JEAN'S POST - MICHAEL'S GOING IN BUSINESS

Elmer and Anna are back from their going away.  Now, they are catching up with some of the things they didn't get done before they left.

We didn't know that Elmer left Michael in charge of all the outside painting, siding and roofing while he was gone.  Michael was at all the jobs and working so we thought that Elmer had left someone else in charge like he usually did.  Not this time.  We were very happy that he had the job.  Just to make sure, David, drove the buggy by a couple of times and things were going well.

Michael had more jobs than workers, so he asked Clarence to help him.  It was great to find out that Clarence had done this type of work before in another Foster Home.  He surprised us.  Michael said Clarence is a hard worker and very careful in what he does.

A few days after Elmer came back,  we had Elmer and Anna over to dinner at our house.  Elmer had told us to make sure Michael was there because he wanted to talk him.  So after dinner, Elmer and Michael sat down in the living.  David and I were there. 

Elmer told Michael, it was time he went into his own business.  He said he had excellent compliments on the work he had done.  One job Michael had to get a crew and travel a few counties over to do a job and it was done.  At times Elmer would have to call Michael and times Michael would have to call him, but it was time that Michael started getting ready to go on his own.

Michael was in shock..  He thought Elmer was getting rid of him.  Didn't want to work with him any longer.  Elmer said none of that was true.  Michael had worked for him for many years - started at the bottom and worked his way up.  There was nothing more that Elmer could teach him.  With Michael going with a lady, he will have to provide for the future - when Michael marries - whether it was this lady or another. 

Michael worked on farm machinery, and this kind of work would be a living.  If he wanted to have a small farm, that would be fine, too.  The more trades he knew the better and there are enough people around who need the kind of work they do that it should supply them both with work.  Also, the day will come when Elmer will have to give something up.  He's getting older.  Now with church work, farming and all the siding, etc he is working all the time. 

So if Michael goes into his business, Elmer would refer some of his customers to Michael.  When Elmer decides to give this up, he might want to come and work for Michael now and then - when he was getting on Anna's nerves. 

Michael asked if one of Elmer's children would want it and Elmer said no.  They didn't mind coming and helping now and then, but not to work as much as he did.  Elmer said, also, keep Clarence with the crew, he does great work too.

Michael didn't know what to say.  He thanked Elmer.  Elmer said I am not giving you a job you will have to build it. Michael needs to get all the tools, supplies, people to work the crew, and more.  Elmer said he would help him.  Elmer also said this is on and off job.  You don't get much business in the winter, but the other three seasons should keep you going. Elmer added that Michael was young and could handle the work, but Elmer is getting older and getting near time to retire one thing.

So Michael is starting to get tools and supplies and crew.  He has a pick-up, but he needs one with a back sheet so he can take his crew from job to job.  So that is out new news.

Clarence is trying to decide his nickname.  A friend of a friend of ours is named Clarence.  He told our Clarence that you have to think of the future.  Friends may tease you on names now, but you have to think of what you want to be called twenty or thirty years from now.  He suggested that Clarence go by either Chance or what he goes by Clance.

Clarence was so surprised Elmer said good words about him regarding working with Michael.  Clarence  enjoys that kind of work with Michael. 

Be With God,
Jean