Thursday, September 22, 2005

What a crazy week...We made it to Abilene today! I don't know how...but we did. Matt and I had been planning for several weeks now to spend this weekend in Dallas with my family...go to the Abilene High game and see Justin, Hollie and Riley. That plan changed last night at about 3:00 in the morning when we saw that it was taking over 10 hours just to get out of Houston.

We thought about trying to make it to Smithville to stay with my grandparents...but we weren't sure we would even make it out of Houston without running out of gas. So at 3:00 this morning, my sweet husband found us 2 seats on a flight to Abilene. There were only 3 seats left when we booked our flight. We were still worried because the airport was on the north side of town...and we knew there was no way we were going to be able to drive on any major highways. So after throwing last minute things into a big suitcase...like wedding pictures and my great grandmother's quilt...we left for the airport at 4:15. I was driving. Matt was navigating. He did an fantastic job getting us to the airport in about an hour. That was a miracle to me!

We could tell when we walked into the airport that it was going to be a long morning. We got in line at 5:15 to check in... And at 8:20, we finally made it to the counter. It was unbelievable. I've never seen that many people in an aiport before. I saw poor mothers trying to take care of 4 kids...or newborns...and of course everyone was stressed and worried.

After checking in...with 30 minutes to spare, we hopped a train to another terminal and ran to the security check point. And that line was a mile long...of course! Thankfully, they let us move to the front of the line, since our flight was about to leave. We made it to the gate and saw they had already cancelled at least 4 other flights because they didn't have a crew! It was such a relief to hear them call for the Abilene flight about an hour later!

I still can't believe we made it here... I know there are so many others who missed a flight...or their still sitting on interstate 45. We're so thankful to be with our family...but our prayers are with those that are still trying to make it out...or they're having to stay and weather the storm.

We're fairly optomistic about our aparment and what we'll have to going back to. We live on the 3rd floor...in southwest Houston. But it's far enough in, away from the storm surge. Our area does flood easily, but that's one of the advantages of being on the 3rd floor. But of course you never know what might happen...

Thanks so much for your prayers and concern. I checked my messages this afternoon and loved hearing the voices of my best friends checking on me. Thank you! We made it out... Yea!

7 comments:

Kate said...

Jenna,
I'm so glad you made it here safely. When I saw the traffic on the news this morning, I was picturing you and Matt stuck somewhere in the middle of it for hours. I'm glad you're out, and I will continue praying for those trying to leave Houston. Love you!

christine pinson said...

jenna we love you and are so glad yall made it safely to abilene...i can't imagine trying to pack things up like that...i am a horrible packer anyway! are you staying in a-town, or will we still get to see you this weekend?

Heather's House said...

Isn't it a wonderful thing to be out of that mess!! Ashley and I called your mom this morning worried that you were stuck in all that traffic! We were so glad to hear that you and Matt were on your way to Abilene....I'm just glad that we are all safe! :) Call me later if you get a chance!! Love you....

Anonymous said...

Jenna, we are so glad you made it to Abilene. Kinda sorry we didn't get to see you though. Love you, Nana

Anonymous said...

Jenna, we are so glad you made it to Abilene. Kinda sorry we didn't get to see you though. Love you, Nana

Anonymous said...

Jenna, we are so glad you made it to Abilene. Kinda sorry we didn't get to see you though. Love you, Nana

Anonymous said...

jenna-
i too am so glad that you two made it out safely. what chaos! been thinking about you and all those in the area. love you-beth