Compassion

Boy, oh boy!  What a week this has been...and it's only Wednesday!  

Our week started on Monday, back from Spring Break....everyone well rested and ready to face the week!  (Little did we know)  Monday afternoon, I finished up in a meeting around 3:20.  As I walked back to my office, I prepared myself to find the boys' shoes and socks strewn about the office, with little crumbs of cheese balls covering our conference table.  To my shock, I didn't find anything.  In fact, I found my office exactly as I had left it....neither boy anywhere near.  My office mate and I raced around, looking in all their typical hiding spots.  Nothing.  I can't say that I really ever felt panic.  Rather, I knew they were safe...I just didn't know where they were.  I have my faith to thank for that!  

I called their school and was told their bus was just running late.  Fast forward to 4:00 when I received a phone call from an Unknown Caller.  I answered (which is something I never, ever do....even when I know the caller) and to my surprise I hear Warren's sweet voice, "Hi Mommy!  We are somewhere by Gigi's house."  WHAT?????  The bus attendant quickly got on the phone and told me they were in South Lakeland and had one more stop before they could bring the boys back out to me.  I explained that because I live in South Lakeland, I would rather just meet them at their next stop.  Which is what we did.  

I wish I could tell you exactly what happened, but honestly, I still don't really know.  What I do know is that somehow I ended up with a phone call from the Associate Superintendent of Operations for the Polk County School Board the next night.  You can imagine my surprise when I answered that phone call.  I was mortified!  But, Mr. Davis was very compassionate to my situation.  Still didn't change the fact that this was a lot of intense phone calls for someone who doesn't talk on the phone.   

And now, I wish I could tell you that the excitement of the week stopped there; but it didn't.  The first grade class at the boys' school is doing a project exploring how communities are organized and how our decisions can affect communities.  As part of this unit, students earn "money" to donate towards a charity, which is voted on by the students.  If they wanted, students could present a charity to the grade level before the grade level voted.  Before we even had a chance to talk to Harper about it, he had already talked to his teacher about our little boy Mark, who we sponsor through Compassion International.  And, unbeknownst to us, he made his presentation today.  And because we weren't aware that the presentation was today, we didn't have a chance to practice with him.  In any case, his teacher said he was clearly nervous, but did a great job.  To say we are proud parents, is an understatement.  How touching it was that Harper wanted his friends to support something that is near and dear to our hearts and is changing the lives of others!

And....I wish I could tell you that's the end of the story; but it isn't.  You see, just as Harper was giving his presentation about Compassion International, another little boy gave a presentation on the Angel House, which is a rescue orphanage.  Apparently the young boy mentioned that an orphanage is a place where kids go when they are abandoned....because my sweet, compassionate Harper then proceeded to tell the young boy, "My mom was abandoned by her dad when she was little, but she wasn't exactly an orphan because she still had her mom."

Colossians 3:12 says "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  After this week, I'd say we've got compassion, humility and patience covered!