Kat and I started new jobs this week! We got a call on Monday as I was registering for classes at Snow, from the LDS Employment. They told us someone just came in looking for workers to start immediately. We got the number from them and called the lady who had just came in. When we called the lady, Merleen, She told us to go to the Young Women's Empowerment Center (YWEC), and ask for Heather. When we arrived there (it is only about two blogs from our apartment) Heather was really excited and after we filled out the application, basically gave us a job on the spot without an interview or anything.
YWEC is a treatment center for teen girls that have had some trouble in the past. They vary in their backgrounds but they are here from all over the state and some from other states. They range in age from 13-17 and I am the first male "staff" they have had. Our job is to watch the girls, mentor them, and make sure they don't get in fights or run away, etc. We also cook dinner for them, or help them cook, and teach them things.
Heather told us that we would start out at minimum wage, but that things were changing and hopefully soon, we would be able to get raises. With Kat and I both working there, we will make the same amount of money as I did working for Ephraim so the stress of not having enough money for rent and things is gone.
I wasn't sure how I would like the job however, but since Tuesday, when I started, I have not had ANY doubts about this job. I LOVE this job! I have fallen in love with the girls here and I feel as they are my little girls, or my little sisters. The way they look up to me is amazing. I fear I am the only male role model these girls have ever had in their life, it's so sad. I feel like I am on my mission again, I really do. Working with these girls has renewed the same kind of joy and happiness i had while on the mission, well, that and I have also started reading the scriptures again every day for personal study (something I had been slacking on). I feel so comfortable working with these girls and have already done a lot for them, not trying to brag. I have counciled with one girl struggling with very low self esteem. She had mentioned earlier that she was LDS, so when she had a meltdown, I sat down with her and talked with her about what being a Child of God meant. Since then she has been a different person. Another girl had an allergic reaction to something but it got really bad. I wasn't sure if I'm allowed to do it and I'm still not positive I am, but I asked the other staff that was with me if I could give her a blessing, to which she replied "please do!". I asked the girl if she would like one to which she said yes. She is not LDS so I explained to her how the blessing worked. Two of the girls there, both were LDS, asked if they could sit in. I told them they could (the rest had gone to bed). I gave the blessing and ten minutes later, she had calmed down, the hives were subsiding, and she fell fast asleep on the couch where we could watch her. I do not say these experiences to brag, but to testify of the power of God and the many ways he works.
There have been other opportunities for me to teach and uplift the girls, but I will not tell them all. They are in there for a reason and sometimes they act out and are disrespectful, but I still can't help myself wanting the best in them. I can see them working on their goals to get better each new day, and the hours fly by when I am there. I also learn a lot from them. I see so much potential in each and every girl there. I wish sometimes that I could guide them in the ways I know to be true, but seeing how I can't (separation of church and state) I try my best to lead and guide them without bringing in the Gospel.
My patriarchal blessing tells me how I am to be a guide and councilor, and comforter to those who come to me. It also speaks a lot about missionary work. As I was sitting in church today, I could not help but feel like Kat and I were sent here in Ephraim, not to be a cop, but to have the opportunity to help these girls. I feel like this is the very reason I lost my job, not because of the excuses they gave me, but because the Lord had other plans for me. I am happier now than I have been in a long time. I have that feeling of peace come over me as I serve these girls and help them get past their past, and teach them how to become better people, and to know how to live good lives. I really feel like I am on my mission, because when I'm not working, I am thinking about them and thinking of how I can help them. I never thought I'd say this, but I am glad that I lost my job. I realize now how stressed i was as a cop, and how much time it took out of my life. I have new guidance now on what I want with my life and now I see how much happier Kat and I both are now that we are constantly serving others, and by doing that, serving our God. We truly have been blessed to be able to have this opportunity and I look forward to continuing on with this service. I hope whoever reads this will be inspired to serve others and really see how much happier you become.
