Going to Jail

    Today I went to jail with the two children I serve, so they could spend time with their mother. This is a weekly adventure but this is the first time I was able to go.
    All morning the kids were begging me to go, because it can be a scary outing. We, the kids and I, didn't know who would go because all the qualified personnel on campus were busy. Unfortunately, I don't have the appropriate identification to accompany the kids.
    While we were eating the french toast I made for breakfast we saw the van, their transportation, pull-up in the driveway.  Immediately we were running around the house brushing teeth, putting on shoes, and I finished packing my purse just in-case I got the chance to go with them. The little girl wouldn't get ready. I couldn't get here to move, because she was to busy hounding me about who would go with them.
     I ran to the office to see if they knew who would go. I was frantically trying to figure out who was going to accompany the kids. I had both secretaries on the phone trying to get answers when the assistant director came into view. He didn't know who would accompany the kids but he directed us to the director. The kids and I ended up running (literally) to the director to ask her. She immediately looked at me and said, "you."
    We decided that my passport would serve as appropriate ID so in the van I went. This won't surprise you but the jail wasn't in the best part of town. I have to say I never felt in danger and I knew the Lord allowed me to go this week for one reason or another.
     When we arrived at the jail, we walked past the living quarters and into a building with several offices. We stood on the second level, kind of like a balcony, waiting for their mom to arrive. The kids stared at the entrance below waiting for their mom to walk in the building. When she did, she quickly spotted her beautiful children and her eyes filled with tears. My breath caught and I struggled to hold back tears. I can't imagine living in her shoes. I can only imagine the thoughts and worries that go threw her head 24/7.
    For the following hour, she held them and they never ceased talking. When there time was up, I made it clear to the authorities at the jail that even-though I spoke the same language as this family that I would not be the one to tell them it was time to leave. I just couldn't do it! The children's protective services employee informed my kids it was time to go. We all walked out of the main building slowly with mom and children crying, prolonging the inevitable. Once again, I can't imagine being their mom. I spoke with her psychologist for a bit while the mom and children were spending time together. The psychologist said the mother was heart broken being away from her children. Rightfully so!
    After we exited the jail, the children recovered quickly and began focusing on what to order at McDonald's. People laugh when I say happy meals make me happy, but it seems to cheer-up other people as well. Maybe people think it's funny because I'm not ashamed to admit it. We needed a little ray of sunshine today and McDonalds was just the right thing for these kids. The kids and I had an adventure today, and praise the Lord he allowed us to do it together.