Okay, not really.
Because I certainly don’t think that the lovely Ms. Winfrey is, you know, reading my blog.
But I am in Chicago.
And look! Ice! ON THE WATER!
So far, I have two words to describe Chicago:
COOOOO. OOOOLD.
Anyway, I had a lovely flight. Read a magazine. Listened to music. Watched part of “Waiting For Guffman” and tried not to laugh too loudly lest I disturb the other passengers.
As we started the descent (it that the right word? is it even a word at all? yes. I believe it is.) into Chicago, I was listening to FryDaddy sing “Alive Forever Amen” on my iPod.
And you know, it was a mighty fine reminder of why I was even on that plane to begin with. And so I had me some church right there in seat 6A.
Finally, if you are very hungry when you reach an airport and think you would like some lunch, I cannot recommend any sort of stuffed burrito option. Because odds are, despite all efforts to the contrary, you’re going to end up with at least half of said burrito on the front of your shirt.
Which is why I’m about to go to the restroom and see if I can make myself presentable before I have to, you know, MEET PEOPLE.
As you were.
Julie @ A Joyful Life says:
Praying for God to rock your world. May He bless you and use you in awesome ways, and protect and cover you and your family while you’re gone.
And prevent you from spilling more burritos on your shirt.
Amen.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Jenny says:
Praying that God will show you wonders everywhere…then you can share them with US!
Jen
February 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Karla ~ Looking Towards Heaven says:
just read today’s scripture on your sidebar.
Ain’t that the truth?
Amen.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Melanie says:
It always works out that my dinner/lunch whatever falls on the “shelf” below my 2 chins. Sighhhh…
Glad you are on your way!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Janie says:
OH wow…Safe travels! And get yo’self all gussied up!
Have fun!!
Love ya!
JS
February 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Rutheee says:
Very excited that you are on your way and even more excited that you remembered all the computer cords and do-hickeys you will need to keep in touch with us!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Michelle Bentham says:
Praying for you, friend. That God will show you amazing things about Himself in Africa and use you to reveal Himself to others along the way. You are a blessing. Praying for safety, truth and favor all the way! Be blessed!
Love ya!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Stacie says:
Yeah! You are on your way. I can’t go anywhere or eat anything without dropping it on myself. My mother had hoped I would grow out of it . . .*sigh*. I feel you pain. ;-p
February 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Megan(FriedOkra) says:
Welcome to Chicago, hon. Hope your stay was wonderful. And yes, it is VERY cold here today. I’m glad you got through before tomorrow as I think if you hadn’t you may have ended up staying awhile in our fair city because the weather’s due to only get worse. Hope the rest of your flights go as smoothly and you are able to get the burrito goo off your shirt!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Jamie Baker says:
That is so great you are on your way!! Praying for safe travels and clean shirts. :)
February 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Stacy says:
Mind your manners and always wear clean underwear.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Llama Momma says:
6A? Does that mean you’re flying FIRST CLASS???
Keepin’ my fingers crossed for you. Because I’m just so spiritual that way.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Darlene says:
Welcome to the north Boomama, and yes ma’am it is coooo-oooold here. I don’t like it much!
Praying for a safe and FUN flight to Africa.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Kelly says:
Oh BIG!
I’m so happy and excited that you are on your way…I’ve been thinking of you. I am so eager to see what you blog about from Africa. I hope all of our lives can be changed THROUGH your experience. I’m praying God give you the words to express what is going on there.
Have fun, enjoy it all.
Kelly
PS I was listening to FryDaddy’s songs yesterday on the treadmill.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
BooMama says:
HEAVENS NO on the first class. :-) I was 6A because the plane had all of 12 rows. It was a little ‘un.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Carolina Mama says:
Keep ‘em coming! Sounds great. And little man is in good hands! God Bless!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Charity says:
I’m so excited for you!!!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Lisa@Take90West says:
I’m no Oprah, but I was down here waving my little arm off at ya!
Travel safe!
February 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Bob Cleveland says:
I’m not going to make any of the smart remarks chasing around in my head, about burritos and their tendency to mess up my clothes. I’d be booted off blogs and out of bars all over the known world.
Have a blessed trip! Well, other than the part about being in Chicago.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Bailey's Leaf says:
I see that the fellow internets have welcomed you to our chunk o’ the states. As for us, I was awakened at 12:20 AM with thunder and a HUGE crack of lightning. I was waiting for the big rain until my husband pointed out that it was snowing big flakes. Today, we’ve got the huge winds and white outs. (AKA blinding snow.) Oh welcome my dear to the northern midwest. I would tell you to hang and in a few days it’ll probably be 60 or so (I don’t know, but that’s how it seems to go), but y’all are on your way to Africa.
Speaking of, have a fantastic trip! Break out some lobster bibs to make your eating venture a little easier on the clothing. Don’t forget to have Shannon do some deep breathing exercises! Many prayers your way!
February 10th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Sister says:
What Stacy said. :)
February 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Kelly @ Love Well says:
Welcome to The North. We pride ourselves here on the ability to grow new fingers and toes once the cold takes the ones God gave us at birth.
Oy. SO COLD! I’m in Minneapolis, where our HIGH today is below zero.
Grasp that one with me.
(Jokes aside — I’m another one praying. You go and enjoy Africa, girl! Even though it will break your heart, God has great things for you.)
February 10th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Tee says:
I believe you are going to have a wonderful trip that will be life changing. I believe you will be the light these people need to see–that is the light of the world, Jesus. I’m praying for you.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Holly Smith says:
Keeping on praying for every ascent and descent of the plane…and for blessing to fall on you unlike you have ever known.
Love,
holly
PS Our Compassion friends here in CO are praying for your trip, too! :)
February 10th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
andrea_jennine says:
Sorry we took away all the degrees here before you came; that wasn’t very hospitable of us Chicago people! Praying for your trip…
February 10th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Lora Lynn says:
keep those updates coming. love to hear what’s going on, every gory detail, including burrito casualties.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Jmom@lotsofscotts says:
Praying for you all day!!
February 10th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Patty says:
I prayed for you this morning before I went to church. I was cold just looking at the pictures! God is going to show up and show off for you this entire trip! How cool to listen to Frydaddy while flying. Frydaddy and his praise team are my favs! :o)
February 10th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous! says:
Boomama.
I told you to not come back without changing the WORLD, not changing your SHIRT.
Get it right, sister.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Karen says:
I too have spent some time in the restroom cleaning up.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Rebecca says:
Hi, Boo!
(I’ve been reading for months, but not commenting much. This likely will change while you’re gong, as evidenced by my responding to two posts in one day!)
February 10th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Partyoffive says:
Welcome to the midwest! I live about 1 1/2 hours from Chicago and it is cold, cold, cold here. Hope the rest of your trip goes well.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
kelli says:
CHiago is where I learned the tape can freeze. And that I would never again volunteer to do a trade show there in January.
Oh, and during a huge snowstorm with heavy winds? I learned the cute-patootie senior rep for our housewares line that I Was traveling with- wore a toupee’.
Boy, can those things fly if they aren’t secured properly.
hehe
Have a GREAT NEXT LEG !!!!
February 10th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Cindy says:
It is really here!!! Wow! The time went by really fast for ME. :)
You and the team will be in my prayers. I can’t wait to hear what you see, what you experience, what God plops on your heart. Much like burrito stuff plops on your shirt.
So glad little man did ok. No tears from YOU, either??
Lots of love and prayers flying to you!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Sister says:
I’ve decided to just FedEx myself on over and meet y’all there. :)
xo
February 10th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Linds says:
I’ll be waving as you fly over the UK. That is, if you fly over the UK. Oh heck. I will wave anyway!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Deidre says:
Praying for you!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Joyce says:
Hello, I hope you have a great lay over in the Windy City. It is a wonderful city to visit. Lots of things to do. Sorry about the mess on your shirt. Will be praying for you as you travel to Africa and for your stay. Have fun and know that God is with you always.
Love and Hugs,
Joyce
February 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Kelly says:
Praying, praying, praying!!!!! Have so much fun!!!!!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Susan says:
You did pick a bad day to be in my hometown of Chicago. I spent 20 minutes waiting for a bus; I am still cold to the core. Be glad you’re just making a pit stop.
A friend gave me Tide-to-Go for my birthday. Horrifying that others recognize my propensity to spill, but a very practical gift. Never leave the house without it.
Hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Reformed Grits says:
Cold. Ouch. Makes me hurt just thinking about it. Not thinking it will be cold at your final destination though…
Signed, your fellow Bhamian who is enjoying the 60 degree weather today.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Joanna says:
I told you it was so cold it would make your snot freeze. This is going to be weird - normal weather for you then freezing cold then Africa hot.
You are a trooper!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Mary B says:
Oh Boomama, I live smack dab across the lake from Chicago. Sigh. I have to admit I was freaking out that you would only be 3 hours away. Any yes it is very cold, even this Michigander is staying inside today.
Glad to hear the first leg of the trip is going well. Praying for you and the rest of the team.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
chickadee says:
i am sooo thankful i don’t live in a place where there is ice on the water!
sounds like you’re having a good trip.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Gina Maria says:
Siunds as though your trip is going well. I thought New York was cold. Thats worst then Upstate New York. Stay warm babe!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Karen says:
I’m SO excited for you! I’m with you in spirit, and praying for you all.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Susanne says:
I’m praying for you guys this week! I wish I could see the faces of those precious children. I can’t wait to read your posts during the visit. May God bless you!!
February 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Sisterlisa says:
I’m a new reader of your blog BooMama and I am going to go catch up on all your posts about Africa. Our magazine is going to publish a story about a girl who wanted to go to Zambia and I am interested in your story. I’ll be honest and tell you that I do NOT envy you being in Chicago, I dislike the cold weather very much. Yours truly, from sunny California, Sisterlisa
February 10th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Fran says:
Honey…I got me a precious Compassion child in Uganda just last night…..our sweet Lord has been on me about this and I did it!!! She is 5 yrs old and she is beautiful and she is Sophia!! I kinda thought of you as God laid her in front of me as I looked.
Praying for you! Thank you for being a vessel for me before you ever even got there. God is with you my friend.
Hugs~
Fran
February 10th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Linda says:
Thanking Him for a safe trip to cold Chicago, and praying for safety the rest of the way.
I haven’t eaten anything out in the last few years that I haven’t gotten on the front of my shirt. I think I’m regressing.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Roxanne says:
Oh. . .how exciting. . .that you have already posted. Not that you are cold. And messy. I’m hoping you have another shirt in which to change, ’cause I can imagine that eau de Stuft Burrito would get old after a while.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Sunni says:
Have a blessed trip. Praying for you!
February 10th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Ashleigh says:
As the granddaughter of my grandma, I seem to have inherited her genetic tendency to spill food down the fron of her shirt. Several of us grandkids can be identified by this common characteristic.
Been praying for you all day!
February 10th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) says:
When you get to the African sun, i bet that Chicago ice will seem a world away!!!
Praying for you!!!
February 10th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Betsy says:
Wouldn’t it be GREAT if Oprah DID comment?!?!? She could do a show about Compassion!
I’ve got a Compassion girl in Colombia. She’s the exact age as my oldest daughter. Beautiful!
Good luck - praying for you and the team.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Carolina Mama says:
Praying for you all! God Bless!
February 10th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
pam says:
Woke up praying for you. Prayed throughout the day and teared up a couple times just thinking about what God has planned for y’all.
My sweet Libbyline prayed for you before she went to bed and now I’m about to lift you before the throne once again before I’m off to bed myself.
Can’t wait to hear your first reaction to AFRICA and all the precious ones you’ll be meeting.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Marie says:
Yup I have done that burrito thing in the airport. Not pretty!! lol I stick to salads now or a sandwich.
Also, you have not felt cold till you have traveled to Minnesota. Chicago is nothing compared to actual temperatures of -14 for a high today. It has been -10 to -28 for 3 weeks now. And the same for next week. It is so time for winter to be over!! I won’t even go into wind chill factors being -40 to -50 lol. Nope I won’t.
And all our lakes are frozen over. Two of my sons have fish houses (with beds) parked on the lakes and they drive their PICK-UPS on them too.
Good luck, have fun and Godspeed to Africa!
Hugs,
Marie
February 10th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Lori says:
Okay, I am sorry, but I cannot read this blog anymore without a constant background of Toto music in my head.
“Frightened by this thing that I’ve become….”
February 10th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
DANA says:
I love it!!! I get stuff on my shirt every time I eat. I blame my mom - I think it is hereditary! Safe travels Sophie! We’ll be praying for you.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Natalie Witcher says:
Love the fact that you had to muffle your laughter at Waiting for Guffman. I too, must suppress laughter less I look a fool. I’m so glad you’re enjoying your trip. Next time I’m in Chicago I’ll tell Oprah you flew over and say Waz up.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:15 pm