Sean left the MTC on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. He called us from the Salt Lake airport and we were able to talk to him for about fifteen minutes. I took this picture at 5:00 p.m. the time his flight was scheduled to leave.
Last summer when Megan and I went to New York. Tim discovered that he could get online and track the plane on a map. I know to some we could be considered total geeks, but we tracked Sean's plane all the way to Australia. Go Cory!!! (Gunnison)
Sean was scheduled to arrive in LAX at 6:08 p.m. LA time. Go San Clemente!! He called again at 8:15 p.m. and told us to run down to Tim's office so he could call us on Tim's 1-800 number. He said "I will call you in seven minutes, I have to board the plane in 30 minutes. We HURRIED down to his office ( I was in my pajama pants and didn't take any time to change). We were able to talk for twenty more minutes with Melissa on speaker phone too. I think I could be a candidate for fire department now for making record time. I woke up several times during the night thinking "Sean is over the ocean". I also thought about LOST. When up finally woke up for the day, I still was saying "Sean is still over the ocean."
Tim was able to track his Qantas flight traveling over the ocean. We watched until just before 10:00 a.m. our time we could see Sean had landed in Auckland New Zealand. Go Archie!!
From New Zealand, Sean changed planes and headed for Melbourne, Australia.
As Tim was checking all of this out, he discovered that there was a live web cam at the Adelaide Airport. So you guessed it. We watched Sean's plan arrive at 8:33 p.m. last night. It was 1:03 p.m. in Adelaide, even though the clock on the computer screen was saying 2:02. Sean's plane is the second plane that is approaching the gate.
In this picture you can see Sean's plane safe and sound at the gate (the second plane at the gate). We were relieved and thrilled!! Safe on the ground after spending 95% of his flight over the ocean.
The mission office told me that we could email a letter Tuesday afternoon and they would print it off and put it in an envelope for Sean to read when he sat down in the office just a few hours later. All I can say is what an incredible world we live it today. We were able to watch Sean's plane land all the way across and down under the world. I know we might sound like huge nerds and geeks to watch Sean's travel, but I can think of at least a few Marsden's that will think this is cool.
Tim was able to track his Qantas flight traveling over the ocean. We watched until just before 10:00 a.m. our time we could see Sean had landed in Auckland New Zealand. Go Archie!!
From New Zealand, Sean changed planes and headed for Melbourne, Australia.As Tim was checking all of this out, he discovered that there was a live web cam at the Adelaide Airport. So you guessed it. We watched Sean's plan arrive at 8:33 p.m. last night. It was 1:03 p.m. in Adelaide, even though the clock on the computer screen was saying 2:02. Sean's plane is the second plane that is approaching the gate.
In this picture you can see Sean's plane safe and sound at the gate (the second plane at the gate). We were relieved and thrilled!! Safe on the ground after spending 95% of his flight over the ocean.
The mission office told me that we could email a letter Tuesday afternoon and they would print it off and put it in an envelope for Sean to read when he sat down in the office just a few hours later. All I can say is what an incredible world we live it today. We were able to watch Sean's plane land all the way across and down under the world. I know we might sound like huge nerds and geeks to watch Sean's travel, but I can think of at least a few Marsden's that will think this is cool.
9 comments:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA You are big geeks~ and I feel bad for Sean having to fly all that way, now I feel even worse for him knowing his parents were stalking him lol. Just kidding mom. You didn't have a picture of Sean going over Las Vegas (Go Melissa) and when he landed in Australia you didn't say Go Adam
You are right. We are geeks!! I felt dumb admitting to the blog world how I spent my day yesterday, but what can I say I am a mom. This is the longest my umbilical cord has even stretched. I thought Russia was bad!! I thought you might like that mom humor since you are PG!
I'm sorry we didn't give you and Adam credit. I did think that was really sweet when Adam expressed he had to leave the room, he couldn't listen so Sean because he was so nervous for him. What a sweet BIL to "feel" for him...from first hand experience.
Go Margie!! I think it is awesome you tracked Sean's travels. What else would you be doing all day?...thinking about him of course, you might as well track him. I remember when Jeremy left (post 9-11, the first time we weren't able to go to the airport with one of our missionaries), Mike was out of town and it was early on an October morning. David called me from the airport to tell me Jer's plane had taken off and I began to watch the sky. I was out on my deck (Caitlin too) freezing cold and in the dark, when suddenly the plane appeared. I saw the light in the sky headed north and I can't begin to express how I felt knowing my "baby boy" was on that plane (I'm crying now). I was wondering how far north it would go before turning east when all of a sudden it turned....it was as if the plane were flying straight up Pages Lane, just for me. I just stood there and cried and said good by to my son as the plane disapeared over the mountains. Tender moments....it's a mom thing....and it never stops :-)
Adam says:
I am wondering if you ever slept during Sean's flight because that would have been a long process (nearly a whole day) to follow. Even though I didn't fly to New Zealand I can still remember vividly the experience of leaving and entering a foreign country. It is odd because when Addison left I didn't think anything much of my mission experience, but with Sean going to Australia I can recall so much and I am amazed at how little fear I had at that time. Looking back at it I get so nervous for myself and now for Sean, but I know he will be just fine. I can't wait for the day when I can go back and see what I left behind...it will be wonderful to share with Melissa.
Margie!
That makes me so happy that you kept track of him. Melissa called me earlier to tell me all about it and it made me laugh because you guys are so extremely cute (Go Melissa)! I am so glad he is safe and thank you so much for keeping me up with everything that is going on, especially the phone call situation! Go Marigie!
We love "nerds and geeks". They are so much more interesting than the cool people :-) I'm so glad you shared Sean's flight with us. That is awesome! I hope you made up for the sleep deprivation.
But poor Sean. Just a few hundred miles off he'd be in the Philippines, so I know what a brutal, LONG flight that is. But being young, he probably was too excited to be flying to Australia to dwell on how long the flight is. We're so glad he landed safely.
Glad he made it safely with no major delays.
Sleep is optional. Memories are forever. Just like a Mom's love. Oops, now I'm crying.
Here is one more GEEK that tracked for awhile. He flew south of Vegas(go Melissa). and over ALL that ocean. I do not anticipate I will ever be in Australia. Much as I would love to. Perhaps I can go when I am "twinkled" :o)
I love that you tracked his plane! I'm really excited for Sean to start this part of his life. YAY for the missionaries all over the world and HIP HIP HOORAY for a particular one in Florida and a particular one in Australia!!
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