JEAN'S LAST POST FOR 2014

First, I wish you all a very Happy New Year.  Please keep the Lord in your heart and prayers in this coming year.

Like Marilyn, I wonder where 2014 went. It seems in just got here and now it is gone.  It is funny with David Jr., Katie, and Susan.  To them every year seems so long.  Wait until they get our ages.


Christmas came and we had a deeply religious and enjoyable time.

A few days before Christmas, Thomas had been out with his lady friend and came home earlier than we thought he would.  He saw us having a family meeting and we all went quiet when he came in.  Of course he thought that we were going to find him another home.  David and I explained that the meeting was something for him on Christmas.  It was not bad.

On Christmas after church, presents, dinner and everyone else had left, we gathered in the living room.  Thomas wondered what his present was.  We explained that at the meeting we had when he came we all agreed to yes. He asked yes to what.  David asked Thomas, if he would agree to letting us adopt him.  We know he is new in our home.  He could think about it.  The family meeting was to see if everyone agreed with us and they did.  We consider him a member of our family now, but would he allow us to make it legal.  He has many months before we can do it because of all the papers and things we have to go through.

Thomas had tears in eyes and kept asking us if we were for real.  We said yes.  He said we wouldn't back out - one family did.  The whole family agreed that we would not back out.  He asked if it was because we felt sorry for him.  We said no we didn't feel sorry for him, we loved him.  He had to go to us him room because he was taken by emotion.  The little ones couldn't figure what happened - we said he would be back and he was.  After about a half hour, he came out of his room, down the stairs and screamed yes. We all hugged him.  So the Monday after New Years, David and I will call Social Services and our lawyer to get the adoption going.    I had Thomas okay this before I told Marilyn. Thomas said to say it was the best Christmas he ever had.

Elmer told you that the Michael, Edward and Thomas are earning extra money plowing driveways and shoveling walks.  They have been doing this in addition to their other winter jobs.  Of course, we haven't had any snow since the time Elmer told about.  They boys hope that snow comes so they can make some more money.  All three of them are saving for something.  We don't know what it is.  David said it better not be a car.  They said no.  Maybe it's another courting buggy.

Which leads to if young folks in our area should drive cars?  Bishop Joseph had a hard decision to make as he drove one when he was young before he was baptized.  Our Bishop at the time, did not approve.  My husband, David, also drove Joseph's car before he became baptized and we married.
Should Bishop Joseph preach what he wanted or what he practiced?  He had meetings with the deacons and ministers.

Finally, one Sunday, Bishop Joseph got up to preach and told the story on how he had driven a car before he was baptized and married Martha.  In fact driving the car into the city is how he met Martha.  But, that was wrong and he should not have done it. Meeting Martha was not wrong, but driving the car was.  He explained how he had meetings with the deacons and ministers.  They have all agreed that young ones should not drive cars.  Because Bishop Joseph drove a car when he was young does not make it right for others to drive a car.  Cars are of the outside world.  Horse and buggy are of our world.

I think it was very brave for Bishop Joseph to get up and do what he did.  Some of the young folks agree with him - and some don't.  Michael is one who didn't agree with him.  Edward and Thomas are happy with the horse and buggy.

Again, my family and I wish you all a

Happy New Year,
Jean and Family