We flew to Los Angeles on the 14th of May ... and stayed at a hotel that we'd booked some time before. Let's say the hotel had also been a matter of concern!
Our desire in staying 5 nights in LA was to spend the weekend with the Lord's people at the Spanish speaking assembly in East LA. We had tried numerously to contact the believers there but never seemed to get a response. We already had booked and paid for our hotel, which seemed quite reasonable in price and also close to the airport. After paying for our hotel, we seemed to stumble across all kinds of reviews about our hotel ... causing our hearts to be heavy, yet holding on to the fact that the Lord was in control of everything ... and He had allowed us to book in there ... and He would provide something else if it was His will.
Well, we arrived at the hotel ... and yes we had a lifetime experience all right. Here we are sitting in a lobby (those of us who managed seats) ... we are worn out with jet lag ... and we cannot have access to out room until about 3pm!!! (it was probably not even 10am and we'd flown in about 7am!!!) so we were set to camp out in the hotel lobby for several hours!!! (along with our 8 big suitcases and hand luggage.).
Pretty soon Michael was curled up in his chair asleep, Willians E sprawled out in his asleep ... Willians had taken Michelle out for a walk and Timothy with them to find some food as he was hungry!!! I'm trying not to sleep ... conscious of the sort of folks we have coming and going and our heap of luggage, incl a laptop, ipad, cash etc in our belongings!!!
Whilst all this was happening, I was called and told we could now have access to our room. I finalized paperwork, etc and then had the challenge of getting 2 sleeping boys, and our luggage (that weighed a ton) to our room ... our that door, past the swimming pool, through another cafe area and up the steps!!!!
Once more, the Lord intervened ... and someone was using a luggage trolley?? on wheels ... and yes, I could borrow it when they were finished!!! Well, we piled those suitcases high!!! and managed to wake the sleeping boys to help push, pull, ... if it would even budge!!! Honestly, my faith was gone!!! I just KNEW that those suitcases were too heavy and I with the help of the boys were NOT going to get it out the door, over uneven ground ... and way down there!!!! ...
Well, the Lord once more gave strength and made that trolley move ... even as to get it over a hose that was filling the swimming pool with water (well, that is another story ... not for today!).
When we finally reached the bottom of the steps ... two big burly afro americans in their rough american english offered to help me carry everything up the steps! I half turned them down, not wanting to have to pay anyone to help!!! God gave grace and they grabbed on to a suitcase in each hand and marched up the steps ... (and no, I didn't need to pay them either!!)
We were so thankful to the Lord when we got into our "room" to find it huge!!! A big spacious room with a sofa, a small table in the corner, a sink and small fridge ... and off there ... 2 very big bedrooms (one with 3 single beds)(the other with a double) and the bathroom!!!
When Willians arrived with the littlies, we were settling in and setting up Michelle's cot that we brought with us!!!
