The "in transit" tags attached to each of our checked bags were truly God's provision for a long journey!
God answered our prayers from the very beginning of the trip back to Germany. We were so thankful for a customer service agent who...
...let us by with bags weighing 50.5, 52.0, and 49.5 pounds!
...didn't charge us anything for checking extra bags!
...gave us "in transit" tags, so we didn't have to reclaim any of our bags in Toronto or Frankfurt!
After going through security in Philadelphia, we found out our first flight was delayed, which meant that we would have much less time to make our connection in Toronto. When Brittany and I got off the plane in Toronto, we hurried up an escalator, down a hallway, and through passport control (fortunately, without any lines!). It was then that we heard the "last call" for our flight! So, we ran even faster (of course, with pillows, rolling carry-on suitcases, backpacks, and purses) -- and made it! Thank You, Jesus! We just hoped our "in transit" bags would make the plane along with us.
Little did we know what we would encounter on the 8-hour flight from Toronto to Frankfurt. About 2 hours after take-off, we hit significant turbulence that shook the plane. Listening to the carry-on bags shift above us and feeling the plane vibrate was unnerving... but not as much as the announcements from the flight crew: "We have received word from air traffic control that we need to drop to an altitude of 6,000 feet" and "Please close all window shades." Needless to say, Brittany and I prayed for safety to make it over the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. What a relief to be back up to regular cruising altitude for the rest of the trip and back on solid ground when we arrived in Frankfurt!
Our third flight was not as eventful. Somehow running through another terminal, hearing another "last call," and having to wait for our boarding passes didn't seem so bad after that second flight.
And, the "in transit" tags worked! We made it back "home" to Riedlingen with our 3 checked bags, 2 carry-on suitcases, 2 backpacks, 2 pillows, 2 purses, and 1 guitar!
Sitting here in my bedroom after hours of traveling, I can't help but consider God's power and sovereignty. Only He can calm the wind and the waves -- and carry our airplane safely through a storm. Only He could prepare the way for us to make each of our connecting flights -- and allow for our bags to make it, too! And only He has the power to lead and guide me in this coming school year -- and use it for His glory. Praise God for He is all-powerful!
