JEAN WISHES EVERYONE HAPPY THANKSGIVING

My family and myself wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  It is a time, not only for us, to be joyful together, but to give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings He has given us throughout the year.   Sometimes in our lives, we don't take the time to stop and thank the Lord like we should and now is a special time.

I have so many things to tell.  Kevin and Bridget came to our house one evening for dinner.  After dinner Kevin announced that as of January 1st, Michael will not be an employee of his and would no longer be working for him.  Michael went into shock.  Kevin said he had taught Michael everything he knew and now it was time for Michael to go on his own.  He could ask Kevin advice or in an emergency ask for help, but it was time he went on his own.  Michael didn't know what to say.

Michael looked at David, then Edward and Thomas and saw the smirk on their faces and knew something was up.  So he asked what was up. On our farm we have a small barn, in fact have a couple of them, that we use just for storage.  David was thinking of taking them down.  Kevin told David he had taught Michael all he could and it was time he went in business for himself.  So David had remodeled one of the barns so Michael could have his business there.  After dinner, we took him to the barn and showed him.  He couldn't believe it.  How we had remodeled it under his nose and he didn't know it.  With Kevin's help, we had a lot of tools in there that Michael will need.  David , Kevin, Edward and Thomas went shopping and bought these tools for Michael.  Michael had tears in his eyes.  He couldn't believe this.  There are things that he still needs, but Christmas is coming.

There is more than enough work for both of them - so they won't really be running against each other in business.  Kevin promised Michael, that they will both have to close up a day once in a while to go either fishing or hunting depending on the season.

Edward is still learning taxes.  He is taking a correspondence course and working with one of Elmer and Anna's sons that does taxes.  That is another business than needs more people.  Edward can work in an office, but can't start his own business until he is 18.  He does the work and Elmer's son checks it.  Of course, starting out, Edward made some mistakes, but now he is doing great.  He enjoys his work, too.

Thomas being so new with us, we didn't know what his trade would be.  Of course all are farmers, but we feel they should have another trade for the winter and in addition to farming.  Well, we found that Thomas' trade is word working.  He does beautiful work in furniture, toys, and more.  David Sr. and his Father couldn't believe the beautiful work he does.  My husband David said Thomas does better work than he does.  So now David and Thomas are thinking of taking one of the smaller barns and making a wood work building out of it.  That would get the mess out of the big barn.  Now, every time they do wood work there have to drag everything out and put it back where they would have their own wood working area.  I think it will get them to know each other better and make Thomas feel more in the family.  Not that he doesn't now.  Just that the men talk more together when they are working together.

Bishop Joseph and Martha gave us their courting buggy to use as we have three sons at courting age.  The two of their son's that used it are married and the next two of their children coming of courting age are girls.  It is still hard to have three young men using one courting buggy.  We will have to see what we can do.

As Christmas is drawing near, we are getting a bit worried about Katie's great-grandparents again.  Grandmother Olive said she and Grandfather Albert have it all under control.  So I hope she is right and we don't get as many presents as we did last year.  Katie is doing well and speaks Deutch almost as well as we do.  She is also doing well in reading.  Also, she gets the eggs from the chickens, feeds them and does other outside chores.  Katie also helps in cleaning, collecting clothes on washing day, cooking and more.  She also does much better in Sunday services.  It's hard to believe that next year she will be starting school.

Susan is doing well in school.  She enjoys it very much.  Like Katie she does chores inside and out.  Now, she also babysits Katie and David Jr.  while we go out.  If it is for any long time, we leave one of the brothers home to keep watch over them.

David Jr. is grown fast.  Now he does small chores inside and out.  He likes to follow his Father or one of his brothers around.  We are starting to teach him to read, counting and more.  He thinks he is bigger than he is and can do more than he should.  We have to watch him.

I know Elmer told about the Birthday Party he and Michael had at our home.  We were also at John and Sarah's wedding and Elmer and Anna's 30th Anniversery party that Bishop Eli had.  Some people in the outside world think that we don't have such fun.  If they knew us, they would be wrong.  We have our time for worship, work and enjoyment.  In fact, we try to mix all three together.

Also, please remember as the Christmas Season starts that it takes a lot of gas and mileage to get all the pictures that go on here every day.  So if you have a little extra you can send it to Marilyn at: mab112148@yahoo.com.  I know it would be greatly appreciated.

Be With God,
Jean