Almost Didn´t Make It–Guatemala Day 1

Since today was a travel day, I really didn’t expect to have much to write.  However, there’s at least one good story that came out of today.

 

We almost missed our flight in Chicago. No, no, that’s not the good story.  It comes later, but to tell the story, you need to know that it took us so long to get through the check-in counter and security, that they had already announced the final call for our flight and closed the gate.  Poor John and Emily!  They made it to Chicago before we did, but instead of leaving us behind, they nervously waited out side the gate for us.  Fortunately, they let us on the plane.  Unfortunately, the plane was full, and they didn’t have room for our carry-on luggage.  Even more unfortunate was the fact that John and Emily had important documents that they need for their meeting with the adoption lawyer tomorrow, and they really needed to keep their baggage with them at all times. 

 

So, when we landed, we decided it couldn’t hurt to ask one of the crew members if they could grab our bags.  I mean, we were the last ones on, which of course means our bags would be the first ones off.  It wouldn’t be much trouble to snag them before they were lugged off to our next flight, right? Well, since Nate’s the designated aviation expert of the group, we kindly volunteered him to do the persuasive talking.  Naturally, I expected him to ask one of the flight attendants or maybe one of the guys who wheels the wheelchairs down the gangway.  But oh no, this is Nate we’re talking about.  He went straight to the pilot.  And wouldn’t you know it the pilot (Captain Dale) agreed to help!  As it turns out, he sponsors several children in Guatemala, visits Guatemala often, and has friends who have gone through the adoption process.  So, after speaking with Nate and John, Dale proceeded to walk us to the other side of the terminal to put in a good word for us with customer service.  From there, Dale walked John down to the baggage claim area, and there promised that if the baggage didn’t come out, he’d walk out to the airplane and get himself!  Who could have foreseen this turn of events?!  Thankfully, John and Dale didn´t have to wait long.  The Wiggins luggage came out in no time at all. 

 

Several hours later, we were welcomed into Guatemala by five people from the Buckner staff  (the organization we are working with) and two couples from Dallas who´s flight arrived just before ours.  Our impromptu welcome party got even better when everyone decided to pray over John and Emily.  They have an important meeting with the adoption lawyers tomorrow, and we´re all hoping for good news!

 

Thanks for checking in on us.  While you´re thinking of us, please pray for John and Emily´s meeting tomorrow and the time we´ll be spending with the babies.

 

–Rachael

We’re going to Guatemala!

As you may know, we’re headed back to Guatemala for a short, short, trip later this week (Oct. 29-Nov. 2).  We’ll be visiting three different orphanages and collecting information about the boys who live in two of the homes, Eliza Martinez and San Gabriel. Please be praying for us and our encounters with these boys!

 

It looks like we’ll have wireless internet access, so be sure to check the blog often.  We plan to post every day. 

 

While you’re at it, you can also check out the blogs of our traveling companions: Jody and John and Emily.

 

 

 

 

RescueTime

I am technically self-employed which means I am my own boss and I tell me what I should work on. Everyday. Even when I don’t want to get out of bed.

Usually it goes something like this: “It’s Monday so I should do my weekly check on our finances on the computer for 25 min. It shouldn’t take much longer than that.” An hour and a half later, I wonder where the time has gone when I’m about halfway done with my task.

Anyone else feel this way? Maybe you’re doing it right now and avoiding something that’s more important than reading this post (I doubt it though. What could be more important than this? This could change your e-life.)

My boss doesn’t fire me, he just pays me less when I’m less productive. At least that’s the way I look at it. My boss’s wife (Rachael) on the other hand…

A couple of weeks ago I went looking for a program that would monitor how I use my time on the computer. And found myself surfing the web fruitlessly. This is when it’s good to have a boss looking over my shoulder and flicking me in the back of the head saying, “Your wasting your time.” I could have wasted hours or weeks sifting through junk.

So who do I call when I can’t find something on the internet? Shawn Wallace. He’s kind of like the reference lady at the library only digital. I sent him an email on 8/27 (I love the trail of email in my storage! This is why I didn’t call.) and by 9/30 I got a one-line email that has changed my computer usage!

Here’s his email: “Check this out: http://www.rescuetime.com/“

If I communicate nothing else in this post, get this: RescueTime is for computer usage what a balance sheet is for a business, it lets you know what you did with what you had.

More to come on how this has been useful in my relationship with Jesus…

In the meantime do yourself a favor and

-Nate