Someone looking out for me

I suppose I should tell the story of how I got here, though it's mildly embarrassing....

My flights to Ireland were booked with miles. My itinerary was: Providence, RI to Toronto; Toronto to Frankfurt; Frankfurt to Dublin. I left at 6pm EST 3 August and was in Frankfurt by 11am local the 4th. I knew I had about a four hour layover, and my body was screaming for some horizontal rest, so I set my alarm and found a bench to nap on for a couple of hours. As it turned out, I was not 5, but 6 hours ahead of where I had been, and I woke five minutes after my plane had departed. I was alarmed and more irritated with myself than anything else. I couldn't believe I'd made such a stupid mistake! I prayed as I walked, and told myself that beating myself up about it was not getting me any closer to my destination. God has always provided, and this was an opportunity to trust in Him. I knew I would make it to Dublin that night or the next morning, but any hopes I had of getting to the wedding rehearsal that night were swiftly extinguished.

I went to the ticketing counter and relayed my problem (SO thankful that everyone else on the planet seems to have been raised multilingual! :-/ ) Apparently, since my flight was booked on miles, they had no authority to reschedule it, and could do nothing to help me. I needed to call United mileage plus. I considered getting a calling card but when i was told that I would receive €9 for my $20, I opted for the $1/min phone call from my incredible little iPhone (which I'm SO thankful to have!). At the end of a very expensive period on hold, I was told that here were no flights available, and that I would have to purchase an entirely new one. Panic ensued, but I kept praying and reminding myself to trust...though you might say I was stranded in Frankfurt and setting things up to have the maid of honor absent at my best friend's wedding!

I went back to the ticketing counter and was told that the next flight to Dublin was at 9:00 that night, and that a seat on it would cost me $700-- a terrifying prospect, but a prospect, nonetheless. I tried getting on the computer to search a couple of last minute booking websites that my friend, Astrid, had told me about. I quickly found those efforts futile, and resorted to anoher phone call. In situations like these, it is important to utilize your resources. I called Astrid--who lives in Tübingen, and who I would be visiting later in the trip. She told me about last minute booking agencies within the airport, and directed me to one in particular. She was on her computer and saw a flight out that night for €350 (~$500). It's amazing what starts to sound like a deal under such circumstances. There was a line at the counter she told me to go to, so I ended up at another for the same agency.

There was only one person in front of me, but of course, the minutes felt like hours, and I was furiously twirling my hair (if you know me, you know I can't keep myself from doing this when I'm nervous or deep in thought) A man walked up behind me, and pointed it out, asking if I was alright. I briefly told him my situation, leaving out details, but admitting that it was totally my fault I missed the flight. He was very nice, and for some reason, just talking to him and hearing him talk about his own travels calmed me down a bit. I got to the counter and found that there were two seats on a flight out at 10pm for €218! Ok, that's still $350 I wasn't prepared to spend, but it beat the he'll out of even the $500 I thought I would be stuck with.

I hand the woman my card, and she tells me she can only take cash. I laughed. What else can you do? It really was commical at this point. My new friend, Jeff, told me he would watch my things while I ran to the ATM. There was a line there as well, but the very nice gentleman chatting joyfully at the head of it happily let me jump in. I thanked him multiple times, and then ran back to he counter. As the woman was completing my reservation, Jeff asked politely what my money situation would look like after this. I laughed and told him I wasn't quite ready to think about that, recalling how the exchange rate seemed to worsen every time I turned around. He proceeded to hand me €100. I was flabbergasted, and thanked him, trying not to cry. As I finish paying for my new flight, Jeff reaches into his pocket, and hands me the rest--a complete stranger just bought my flight to Dublin. I couldn't believe it. I was barely holding back tears at this point as I hugged him and thanked him profusely. He said that if his daughter were traveling and found herself in a bad spot, he would hope that someone would help her. He also said he knew I would turn around and do something like that for someone else someday.

I walked away shaking and thanking God, not only for Jeff, but for challenging my faith and giving me an opportunity to trust in Him. I don't know what you believe, and some may say it was just chance that brought me to that ticketing counter just as Jeff arrived; and that the price was better than I anticipated because the Internet is unreliable; that it wasnothing extraordinary that the man at the ATM was kind, or that I was able to snag 1 of 2 seats left on that flight. In truth--scientifically--the odds were not in my favor, and I take none of those blessings for granted. I choose to believe that God provided because I trusted Him and submitted, knowing that this situation was out of my control. Jeff wouldn't tell me his full name, but I'll never forget him and the kindness he showed me. I continue on my adventure, ever-mindful of all I have to be thankful for.