Once I arrived in Heathrow Airport, I had to navigate between terminals and manage escalators with two carry-on bags. I got to customs and had waited about forty minutes in the line-up when a woman asked if anyone in the line had a connecting flight. I said I did, and she told me I was in the wrong line! She then moved me to a much smaller line, and I went from there. After getting my fingerprints and picture taken, I went up and down a few more escalators and then went through security. Since the gate number wasn’t written on my ticket and I had no idea where to go, I decided to ask for some help. The person I asked was very helpful, and told me to look up my flight on the board, and keep an eye on it. About forty minutes before boarding time, the gate would come up. In the meantime I could sit in the general departure lounge. This sounded like a good idea, so I looked up my flight, and went to find a seat. Of course, the departure lounge was in the middle of all these interesting shops and restaurants! And I have to say, I came very close to purchasing a few overpriced, over-touristy knickknacks. But in the end, I managed to abstain! I’ll purchase some souvenirs when I actually go to London (since I hope to while I’m here), not while I’m waiting around the airport. However, if I haven’t managed to visit London by the time I’m on my way home there will be airport souvenirs! After waiting for another hour or so, my gate number came up. I was relieved to see it was Gate 8 and not Gate 78, which meant a much longer walk. After turning down a few more hallways and whatnot, I found my line-up. However, once I entered Gate 8, I discovered that there were about 7 Gate 8’s! We had to wait again to find out which Gate 8 was ours. I met a woman from Londonderry, and we talked while we waited. Unfortunately, I don’t think I was much of a conversationalist that day. I had had too little sleep.
Finally, it was time to board our plane (it was Gate 8e, by the way). As soon as I sat down, keeping my eyes open became a big problem. I felt a bit silly, because I wasn’t worried at all about our late departure due to weather. The entire flight over to Belfast, I was struggling to stay awake. I also may have snored a bit (which was particularly embarrassing because my seat neighbour looked like the well put together business man he was – all perfectly awake in his suit – while I looked simply haggard). I did, however, manage to open my eyes long enough to see the Irish coast and the city of Belfast from the air. It was so beautiful! I wish I could say it took my breath away… but I was too busy falling asleep again.
As we were getting closer and about to come in for a landing, the plane starting swaying back and forth in the air as a result of strong cross winds. Even Mr. Perfect-Business-Man was looking a little nervous. It was a very unsettling landing. But, we made it safe and sound. I was told later that the day before had been even worse! I am very thankful I flew when I did.
When I arrived, I picked up my baggage and went to meet the people picking me up. I had no idea what they looked like, and they didn’t know what I looked like. So, I stood there looking lost, until a woman – who had been standing a few feet away from me for a few minutes – came over and asked me if I was Paige. I was so relieved! I had started to wonder what I would do! It turns out they had asked a few people if they were Paige, and had been given strange looks, so they were hesitant to ask again. Then, they saw a little boy walk out beside me, and assumed he was mine so I couldn’t be who they were looking for. But we finally met, and they took me out to the car. I discovered their names are Mark Kelly and Kathy Coffey. Kathy is the Administrative Assistant that I will be replacing when she goes maternity leave in two weeks. They were both really wonderful, and took me out to lunch at a place called The Point. From there, I was taken to the office and given a tour. I got to meet a few people while I was there; however, I was still jetlagged and tired, so I’m not sure what kind of first impression I made.
After my tour, they took me to my temporary accommodations, just outside Belfast in a town called Combard. The girl I will be living with is away, so I’m staying with a woman named Sally until next Monday. Kathy and her husband David drove me to Sally’s, and since Sally wasn’t there, they waited with me for about an hour. They left after a while, and I just read and watched TV until Sally came home about an hour later. When she arrived, we talked for a little while, and then she gave me some supper and sent me to bed. We decided that I would take the next day off to recuperate. I must have fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
When I woke at 11:00 the next morning, I made myself get up. Sally had gone into the office, so I had the house to myself. I took a shower, and then had some soup she had left for me. She had also mentioned a Christian bookshop/café, so I made my way there. It was a sweet little shop called Revive. I looked around and bought a hot chocolate. I walked back to Sally’s and spent the rest of the afternoon just relaxing. When Sally came home, we made some supper and then watched a video from her travels… to Canada! She has been there multiple times. Never to the east of Canada, though. She has friends in the west. So we watched a video on the highlights of the Canadian Rockies. It really made me wonder why I have never been there! I’m thinking a trip is due after I’ve returned home. Once we finished the video, we both made our way to bed.
I got up earlier yesterday (Thursday), because it was my first day in the office. The drive to the office was so lovely! There were farms and quaint houses and everything you would expect… it was quite picturesque!
At the office, we were the first to arrive. The day started with prayer, which was a wonderful way to connect with my co-workers. After this, I visited David Jackson and went over some legalities and paperwork. Then, I went upstairs and talked to Mark about my responsibilities. I was also given two mobile phones to choose from, so I have a way of getting in touch with office people. I basically spent the day learning what I would be doing in the office, and getting to know everyone. I felt a bit out of my element, even though everyone was very kind and friendly. I’m nervous about learning the work, and I do feel awkward trying to contribute to conversations I don’t know too much about (especially in my Canadian accent); but I’m sure I will adjust, and hopefully prove more competent than I felt yesterday.
After work we brought Kathy home with us, because David was taking his sister’s dog to the vet. Sally made supper as soon as we arrived home, because we had Bible Study/Prayer Meeting at 8:00. She and I ate while Kathy visited, and David arrived to pick her up about the time we were finishing.
When Sally and I went to her meeting, I met a few people from her church, as well as her pastor. They were all really great! It was so nice meeting them. We had a Bible study, and then prayer time. They prayed for me, and it was really encouraging. After we arrived home last night, I realized I had developed a bit of a cold. I’m really hoping it won’t last long.
I have today off partly because Sally wasn’t planning on going in, and partly because it’s just before conference and everyone is really busy. So today is a school day. I plan to get a lot done in my reading of “Biblical Theology of the New Testament”.
In case anyone has wondered where I’ve been, I haven’t had access to the internet on my computer yet. I plan on being online soon, with this and other updates.
Please pray for me as I adjust to living in Northern Ireland. I hope to soon feel a little less bumbling and a little more capable. Also, please pray that this cold will be gone before conference on Monday – it would be a bit awkward sniffling and sneezing during business meetings. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They mean the world to me.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
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