New York State of Mind

Clarence has decided to be called Clance. I explained to him that would be fine about family and friends, but at meeting he will still be called Clarence. We call everyone by their full name at our meetings (church).

School has started. In fact it started last month. In Margaret's school, she has each student with empty desks on the sides, front and back. Margaret says it cuts down on space, but it complies with the state.

Clarence goes to the public school and that created problems. He was suppose to go to school three days a week one week and two days the next week. The rest of the days, they need to be on a computer. We are not allowed computers except under certain circumstances. Like Edward is allowed to have one in his work.

So when we found out about school, we went to Bishop Joseph and asked him. He also has a Foster Child that goes to public school so he was in the same place we were. He called a meeting with the Deacons, and our school board to see what they thought. After listening to Joseph and Martha plus David and I, they decided to allow us both to have a computer.

The school wanted to loan us computers, but Bishop Joseph said no - we would get new ones. He didn't know what was on the school computers before we got them. The Principal tried to explain nothing on, but school work, but still Bishop Joseph said we will get our own. So armed with what the school wanted and Edward, we all went and bought a new computer plus printer. Edward set up our computer and the one at Bishop Joseph's. The computer had to be set up so Clance could see his class room and talk, answer questions, send work, and I don't know what all. The school had to be able to see them, ask questions, etc.

Once we got the computers, Bishop Joseph wanted to know what we thought of sending our children to the public school. If we can get all this on computer and send work back and forth, why did they have to go We asked Clarence and he said he would rather stay home. He is afraid of the virus in schools. In our Mennonite Group, we have a lesser chance. I asked him about friends. Since he got here all his friends are Mennonite or Amish. So we are keeping him home until January. In January, we will see again about his going to public school.

Bishop Eli called our house and said an Amish lady who was visiting their daughter when their church and our church had a meeting together. A speaker came that we were having in our church one evening and Bishop Joseph asked Bishop Eli if their group would like to come. So Bishop Eli's Amish group came. I probably met her, but there were so many people there.

She called me a few days later. She and her husband were also Foster Parents and they had a young lady about Clarence's age. When she saw Clarence that evening, she said he looks just like the Foster lady she has. She wanted to know if Clarence had any brother's or sister's. I said, according to the records, he didn't but he did mention in passing that he did have a sister. She asked me what his last name was. When I told her, she said that was what the lady's last name was. She has just gotten the Foster girl and didn't want to push. Well Clarence is new to us, so I said we would talk to Clarence and call her back. She said her Forester child's name was Grace.

After dinner, David and I asked Clarence to come into the living room. We closed the door. He thought he had done something wrong. We advised him no. David talked and hawed around, but didn't ask. Finally he turned to me and I asked Clarence if he had a sister. He said yes, but when they went to adoption, she got a Foster Home before he did. I asked him what was her name and he said Grace. David and I didn't know what to say. Then Clarence said, she is my twin sister. We were in shock. I asked how long since he had seen his sister and he said over 10 years ago. He wanted to know why we asked. We didn't know what to say until finally David told him why we were asking. Then Clarence was in shock. I said we are not sure she is you sister.

I called the Amish lady the next day and told her. We decided that the best way was to take them to the doctor and get a blood test. Then we would know for sure. We did and the records were sent to both doctors. They matched perfect. Clarence and Grace are brother and sister.

We agreed with the Amish people and got John and Dottie to drive to their home. Clarence got our of the car and his sister was on the porch. She came running to meet him. They hugged and the Amish said they could talk on the porch or in the house and we would leave them alone. She gave them lemon aide and cookies. We went into the kitchen. Inside we decided that they both should be at the same house. The matter was whose. Grace is Amish and Clarence is Englisher. The children want to be together. Clarence chose our house and Grace didn't really care. She liked her current Amish family, but she had just gotten there. All she wanted was to be Amish. We went over us having electric, and others that the Amish don't have. All of us agreed to wait a week and inform Social Services.

Social Services couldn't believe it, but we showed them the medical records. It was finally decided by Social Services that Grace will come to live with us. The Amish Foster Parents agreed, Grace agreed, Clarence agreed, and we agreed. Grace will go to Bishop Eli's church on Sunday and any special days. Of course, she will meet Amish and Mennonites. We are waiting for Social Services to get their paper work done and she will be coming to our home. Maybe a week or two. We can hardly wait. Clarence keeps picking what bedroom should be hers. He keeps changing his mind. Susan tells him to pick one so we can get it ready before Grace gets here.

So that is the latest news at our home. Clarence thinks it's the best.\

Be With God,

Jean

I have a different post on all five days this week. Marilyn