Layover Fun

Yesterday at LAX I had the funnest entertainment. I was sitting at the gate across from an obviously LDS family of 4. The mother left and the father was left with his 2 year old son (Noah) very contently playing a game on a laptop and a 6 month old that began to cry immediately after the mother left. His feet barely reached over the seat of the chair and his big eyes were fixed on the screen. After about 15 minutes, Noah decided he needed help but his father was tied up trying to calm the crying baby. He asked blonde middle-age women two chairs down to help him. He gets up and carrying a big laptop makes his way to her lap. She was quite amused and decided to go along with it. The woman and Noah became friends instantly. About 10 minutes later, Noah decides he is done playing on the laptop and starts digging around in her Disneyland souvenir bags. He finds her phone and before she could get it out of his hands, he informs her that he is going to program her phone and proceeds to update her facebook status. The whole ordeal went on for about a half-hour before the mother returns with chicken nuggets that Noah decides to enjoy from the comfort of this woman's lap. I absolutely loved his fearless maneuver of cuddling up right next to her without her even inviting.

I was smiling the entire time, as was the rest of the surrounding crowd. I think it is so interesting that our fear or hesitation to befriend others inhibits this natural tendency of a 2-year old to see no bounds. I appreciated the woman's willingness to entertain him while his father struggled to tame the infant. If we were all like Noah, awkward moments would cease to exist. I think this is exemplary of Christ's invitation to become as a child and His admonition to "let not [our] heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid." This was a great lesson to me. Sometimes my pride stands in the way of love. I fear the judgement of others and forgo serving them. I am continuing to be taught how I may better emulate my Savior.

On another note, the sope de carnitas at El Vaquero (100 W & 300 N Provo) is absolutely delicious. QUE VAYAN TODOS!