The Night Before My Flight

Tuesday night, January 31st

I went to bed early knowing that I probably wouldn’t get much sleep considering I would have to wake up at 3:15 to be at the airport on time for my 5:30 departure. As I laid down and began to plug  my phone in so it would have a full charge, I noticed a message from Delta that said one of my flights was changed and that would affect all my other flights. So they would be working on changing my itinerary. I went to bed and tried to get some sleep when the alarm went off at 3:15 I checked my phone and discovered that Delta had not found an alternate flight yet. I quickly went to my computer and began to look for an alternative flight. While I was searching I received another text message that said they had rerouted me. There was a bit of a blessing in the change, and that was that my flight wouldn't start until 10:10. So I told Bruce who was just waking up and realizing he could catch a few more hours of sleep, he jumped back in bed. I got on the phone and called Delta so I could request my seats. My new itinerary would take me first to Seattle, then Amsterdam and on to Johannesburg. 
As I boarded my flight to Seattle and located my seat, I found it ironic, that my first solo flight I was sitting next to an empty seat. 

I had been assuring myself and everyone else that I was not anxious, merely excited for my solo journey to Joburg.  I was reminded of the reality of flying solo when I took my seat on the flight to Seattle and found the seat next to me empty. As I tucked my belongings under the seat in front of me I found my heart racing a bit. I must admit, that I was a bit anxious. As we began to taxi down the runway, I realized that I wouldn't be holding my husbands hand for take-off as I have done for the past 38 years.I settled into my seat, headphones, i-phone with my favorite music and a few podcasts downloaded, paperback book, notepad; and pen, sweater, and fan for those annoying hot flashes, all arm’s length away. I fastened my seatbelt and leaned back into my chair when the thought crossed my mind, “I can do whatever I want.” That’s one of the advantages of being a fifty something solo traveler. I realized that I might start a book and finish with no interruptions. I could have a scone and eat the whole thing myself. I could play Keith Urban as loud as I wanted to. I might even sing along and not worry about what anyone thought. 

 The flight to Amsterdam was a little over and 10 hour flight as well as the flight to Johannesburg. I believe the flight to Seattle was 4 hours. Needless to say, I left home at 7:30 am on Monday morning and when I arrived in Johannesburg it was 10:10 Tuesday evening. After I gathered my bags and cleared customs, I found my driver Abram waiting for me. Abram and I waited another 25 minutes for the National Public Affairs Director from Cameroon to arrive.  Abram drove me to Duke's court where I was staying with the Lee's. The Lee's were traveling with their son and his wife and I had to stop at Brent's brothers apartment to pick up the key. I was so happy to finally have a bed and I slept very well. I could hardly wait to walk outside in the morning. It felt so good to be here. When I opened the front door I was flooded with familiar sights and sounds. I took a moment to say hello to a security guard I recognized from our mission. Then I walked across the street to Kilarney Mall. The first stop was to the Nail Salon to say hello to the receptionist there. She greeted me with a warm hug and then asked where Mr. Bruce was. So sweet! I had lunch at restaurant we frequented while on our mission, Mug and Bean. I then did some grocery shopping and went back to the Lee's flat. Once I got my groceries unloaded the Lee's returned and we had a great time caching up. So good to be back.

Landing in Amsterdam

Come Away With Me

READY FOR TAKE OFF

Sunday morning

I can't believe that in less than 24 hours all my bags will be checked and I will be waiting to board the plane to South Africa. Total flight time will be about 25 hours plus layovers. I am so excited I can't sleep. My mind is racing. I keep thinking of what I am bringing. What food I am going to pack. Did I bring gifts for everyone I wanted? Do I have the things that Sindee Savage wanted me to bring? Do we need to call the Temple and make a reservation? 

When I decided to go to Johannesburg I decided that I wanted to do more than just go visit people. I wanted to spend some time in Orange Farm with the church members. Spending time in Orange Farm was the highlight of my mission but I never felt like I had enough time there. When church was over everyone was tired and ready to go back to Joburg. So when I knew I was going back the first thing I wanted to do was make arrangements to spend two weekends in Orange Farm. I called President Nyama and he said that I could stay with his family. He and I began to make preparations for the Sisters and I to take a Temple trip the second Saturday I will be there. I am bringing a mini tape recorder and hope to be able to record some of the members conversion stories. 

The second thing I wanted to do was go to Tembisa and visit Mama and the tots.

One day while talking to President Nyama on Facebook I asked him what I could bring. He suggested school kits. So I began collecting items for school supplies and asked my Facebook friends if anyone was interested in sewing school kits.

 A month or so later, I have 67 hand sewn school bags, 7 backpacks, and 15 misc bags along with 91 total school kits.

I have been moved by the generosity of so many who were more than willing to donate their time, and energy to make this project successful. In addition to taking school bags to Orange Farm, I decided that I wanted to purchase some staples for Mama and the tots. So when people asked if they could donate money for this project, I suggested they donate towards Mama's center for children in crisis. $150.00 was donated to purchase supplies for Mama, and about $35.00 was used to purchase a few extra things I needed for the school kits. 

I am so grateful for the many Angels who reached out to assist me with this project. I know that your lives are busy and yet you found time to serve. Thank you, my friends and sisters. 

I am excited to see the faces of the students and teachers as they open these special gifts from you, my friends. 

Come Away With Me

I can do HARD things

This adventure called life has taught me many things.

The biggest lesson I think I have learned is 

that I can do hard things.

Being a mother was not an easy task,

raising teenagers pushed me to my limits.

Starting my own business had it's challenges.

Joining a church that my friends and family didn't always support was not easy. 

Going to college to complete by BA with a two year old at home was not easy.

Returning to school at 38 to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a nurse was not easy.

Attending college for the third time at 50 was not easy.

Leaving our friends and family to live in Ukraine for 18 months when we didn't know the language was not easy.

Watching loved ones struggle with addiction brought me to my knees. At times I thought it would kill me. It was not easy.

Each of these life lessons has taught me that
I am NEVER ALONE. 

I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and leads and guides my journey on this great adventure called life.

I am looking forward to 2017

Come Away With Me

Africa Calls

It's been almost a year and a half since I left Africa but there hasn't been a day that my thoughts have not drifted back to treasured memories 

When I close my eyes

I can still feel their little hands in mine

I can see their bright smiles
I hear their voices calling my name

When I left Africa

I knew then that I would never be the same again. 
Something had changed in me. 
Somewhere deep within my soul I had been transformed. 
I knew that God had led me to this place for a very special purpose.  Never before have I felt so comfortable in my own skin. 
It seemed as if for the first time in my life I felt truly 
at HOME in a small township outside Johannesburg called Orange Farm, or sitting quietly in the back of a game vehicle as the morning sun began to glow across the African Sky. I will never forget the sounds and smells of the Africa Bush. 

I have longed to spend another day watching a pride of lions feed or a herd of elephants look after a newborn. 

   

My heart has yearned to return to Africa. 

My friends and family have encouraged me to go back. 
"What are you waiting for" they have asked.

I hadn't really considered returning because my husband just couldn't bear the thought of the long journey back. 
One day he suggested I go alone.  


I called this blog, Come Away With Me, finding MelindaLeigh, because this trip will be my first solo journey. This adventure is symbolic of a new stage of my life.  Finding MelindaLeigh, will begin with my trip to Africa but will chronicle a new beginning for me. I spent the first fifty nine years of my life trying to find myself, trying to find where I belonged, and learning to accept myself. I thought once I became a mother and had a family I would be content. Later I thought once I began to work as a nurse I would find fulfillment. Then I believed if I could be an Addiction Counselor I would feel complete. It seems my whole life I have been trying to discover my Heavenly Fathers plan for me.

 In Africa I learned to live in the moment. Africa taught me to slow down and be present. I leaned that happiness is found in the simple things, a hug, a smile, a listening ear,  a beautiful song, a mother lion feeding her cubs, the breath of a baby rhino on your palm.     

My heart yearns for Africa because Africa feels like going home. 
  
I am almost 60 years old and I have known my husband since I was an 18 year old girl starting my second year of college.


 We traveled all over the world together. We have had an amazing life as a couple. This trip to Africa is a solo journey for me. It will be strange not having him there to share the excitement with but I am really looking forward to all that will be revealed in the quiet moments of reflection as I learn to be comfortable with myself.  

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 In two days I will begin a 30 hour solo journey to South Africa.

I invite you to 


Come Away With Me