Day 1 11-14-25

The day started out at church with a brief meeting detailing the tasks at hand - tagging all the baggage, photocopying all the checked bag inventory lists, photocopying passports, and filling out the online customs document (fortunately several of us could work at different computer stations and share the camera back and forth for the required picture at the end because for some reason the program  would NOT allow an uploaded photo from, say, the computer desktop. The picture had to be taken with an attached camera. 

Having successfully navigated this, we proceeded down to fellowship hall where we sang happy birthday to Charma, who is shown here cherishing two of her favorite items - diet Pepsi (??) and chocolate cream pie (yes, I know it is hard to appreciate the chocolate in the picture because you are looking at the bottom of the piece of pie!)

Then we had some lunch

and loaded up the three vehicles for the drive to the airport. 

It was a beautiful warm day, and we arrived, all smiles, and unloaded 

Once we were all gathered in the airport, we took a group photo. You will have to use your imagination here since it was taken on Pastor's phone, so I don't have the actual picture to insert (Picture 13 smiling individuals and a lot of luggage!)....Next we got in line to check our bags, where we hit a slight snag. One of the checked luggage appeared to be missing. Not sure if it was left at church or in a vehicle, or somehow got checked without us knowing it, or some other possibility.... Will just have to wait and see if and when it turns up!

We boarded the plane for Washington - Reagan, many of us in close proximity to each other. 

We enjoyed the view of the beautiful sunset over the clouds.

and although it was dark by the time we arrived at Washington-Reagan, we could see the Capital and Washington monument illuminated nicely. 

We did a quick check at the gate to make sure everyone was accounted for and had made it off the plane, then we went our separate ways to get dinner. 

We had plenty of time to get something to eat in Washington, as our flight to Miami was delayed by 38 min, giving us about a 2 hour layover. Somehow (due to a strong tailwind) although we left Reagan 38 min late, we only arrived in Miami about 5 minutes later than scheduled!

After landing in Miami, it was a rather long walk (or ride) to get out of the airport and onto the shuttle bus to the hotel. 

We all fit on one shuttle bus (just the right number of seats for our group of 13!)  It was a short ride from the airport to the hotel, but slightly longer due to the traffic jam - three lanes of traffic at a complete standstill - at 11:30 at night. Amazing. We are thankful to live in Iowa City where first of all there really aren't many roads with three lanes of traffic, and second of all, there is never a traffic jam at 11:30 pm (unless maybe after a really late football game?) I digress....

We waited in the hotel lobby while Pastor got us checked in to our rooms.

And we were even refreshed as Val handed out bottles of water!

As I think back on the day, we missed out on the worship service originally planned for today, but we each had plenty of time to pause and reflect....We are thankful for our safe travel thus far. We are thankful for the airline workers who checked our bags, the airline workers at the gates, our pilots, our flight crew, our baggage handlers, and so many more who made the trip go well........We are thankful for our marshallers. 

who use lights to give hand signals to the pilots, directing them where to park the plane. What pilot upon approaching the gate would not look for the lights of the marshaller to see where to go?  (only a foolish pilot!)

Jesus, You are our light, You guide us where to go.. And yet we do not always look to You to guide us. Sometimes we think we can just figure it out on our own. How much easier our lives would be if we would just always follow Your light the way a pilot follows the marshaller's light. You intend to lead us safely through  life's obstacles to the gate. Forgive us when we don't follow where You lead. May we always keep our eyes on You. Amen.