For the moments to come

Happy 2013 everyone! Better late than never, right?

My last post was published when I was still in Florida, so I am in dire need of an update (life has had some changes since then).

My time in Florida lasted 6 days. I spent some time with family that I haven't seen in years and prepared myself for an adventure of lifetime. Thinking this could be the only time I get to visit Colombia, South America, I wanted everything to be perfect. Planning which spots to visit, people to see, and what all the trip would entail was making me extremely anxious and excited for the trip to start. Going to a different country was something I had never done before and I would be alone on the plane until I arrived in Bogota.

My trip to Colombia started in Orlando, Florida. My plane left about 9pm on December 24, 2012. I had a very long and agonizing layover in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from 10:30pm to 10am Christmas Day.  Sleep was almost out of the question for me. I was already running on an hour of sleep from the previous night and I was utterly exhausted and a little irritated. I now know that I will never do a layover that is that long ever ever again, worst experience ever.
I flew with Spirit Airlines, which was better than I thought, and it was amazing considering how much money I spent (or didn't spend).

I had some decent leg room because I chose the emergency exit row (yes, this is extra). I wasn't complaining though, I was just happy to finally be on the final flight to Bogota. It was about 10:30am when my plane took off for Bogota. I had so many thoughts going through my mind this whole flight. Mainly, I was worried that I would get lost in the airport looking for my friend, Jesus, since I speak almost zero Spanish. I decided it wasn't worth worrying about and tried to sleep on my 4 hour flight. I did find some sleep about an hour into the flight, but it didn't last long.

The flight was coming to an end and looking out the window was awesome. I was able to see the ocean we were flying over, then the Andes Mountains and many rivers. Once we started our descend I could see that everything was green. This was very different than where I come from in Ohio in December. Ohio was experiencing their first major snow fall as I was landing in Bogota and everything was green, the sky was a perfect blue with white clouds, and the sun was shinning ever so brightly. It was 2:15pm when we landed on that beautiful Christmas Day, I remember it all like yesterday.

Then it hit me; I have to go through customs, alone. I kept my cool, following the two people I was seated next to on the plane and made it to customs. The person telling us which line to go to spoke English and my mind was at ease. Waiting in line I turned my phone on and was able to tell Jesus that I had finally landed in Colombia, "Yes, I am here! I am wearing jeans, a grey sweater with a blue shirt underneath, and flip flops."

When I got to the customs counter the lady knew little English, and I little Spanish. I wasn't upset; it's not her fault, and it wasn't hard to communicate with her. I told her the information she needed and then she asked for something I didn't have an answer to; the address that I would be staying at. Oh no! I had no idea. Thoughts like "Great, now I'm not getting out of here," and "What do I do?" I remembered I had my friend's cell phone number. Scrambling on my phone I begin to look for Jesus on my phone. Found it!  I opened the contact and showed her my phone. "This is who I am staying with."  I asked her, "Will a phone number work for you? I don't know his address."  Everything was ok, she took the number down, stamped my lovely, just issued passport and I was off to security, and then to get my bag.

I was looking everywhere for Jesus by baggage claim and then I received a message on my phone from him saying "I'm wearing a black shirt and jeans, we are 5 mins away and in a Honda."  The airport offered free WIFI so I was able to check my Facebook messenger to see when he would be arriving to pick me up. Then I saw that no one was allowed in this part of the airport except for people who had just gotten off the plane, so I knew I would have to meet up with Jesus somewhere else. I got another message, "Meet us outside, my Godfather says that will be easier."

The wait for my bag seemed to take forever but it was probably only about 20 minutes.  I grabbed my bag and followed the herd toward the exit. I had stopped receiving messages from Jesus at that point, once I got outside I had lost my WIFI and I was worried that I may be in the wrong spot.  I stood still, looking for him. Facing the road with many moving and stopped cars.  My eyes raced for the familiar face, still nothing. I look to my right, I look to my left. Time stops.

There he was, walking towards me in that handsome, black dress shirt. I walk toward him to give him a hug I had been holding for 4 years. Don't cry, don't cry I thought to myself. Finally.  I can finally relax.  I made it.

In his Godfather's car we head up the mountain to a spot to view the big city.  There was an instant connection between Jesus and I.  With an arm around me and holding my hand with the other, I couldn't help but smile ear to ear.  Then there was a kiss to the top of my head.  Looking up at him, is this real?

We made it a popular viewing spot on the side of the mountain.  Holding my hand, he leads me.

Our first picture together in 4 years.  The city looked amazing.  It was enormous!  I was extremely exhausted from all the traveling, but in this moment, I was fully awake and excited to see the city.

Jesus' Godfather pointed out major building and places that he knew.  Spouting important facts and naming places that sadly went in one ear and out the other.  My eyes were focused on the beauty of the landscape, and I was in awestruck wonder.

 

This is the first meal I had in Colombia. It was absolutely delicious.  I ate chicken souffle, a salad, and round potatoes.  I'm glad they fed me, I was starving.  The hospitality of his Godfather and Godmother was very heartwarming.  I was very thankful for them letting us visit them and for picking me up from the airport. 

This post, and the next to follow about my trip, are dedicated to my boyfriend, Jesus.  Because of him, my time in Colombia was amazing, romantic, and some of the best 15 days of my life.  I look forward to traveling back to Colombia very soon.  He told me that I would love the country, but I had no idea how much I would fall in love with all of it.  

One month ago today, December 28th, 2012, Jesus asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes.  One month ago today, a friendship that had been growing for 4 years turned into a strong relationship that is growing stronger everyday.  We may be in different countries, but it's not anything we haven't done before.  Our friendship started in 2008 at Camp Wanake.  He went back home to Colombia that August and our friendship didn't stop there.  We have never gone more than 3 weeks without communicating on Facebook or spending hours on Skype.  I know that this distance will not last much longer, I am hopeful and have faith that we can get through this and move forward.

Jesus, I love you.  Our friendship is everything to me.  You have brought my life so much joy these past 4 years, and now that I call you my boyfriend, something strong has grown.  I have prayed for someone like you for years, and I know that God has brought us together.  I look forward to the next of forever, for the moments to come, with you by my side. Te amo.

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: ¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  ¹² Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Genesis 2:18

¹⁸ The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

  

Just the beginning

Blogging isn't a strong suite of mine, but I figured I'd give it another try since I'm on vacation and want to remember everything anyway. ;)

The journey started Tuesday, December 18th, 2012. Matthew and I made our way to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, which finding was an adventure all of its own.

My Grandpa Phil was driving us to our destination which at the time I thought was the Pittsburgh International Airport. Realizing that our 2 and a half hour car ride was way too long, I checked where he had his outdated TOMTOM taking us. I had previously told him that we needed to go to the Pittsburgh Airport, yet his GPS had us going to Johnstown. I instantly went into a silent panic, knowing we were never going to make our 6pm flight. It was already 4pm and our current location was a hour away from Pittsburgh. It was a good thing I rechecked the airport we actually needed or we would have never made it. The airport we needed was only 20 mins away from where we were. What a relief.

The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport was not what I expected. It was very small having only 3 gates. This was a relief and an added pressure for me. A relief in that I knew check-in and the security check would go fast, but an added pressure in that I didn't know how safe it would be. TSA was pretty strict which made me feel better.

We made it though security and sat at Gate 2 only needing to wait 30 mins for the plane to arrive. I had brought with me supplies to make more friendship bracelets and my headphones which I had started wrapping in string.

The plane ride was smooth with no problems. We sat in the exit row o the plane so we had a little more leg room which was really nice to have. The ride was only about an hour and half long, arriving 15 mins early to Orlando, Florida.

We found our bags and waited for my cousin and her grandma to pick us up. They were running a bit behind so we ate at the airports Macaroni Grille, which was without a doubt overly priced because of location.

Our chariot for the night was a Ford pickup truck which seats 5 but shouldn't. Cramped in the truck was Allison, Jo Marie, Matthew, and myself.

Our first stop was my cousin Barbie's house. Here we spent three nights. Her home was a short walk away from a few stores and a wonderful Mexican restaurant, Coyote Rojo II. We walked to these stores everyday, enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather that we miss. Ohio had just got hit with their first snow fall of the season the day after we left.

I had noticed that I had missed the smell of Florida. I am a Floridian at heart, and just the smell of the air was refreshing. Every day had a cloudless, blue, and sunny sky and the nights were very clear.

After three nights with Barbie we were picked up again by the lovely Ford pickup but instead of transporting 4, we were now 5. My other cousin, McKenzie had joined us. Sitting in the middle of the front was actually more comfortable than the back. We stopped for dinner at the Cracker Barrel. Then it was off to Leesburg for the rest of our time in Florida.

The first night was great. I taught McKenzie and Allison how to make friendship bracelets, ate popcorn, and spoke to my Uncle HT, who I hadn't spoken to in over 6 years.

Realizing just how blessed I am to have such a welcoming and helpful family has been on my mind. Jo Marie and her husband, Hank, are my cousins grandparents. I haven't seen them for over 6 years and yet they still open their home to me and my friend, Matthew, like we never skipped a beat.

I thank God for all of this. For the opportunity to travel and spend time with my extended family. It really is such a blessing.

We leave for Colombia Christmas Eve and arrive on Christmas Day due to some layovers. The excitement is still growing and I cannot wait to finally be there.

Until next time....
-Elizabeth Stafford-

First time for everything

Hello Blogging world.

My name is Elizabeth Brown and I am an aspiring photographer.  I currently attend digital arts school with a few classes with photography.
I have had a camera in my hand since I was 14 years old.  Owned my first digital camera at 16, and updated when I was 19.
My love for capturing lovely moments, God's glorious creations, landscapes, and documentaries has grown to where I want to be my life.
I hope everyone enjoys what I share, and please leave a comment.

God Bless,
Elizabeth Brown
Focus Photography & Productions