Sweet

One of the things Peter and I have enjoyed over the years is attending a Braves Baseball Game.  Stashed away somewhere is a sweet picture of him walking into Turner Field with my Dad to his first game at about age 5. Although Peter is not an avid baseball fan and I am mostly interested in people-watching and snacks, I find attending a game is nostalgic and fun.  While growing up in El Paso, my parents often took us to Diablo Baseball games, a Los Angeles Angels farm team.   I was sad that Peter and I did not attend a Braves game last year. So after several requests on his part this past month, we resumed our tradition last night. Peter bought the tickets and I bought Parking and food.  I am not sure who spent more!  Peter Was at the concessions during the best part of the game, they confiscated my clear backpack and Peter couldn't find the pickle relish and mustard for my hotdog.    However, Peter got us great seats, I had lots of fun sitting next to a 4-year-old and her dad, and our Braves team won.  I even got emotional as the whole crowd sang "Take me out to the ball game" while I joyfully sang along. But the highlight of the experience was being back in the park with Peter.  My "Peter" is currently back and it is sweet.

Peter currently seems to be doing well.  He is not overly needy and I tend to see or talk with him only a few times a week.  He is working part-time at Lowes and seems to like it. He manages the thirty-minute walk although his conversation often concerns his next car and how he can't wait.  But then again that has always been a common conversation with Peter whether he has a car or not. I checked in with one of my AVITA contacts yesterday who said he seems to be doing well. He is still in the temporary housing but AVITA is working on moving him into more permanent housing in the same apartments.  I have been impressed with how he seems to be working with the Avita team in communication and cooperation.  He is the one who told me yesterday that he is going to need more medication in a week.  What a relief that he is willingly taking his medication and keeping up with it.  I am grateful that he is on a low dosage at this point.  Medication is tricky and  I know this may change.  Last week I helped him attend court in Athens virtually.  I was impressed with the judge as well as the public defender in the kind and encouraging way they interacted with Peter and the others facing court.  Peter's case in Athens has been closed and expunged from his records.  Thank you, Jesus!

Thank you for your many prayers for Peter over the past year.  We can celebrate the answers of many of them.  Of course, it's hard to get away from the anticipation of how with mental illness, things can change rather quickly.  But I am working on enjoying "today" and living in gratitude for all God has done. Of course, your continued prayers for him are always appreciated.

This has been a busy spring and I have several anticipated trips in the coming months. Plus it is almost Summer Season at school when my job is super busy yet super fun.  My desire is not to drop off the blog edge because we are not in crisis.  I know you don't need my blog but it is always a great place for processing and documenting life.  Many of you tell me you enjoy it and although it baffles me a bit, I am flattered and encouraged to keep sharing.  

A couple of weeks ago my cousin and husband Kathleen and Dan were visiting the area from Colorado.  We had a fun time catching up with them on a Sunday afternoon.  Kathleen is my cousin who is closest in age and was my playmate growing up when we visited in Kansas.  It has been really sweet to reconnect with her these past few years

Last weekend I gathered with the people who raised me in my post-college years at Camp Willow Run.  Present were members of four different families who were so influential during that time of my life.  I also saw summer staffers that I worked with 30 years ago.  It was a great time of reconnecting as well as simply enjoying being on the hallowed ground of CWR.  I was able to hitch a ride with the Earle family which always makes the long trek so much easier and definitely way more fun.

It is time to catch up on the many things that have been set aside for all this recent fun.  As always, thank you for sharing in my journey and your many prayers along the way. 

God's Faithful even when I insist on worrying

I am going to begin with this.  The Bible tells us that worrying has no power to change anything.  And yet somewhere in my human DNA, I insist on the pursuit of worry.  Even though I am praying and know others are,  I for some reason insist on playing the worst-case scenario. Then when that thing that I have given so much energy becomes nothing, I just want to hit the palm of my hand to my head in a "I could have had a V-8" moment.  WHY was I so worried!!!  Why did I doubt God's provisions?

I know that God doesn't always work things out the way we would wish.  Really, sometimes things don't get better but HE remains faithful.  I have seen that in the past few weeks.  We had prayed for months for Peter.  His need for medication, release from jail, a place to go, someone to support him, SSI, a job, resolution of taxes and medical bills, etc.  When Peter did not get into the group home (my plan) I was disappointed.  But what has transpired over the past month really has been good and I am grateful.

Peter remains in temporary housing with plans to move into a more long-term situation at the same apartment complex soon.  His Disability payments have been reinstated and he is also receiving Food Stamps.  The Food stamps won't buy much more than peanut butter and jelly but it helps.  Peter to my knowledge is taking his medication.  He is being checked on by the ACT team.  Peter is at Lowes today for new employee orientation.  Lowes is a couple of miles from the apartment but Peter seems to be okay with it.  This is a job that he went out and got on his own.  Peter talks to me occasionally but is not needy.  One of my big concerns has been taxes.  I had made it this big deal in my head.  I feared he would owe money and preparations would be complicated.  I had been asking the ACT team for help and received radio silence.  So with April 15th looming, this morning I finally sat down with H&R block On-Line and tackled it.  Peter is getting a refund!  It will cover the online tax prep cost and give him enough to feel like he has a little bonus. What a relief.  And to think of all the energy I spent worrying about that.

Today's event inspires me not to worry about the medical bills Peter incurred last year.  However, he does need some guidance so it is a continued prayer request.  I know this journey is not over.  But there is no doubt that many of your prayers have been answered.  Thank you for encouraging me by joining me on this journey.  I continue to pray that Peter will willingly take meds and that the Doctor will be wise in knowing what is the best course of medication. I also pray that Peter will have positive friends and community and that this job will be a good fit for him.  I pray for my relationship with him.  I am pretty sure parenting any adult child is tricky and the mental health piece makes it seem even more so.

There are SO many things I want to share with you.  My life encompasses so much more than Peter and my worries for him.  I have this creative job that I love. I get to spend time with my incredible mom.  I have great friends and experiences that I want to talk about.  And my head is full of stories, observations, and other random but perhaps interesting thoughts.  I am more than Peter's crisis and I so long to share that with you.  However, writing requires time and energy and sometimes I just can't find extra stores of either  But someday I hope that I will find it.  I would love to tell you about my LOVELY trip to the beach.  Maybe one day this week...

Oh and just for clarification of the last two posts.  The post I sent from the beach for some people (including myself) came through as just random numbers and letters. I assumed that was what everyone received so I sent the second one for clarification.  But it sounds like some people were able to read the first one fine.  Sorry for any confusion.

Off to do yard work with mom!  with love,

Gobbeldlygook

I am so sorry!!! 

I don't know why the last post came through Is looking like greek. I sent it from my phone with a couple of pictures at the beginning of my weekend at Pawleys Island. Maybe something about using my phone and the pictures messed up. I will try to resend it when I get home to my computer tomorrow. Meanwhile know that Peter is doing well. Your continued prayers are appreciated. I've had a lovely weekend at Sea View Inn. I read where someone described Pawleys Island as a Spa for the Soul. That seems spot on for the way I feel.

I again apologize for your receiving that gobbledygook. I will try to send it in english after I get home. Thank you for your support and friendship.

Happy Place

It is that time of year. I have just arrived at Sea View Inn for my annual April beach get away. My friend Helen will be meeting me here shortly. The weather is beautiful and it's a great place to refresh.

Before I try to unplug my phone for a while, I wanted to give you a long overdue update on Peter. He has been out of jail for 2 and a half weeks and seems to be doing  well. I am extremely grateful. The ACT team has been providing several things that have been very beneficial. What a blessing that is. I just can't tell you!!!. Of course I have to fight the urge to worry about the "whatsnext." I really am trying to not worry but pray and trust. This is my particular goal for this weekend.

Peter went with mom and I to church and lunch easter sunday. It was quite sweet. 

I have so many things I want to share. I feel like all I ever do is talk about the things i'm worried about and asked for prayer request. Really there's so much more to my life and my thoughts than that. It's just hard to set aside the time and energy required to share as I would like to. Perhaps at some point this weekend.I will be able to share a few more stories and thoughts that aren't necessarily about Peter and his needs.

Meanwhile I do really appreciate your continued prayers for Peter.  My personal request for him. include friends, a reasonable  work environment that he can easily get to, and a place to live when the temporary housing is up in a couple of weeks. Also I have some concerns about Peter's taxes and pass medical debt. Would you pray that I would get someone to advise on how he needs to handle those issues. Most of all please join me in thanking God for his many answered prayers and provisions that I have seen in the past months.

The ocean is calling. Or maybe it's a nap. Until later.