Petrick Party of SIX

Hello, Terry Johnson here I am, Lincoln's small group leader at Rooted (Relevant's Middle School Minstry). Over the last 45 days, the Petrick family has been back and forth between Grand Island NE and Omaha NE. Their story is below

 

Feb 12th to Feb 14th, 2022 -

 

Like every other Saturday morning, it was a lazy day. Slowly waking up with the Dog barking to be let out. Then one by one, Isaac (9yr) wakes up, then Jacob (14yr) and last but not least, Lincoln (12yr). Nick and I head downstairs to make breakfast when Nick shows me a Facebook message...which changes everything. I always say following Jesus is an adventure. It's not for the faint-hearted or boring- It's a daily choice to trust, obey and seek HIM saying yes!

 

The message read: LaNell's Celebration of Life Feb 14th, 2022. Nick and I look at each other and know what this means or what it could be. Party of Five NOPE six! Would we be, are we going to be? Remember what we said in 2016 to LaNell...

 

The Back Story:

 

In 2007 Nick ran the coffee ministry when he met LaNell. She shared her story to Nick from drug addiction to a court order which moved her away from the West Coast to the middle of nowhere in Nebraska. She sought after the Lord and was changing her life around. Since moving to GI in 1996, she had been sober. Over 25 years of sobriety is a significant accomplishment. Her heart grew bigger for her grandchildren, two grandsons (S. & J.) then a granddaughter (K.).

 

In 2014 her grand-daughter was born (K.). Both parents relinquished rights. In 2016, LaNell went through the adoption process to adopt her granddaughter. During this time LaNell asked Nick and I if anything would happen to her if we would be her guardian, she didn't trust anyone else to raise her granddaughter. Nick and I said yes. We knew this was a possibility knowing LaNell's health concerns from her younger years, COPD and other health concerns.

 

February 14th, Monday- We knew we had to attend the Celebration of Life service. Nick and I told our bosses and we were off to GI, a two hour trip to Central Nebraska. At some point of the trip to GI, I mentioned to Nick- The LORD told me "Extreme Ownership" when I was getting ready. I don't know what it means but are you ready to bring a little girl into our family?" Nick smiled.

 

There was few in attendance at the funeral, since most of the family still lives on the West Coast. They were going to do a funeral there a couple weeks later. Her three grandchildren were in attendance along with friends and Erika her sister. After the service we introduced ourselves to Erika, she looked surprised to see us- stating... "Your names are on the paperwork..."

 

Silence- "Do you want her?"

 

Silence- "I have asked others and they said no."

 

Silence- Erika, replied, "my husband and I would love to raise her, but I am older and don't go the parks anymore."

 

Silence-- Nick and I reply "Yes, this is why we are here. We told LaNell we would raise her if anything happened to her."

March 3rd the Judge granted Nick and Amy Temporary Guardianship. She has been with the Petrick's since Feb 17th. They have been working remotely from Amy's parents house in Grand Island. One stays in Omaha with the boys while the other with K. in GI. 

March 24th at 10:30a the Petrick's have a court hearing for Full Guardianship. K. will be moving to Omaha and starting school on Monday March 28th (NOT 60 days! like our lawyer first told us). These funds will help their family transition from 5 to 6. Making sure the kids have counseling, especially K. They need to trade in Nick's Truck for a vehicle for six to travel in. They need to create one on one time for each child, while creating space for each other to process this unexpected adventure. 

 

From Amy:  A few weeks ago the Lord asked me to start something... Really Lord is what I said. However, it didn't take long before I asked some good friends how to start a blog. You can follow our unexpected adventures of listening to the voice of God and taking that next step at Petrick Party of SIX .