JEAN TELLS ABOUT THOMAS

Many of you asked questions about Thomas, so with his permission, I will answer your questions.  Thomas is very happy here.  He feels that our home is comfortable and stable, although after being in so many homes, still wonders if it will happen here even though we have told him, many times, this is his home.  Thomas says he can't help it after all these years.  Only time will prove it.  David and I feel that once the adoption goes through that he will realize this is his home and we are his family.

Is Thomas any more talkative?  A little.  He is a man of few words.  He thinks before he speaks.  If you question him about something he doesn't just pop off with an answer.  Not because he is afraid or anything.  That's just the way he is.

Thomas wanted to be baptized into the church on Good Friday.  He asked Bishop Joseph way ahead.   Bishop Joseph hasn't known Thomas for even a year yet so he asked Thomas to write his last two former Bishop's.  The last Bishop sent Joseph a very short letter saying he felt that Thomas was ready.  The Bishop he had before him sent Joseph a three page letter telling how he was so happy that Thomas finally got a permanent home and would be adopted.  He told Bishop Joseph that he felt Thomas was ready and why he felt so.  Bishop Joseph let Thomas read the letter and Thomas let us read the letter.  It was really a beautiful letter.

So after taking the lessons with the rest of those approved to be baptized, Thomas was baptized on Good Friday and is now a member of our church.  David and I had tears in our eyes as he was baptized.  We were so glad he chose the church and not the way of the world.

The next day we had friends over and the dinner he wanted.  It was sort of a party to welcome into our church family.  He really enjoyed it.

The night of the baptism David and I were in bed when all of a sudden David said to me I bet Thomas wants to get married.  I said no.  David said yes.  The young lady he had been seeing was also baptized in her church on Good Friday.  I said Thomas is only 17.  We have asked all of our children not to marry until they were at least 18.  Thomas won't be 18 until later this year.  David said yes and then they could get married.  I was sure we were wrong.

Next day, we asked Thomas if we could talk to him alone.  I don't know what he thought was wrong.  When we got him alone, David asked him if he was planning on getting married later this year.  Thomas shocked me when he said he would like to.  But he didn't have any farm or money to buy one.  He didn't have enough money to rent a farm.  So until he got a job and some money to provide, he couldn't. He said Michael and Edward offered him part of their land, but he didn't feel it was right to take away from them.  We were even more shocked that he had talked with them and we didn't even know what was happening.   David told him to let us get over the shock and we would talk about it.

Well after talking, thinking and praying we realized that maybe this was ment to be.  Michael and Edward admitted they and Thomas had talked about it.  We explained we would have liked to have known.  Michael said guys talk about it, but doesn't mean they are going to do it.  They would give him part of their land.  If they did that, it would make their farms smaller.  There wouldn't be enough land for three successful farms.

With Thomas' permission we spoke with Bishop Joseph.  He said he had married many couples at 18 including his own children.  Joseph spoke with Thomas.  Then with us again. Bishop Joseph felt that Thomas was more mature than many young folks his age.  He has been from home to home.  He had to look out for himself.  Thomas and his lady had been going together for about two years - when they could.  So, yes he would marry Thomas and his young lady when they both are 18.

We also spoke with the young ladies family.  They knew that they wanted to marry, but didn't think we would let them.  We are the last to know.  David told them that it was a shock to us, but we agreed as long as they are both 18 when they married.  Her parents said that was their rule, too.  So they are coming to dinner.  They have been to our house several times, but we want to know them better.

So we are out looking for land for Thomas.  He wants to be near us.  Elmer and Anna offered to sell the one they own next to where they live.  Elmer said most of the farmers in their area are about Elmer and Anna's age.  They would like Thomas  as a neighbor.  We also looked at some other land.

Once we find the land, the barn and house will have to be built. Maybe we can find a farm with a barn and house already.  Thomas is stunned, we would do this for him.  We told him, you are our son.  He said he wasn't adopted yet.  We said adoption is just a sheet of paper - he was our son when he came to live with us.  We want to get the land, and get it planted so he will have some income.  Also, he is looking for wood work that he can do to earn extra money.  He thought David and I odd when we laughed and said he was the first of our children getting married.

Be With God,
Jean