What's that saying?
Don't count your chickens before they're hatched? Yeah, you see where I'm going with this? Umm hmm.... there is one of two things going on: 1. Satan is REALLY trying very hard to get us down, or 2. God is testing us. I'm not sure which it is, but it's been hard not to let it get us down. Oh, I suppose I should tell you all what's going on, huh? Well, Pedro (our agency representative) went to the Embassy to pick up our Visa and somehow they couldn't find our name in they're database. So Zach will have to go back to the Embassy tomorrow morning to see what is going on and try to get this taken care of. Yeah, we were supposed to leave at 7 am tomorrow morning, but instead, that's the time Pedro will be picking Zach up.
After we got the phone call, Zach went down to the Continental Airlines office at the hotel to try to get on the Friday flight and they said it would cost us $2000! Either that or we wouldn't be able to leave until next Thursday. So Zach called the Embassy emergency line and they were less than helpful. The guy that answered the phone said there was no one there to help us out, and when Zach asked if there was anyone there working late and he said "No, they're walking out the door." So why couldn't he stop someone to ask if they could help us, I don't know. It's a good thing we weren't in jail! I mean, criminy, aren't we US citizens, isn't the US Embassy here to protect and help it's citizens while in a foreign country? We are SO not happy about this, but what can we do? Just trust that God has a reason. We may never know what that is, but I'm sure there is one.
Oh, about when we get to leave...Zach called the 1-800 number for Continental (of course you can't call 800 numbers on a calling card from a foreign country, so we had to call international direct from our room. Who knows how much that will cost us. Then we had to do the same with Alaska Airlines to change our tickets with them. In the end, we got a flight on Sunday out of here (same flight plan) at the cost of $200. Alaska is charging us $75 for the change, but it's better than $2000 and better than staying here another week. We will get in on Monday morning. If anyone needs to contact us, they can check www.marriott.com/guadt to find the phone number. Our room is 857. Well...hopefully we'll still have a room after tomorrow. They won't be able to let us know until after noon tomorrow if they have room for us or not. I don't know what I'll do if they don't have room for us.
I was doing really well until a couple hours ago and then I just lost it. I just want my boy home, in his room, with his toys, in a comfortable crib. He is great during the day, but he cries out a lot in his sleep. And let me tell you, that boy is a FURNACE. We thought Donavyn was bad, but man, he's 100x's worse. He wakes up every morning sweaty.
So, we have a couple favors. Since we are here and running out of calling time and don't want to charge anymore international calls to the room, MELISSA OR AARON can you please call Heidi at our house or use the number in the church directory to let her know we won't be home until Monday. If she isnt' able to stay at the house that long, just ask her to have Keith or Mary take care of it. In fact, I'm sure Mary will read this too, so this is just a head's up for you. Also, JASON AND BECCA can you either leave more money for parking until Monday or get in touch with Melissa and Aaron and see if they can get the car there for us? Either way is fine. If you guys could just let us know that you got this and what you are going to do, that would be great.
We love you guys. I'm pulling my hair out. Ok, so right now Gabriel is actually pulling my hair out, but you get the idea. Please pray for us. Zach ran into a family at the Continental office here that were FINALLY getting ready to leave after being delayed 29 days here. Oh, goodness, I don't know what I'll do if that happens.
Ok, off to the room for us. We've got some sleepy little ones and they have some tired and cranky parents.
After we got the phone call, Zach went down to the Continental Airlines office at the hotel to try to get on the Friday flight and they said it would cost us $2000! Either that or we wouldn't be able to leave until next Thursday. So Zach called the Embassy emergency line and they were less than helpful. The guy that answered the phone said there was no one there to help us out, and when Zach asked if there was anyone there working late and he said "No, they're walking out the door." So why couldn't he stop someone to ask if they could help us, I don't know. It's a good thing we weren't in jail! I mean, criminy, aren't we US citizens, isn't the US Embassy here to protect and help it's citizens while in a foreign country? We are SO not happy about this, but what can we do? Just trust that God has a reason. We may never know what that is, but I'm sure there is one.
Oh, about when we get to leave...Zach called the 1-800 number for Continental (of course you can't call 800 numbers on a calling card from a foreign country, so we had to call international direct from our room. Who knows how much that will cost us. Then we had to do the same with Alaska Airlines to change our tickets with them. In the end, we got a flight on Sunday out of here (same flight plan) at the cost of $200. Alaska is charging us $75 for the change, but it's better than $2000 and better than staying here another week. We will get in on Monday morning. If anyone needs to contact us, they can check www.marriott.com/guadt to find the phone number. Our room is 857. Well...hopefully we'll still have a room after tomorrow. They won't be able to let us know until after noon tomorrow if they have room for us or not. I don't know what I'll do if they don't have room for us.
I was doing really well until a couple hours ago and then I just lost it. I just want my boy home, in his room, with his toys, in a comfortable crib. He is great during the day, but he cries out a lot in his sleep. And let me tell you, that boy is a FURNACE. We thought Donavyn was bad, but man, he's 100x's worse. He wakes up every morning sweaty.
So, we have a couple favors. Since we are here and running out of calling time and don't want to charge anymore international calls to the room, MELISSA OR AARON can you please call Heidi at our house or use the number in the church directory to let her know we won't be home until Monday. If she isnt' able to stay at the house that long, just ask her to have Keith or Mary take care of it. In fact, I'm sure Mary will read this too, so this is just a head's up for you. Also, JASON AND BECCA can you either leave more money for parking until Monday or get in touch with Melissa and Aaron and see if they can get the car there for us? Either way is fine. If you guys could just let us know that you got this and what you are going to do, that would be great.
We love you guys. I'm pulling my hair out. Ok, so right now Gabriel is actually pulling my hair out, but you get the idea. Please pray for us. Zach ran into a family at the Continental office here that were FINALLY getting ready to leave after being delayed 29 days here. Oh, goodness, I don't know what I'll do if that happens.
Ok, off to the room for us. We've got some sleepy little ones and they have some tired and cranky parents.
Comments
Lots and lots of prayers and hugs. I've been thinking of your family so much. I hope things get worked out quickly!
(((hugs)))
Sending up a prayer that all goes fine tomorrow and that you guys are taken care of with a room, the Embassy and a little more time in the sun.
Love you guys!!
Keep your hearts light and know that God is on your side, don't let Satan in to destroy this magnificent time of coming together. The Lord has provided for you all this time, He's not stopping now. ((hugs)) 486-8110 in case you need anything emergent, if not, I'll check the blog first thing in the morning 7am my time, but feel free to call before then if you need anything faxed, I'd get up for you!
You have a lot of extended family here in Kodiak who will make sure everything here is fine.
Lean on God.... He knows what he's doing even when we can't understand it. We all said He is Good all the time, and all the time He is Good when everything was going smoothly. He's still the same Awesome God. He will make a way for you, and it will be exactly as He plans!
I'll try to figure out the international phone thing tomorrow and call you (when it's a normal time for you!!) to make sure there's nothing else we can do.
You'll be ok.
We gotcha covered!!
Help our friends Beth and Zach during this time of trial. Be with them as they're going through these unexpected hurdles and give them peace. Lord, we know that Your timing is perfect and that we don't know all of the reasons why this would happen but we DO know that You are in control. Lord, we know and stand firm in the fact that you are in Heaven reigning in our lives and will work to the good of those that believe in You. God, I pray that you help speed up this process for the Koehler family. Help the paperwork to be found and Beth and Zach to be able to take Gabriel back home as quickly as possible. We denounce Satan and his work in this situation, Lord, put a hedge of protection around this family as they're in a foreign country and may feel lost in the shuffle. God grant them peace and be with them. In Jesus' name.
Elizabeth aka jbs
(((eskimo kisses!!!)))
love you,
nissa lee
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