We are here!!!!

We arrived in Guatemala at 6am on Saturday morning, after taking the red-eye from Los Angelas. We have never flown through the night before, so that was a first. Can't say I'd choose to do it again, but it worked out well for this trip. Our entire travel day(s) was a real blessing and confirmation to us that we have the favour of the Lord upon our lives.
When we arrived at the Kamloops airport, we had to juggle our luggage a bit to meet the weight restrictions - for those of you who haven't tried to pack for a year in 4 - 50 lb duffels; 2 - 21 lb carry-ons and 2 backpacks, you should give it a try. Anyway, as we were weighing the bags, the man helping us said he'd have to charge us $40 for our two extra bags. We expected we would have to pay, as now airlines only allow you 1 check-in bag for free. So, I shuffled items until we were balanced out weight wise and we were processed. After we got through, we realized we hadn't paid anything for our extra bags - he checked them in free of charge! Bonus #1!
Then when we got to Vancouver and started the check-in process, Rocky and I were not sitting together (the plane was very full). I explained that I had tried to change seats on-line, but I couldn't, so I asked if there were any two seats together. The attendant looked on the computer and said, "Well, if you don't mind sitting in the emergency row, I can put you there." Yes! We expected to pay a fee for this, as they are now charging extra for the emergency row because you have extra leg room, so it is considered a premium seat. She gave us these seats for both legs of the flight free of charge. Bonus #2! Then as we were checking in our bags, expecting to pay $80 for the two additional bags - she took them without charging us anything as well! Bonus #3! Wow! All in all we saved $120 on our luggage and another $150 on our seats for a total of $270! We felt pretty blessed.
When we arrived in Guatemala City (at 6am!) Arryn and Hector were waiting for us. We went out for breakfast together and then made our way to San Cristobal Verapaz. The Nissan handled well and it felt good to be back in Guatemala.
We set out right away to go apartment hunting and looking around for a place to live while we study.
The next morning, when we went to leave for Coban, we, once again, had no clutch! Praise the Lord this didn't happen to the kids when they were coming to pick us up or to us when we were making our way to San Cristobal. The timing was perfect for a breakdown - if there is such a thing. God has been showing himself faithful to us at every turn.
Today is now an enforced day of rest, as the car is at the mechanics. But we are not feeling stressed about it - we feel incredibly blessed!
I am reminded today that God is for us, and because he is for us, who (or what) can be against us? We are in his hands and he is the one who makes the way. He is our provider and he is always faithful. We serve an amazing God!
Blessings,
Karren