Cancun 2013 - Let Go, Let God

Since winning the WLS Next Talk Star contest in August my busy life has been even busier. After my 2 hour show that was included among my winnings I have been asked to fill from time to time. I get excited and terrified because WLS is the best. The last thing I want is to hurt their reputation therefore I prepare tirelessly days before, making sure I am versed on the latest political news, pop culture and current events. I absolutely love it!

In the midst of parenting, volunteering, the election and the holiday season I all but forgot that I also won a vacation for 2 from Funjet trip to Riviera Maya. There were many emails sent between the WLS promotions manager and myself trying to confirm a date. Once the date was set I got busy preparing for our absence. These details were a welcomed distraction form my fear of flying. I have flown but I hate it, period. I was asking everyone I knew to pray for me to relax and not fret getting there and returning home.

One day before my trip we were expecting early morning snow. I was pleased to see they were wrong as I peeked at my van to make sure the remote start was warming my van. I exited my house with about 9 minutes to get to church on time. My reasoning for leaving so late occasionally is, praise and worship was created for people like me; 10-15 minutes of singing gives everyone a chance to get in place for the message.

Well, there was no snow but my van was covered a stubborn layer of ice. I spent at least 10 minutes trying to clear my windows enough just to get on the road. No matter how I banged and chipped that ice would not break up. Why didn’t I go to church last night? Why didn’t I leave 30 minutes before, (like I tell my son who leaves for his job 10 minutes before his shift starts)? Why didn’t I pull into the garage? I was about to give up but I needed to go get to church.

I got there and parked on the gravel section. I grabbed all my belongings to rush in to claim the seat my daughter-in-law was saving. I hurried out and the moment I slammed the door it was clear, I was not in control, I landed on all 4 points (both elbows and knees). I was flat on the invisible ice literally unable to move for about 30 seconds. I was afraid to even attempt to get up. I sat through the service with my knees throbbing. My pastor shared a great message that morning but one thing stood out, “Fear is not of God”. I left church feeling better about my impending plane ride.

I called the airline when I got home just to ask a few questions. The customer service person said my flight was a charter and I needed to call Funjet. Oh, no, charter sounds like a little crop-duster plane, yikes. I decided to check my Facebook notifications before making the call. There was a post by WLS offering condolences to the family of Jake Hartford. I did not understand what I was reading, he was just on the air 2 days before. How could that be?

I have been a fan of his quirky dry humor since 1993. Listening to warm stories of  Miss Dill Pickle and the boys made them seem more like neighbors to me. His bumper music, regular contributors and deadpan delivery made “Awake with Jake” a good reason to get up at 5AM on Saturday. There was a gray cloud hanging over me the entire day, I loved Jake Hartford.

That night it hit me that I spent too much time in fear and I needed to realize that God was in control, my faith assures me of that. Life is too short to be lead by fear. I decided to enjoy this amazing opportunity God has granted my husband and me.

The Cancun weather forecast was rain and temperatures ranging from 79-82 degrees. I was “afraid” that our week would ruined. When we safely landed the pilot informed us that it was 84 and sunny, God is good.

For the next 3 nights and 4 days we were treated to the honeymoon we never had. My 3 words to describe the RIU Palace are, clean, friendly and luxurious. Funjet exceeded my expectations, they will have my travel business from now on.

There are more trip details to come……