1 April 2008

Post# 58:  Going Home

At last, the final day of our European adventure, and it came with much excitement!  When we arrived on the train to Gatwick Station, we weren't totally prepared, and had to rush the kids into their backpacks. Nichole, Rachel and one of the big boys went out one door, and Dave, DeDe and a couple of the other boys went out the other door. As we stood on the landing, we saw that Nathan (3) was still on the train, going back and forth between the two doors, wondering which way to go!!

Usually, these trains make rather quick stops, so panic set in instantly. DeDe dropped the bags she was carrying, jumped back into the train, ran down the aisle, scooped up Nathan, and headed for the other door. As she swung toward the door, she realized she still had a shoulder bag on, as it hooked on the last seat! So she basically tossed Nathan out the door, stepped back in a bit, unhooked herself and leaped out the door, fully expecting to be squashed by the door as it closed!

Heart racing, and stress-level spiking, we stood there, catching our breath, realizing then that the train doors took an additional 30 seconds before closing, and even then, it sat there another minute!! Now, feeling fully foolish for the panic attack, we just picked up our things and headed on into the airport, hoping all the while that this would be the only glitch on the long travel day!

We thought we'd have plenty of time at the airport to eat something before going through security, so we had packed soda and snacks. We had a couple bags that were over-weight, though, so Nichole and DeDe worked on getting them all sorted out. Meanwhile, Dave was told that we needed a “paper ticket”, (boarding pass) for Baby Bobby, and he had to go to Northwest's ticket counter to get that. As he walked away, he said, “Has anyone seen my wallet?” Prior to this time, he had gone to the excess baggage place and paid to re-collect the suitcases we couldn't haul to the hotel, and he apparently misplaced his wallet since that transaction! This did not bode well and the stress started to spike once again.

It took quite a bit of time for Dave to get things set at the Northwest ticket counter. Apparently, they were going to overcharge him, and he was wise enough to help the lady behind the counter with her mathematics. Not sure where he ended up finding his wallet, but he did have it when DeDe went to check on him.  By the time he came back with the ticket, we were told the plane was boarding in five minutes, so DeDe set out the sodas, cups and crackers, and told the kids to have at it, because that was going to be all we had time for. They sat right on the floor next to the winding passage to the check-in desk, and had their little picnic.

Finally, we went through the security checks, and reached the gate early enough to stand in a short line. We got on the airbus, and the kids kept themselves very busy all night, (which wasn't like night, since it was daylight out, as we were flying west).  A woman near DeDe, commented near the end of our flight, that our children were really well-behaved. DeDe thanked her, and then awarded some of the credit to the personal video screens. Bobby, on the other hand, was way too awake most of the trip, and way too demanding, afforded only one short nap to his very exhausted Momma.  She couldn't watch movies, either, because if he was awake, he found the headset far too interesting, so it was not worth the struggle.

Dave sat on the opposite side of the plane, keeping Nathan happy. Three boys were lined up in the center isle, between Dave and I, with Rachel in front of them, and Nichole directly in front of her. We arrived in Detroit, where the pilots received an applause for landing us safely, after a very bumpy final stretch due to high winds.

In Detroit, we gathered around and set the timer on the camera for a group shot before saying good bye to Nichole. She would fly on to Omaha from there, as we flew to Milwaukee. We had our series of hugs, and then headed in opposite directions to our gates.

On the small plane to Milwaukee, we made many friends. DeDe chatted with a gal across the isle from her. Erica from New Orleans, now lives in New York, and was flying to Milwaukee for the funeral of a college friend of hers. Age 31, the friend was a mother of a four year-old, and died of cancer. Really sad deal. Erica also shared her experience being nine months pregnant during Hurricane Katrina! Quite the story!

We talked pretty much the entire time, and there was a 40 minute stretch before we even got off the ground. So by the end, DeDe wished she had exchanged contact info with Erica, as they knew each other pretty well by Milwaukee.

On DeDe's left, was a nice young man, mid-thirties, who got to know Bobby a bit, as he sat on his mom's lap, and the guy enjoyed his smiles. He was a real gentleman. As DeDe packed Bobby back into the front-pack at the end of the flight, the young gent helped her with her bags. It was so cool to meet such sweet people.

DeDe waited for Dave and the boys, who were seated way at the back of this plane, and as the stewardess passed by, she said, “I really enjoyed your family! Your oldest boy is such a sweetie. He was trying to get your younger boys to use quiet voices. It's so nice to find kids with good manners, today!” So gratifying to hear positive comments about your children, we can only thank God, as we attribute any good thing about our children to the continuous prayer that goes on behind our parenting!

Rachel and Addison sat a few rows in front of DeDe and Bobby, and they came back, after most of the crowd was off the plane, to tell their mom that they'd made friends, too. They went on and on about the family they'd talked to all the way.

We were the last to get off the plane, and on our way to baggage claim, we found Grandma Shirley, and Grandpa Bill standing outside the gate waiting for us. What a joy that was! David and Nathan, who had finally fallen asleep on the last flight, perked up to see their grandparents. Addison was dancing a jig, and Ian and Rachel were just all hugs. It was a precious moment, and Grandma caught it on film.

The excitement continued for about ten minutes in the van, and then one-by-one they all passed out. DeDe snapped some photos, so see the web album for the visual documentation.

 It wasn't really that cold outside, and we were surprised to NOT see much snow. Green Bay had some piles left in the parking lots, but most of the yards were clear.  The roads were pretty dry and clear, so it was an easy drive to Green Bay.

It's Saturday, now. We spent two nights with DeDe's parents in Green Bay. While there, DeDe was able to be with her great aunt who is in the hospital after falling and breaking her hip. The doctors were not optimistic about her surviving. She surprised them, by deciding to live! DeDe had the privilege of being there to pray with her, and with the pastor. God gave us Psalm 91, to share with Joann as an encouragement, and she seemed to really receive His Word. She went through surgery Thursday morning, and is doing well now!

Psalm 91 ends with these words:

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
 I will protect those who trust in my name.
 When they call on me, I will answer;
 I will be with them in trouble.
 I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

We left Green Bay Thursday afternoon and stepping into our home in Stevens Point was a moment to remember. We watched the children rediscover all their long-lost toys and things. It was an exciting time. David, especially, was full of exclamations as he dug into toy box, bin, baskets, and closets! I should have video-taped him! 

The big kids were very helpful unloading the van.  We form a "fire-drill, bucket brigade," where kids line up and pass the items down a line.  With van in carport, Rachel grabs things out of the van, hands off to Ian at the door to the porch; Ian steps through the porch, handing off to Addison at the door of the house; Addison hands off to DeDe, and she sets things in their general direction:  laundry, kitchen, bedrooms.  Dave, meanwhile, carried in the things that were too heavy for kids.  It took DeDe till late in the evening to get most of the bags emptied. 

We truly are able to count our blessings now that we've been away from life as we know it in the USA. It's not that living in Malta was all that bad. On the contrary, it was wonderful. It's just different, and so it provided us with challenges. By the end of our stay, we'd adjusted and figured out how to deal with the nuances. Most of all, by the end, we'd developed some seriously special friendships. This makes our return to home bitter-sweet.

We wonder if we'll ever get back to Malta again. I'm guessing we will. Dave's not quite so confident. As I was doing my homework for the study on the Apostle Paul, the day we were leaving Malta, I laughed as I read this line: “I will come back, if it is God's will.” Paul was speaking of Ephesus in Acts 18:21.

To my dear friends in Malta, I say the same to you. “I will come back, if it is God's will.” Thanks for extending your hearts to us. We are thrilled to have had the pleasure of your fellowship, and we hope that you will take us up on our invitation to come visit us in Wisconsin! .

As our dear Maltese friend, John Pisani, would say: “If we don't see you again, we'll see you again!”

Ciao!
The Gibbs Family

Dave, DeDe, Rachel, Ian, Addison, David, Nathan, and Bobby

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