Day 1 - Our Arrival

It was wonderful to get off the plane and feel the warm sun on my face!

Our first order of business...pick up our rental car.

Ok...this was another act of faith on my part. I spent quite a bit of time checking out every car rental place to find the absolute cheapest deal. I asked friends on Facebook for their ideas and I compared like crazy. Once I found the cheapest deal, with the economy car...I even paid in advance for another discount. I don't like to do that because I mean what if we don't go, what if they say I didn't pay and keep my money, what if this and what if that. Geez...I'm such a worry wart sometimes! So off we go to pick up our cheapo - car. 

We arrive and it seems as though this is all they have...poor us!

The guy asked us if we wanted to pay a little more for an upgrade...

ummmm...no thanks! 

 Yes...we put the top down even though it was only 60 degrees.

It didn't take long for us to put it back up. Ha, ha! 

Now for the ride to San Francisco and crossing the Bay Bridge

Well...I took this picture!

I used to have a huge fear of crossing bridges. This bridge and others like it would some times bring me to tears! I would not look if I didn't have to. The last time we were in San Francisco, I closed my eyes everytime we had to cross this one or the Golden Gate. 

A side story about my fear of bridges: When we went to Florida years ago and had to cross those bridges, there were times I was in tears. It was awful! So, about 9 years ago during an Alpha Retreat, I decided to ask for prayer for my fear of flying and bridges. A few days later I was driving across the Cedar Ave bridge and I was about half way across when I noticed that I wasn't afraid! I couldn't believe it! 

The real test would be about a month later on a trip to Florida. My friend had moved since the last time I was there. She didn't tell me that I would now have to cross the Tampa Bay Bridge because she knew of my fear and thought I may not come down because of it. I hadn't told her about my prayer. Her husband picked my friend Cindy and I up from the airport. Right before we got to the bridge that had flashing lights going off telling of High Wind Warnings, he told me about the bridge. I said "no worries...I'm not afraid anymore". When we arrived to my girlfriend's house, she started apologizing for not telling me about the bridge. Her husband and my other friend told her how I was no longer afraid. She couldn't believe it. In fact, in the days to come she would stare at me while I drove over the bridge just to wait for my reaction. She was in complete awe as she had been a witness to my tears the last time. 

So...if you have any fears...ask for others to pray for you. Ask the Lord to deliver you from that fear. It is not from Him! It may happen right away and it may happen years later, like my fear of flying. I honestly can't tell you why one fear was removed right away and the other took 9 years. What I can say is that these fears were extreme and I had tried to not be afraid on my own. I still have a fear of heights and I'm sure there are others...not for long though! ;)

Psalm 34:4

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.