Kris and Kell tore open the envelope and found directions, plane tickets, car rental papers, and money! The directions said to go to the airport and catch their flight to Fort Meyers, Florida. A rental car would be waiting for them at the airport, and they were to drive south on Highway 41 until they came to Highway 1. They were to go south on Highway 1 until they got to the end of the highway. The directions told them where they had hotel reservations each night, and they also told them to stop at the Post Office in Ochopee, Florida and buy stamps so that they could mail their reports to the grandmother.
It seemed simple enough, but Kris wondered why they had to stop at that Post Office, why couldn’t they buy stamps before they left? Kell reminded Kris that they should follow the directions and not ask too many questions.
They got to the airport, caught their flight and got to Fort Meyers, Florida without any problems. So far it did not seem like a very exciting adventure, but that was about to change! They used the GPS on their phones to find Highway 41, and they headed south. The first thing they noticed was how hot it was, and they knew that it would get even hotter as they went south. If this car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, we could die from this heat! This was a very uncomfortable thought, but they kept going!
Kris wondered why they had to stop at the small town of Ochopee to buy stamps at the Post Office, it seemed like it would be much easier to buy stamps in a larger city. Kell reminded him that they were supposed to obey the directions, the directions came from grandma, and they should honor her by obedience.
When they finally got to Ochopee they could not believe their eyes! The Post Office was so tiny! It was about the size of a small bathroom! They found out that it was the smallest post office in the United States. It was originally built as a storage shed, but when the regular Post Office burnt down in 1953, they moved the Post Office into the shed, and it has been there ever since. It is probably the most popular Post Office in the country!
After leaving Ochopee, highway 41 traveled through the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. They saw miles upon miles of wilderness that was mostly swamp land. Kell looked up the area on her tablet and found that it was the home of many exotic birds, as well as black bears, snakes, alligators, Florida panthers, and many types of insects!
Kris said, “If this car broke down, we could die of heat exposure, the mosquitoes would be eating us alive while we were slowly dying from the heat, poisonous snakes could bite us, a panther could attack, or an alligator might kill us!” Kell told Kris to stop talking about these things, but she made sure the windows were all rolled up and prayed out loud, “God please keep this car running!”
They finally got out of the wilderness areas and came to cities! They found highway 1 and turned south. Kris and Kell relaxed and started to enjoy the trip. It seemed like the dangers were behind them! They were in for a surprise!
Highway 1 went across a bridge to Key Largo and then there was a sign telling them that this part of Highway 1 was also called the Overseas Highway! This highway goes from Key Largo to Key West. The Keys are a group of islands that stretch over 100 miles off the coast of Florida. The highway connects the Keys by going over many bridges. Some of the bridges are very long, the longest bridge is 7 miles long!
Kell did not like to go over long bridges! She said, “What if there is a huge tsunami wave (tidal wave) that destroys the bridge while we are on it? What if there is an earthquake that destroys the bridge? What if you fall asleep and drive off the edge of the bridge? What if there is a bad thunderstorm and our car gets struck by lightning?” Kell was so frightened that she started to cry. Kris reminded her that God would take care of them just like He took care of them while they were going through the wilderness area.
Even though both Kris and Kell went through times of fear on this trip, there were many things that they enjoyed too! Kell’s grandma has arranged for them to eat at some wonderful places and also, they had a reservation at a beautiful hotel right next to the ocean! The last morning of their stay they were handed another envelope. The instructions said to drive back to Miami airport. There were plane tickets to their next destination.
Lesson Learned about God:
In Florida both Kris and Kell experienced fear! Kris was fearful of the wild animals in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, and Kell was afraid of the bridges on the Overseas Highway. Their fears could have caused them to miss so much of the joy in their journey. They reminded each other that because they had accepted God into their hearts, God was watching over them and that they could trust God to take care of them.
In the Bible in Psalms 23 it says:
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Report to the grandmother:
- At the travel agency – God has a good plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11
- Florida – God is watching over us, we do not need to be fearful. Psalms 23