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It is on a handful of occasions that God allows us the opportunity to transport someone more than once and today is one of those occasions. It was about 4 years ago that we transported Sandy from Chicago to Missouri under much different circumstances, so different that she does not even remember it. 

Today, however will be much different! 72 year old Sandy is originally from New Hampshire but has been living in Missouri where a few of her 5 children live. She also has 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren all of which are spread out between the 2 states. Her oldest daughter wants her back home and Sandy is ready to go.

We arrive to find her surrounded by family, laughing, visiting and playing games. Her leaving is bittersweet as she will be leaving family here that she has spent several years with and joining family who have been missing her during this absence.

During our time together we discover that Sandy is very spunky and has a great sense of adventure. She is so excited to be flying on Nellie. At one time she herself took flying lessons and absolutely loved them she also parachuted at the age of 17 in response to a dare. She says she was her momma’s “wild child.” She spent time as a school bus driver and raised white German shepherds. 

She also loves to fish and has enjoyed traveling to Korea and the Philippines to name just a few places. When asked what kind of music she would like to hear during our flight without hesitation she quickly requested country. 

She knew the words to every song and the two of us sang along during the entire flight. Even when her eyes were closed and we thought that she was sleeping, her lips were moving with song. As we were coming into Indy for our refuel, she got a great aerial view of the Indianapolis 500 race track. She shared memories of her and her husband having been there and how they were also avid race followers. She has clearly been enjoying life.

As we arrived in New Hampshire her son and daughter were waiting, waving and taking pictures of her as we exited Nellie. 

Sandy was like the queen of the parade. They followed along and met us at the new facility that she will now call home. Her daughter Trudi who is a CNA tells her that she herself will be keeping a close eye on her as she just recently took a job here. 

She is also going to go back to school and get her LPN license. Sandy and her family thanked Grace on Wings multiple times for this trip and Sandy said that she will definitely remember this one. The staff joined us as we thanked God for the safety of this mission and Trudi promised she would stay in touch.

DEUT. 5:33
WALK IN OBEDIENCE TO ALL THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE AND PROSPER AND PROLONG YOUR DAYS IN THE LAND THAT YOU WILL POSSESS.

Thank you to Hal and JR for sharing this mission with me.

Many blessings

Shelli Engle RN