A Retrospection: “Go See Your Friend”

Sometime ago, I was talking with a longtime friend on the phone and listening to him as he described a number of the challenges that he was facing at that time.  In my prayers that night I had asked Heavenly Father to please bless this person with the things he stood in need of at that time.  A distinct impression of the Spirit then came to me which said: “Go see your friend”.  

The next morning I let work know that I would not be in for few hours, and then went to see this friend.  When I arrived I found that he was at home alone, which made it easier for us to have a good visit with each other.  He once again rehearsed, in more detail, all that he had been going through.  As part of this conversation he also mentioned that he previously had some frightening thoughts and had been considering making an abrupt exit from this life, but was now in control of those thoughts, but was still facing some very great challenges otherwise. Drawing upon lessons that I had learned over the years, I was able to offer reassurance and faith in Christ to my friend. I also decided that work that day could wait a while longer, and I stayed an extra hour just so that we could talk about memories from our younger days.

A day or so later, when I called to check in with him, he thanked me profusely for coming that morning, and told me how much it meant to him.  He also said that others had also been randomly been stopping in at the perfect moments, all of which served to provide reassurance to him that that his Heavenly Father and Savior were both mindful of him and that all was going to be well!

The lesson: We often pray to be guided to those who may stand in need of our assistance, and then miss, or dismiss the impressions of the Spirit which follow (at least that has been the experience for myself).  But, if we were to immediately follow through on a Spiritual impression, we will often find that we were correct in following it!

Retrospection: My Jobs

With changes in my employment happening, I thought that I would post on all the jobs that I have worked at over the years:

Jimba’s (1978-79)

I was in 8th grade when I started this restaurant job-primarily on weekends (Fridays & Saturdays). The business had a 1920s theme. I started out as a busboy/dishwasher, and when I finished working there about nine months later, I was cooking at the grill. It was located at about 250 West, Center in Provo. 

Allen’s Super-save (1979-80)

Two of my friends, Duane Halladay, and Mike King, both worked at this grocery store, what time is located episode 100 N. and 500 W. in Provo.  The building no longer exists. I was only 15 years old when I applied, but I told the manager that I was 16, and was eventually hired and started working there on March 25, 1979. I thought I was coming on just to be a bag boy and stock shelves, at my first night there, they had me in the checkout stand bringing up groceries for the customers. The manager eventually found out that I was only 15 but he kept me on anyway.  

Central Square Movie Theater (1979)

One day-

175 West 200 North

Through one of my friends a group of learned that the opening of the new movie theater was running behind in preparations.  On the day it was to have its grand opening (later that evening) a call went out for  young workers to come in and assist with clean-up.  It lasted only a couple of hours and was worth a few dollars.  

Wendy’s (1980-83, 1985-86)

1444 South State Orem 

This was a fun place to work as a teenager.  My friend, Harold Scott, was working there at the time that I was hired.  I very rarely ever dated any girls from Provo High, and I just found it easier to ask out the girls that I worked with there.  I ended up with the nickname of "Bowser" which was given to me by one of the managers.

One night after closing, and as we were all walking out the door together to our vehicles, and man crouching near the dumpster of the adjacent business yelled out to draw our attention towards him, while at the same time pointing a gun towards us.  He yelled "Throw the money", meaning the night deposit back with one of the managers was holding.  The bag was thrown over to him, and then he told everyone to get back into the store.  The Orem police were called and they couldn't find any trace of the guy.  

I worked at Wendy's up until the time that I went out on my Mission.

(Mission (1983-84)

Little Giant Ladders (1986-91, 2013-20, 2021-23)

I started at the Provo plant of LGL on Larsen Parkway.  After a few months most everyone moved over into the new Springville facility on Industrial Circle.  My brother, Randy, was already employed there and he helped to get on.  

In 1991, I left LGL to start working for the UHP Protective Services.  Returned back in 2014 a few months after retiring.  

Protective Services

Totally hated my time there!

UHP 

After graduating from POST, and finishing a couple of weeks of UHP training, I went to work out in Section 8- Tooele County.  My first Sergeant was Ron Kirby and he assisted us with living arrangements by putting us in touch with the landlord of the rental he and his family just moved from at 492 Utah Avenue in Tooele.  

On my very first morning of work I rode with Steve “Odie” Myers’s and we immediately responded to and car/horse crash south of town.  My actual FTO was Brad Clayton, but since the crew was small I ended up riding with everyone- with the exception on Dean Rogers.  

Tooele was a good section to begin my career in as I learned a lot about crashes and DUIs.  I was told by Sgt. Kirby that if I ever hoped to move back to Utah County that I would need to start putting in requests for transfer as it may take a couple of years- this would alert HQ that I wanted to move eventually.  Well, the first request was accepted and we were gone within about nine months.  

Utah County is where I worked the bulk of my career.  I really loved it during the early years, but as time moved on I started to feel the burnout.  

I got into the PI&E program and remained there for three years.  Then ended up with the PIO position and stayed there for another three years until retirement.  

When I was set apart as the Elders Quorum President in 1997 By President John Chamberlain he included  blessing of protection on the job as a Trooper. When I last saw him at the funeral of Mike Strauss’ dad I brought up that blessing and let him know that I was indeed protected during my entire career. 

Lawn service

Late 1990s into 2000s.

Jeff and Russell went work with my mowing lawns.  It was primarily to assist us in making ends meet financially.  We did if for a few years until I became totally burned out with it.  

Provost

To keep the 6th grade boys from fighting, for a few months I would show up at lunchtime and hangout and participate with whatever they wanted to do each day.  

UPS (Nov-Dec 2013)

Having given a number of safety talks at UPS, I became excited at the prospect of working for them after retirement.  I was hired on for the holiday rush that season.  I struggled with the electronic DIAD device that was used, to the point of being completely stressed out.  Finally, I went over to our neighbor, Brian Shouman's house and he gave me some good instruction on how to operate the device.  I was hoping to be kept on after the holidays but then it was difficult to land a full-time job there.

LGL (2014-2020)

I made a phone call to Doug Wing looking for work, and eventually his brother Art called and offered me the position as his executive assistant.  It was fun and fast paced.  One of the first things that Art did after I came on was to had me a large envelop containing $20,000 in cash.  He told me to take care of it until he would ask for it later.  I hit it well until he asked for it back.  Soon after I got to thinking that perhaps he was testing my trustworthiness, so that he could trust me with more things moving forward.  

UHSO (2020-2021)

I sometimes start to twitch whenever I think back on this year.  I was told that I was doing well, and personally felt that I was doing well until after my bout with Covid-19.  At any rate, I was let go.  

LGL (2021-2023)

Came back on this time in the Security role and then eventually took on Safety as well.  In May 2021 I tripped in the manufacturing area and hit my head on a cart as I went down.  Things seemed to change for me after that day as my neck has constantly had a feeling of discomfort.  

The new company owner (IOP) put in a new management team who eventually decided that the Safety position was no longer needed, and I was laid off.  

Provo Parks and Rec (April-June 2023)

It was good until the temps started to rise.  

Amazon (June 2023-????)