After visiting relatives & friends, Esther & I drove to Spokane one more time. She boarded the plane for Phoenix, Charlotte & then Norfolk around 7:45 a.m. yesterday. Before I went to sleep back in Florence last night, she had called to say that she had arrived safely. Now she is commited to the Lord, while she is with her birth father, Jason.
When you are 19, the world is one grand adventure. I am praying that "this adventure" will both mature Esther & draw her closer to the Lord. She had one moment of hesitation after buying a magazine to read on the plane. She stopped midway up the ramp to the security area in the airport which you see behind her in the first picture. "Mom, I've decided to stay here." Then on second thought & realizing everything she was taking with her was already loaded on the plane, she sighed & continued up the ramp. Many gestures of goodbye & love followed...waves, blowing kisses, "I love you" in sign language, etc. She placed her coat & carry-on bags in the bins to be scanned & walked out of my view. She cell-phoned at each change of plane. The Lord gave her a good journey, although the plane in Phoenix was delayed over an hour due to mechanical repairs. She barely made the switch at Charlotte to the plane for Norfolk, as a result.
These last two photos were taken at my parents' home on Sunday, as we visited. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for her & me. I listened to & sang praise music as I drove back to Missoula from the Spokane airport. It took away the ache in my chest, but the tears did fall for awhile.
