I have been overwhelmed by the response of so many of you in writing to let me know you are praying for my brother, my family, and for me. Twice I received an email from friends telling me that they had just been praying for my parents. I don't even know how to adequately thank you. (Can you imagine me at a loss for words?)

I have made the decision to go home. My parents don't know yet and I'm not sure how they'll react, but I don't think they will leave me stranded at the airport when I get there. :-) The soonest I could get a ticket was July 5th - and that was first class. It was either first class or wait until July 18th for a cheaper ticket. I didn't feel it would be wise to wait until the 18th. I was a bit surprised at the difference in prices as the only other time in my life I flew first class was when I was traveling from Miami, on another trip home, to Oklahoma City. The plane we were in experienced a fire in one of it's engines, which had to be turned off, and we felt like we were traveling backwards because of the loss of velocity. We ended up making an emergency landing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We actually had fire trucks follow us to the terminal, and just like in the movies, we all applauded when we came to a full stop. People had been writing messages to their loved ones and everything. I remember my first thought was "ValueJet" which had just lost a plane in a crash. My second thought made me smile, and I said, "Well, Lord, here we go." Because I missed my next flight, they put me in a first class seat on the next available plane. I was told, though, that I didn't get first class treatment since I hadn't paid for a first class seat. So first class it will be on the 5th and should be a new experience for me.

I will most likely spend some time with my family, and then afterwards go ahead and do furlough. There is much to do before I leave, and as I would like to spend at least a couple of days with my daughter, son-in-law and my beautiful little granddaughter, I hope to be able to travel on Thursday to Santa Cruz where I will wait until the 5th to fly home. I sure would appreciate your prayers as I prepare to go home. I have many responsibilities here and each one needs to be taken care of before I leave. I usually have quite a bit of time to prepare, but because of the situation with my brother this will be a whirlwind of a week.

Once again, thank you for your prayers,
Love in Christ in Bolivia (soon to be the States)

Carolyn - Galatians 6:9