Journey to Joanna Faith part 2

So I flew out Thursday bright and early- Jason took me to the Lake Charles airport and off I went....well almost. You see literally within a couple of minutes of the plane's departure- a storm hit. One that had severe sideways rain, and hail. Jason was in the parking lot praying we hadn't taken off. Which we hadn't. Thank You God!

So then we were a good 15-20 minutes late taking off- which is better than never taking off again. The problem being that between flights in Houston I literally had 35-40 minutes! I shared our amazing story with the lady sitting next to me on the plane. Turns out we both had a huge heart for Africa- she had spent several months in Uganda herself :) We both had quick turn arounds to catch our next flights, and - I started praying! I was nervous as could be. I mean what would the birth mom think- great she's late. Would Joanna have to go into a temporary care situation, and then I wouldn't even get to see her for a while???? Oh my heart pounded.

As soon as we landed- I raced across the airport!!!!!!!!! Literally I was dripping with sweat. When I arrived they had shut the door- early I might add and said the plane had left. WHAT?? I started sobbing like a big baby right there sure that this was just the end of the world. It felt like it because I just couldn't possibly wait any longer to see her sweet face!

She gave me 2 tickets...one for standby on the 10:20 flight and an actual seat for the 12:30 flight. I immediately went to the next gate, sat down, continued crying, and called Jason. He knew instantly what had happened. He said I will call the people at Mother Goose and the lawyer that was to meet us at the hospital. I collapsed in sadness.......why?

After Jason called back and assured me that they would ask the hospital to keep the birth mom and the child a few extra hours until I could get there.....I felt some relief. Tracie of course phoned and reassured me too. I just knew we had some prayers for us, and that this was all God's story and not ours.

So I waited impatiently pacing, bought some food & of course a Mountain Dew..........as soon as the screen said next flight - Philadelphia- I jumped up went straight to the desk and said.....I am on standby for this next flight. The big deal is that I am going to go there today to meet my daughter- she was just born Tuesday night!!!!! I NEED TO BE THERE NOW! I missed my last flight due to weather.....etc... and many Pleases were involved! She wrote down the info and said she would do her best. For the next couple of hours.......I paced, and only left the area for a few minutes - to use the facilities.

I was a nervous wreck!!!!!! It was still shock that said in a few hours you will meet your new baby girl! What? This all happened sooo fast that we literally only told the kids just a couple of hours before I tucked them in for the night that mommy is flying out to see - their new sister (hopefully- and after all the grief my children have faced with us......it was hard to tell them anything). Would this all go through? Would we just have a really expensive weekend away and come home once again shattered over the loss of a child not meant to be ours?

So the plane comes- I start getting excited.....and the passengers board. Last calls are made, and then they call- Dawn Wright- I was already hovering near the check in desk. I jumped forward saying yes. She said all I have is a middle seat- I grabbed it with the biggest smile ever on my face!!! Saying as I was going down that little hallway to the plane- I don't care- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She said back- Congratulations have a great flight...... :)

I got to my seat and started really going nuts. My brain went so many different ways. After speaking to the young lady next to me. Showing her pictures and telling her our story......I decided I should try to get some rest because may not get rest for - well quite a while! So I dozed and slept almost the entire flight. Until the last hour. My stomach went nuts! Like painfully crazy nuts! Was it something I ate? Nothing that I have eaten lately was strange, but I was sure it was all stress & excitement induced. I was in sooo much pain I just started praying. God I can't get off this flight travel in a taxi clear across town to the hospital and see my new daughter feeling like this. So I quickly took some medicine and kept praying. It got worse......and then just as I was really in pain- so much I am halved over at this point. It went away. Literally less than 10 minutes before the plane touched down! Thank You Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!

I landed....couldn't wait to see if all my luggage was there. Finally found the correct carousel. Yep- the car seat (which I had to have to leave the hospital with Joanna), my other checked luggage- all there! YEAH!!!!

Afterwords I realized that if I had caught my earlier flight- I HIGHLY DOUBT her carseat or my checked luggage would have been there. Another Praise Jesus moment!

Now for the real stress. Me catching a cab. I mean to some of you- no big deal right? Well it is to me. I am a country girl, maybe a small town- like a few thousand people. So taking public transportation- especially a taxi- not my thing!!!!! The last time I rode a taxi was back in college when our band went to Chicago and I was with friends.....and I remember our driver was really scary and went down a one way the wrong way. So as these thoughts are crossing my mind. I am thinking- ANYTHING for my Joanna!!!

Actually, it was really easy. I got to hospital in good time and the cab driver was really nice- yeah!!!! I get upstairs and they ask me for the birth mom's name- I said- um I don't know, but I will call the lawyer who should be around here. They then called me back to the room.........and she was in the arms of her birth mother. Both of them beautiful!

You know I realize that so many people worry about meeting a birth family, but really they are nervous about meeting you too (maybe a whole other post). Anyway, she handed me our daughter and I promise you my heart stopped for just a moment. In my heart I was praising God for a miracle I never saw coming. A miracle I do not deserve......a miracle that God created especially for our family.

In moments like that...........how can anyone doubt our CREATOR???? Not me!

Looks like part 3 will be coming soon, and some more pics. You don't think we haven't taken more do you??? Of course we have and will be posting some more soon.