So we arrived in the Dulles airport very early Sunday morning, and went directly from customs to get in line to see if there was any way to change our ticket to the earlier flight to Syracuse rather than waiting close to 12 hours for the one we were scheduled for. Not a chance. Everything was full due to many places having spring break, and standby was not even a reasonable option. So… we settled in to wait…. and wait… napping, eating, walking around,  etc. Finally a couple hours before we were due to board, the announcement over the intercom came that our flight had been cancelled and we were to go to customer service. Almost immediately following that, one to Charlottesville, South Carolina was also cancelled! That meant alot of disappointed, stranded people needing rerouting and hours in line. Our first time in line we got standby tickets for 10 p.m. As we talked and conferred with my husband at home, we decided to change that plan as we would be arriving very late in Syracuse and still have to get to our vehicle in the open lot, and drive home in the wee hours of Monday morning… that is if we were even able to get on that flight, which was certainly not guaranteed. If we couldn’t get on, we would have to spend the night in D.C. and by then it would be very late. So we waited over an hour in line again, made friends with people around us (included the gift of some Larabars to us and a goodbye hug with one lady traveling alone, and well wishes with others as we parted!), and got everything rearranged for a 10 a.m. flight the next day. They provided taxi service to a motel 5 minutes away from the Washington National Airport, food vouchers, and the free shuttle to that airport in the morning to fly with American instead of our original United plan. We were well cared for even though it wasn’t our choice of circumstances.

It was a short flight to Syracuse the next day, but a little rough with it being rainy and the pilot was unable to find a smooth path. (Note– sea bands are the bomb for taking care of air sickness! Highly recommend!) We arrived in the rain, and I was just praying specifically for 2 things– 1. that our checked bag had arrived via United Airlines sometime previous to our American flight, and 2. that we would not have to walk to the parking lot in the pouring rain! What a relief to see our bag in the UA office waiting for us, and the clouds parted and we had actual sunshine to get to our vehicle!

PTL for caring about the little things that can seem big to us in the moment! It began to rain again by the time we reached the interstate! We made it home safe and sound, thankful for God’s protection and care of every single one of our needs, and full hearts from an amazing International trip experience! And yes, I believe God had His eye and His hand on us as He always does, and we never left His care. To God be the Glory!