Peter's out

Some of you have kindly been asking so I just want to update quickly. Peter was released from jail on tuesday afternoon. Avita the local community health partners program that he is part of, took him to their rescue housing. It's an apartment in the complex he lived in last year. It's not as nice as last year's apartment. Peter called it a 2 star and he might be generous. However there is food in the pantry, a bed to sleep on and currently he does not have a roommate. There is supposed to be some oversight but he hasn't seen anyone yet since he got there. 

This is not a Group home. This team will work with him long-term. They can do some things to help him. But my guess is they are overworked and my experience so far is their tends to be gaps. I think how it looks on paper is a little different in reality. Yet I am so grateful for what they hsve done and are doing for him. My struggle is figuring out how to interact so that I can fill in gaps without overstepping and keeping them from doing what they can for him.

I have spent the past two evenings with peter. He is good. His thinking about the future doesn't always seem realistic, however neither is probably mine. We got him set up with a phone last night.And he is so excited to have his music back.

There are so many things I am grateful for. there have been many answered prayers. Peter currently is in a safe place and does have some supervision and help. His mind is in a better space. His doctor with the Avita ACT team called me yesterday and we have an appointment on Monday to discuss meds.

I will try to share a bit more of specific prayer requests later. Thank you thank you thank you for your prayers and your emotional support. I am beyond words grateful.

Tuesday

I received a call yesterday from peter's public defender. He was letting me know that with Avita verifying Peter has temporary housing, Peter Is scheduled to go to court Tuesday and should be getting out of jail the same day. 

This is good. We thank God for the people who have helped him thus far and for a place for him to go upon getting out. My understand is this housing is temporary, One month. So thank you for continuing to pray that God will give him further housing and the people  support he needs. Thank you for praying that I would have wisdom in knowing how and when to help him.

Where things currently stand

I have asked the public defender to not have Peter court-ordered to go to the Georgia Central NAMI group home. It is still an option at a later time if Peter should choose to go there but I don't want it court-mandated for fear it will backfire and cause him to spend more time in jail..  An application has been made for (and I am told approved) for Peter to get emergency housing.  He has an interview tomorrow.  What I think could result is temporary housing for a month.  It happens to be in the apartment complex he lived in last spring about a 15-minute drive from my house.  I am not sure what happens after that although it sounds like there are possible options through the housing authority.  I have not heard from Peter's public defender to know when he is to go to court but my sources say he is trying to get Peter on the court calendar.

Peter calls most nights and talks about food or has me online shop for him.  This is always after he asks me if I have heard from his lawyer. I hope he can get out soon yet know I will need to get involved to make sure balls don't get dropped and the things that need to be done, get done.  Plus I know he will probably be a bit needy.  I am praying for the ability to balance it and the other things in my world.

Last night, I joined an online NAMI support group for families who have or have had loved ones incarcerated in Georgia.  I have to say I felt like "I found my people" when it comes to finding a support group.  There is something about having shared experiences, pain, and worries that can unite people quickly.  I plan to continue meeting with them twice a month via Zoom.

The countdown to my annual beach retreat weekend at Pawley's Island has started. 23 days till I head that way.  I have also just confirmed plans to go to Yakima WA in June to spend some time with "Aunt: Sue.  So I definitely have some "carrots" of fun anticipated events to look forward to.  

I read in my devotional this morning about George Mueller.  The story was about how there was no food for the children in the orphanage.  Yet he had them sit down at the table as if to eat.  Then he led them in thanking God for the food he would provide.  Moments later there was a knock at the door in which someone had brought bread for all to eat.  This was followed by another knock in which milk was given.  This morning inspired by this story I thanked God for the provision of housing he would provide for Peter.  A few hours later, I heard that Peter's application had been accepted by the housing authority.  It was encouraging.

Thank you for continuing to Thank God in anticipation of his provisions for Peter to have housing, friends, support, improved medication, and a sound mind.

Please pray for the decision makers

There has been a bit of activity the last few days regarding Peter. At least in terms of my having discussion with a variety of people. Without going into a lot of detail's, the group home is not an option unless Peter is willing to get help. Presently he sees his only need currently as a place to live. They are not willing to take him on that basis considering experience says he won't last very long. Court mandating is an option , but as i'm learning that could cause more problems in the long run for Peter , if he is noncompliant.

An application has been made for some temporary (30day) housing for him here in gainesville with possibilities of longer. It has a little supervision but not a lot. And it feels very precarious to me. But better than my house. 

 I'm not really the decision maker here. I have been involved in communicating with a variety of people however which I think could be influential. And at this point, I'm not really sure what is best for Peter. I'm asking you to pray for Peter's public defender , Mr. Valpey, Mary Donna. and the ACT team, Mr Smith at the group home, The judge and anyone else that is involved in decision making that will affect Peter.  I hope for an opportunity to talk with him today whether in an email or on the phone. Pray that the holy spirit will speak through me. Of course, my desires is that he would willingly want to go to the group home where he can get more help.

As always thank you.

Making contact

I know the last post sounded a bit desperate, so i'm gonna give you a quick update. Peter called today. He was indeed disappointed that he did not have a court appearance on Tuesday. He said that he wanted to get mad at "someone" but knew it wouldn't help him get out any quicker. He was in pretty good humor talking about what he wants to eat when he gets out. He also shared some of his more humorous survival skills he's developed while in jail. Getting to talk with peter helped relieve some of my anx.

I had messages from both my jail contact as well as the Avita Community Partners contact. Although no new progress was shared, their contact was reassuring. None of us have heard from the group home nor know exactly why it seems to have dropped off the edge. The impression they were given was that the interview had gone well. We all have continued to reach out to the group home.

Peter's public defender called to talk with me this evening. I like him. He helped clarify some things. Nothing has been resolved but he is working on a game plan as Peter will have to go to court soon. I'm not sure exactly what soon is defined as but Perhaps next week or the following.

I know That many were praying and I really do appreciate it. The communication I received helped a lot. Thank you for continuing to pray as we keep moving forward.

the message of the silence

Peter was scheduled for court yesterday. I have not heard from him nor anyone  else since. I have emailed the group home, my jail contact, and the Avita contact with no response from any of them. I find it all concerning. 

I will confess that I am getting close to wanting to just go and get Peter released to me and try to figure it out from there. I don't know if this is Mom instinct or God. Although I continue to believe that he would really benefit from an agency or a group of people helping to guide him, the truth is those just don't seem to be available. Most of the people I meet with at the NAMI support group, are taking care of their own in some capacity. It causes me to wonder what I am supposed to do. I don't feel like I have the resources but I have seen God provide before. Peter is not a criminal who needs to be in jail. He's currently stable and remains there at this point because there seems to be nowhere else for him to go. 

I am not asking for anyone's opinion, So you don't need to write and tell me. I am asking that you will pray that God will make it clear to me what I'm to do next. I need to know if I'm to keep waiting on the system or if i'm to step in. Honestly at this point i'm not sure what I am to do. 

Thank you

Thank God for Jeannie

When I get a little antsy regarding Peter? I send an email to my contact at the jail, Jeannie the mental health liason. And let me tell you, that lady is on it. When I tell her I haven't heard from peter she will check to see why. This time it was because he had been moved within the jail and left his earphones behind which made him unable to use the ipad to call me. She reminded him he could use the payphone in the day room,  So yesterday he did called me. He was in good spirits. Unable to use his ipad for music and podcast, Peter has been planning how he wants to celebrate this coming forth of July and Christmas. He has lots of nostalgic plans making up for this past year.

There has been no news from the group home. Jeannie did tell me that the court really does not want to release Peter unless there is a solid plan. He Is schedule to appear in court this Tuesday. Peter thinks he'll be out by Wednesday. Still a lot of unknown but we know who holds the future. So I continue to trust that God will give Peter a safe place to land with needed support as this is what we've been asking for. And as I was reminded this week , God can do immeasuring more than we ask or imagine.

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I appreciate it a lot.