Are we in Vegas?? No... it's DUBAI!

I love a good story. I sometimes even love when ridiculous things happen just because I know it will make for a good story.

And we started in the parking lot at IAH in Houston with the stories! I am so thankful to have had my Other-Mother and best freinds take me to the airport... without them to laugh and cry with, things could've gotten ugly!

After getting lost in and repeatedly dropping my over-weight luggage in the crazy parking lot (with an infant), Morgan looked around and said... "This is our own personal hell."

I'm pretty sure the next time I dropped all the luggage was from laughing. And we were ready to take on anything from that point.

We managed to find the right counter and it was a dang good thing we were early...

Turns out there's a BRAND NEW rule in J-burg, South Africa that you have to have a visa if you stay over 90 days, and you CANNOT have a one-way ticket. In case you were wondering, no, I do not have a visa and, no, I did not have a return ticket. Of course.

I think I met every Emirates employee in Houston - and LOVED them all. We did some shuffling, strapping, phone calling, laughing, and decided the best plan was for me to purchase a ticket to leave S Africa before the 90 days expired. There will be a  penalty, but I will just move the date on my ticket to the date when I will actually return back and purchase a ticket from Dubai to Houston.

See Dad, I AM coming back! I already have 1/2 a ticket!

THE ticket. Me, the girls, and my new $700 piece of paper.

Me, Mama Waters, and Baby Lucas with the Golden Ticket

Thank you SO much to my supporters! Your faithfulness and obedience made what could have been a REAL crisis into another testament to God's faithfulness and provision. Booyeah.

It's been quite a journey. I have been amazed by Emirates Airline's incredible staff, so helpful to the clueless American girls with no visas. The flight was great and the free hotel stay and dinner was even better! Dubai is fabulous. So many sparkly things and incredible diversity. And the coffee... MUAH!

We're ready for the next leg of our flight - 8 hours to J-burg and then another 2 to Nelspruit.

Please pray for us - that there would be no complications in J-burg and we will arrive safely. We are having a great time together and spirits are high!

Oh- and also pray for the little African boy is throwing up next to me right now. Pretty sure we'll be on the same plane. Excellent.