Mountain bound

 I would love to give you a long narrative of the latest; however, I am headed for the Virginia Mountains early in the morning, and well, I am not packed. But there have been some happenings, so I thought I would do a quick bullet point report.

• Peter did get approved for Medicaid that will pay for Medicare.  
• I have a great Insurance Guru (who helps me navigate the Marketplace) who is helping us navigate this latest change in status.  I am grateful for Chelsey.
• This change in medical insurance could affect who he sees for his doctor and counselor.  This might be for the good.  Praying for the navigation of that change.
• Peter has yet to be hired anywhere.  He has had more than one interview where he has left quite confident. And yet there has been no return call.  Honestly, I think this "confidence" may be hindering him from getting hired.  
• Peter received a tax refund that will help him for a few more weeks while unemployed. 
• Peter will benefit from a job - trusting God for the right one and the right time.
• Peter could benefit from a medication change - and yet that is so tricky.  There is a lot of good going on with Peter that it makes me nervous. Experience shows medication changes can cause a downward movement as likely as an upward.
• Peter has a new roommate after 6 months or so of living solo in his apartment. Trusting this is a good thing.
• Peter accompanied Mom and me to Atlanta today for Mom's Doctor appointment.  He heard "Atlanta" and wanted something to do (and a free meal.) He helped navigate as we located the building I had the wrong address for.  And he added some humor.
• I am grateful for the people we encountered at today's appointment.  It was addressing Mom's swallowing issues, and it was very helpful.  I am hopeful that this will lead to some resolutions and the expansion of her diet.
•  This weekend I will be with my friends Beth and May.  These are the two women who raised me in my post-college years.  This is the second annual "Matriarch Weekend," and I am looking forward to being with them as well as being surrounded by the Blue Ridge Parkway and the beautiful valley below.
• Oh, did I tell you I fixed my own leaky (I mean running) sink? Pirate Handyman on YouTube and a $4 repair kit from Lowe's helped me.  I am so proud.  The fact that the knob doesn't turn in the same direction it used to for off is not really concerning to me.  One day, I will pull up YouTube again and figure it out!
• Thanking God and Thanking You!!!

Family Day

 

23 years ago, we became "Family."

Our "Family Day" Anniversary outing.

Twenty-three years ago this past Thursday, February 19, 2026, Peter and I marked the day the director of the Sanyu Babies Home asked this four-year-old if he wanted to go home with me.  He said yes.  We have traveled a rocky and rough road, yet we still remain family. We went to dinner and sat in the Gainesville Square on the Friday after to commemorate this event.  Although I continue to be concerned for Peter as he faces many challenges, I found joy in our time together.  Our relationship is good.  He expresses appreciation and lately has been asking me, "What do you think?" after he tells me things.  We often laugh, and being with him is good.  I am sure it helps a lot that we are not under the same roof.

Peter shows a mix of very logical thinking and grandiose thoughts.  He is doing a great job of managing his time, money, and medication.  I have seen him work through a potential job situation with a good approach.  He can look at himself and his situation with humor.  AND  he also perceives his abilities and people's view of him in a more elevated way than is probably true.  It is that which I think hinders his employment and keeps him from getting a job. It's hard for me not to worry that something will tip him into a crash of sorts.  He shows a commitment to seeing his counselor and psychiatrist, as well as taking his meds.  I pray he will continue to do so and that they will guide Peter in a good direction.

Peter had a three-day stint working as a roof inspector/ salesman.  He allowed me the opportunity to talk it through with him and later thanked me for pointing some stuff out.  (Jaw drop!!!)  The next day, he quit. I think Peter could have done it, as I have always said he would be good at sales. However, it was a straight commission job and required a financial investment in equipment that he really couldn't afford at this time. It was thirty-plus minutes away, and he made no income during the three days he was training. And I wasn't sure how great he would like it when the summer months came.  So, as he humorously said last night, "he is unemployed again." Please pray for a good employment fit for Peter.  Financially, he says he has another month before it's going to be a real problem.

We continue to work through Medicare and Medicaid for Peter. This week, new paperwork arrived that I need to decipher and figure out the next steps.

Thank you for caring about us and traveling with us on this journey.

With Thanksgiving

 Phillippians 4:6 - 7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This verse recently popped up on my phone.  I realized how often I forget the with thanksgiving part when I am busy "worrying my prayers." So I decided to focus this Sunday's post on the "with thanksgiving" part.

Oh Lord, I thank you!

• For friends who generously and kindly celebrated my birthday.
• For nine months with a cat who found me and gave me great joy.
• For safety and provisions during two back-to-back "winter weather" events.
• For extra time with mom as we weathered the first winter event (ice) at her home.
• For Neil Diamond and the movie "Song Sung Blue" based on his music.  My brother loved Neil Diamond.  His music always makes me think of Larry.  After seeing the aforementioned movie, I have been playing a lot of Neil, thinking of Larry, and smiling.
• For another fun "winter weekend beach getaway" with Emily.  Last year, we weren't sure if we would make it to Charleston, SC, due to the snow.  This year, the question was whether we could get home from Jekyll Island, GA, because of the snow. Both years our motto was "we just go, and go until we can't." Both times we reached our destination.  St. Simons/ Jekyll Island provided some warm weather, good food, fun stuff (crafts, puzzles, games, shopping, Driftwood Beach, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, beach walks), and lots of laughter. I am grateful for my friend Emily and our winter trip.
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• For Joy and Kim, who took Peter to a dental appointment while I was away.  With his wreck a recent memory. Peter was hesitant to drive home from a neighboring town following dental work.  My two friends quickly volunteered to be his transportation.  This helped me rest easier while 6 hours away.
• For getting home from the beach trip before the water pipe under the porch bursts.  For my friend Robert, who came quickly with a tool and knowledge to help me get the water turned off at the street.  For a quick response from my landlord, Melanie. And for plumbers who arrived quickly on Monday to take care of it.
• For Amazon, which helps me take care of my mom's wants and needs so quickly and efficiently.
• For Shawn, who used his IT "wizardry" (from way across the country) to help me solve mom's computer crisis.
• For mom's heart doctor who is staying on top of mom's heart health and works to explain things clearly.
• For creative and supportive coworkers who make my job a fun place to be.

  

  My cohort and "twin" so people say. 

  
  

  

  Our Love and Friendship entryway display.

  
  
• For friends who are "family."
• For Peter's good spirits in the midst of the job search and dwindling financial resources.
• For Peter's potential commission sales job that has given him hope.
• For Chelsey, my trusted Insurance agent who is helping us navigate Medicaid and Medicare.
• For Peter, staying on his meds even though he claims he only needs it for insomnia. (Yes I have the fear he will decide something else will work and he will go off   the psychotic medication altogether.)
• For Superbowl Sunday - a reason to hang out with Peter
• Despite resistance to God, Peter keeps taking Mama Millie to church.
• For Google, Pinterest, and Youtube that makes me appear smarter than I am.
• For Hoopla and Pandora that provide free books and music to keep me going.
• For Stonewall Kitchen Fig and Ginger Jam, going on sale (BOGO at Publix) the day after I finished my last jar of it.
  
  
  
• For Songs like "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Kind and Strong."
• ForGod's grace,
• For Psalm 139
• For God ( the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit) who are bigger than I can fathom and love me (and you) more than we can comprehend.
• For YOU who care, pray, and take time to read these ramblings.

Sunday update - Ice, Cats, Peter, oh my!

This has been a doozy of a week.  Currently, I am hunkered down at mom's condo, waiting out the ice storm.  I would say "storm" is an exaggeration.  There is ice on the roads, the potential of more coming down here in a bit, and it is really cold outside.  Although I don't think it is near what was anticipated, Many schools, including mine has been canceled for tomorrow due to road conditions. The big concern was loss of power.  I don't anticipate that happening now.  I came to moms less out of concern for either of us and more as an opportunity to spend time with her.  It is mid-afternoon, and we are still in our PJs with the big focus being on her latest puzzle. So far, Storm Fern has been more fun than hardship for us. That is a nice relief.

On Thursday, as I was loading my car to go to work, I heard my cat, Lou, "crying" over at the neighbors.  I figured something was wrong, or he would have been at my feet.  I found him unable to stand on his back legs. It appeared he had been run over by a car. So we went to the vet to have him diagnosed with a broken pelvic bone.  I was told he could easily recover with some confinement and TLC for the next 3-6 weeks.  He's a great cat, so I took him home with pain meds and plans to help him recover.  The long and the short of it is that there must have been internal damage, as he did not recover.  I found Lou dead in his crate Saturday morning. I am sad.  I did not choose Lou, but he chose me.  Lou's the best cat I have ever had. He was amusing, cuddly, and low-maintenance.  I will miss him.  And no, I am not in search of a replacement cat at this time.

On Thursday night, while consoling my injured kitty, I evidently hurt him moving him back into his crate.  He thus chomped down on my thumb. I had two punctures that were screaming at me come Friday morning.  So I visited Urgent Care and received antibiotics and a Tetanus shot. Later that evening, Peter called to say he had been in a wreck.  It was a fender bender, doing some damage to his left front lights, but no one was injured.  It was his fault, which he readily admitted to.  He can drive his car, which is good. Yet we know it will eventually mess with his already very high insurance rate. 

My concerns for Peter continue.  He has applied for 23 jobs on Indeed.  He failed the Walmart assessment test.  He said not having work is hard, it make sthe days long.  He does work out 5 days a week, which helps.  I continue to ask you to pray regarding a job, friends, a sound mind, and openness to God.

I will close with a little picture tribute to Lou the cat.  This past Monday, Peter came over to watch a football game.  Lou chose to sit with him.  Considering most cats don't like Peter, and I was also an option, this was considered quite monumental.  Including one of those pictures here.

 

I hope this finds you safe, warm, and with electricity. 

The Sunday update - more about Peter

I am going to make a real effort to post to the blog every Sunday, even if it's very brief or just a picture. And since it's bedtime, this will be brief.

Peter's interview with the truck driving company did not happen due to the Verizon outage. Although rescheduled for this week, Peter decided not to go that route and canceled the interview.  He is still talking about truck driving down the road but for now just trying to get a job.  This past week, Peter broke a tooth that is going to require several thousand dollars to save the tooth.  This is the result of years of neglecting his teeth. There is very likely more dental work needed following this Having it pulled is the less expensive route but will no doubt contribute to other issues down the way.  I have a lot of mixed feelings as to how to help him financially through this.  He is handling it well and has a consultation regarding the root canal this Tuesday. 

Thank you for praying for Peter: a job; the completion of Medicaid forms and its acceptance; wisdom regarding and provisions concerning his needed dental work; wise counsel and friends for Peter; Peter's mind opened to believe and trust in God and his son Jesus.

Cool Story, real quick

In 2004,, while flying on an international flight to the US for summer furlough, I sat next to a young woman, a newly married preacher's wife on the airplane.  We shared stories.  She told of how she was returning home from her honeymoon. I shared of the challenging year we had been through in Uganda. She offered to pray for me.  I oftern recall that prayer and how it is one of those moments when I felt the tangible hand of God comforting and speaking peace over me. It was powerful and impactful. I had never forgotten her,  nor her name. 

This October I saw her name as one of the writers of a popular worchip song. Hoping yet uncertain that this was the same person, I began a social media search.  Finding her, I reached out to her and with multiple delays and messages back and forth we confirmed that she indeed was the lady that prayed with me on the airplane.  Tonight we reunited through a video chat conversation.  We caught up with where we are today and a cliffnotes version of the journey we have been on. She shared her story of how my October 2025 message of gratitude for what she did in 2004 had a similar powerful effect of encouragement to her during a dark and confusing time this fall. It was such a cool reunion.  Not often does one see a random airplane seatmate again, much less reunite with them 21 years later.

Peter

As a teen and young adult, Peter was obstinate about my taking his picture.  He didn't want to be in family photos, and if I tried to sneak a picture of him, he would try to bomb the picture by displaying his middle finger.  I actually have a collection of selfies of the two of us where his middle finger is prominent.  It actually became a joke between us.  Now Peter's elevated view of himself has him sending me pictures of himself frequently.  He is also a lot more cooperative about posing with Mom and me.  This Christmas, he even orchestrated some selfies of the two of us (without the bird flying). I will share a few Peter pictures and an update on him.

Peter called me on Tuesday to say he had been fired from his Lowe's job.  He said the reasoning was a no-show incident, and there had been some issues with not getting along with others.  He has owned it and said it has just pushed up his plan to go to truck driving school.  The positives of this development include his attitude.  He has admitted his own fault and says he will learn from it.  In addition, he has managed his money and has enough money saved up to continue life as is for 2 to 3 months.  He has subsidised housing, so loss of a place to live is not a major concern at this point.  Peter has an interview on Wednesday with a truck driving company that provides training.  He has been using his time to study for the CDL learning permit that he would need if he goes to truck driving school.  His thinking about money and plans often sounds very reasonable. I am so proud of Peter for the way he has handled a lot of things over the last year.  Another positive to the job loss is that his unemployed status will likely be a benefit as I apply for Medicaid for him this week.

There is a flip side that makes me nervous. Peter's actual diagnoses have changed over time.  I tend to believe Peter probably suffers from Bipolar I, which has a predominant manic component.  The medicine dose Peter has agreed to take has kept him from becoming extreme in the areas of mania and depression.  However, he does have a grandiose, elevated view of himself, a tendency to change course fairly quickly, and to obsess a bit over plans or ideas.  The grandiose beliefs are likely what created issues at work and make keeping a job challenging. Although Peter was positive in our discussion on Wednesday and even yesterday, this morning's call had the sound of depression.  All of this is normal for anyone in this situation, but because of Peter's past experience and diagnosis, my mind has a tendency to worry and wonder about what's next.  Peter expressed gratitude for the Avita housing and program, but he wants to be independent.  Again, reasonable thought.  Peter doesn't believe he has a mental illness, but that insomnia is the problem.  His medication helps him sleep, and that is why he willingly takes it. As for Truck driving. . . .  while it freaks me out, I know Peter has to figure this out.  I have seen him change course when he decides it's not what he wants to do.  And who knows, maybe it could work.

So there is a glimpse of what's going on.  I could say more, but hopefully this will give you an idea of how to pray.  There are a lot of good things going on with Peter.  Relationally, we are at our best, and he has certainly matured.  Yet we live on a roller coaster, and I am a bit nervous we are about to go loop de loop!. And it always encourages me to know we have friends praying on our behalf. Thank you!

Great trip!

Thank you for praying. Just knowing I wasn't carrying it alone was a huge help. Mom and I had a great trip with our friends. In keeping with tradition , we did shell seeking, played skyjoe, worked multiple puzzles, grazed On a yummy food and enjoyed a slow pace for a few days. We had a couple of beautiful days for seeking shells. Peter seemed had a good trip to and from Atlanta. He was in touch with me during  the course of it.  

I would appreciate prayers for Peter's medicaid and medicare issues. He doesn't seem to be focused on them and it kind of makes me hyperventilate! That kind of thing is not one of my own strengths , and knowing how much to get involved verses letting him handle is always tricky. Pray that God will make a clear path to steps need to be taken. And that I will know my part.

Christmas is a week away. So far, I've been able to enjoy this season.I hope you are as well. Really, I'm going to try to share more pictures and more updates , more often. But whether I do or not know that having people pray on our behalf brings me great comfort.

Happy wednesday to you.