Right now we are currently and unexpectedly watching the glowing sunset overlooking the city of Guayaquil here in Ecuador. We are supposed to be back home with our pups tonight but we had a forced slow down.

Last night around 12:30 am the airline cancelled our flight and the quickest flight out is Monday. In the chaos of the trying to figure everything out between us and 100+ people, I had to pinch myself and question if I was dreaming. As much as we wanted to stay here in the village with our people, we had things that needed to be tended to back home and obligations that needed to be met.

We found ourselves complaining around two am as we were exhausted and ready to be somewhere other than that airport. Coming back through customs as I glanced around me, all that I saw were elderly people and single mothers with young children in the middle of the night. A Russian mother who spoke no English with a child who spoke English clung to us with a look of fear in her eyes in a foreign country of not knowing where or what was next. All I could hear whispered into me was “Be the light. Help the people who are less able than you.” And it’s funny within an instance of frustration came a sense of gratitude and a desire to help others in a trying time.

As much as we were ready to get home and be back to our furry children, as I stare out at this sunset, I am so grateful for this slow down. John and I talked yesterday and were down at fact that we weren’t going to have a debrief time to let the last couple of weeks and decisions settle in. But unexpectedly and unwillingly- God gave us that. Three days in a hotel with meals prepared and John’s hurt foot made us be still and cherish the time that He has given us.

No matter what happens in life – little minuscule moments like flight cancellations and being held in a random city for days or big life events that we wish would or would not have made a presence in our lives… it is all for a reason. And for this, I am going to be grateful! Don’t forget to slow down and give thanks in all moments good and bad. And watch how your life starts to change.