Eileen and I helped her parents visit relatives from 6/22-7/2 in Michigan, DC (MD and VA), and in NJ.   Her parents are 87 and 84 and cannot travel by themselves.  Although we had four free airline tickets on American Airlines, our initial flight from Sacramento to Detroit was a disaster.   Our connection from LA to Dallas was delayed about 1.5 hours due to some problem with the crew.  

When we landed in Dallas, about 15 of us rushed to catch our connecting flight to Detroit (airline staff actually ran pushing my in-laws in two wheel chairs!).   Even though the plane was still at the gate, the doors had been closed and the airlines refused to board all 15 of us!   We discovered they had actually given away our seats even though they knew we were arriving from LA (due to their own airline problems).

At first the airline rep told all 15 of us they could not fly us from Dallas to Detroit until two days later!   But then they told us they could get us out early the next morning at 5:30am on a Delta flight.  So they put us up in a very mediocre motel but we had none of our luggage which we had to check since we were traveling with our in-laws. 

But we are thankful we did make it to Detroit in time for my in-laws to have their annual visit with their son who has severe handicaps both mentally and physically and has been institutionalized from early childhood.   We then flew to the DC/MD/VA area to visit with many relatives on Eileen's mom's side.   Then we drove up to NJ to visit the family of Eileen's other brother as well as relatives in NYC on her dad's side.

So it was great visiting with many relatives in these four different states.   However, the challenges of travel with elderly parents (in-laws) and airlines with poor service provided many opportunities for us to grow in patience and self control.  

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  (4)  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”                             (James 1:2-4)

I wish I could say Eileen and I were successful in each of these opportunities during this 10 day trip.   But even in our failures and weakness, God helped us to learn and grow.

I trust all of us will be thankful for special family times, trips, and vacations.   Not only for physical safety, but also for the blessing of relationships with loved ones as well as personal growth from going through times of challenges.