The detailed account
I left Sarnia on the train as planned on Tuesday evening. Then caught the Robert Q from London straight to the airport. Everything went really well with that part :). When I got to the airport I went exploring, since it was my first time ever in one. I was sort of not impressed actually...had to walk 6 miles to find a little girls room lol. But it was still neat. So I spent the night mostly just sittin there thinkin' bout stuff :). I tried to get comfy at one point by kind of lying on top of my suitcase, and I did drift off for about 20 minutes....

So at 4am I decided I might as well go freshen up and get ready to go through security. took my After I had put myself together, I was sooo lost. I knew which gate I had to be at, I had no clue I had to print my own ticket, and was really confuzed that there was this whole row of Air Canada agents (which my flight was air canada), and I had to go the United Airlines counter....ya I had nooooo clue lol...but I finally figured it out and made my way to customs. I went through the first part of customs and the guy sent me to this room for "further questioning." That didnt sound good. When I went in there they fingerprinted me and took my picture. I waited for about 20 minutes and then got called up by an immigration officer. He asked me all kinds of questions about where I was going, why I didnt have a return ticket (I think that really messed me up) what I was doing, who I was staying with, if I knew the people or not. Because of the nature of what I was doing he wanted to know which church I attend. So I said Lighthouse. Havent been here for a while lol, but its still my home church right now. Then he wanted proof of membership.....technically I am not a member. When I told him that all he said was "mmmm" and went on to other stuff. I knew I was toast at this point. And by this point I was late to board my plane. So it was more and more questions after that. Then he told me that because I did not have more correspondence on me from LeadTime, and because I couldnt prove church membership I was being denied entrance into the US. He walked me back out the lobby right in the middle of everyone waiting in line for customs. It was humiliating. And scary to. But I held it together the whole time I was being questioned. But I just had to cry lol....and I headed right to the bathroom to do so! lol...After I had my moment lol, I went out to the lobby, starting to think what my next move was going to be. I had remembered reading the sign at the Robert Q terminal the night before that said there was a bus that left the airport to go back to London at 8am. It was just after 7 so I got on the phone right away. Still not being able to control the water coming from eyeballs LOL. I was soooo tired and sooo upset I couldnt help, and didnt really care who saw me lol. When I called Robert Q they said I had to go the Robert Q counter at the airport to see what they had available. So I did and I got on at 8. At that point I didnt even care how I was going to get to Sarnia from London. I just wanted out of there lol. So I tried to calm down more and then called my Mom. She answered the phone kinda panicky when she saw it was my number because I was supposed to be on the plane. I thought I was going to be able to hold it together to tell her but I couldnt, and didnt lol. She looked up trains for me and there was one at a decent time leaving from London, so I decided to do that. So I went to the train station in London where thankfully I was able to get online and talk to Amy and a few others. Amy said she would write a letter whih all the info I needed. So once I get that printed out, and some sort of info about my church involvement I should be good to go. I honestly do not want fly and have the possibility of going through that again and losing more money. What I think I am going to do is go through customs here, and then catch a train from Port Huron. It will take me a whole day to get there, but thats nothing new for me! :)

I am hoping that I can leave on Sat or Sun at the latest. Depends on when I can get a train.

Thanks for all your prayers and concerns. It means so so much to know I have people out there thinking about me and praying for me. I wouldnt be able to do this without your support. I will write more as I get more info. Blessings and hugs!! :)

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all you do and He will guide your steps. Proverbs 3:5-6

A man plans his steps in his heart, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Thank God for His word that can comfort, encourage, and give life in times of uncertainty! I left last night to catch my flight to Kansas and I am now back in London, waiting to catch the train back to Sarnia. Unfortunately I was denied access to the US. I was so upset when the immigration officer stamped the big "denied." It was not only humiliating but scary. And those emotions happened before I even realized I would be missing the first part of LeadTime!

I was able to speak to Amy a little on facebook this morning and she is going to write a letter for me. Hopefully that will work to get me there. So hopefully by the end of the week I can get there, or at least by the very beginning of next week.

I dont know about flying this time......my first flying experience wasnt the greatest one....lol

Please keep me in your prayers as I try to get there :)