November 9th 2009, the day I leave for the Czech. Certainly a day that changed my life forever. I packed my dad's car with three bags,my dog and my cat. As I walked back in the house I heard God say look at me. I looked up and to my amazement I saw the most beautiful sunrise that I have ever seen over my dad's land. I ran inside grabbed my camera a took the shot. I said ," dad look, look what God is giving me as a going away gift." My dad just looked and smiled as best as he could. I embraced my sister and could barely breath. To leave her behind felt, sad. I want her to be where I am with God. But I have the faith that he will heal and bless her as he has me.In the car we go. I took one last look back at the place I was raised and grew into the woman I am. Then I saw my sister in the window,crying and waiving good-bye. How my heart breaks,only God knew. Dad and talked some, not much. I just cherished those 45 minutes of being next to him. I could feel my dad's heart crying,or maybe it was mine,or both.We arrived at WOL and there is PG ready to go. Dad and I load PG's car and there we were just standing there.Dad finally says ok kid,and hugs me.Oh how I never wanted to let go of my father. All my life the one thing I have always wanted was my dad to know me. I wanted him to be so proud of me and to feel blessed that I am his daughter. My dad began to cry and said to me "You are going to be ok, you will be fine. You know you have to do this and I am proud of you.I love you!" The words with truth that I have longed to hear. I hugged my dad so tight holding on for dear life. He puts me in the car, walks over and shakes my pastors hand. Greg reassured my dad that it is safe where I am going and that I will be in good hands. My dad said " she will do great, she has always been great at whatever she does." I never knew this is how my daddy felt. It blessed me so deeply. Finally I knew my dad believed in me. Dad walks over to my side of the car, there was a crack in the window just enough for him to reach his four fingers in. I grabbed his hand and he kept saying over and over with tears running down his face;" You are going to be ok, you will be fine, you will be great there." I was not sure if he was trying to convince me or himself. Greg drove away and I watched my father disappear in the distance. Unable to control the emotions I broke in to a million pieces sobbing endless tears. Greg gently embraced me as best as he could as he drove. He immediately tried to get my mind else where. Our ride was endless God talk and preparation for the Czech.
9:30 a.m. we are arriving into the Syracuse airport. I had a blank mind but my emotions where like a hurricane. I began to have a panic attack and starting deep breathing. Greg asked a few times,"are you ok?" Dazed and confused ,I said, "yes." We get to the check in and I am shaking from head to toe,trying to fill out paperwork for the pets. Finally we get to security and Greg's phone rings. My brother Norman from church calls to say good-bye and I did the best I could to keep it together. We said a prayer and good-bye. I looked at Greg and said " I am ready." He replied back,"this means I leave, I cannot go any farther." With a deep breath I said the words again,"I'm ready". All jittery I get through security and I notice people are looking at me with wonder on their face. Not sure what they were wondering but,whatever. I put my shoes on, grab my dog and looked at PG. He waives good-bye, grabbing my heart I said to myself ," I will be seeing you".I walked away and I never looked back.
Waiting at my gate Tesla received much attention. I guess it is not everyday a dog goes coach. To speed the story up, I go to the bathroom about 30 minutes before boarding. I walked back to our seat and someone flashes a camera in Tesla's face. See took off like a rocket down the walkway. I had her leased and I was dragging behind her. And she was doing so GREAT!For you that do not know,she is terrified of lighting and camera's(Amongst other things)So I had to basically carry her to the nearest seat. A woman approached me and asked if that was her water dish. I said "yes, I left it there to go to the bathroom." The lady just sat with me and we were chit chatting.And then she just out of the blue started petting Tes and praying out loud, "Jesus just give her peace, holy spirit come and be with them both and give peace." I looked at the lady and she said with a smile "where are you going." I said "I'm moving to the Czech Republic as a missionary." She smiled and said,"Oh well that is good,and I am going to Israel with my mission team." As she pointed over I saw a group of people enjoying their wait to board. I was like ok God.So she stayed and we just had a small chit chat. And they called for boarding. So she looked at me and said "maybe we will get to sit together." As we stood in line,Tes shook like a feeble old woman. It was awful. My heart was breaking to know she was that scared. I noticed the man at the gate starring at me,and he calls me over. I am thinking ok we get on early and Tes can rest a bit. So he asked questions and says " let me find you a seat that is better then this one." I was so grateful for his kindness. So here we go,we are getting ready to get on the plane. My heart is pounding and I think to myself, is this really happening? God just make it fast and painless.
Ok we get the go to board and all a sudden I hear a voice afar saying to the man " page passenger Brown, we have a problem." I look over, wondering if I was imagining this. I said to her "I'm passenger Brown,Staciemae,Staciemae Brown.She says" you cannot board, your cat cannot go with you." So I was pulled back and to the side. Everyone is starring at me like " oh my God this poor silly girl." I asked why my cat could not go and they explained that the carrier that he goes into is broke and he cant fly on this flight. I just sat on the floor and began to pray. I asked "his cage I brought him in is broke?" They stated that his cage goes into a cargo cage and it is broke. So as I sit there thinking to myself "alright God what are you doing",they search for a different flight and a different carrier. I was just sitting still and numb. The one flight attendant sat down next to me and said we are looking for a carry on cage for your cat to put under the seat. Feeling blessed for their kindness,I had to break the news and tell them that my cat, is 20 pounds and will not fit in the carry on. The lady looks at me as she pages on her walky talky and says "the cat is 20 pounds." People in the lines are gasping and the man on the other end says in disbelief, " 20 pounds??" Laughter circulated and We were like yup, 20 pounds.
So I was the last to broad and they bring Tesla and I down the terminal and there is my fat furry baby in his cage looking at me like Mom, what the hell is going on. They hand me a show box sized carrier. There was about six people around me and I looked at these people and began to tear up. I said, " he will never fit." One man spoke up and said " Miss, he has to fit because you have to get on this flight. You cannot wait until midnight tomorrow for the next flight. Put him in the cage." Now if that was not God speaking I do not know who it was. So I grabbed Izaya and people began with comments, That is a huge cat. I laughed with tears and said " I told you so." And I sat him in the carrier and we began to close it and a few people were saying, "he's not going to fit", others were like " I cannot believe how big that cat is." Again that one man spoke up and said "Miss Brown , he will fit and it is only for 45 minutes and then he can be in his cage on his way to Prague, close the carrier." So I prayed, closed my eyes and snapped the door shut. All I saw was hair poking out from all the holes of this shoe box carrier. They cheered a bit and wished me well.I boarded the plane, with dead silence and hundreds of eyes on me carrying in my dog and my 20 pound cat. We sat in the very first seat and I just took a deep breath and held on tight to the tears that wear ready to pour out. The plane began to take off. Tesla slowly slid to the floor. It was like a sedative. I think the air pressure put her to sleep. So I sat still, praying that my animals would be ok. I felt so horrible that they had to go through this. I closed my eyes and just kept praying.
To be continued....
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