergency team escort us to our gate. The plane had some electrical problems and I guess they were concerned about having a fire. No worries.....for 20 minutes or more we waited and I breathed deeply trying to smell anything different. The gal on the other side of the isle and I laughed and said we really didn't need to know that. My mind thought things all by itself like....hmmmmm I might die and it will be from burning up which I had never thought about before. I wasn't scared and just thought I would crouch down and it would only be moments and I'd be gone. Funny...how the brain just thinks so fast and involuntarily. Everything turned out fine...no fires! Soon I was boarded again headed to Baltimore. All my flights were good...as far a weather goes.
I took a shuttle from the airport and it turned out to be nice and easy. The driver came in the airport to get me and then took me right to Susan's. I didn't mind paying the $$$ at all....I thought it was well worth it. In fact, I ended up using the same service to take me back to the airport so Susan wouldn't have to spend her time and gas taking me. (I would have had to sent her the $$$ for gas because I know she wouldn't take it...this way I didn't have to worry about it)
I saw Kathy at the airport since she was trying to catch a flight out. We joked about getting a picture taken hoping it wouldn't be our only one ..... it was our only one.
It was wonderful seeing Susan. Susan is serving a LDS Temple Mission at the Washington DC Temple for a year. It was so much fun walking in her path for a few days and seeing what a mission is all about. I loved feeling the spirit so much. I went with her to the Temple on Saturday since she had to work. My plan was go to the 12:00 endowment and then turn around and go to the 2:30 endowment so that I could see both movies. Susan wanted to talk to me about them. I missed the 2:30 session because I ran into a lady that has parents that live in my ward and we were talking. Actually that isn't why I missed the session...the real reason is that the first session took longer because of people going through for themselves and waiting on an older man. (he left and came back) Since I missed the session I decide to go and do some initiatory. I love doing initiatory....I just feel so loved and feel the spirit with every name. When I got through I went and sat outside the Chapel for a few minutes and listened to the music while I read the scriptures for a while. I then headed down to the baptistery where Susan was working. She got through about the time I got there and so we left. It was such an awesome day being in the Temple. I absolutely love the Temple and feeling the Spirit of God!
We decided to go out for dinner and ended up at Ruby Tuesdays. Susan had told me that she has missed laughing. She is happy and has fun but hasn't really laughed a lot. So I decided to find things to make her laugh. I wanted to help her out! While visiting the potty I noticed the cutouts in the counter where you put your garbage. I wondered.....will our heads fit in those holes? I moved the garbage can and crawled under.....my head fit! So we moved the other garbage so Susan could pop up through the other hole. A waitress that was also visiting the potty gladly took our picture! That started a lot of laughter and got us looking for more photo opts. We had a great time and even went back to Ruby Tuesdays to get a few more pics so Susan could send them to her grands on instagram. We laughed and made others laugh too. We also scared a poor lady that was using the restroom. She went to wash her hands and was looking down and when she finally looked up she saw me and screamed while she jumped backwards and instead of washing she took her daughter out and left. haha It was a fun night.....and it didn't end until morning. We stayed up until Midnight or after every night I was there. It was a slumber party every night....not much sleep.
On Sunday we enjoyed visiting more and we went to the visitors center which is so awesome. Liz Lemmon Swindle had a display there that was beautiful of the Saviors life. Again...the Spirit was felt and enjoyed. Church was different since there aren't any children. I enjoyed partaking of the Sacrament and hearing those missionaries say the prayers. There were tears during the prayers because they understand! I can't remember if that night we played games with other missionaries or watched a show with some of the sisters....we did both at different times.
Monday is "P" day and we decided to go with a few of the sisters to the Smithsonian Institution...National Zoo. We went to see the new baby panda...which we did see because there is a camera on it. She was out of sight and ended up taking a nap while we were there. It didn't matter we still enjoyed ourselves. It's been a long time since I have been to the Zoo. Susan and the Gorilla had a moment and I enjoyed watching a seal chase a paper ball and little girl was throwing around. It was a fun day.
On Monday Nights the missionaries have a Hail and Farewell. They welcome the new missionaries and introduce them and say good bye to those going home. They got four new couples and they all took a few minutes to introduce themselves. I enjoyed hearing about them. I really enjoyed hearing some of the experiences of the two couples going home. It really makes me excited to serve one day. I would really like a Temple Mission but seriously doubt I will get my way but even so I know I will enjoy serving a mission some day.
We we got back to Susan's apartment instead of going to bed we made more memories with the camera. I think we were pretty creative, especially with the lamp shades. Again we laughed an played until midnight....but it was fun!
The time went fast. We played games. We watched Frozen. We went to the Temple a few times. (I talked Susan into going on Tuesday before she had to work and before I had to fly home.) We laughed and talked and strengthened our friendship. It was a few days well spent.
I didn't choose to go to any of the visitor attractions in DC. I just wanted to see my friend and visit with her. As I was sitting in the Temple Tuesday morning the thought came to my mind that I was at the best place I could be while visiting DC. I smiled...because I agreed!
I'd like to say the flight home was smooth without problems but that wouldn't be true. We were late getting out of Baltimore because an Oxygen Mask had came down on the previous flight of the plane I was boarding. They needed to fix it before we could take off. When I boarded the plane I found out the seat I was assigned to was the one that had the problem. I laughed but didn't worry. The pilot thought we could make of for the lost time but was rerouted because of weather and many passengers on the plane missed their connecting flights including me. My plane was still there but wouldn't open the doors for me or the others needing to get on it. They just backed up and left us standing there watching. We assume they gave our seats up. That put me in a long line at the service desk looking for another flight home. I was able to get one for the following day which meant I was staying in Houston. I heard others talking about how the hotels were booked and there wasn't anywhere they could go. I asked the gal helping me if they had vouchers and would put me up for the night. Because my plane had the oxygen mask repaired I was able to get set up in a Motel just out of town. I stayed in a Super 8 in "Bumble". It wasn't the the nicest place around but it had a bed (in fact it had 2 beds) and a shower. I had my luggage and so things were good. The airlines also gave me vouchers for taxi's to and from the motel and a few for food. I felt like I was taken care of.
The flight home was good. I sat by a nice couple who were going to Logan for their brother in laws funeral. (sad) We talked the whole flight and ended up leaving each other with a hug and they each kissed my cheek.
I'm always happy to walk back into my home and life however I would go again tomorrow if the opportunity arose. I like not having responsibilities every now and then....it's a bit rewarding.
