The BOP went down in my estimation today when we received the box of Michael's arrival clothes via UPS. To understand the full impact of this near disaster, you must understand that my daughter loves the UPS man and can identify the truck, the man in uniform, the logo, etc. anywhere at anytime. This may be the second "word" she has learned to spell, the first being her own name. Madison loves UPS because Grandma and Grandpa May send her care packages frequently and she believes that Brown works for them. So today when the UPS man came bearing a package to our door to the cries of "UPS! UPS! UPS!," and I realized what it might be, my stress level shot right up.
Before Michael left, we received great advice that he should wear old clothes/shoes and just have the BOP donate or toss them, whatever their policy was at the time. Otherwise the camper pays for the postage for them to be sent back home. I think this is crazy during a voluntary surrender, when they could literally toss them out the door to me (actually I was thinking over the wall to be more dramatic but there are no walls surrounding the campus!). So BOP when my daughter mistakenly thought the package was for her and when it was opened recognized his clothes, this was the first fragile moment for us. God is so good and He provides! One of the things we did to use up the time before Michael turned himself in was wander around the Walmart. The choices were Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, and KMart. Walmart is always a great place to find out just what kind of place you have arrived at! Grandpa May suggested that Michael pick out something for Madison and so we choose some bubbles (a favorite) and a new Crayola Color Wonder pad for her church bag. (The markers will only write on the Color Wonder paper - perfect for pews!)
We had not given Madison her gifts yet and I thought I would give them to her at an appropriate moment when she was missing Dad. Out came the Walmart bag (another favorite place for her, as she will tell you that you can get ANYTHING at the Walmart!), and she was so happy that her Daddy had something special for her. Thank you Jesus for always being there and carrying us through the shadows in the valley! Just another reminder that I am not alone and My Heavenly Father cares for me! (And my earthly father - Thanks Dad you are the best! And thank you for modeling the characteristics of our Heavenly Father so that I could have a clearer and more accurate picture of Him.) 1John 3:1-3
Heidi
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