My grace all sufficient shall be your supply....
That is the summative truth of yesterday, today and the days to come. We are walking by grace and grace alone - but His grace abounds!
Instead of chronologically going through the trial - I want to write some clear answers to prayer:
1) I slept the night before....it may seem like a small thing but I haven't slept well in months and Monday night I slept a dreamless sleep. I woke up with a singular truth in my head - the presence of God was with us - and that carried us through the day. We experienced His presence in such clear tangible ways. That is a huge answer to prayer.
2) Bunny was blown away by the prayer on her behalf - friends and family across the nation, Becky's entire small group in Colorado - Joe's friend in South Africa - what felt like the entire state of Indiana - but maybe the most surprising and impactful - a girl from detention told Bunny "I'm not sure I believe in God, but I will be praying for you". You're letters filled with prayer and scripture are making a difference, not only to Bunny but to the staff and residents of Johnson County as well.
3) During his testimony, the psychiatrist gave a clear statement (numerous times, responding to questions from the judge, prosecutor and defending attorney) that Bunny was not a danger to society if she received the appropriate therapies. The judge weighed his professional assessment very heavily in her sentencing and Dr. Ascough was very clear in his testimony.
4) The probation officer gave clear, factual testimony to events but did not respond to any of the prosecutor's attempts to create additional motives or interpret various details to make Bunny look even worse. Joe and Gretchen has specifically prayed Psalm 91 that the Lord would break the bow of the accuser and He did exactly that.
5) The victim's father said that he did not know know when he would be able to forgive anyone for this event, but he looked directly at Bunny and said that he truly hoped she got the help she needed. I think this was a kindness in two ways - 1) I think that very statement showed some compassion towards Bunny that can help her as she processes her guilt 2) The overall tone of everyone (except the prosecutor) was to get Bunny help - to recognize that this event was very out of character and that this wasn't simply about punishing her. Even the victim supported that. That was mercy.
6) The sentence itself - while she isn't immediately coming home on house arrest, this truly is the minimum sentencing that justice allows. Her crimes were as severe as you can be outside of murder and yet the judge recognized that as a 13 year old, Bunny truly did not understand the full scope of the potential danger to the victims, the extent of the damage or the consequence of her actions. We have never once tried to portray her as innocent, but we have always felt that while Bunny went intentionally to the house to cause damage, she never thought the house would be a total loss - or considered the possibility of the people inside being hurt. The prosecutor presented a narrative that not only did Bunny try to kill them, but given the chance, she would do it again and potentially be a threat to others - the judge was not swayed by that line of thought at all. Truth was upheld. And I think justice was as well. This is a huge answer to prayer - that the judge saw through the empty accusations but appropriately weighed the truth of the facts of the case, Bunny's attempt to help the victims after starting the fire and her mental state.
Prayers and praise for next steps:
1) Bunny will be transferred to Department of Corrections (LaPorte Indiana) on March 18 - on March 16 we are allowed a family visit, in which the boys will get to see Bunny as well. Some might recognize that March 16 is my birthday - it will be the best present in the world to see her that day - and the second family birthday party held at Johnson County Detention Center this year - as we were also there on the boys 16th birthday. The probation officer is the one that pushed for the delay in her transfer to DOC, giving us time for a family visit - that was a kindness on her part and we are truly thankful.
2) Prayers for whoever is Bunny's case manager in LaPorte. Each girl has a case manager: she will be the person who facilitates Bunny getting through her required programs while in DOC and assesses when Bunny can be released. Pray for Bunny to find favor in the eyes of the DOC personnel, but especially the case manager.
3) The population in DOC is much different than in detention. It is for serious violent offenders through the age of 21. Prayers for Bunny to connect with individuals that help look out for her safety and give her positive companionship.
4) Prayers for Bunny in the next week of waiting to see what DOC will be like. Anticipation can be a very fearful state - prayers that she has continued encouragement from people in detention (both the other girls and the staff). Their support has meant a lot to her and the other girls experience in places like DOC has given her some idea on what to expect.
5) Finally, that Bunny would be released as close to the 90 day minimum as possible. If she was released at 90 days, she would be home in Evansville for her 14th birthday. That would be amazing!
I cannot express our gratitude for all of your love, prayers and support. We are humbled. We are thankful. We are blessed by each of you.
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!
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