TEARS: ‘A Call to Remember’…

About 4:30, almost time to go home, I answered a call from a Sister who seemed distressed. She needed a job right away. I told her of the Career Workshop and said the next one started the next day, but it was full. Would she like to take the next one in two weeks?  She said she REALLY needed to take this one and get a job. I put down the phone and looked at Sister Olson. She had heard enough of the conversation to understand the gist of it … she paused to feel the Spirit, and nodded her head ‘yes’. I told the Sister, who sighed in relief.  Then we looked at each other and thought… we don’t have room. Why did we just say ‘Yes’?  OK -Because it felt right.

The next day we were prepared for at least 7, possibly eight candidates. Three came, and one was this sister.  She arrived 1/2 hour early to start her profile. Seeing her, Sister Olson whispered that it wasn’t by accident she was there, as we had felt prompted to include her. She started to cry… Later, class started and about 1/2 way through the morning she started to cry and could not stop. She left class to compose herself. I was in the front office so she stayed with me as I listened, offered comfort and worked with her on some of what they were doing in class. Sister Olson finished the morning class.

At noon she apologized for being so weepy, saying, “I don’t understand why I can’t stop crying?” “I know,” Sister Olson told her, as it came instantly to our minds. We have seen this before… She had shared with us that she felt at home in our Center, cared for instantly, and felt the Spirit, particularly when Sister Olson told her she was supposed to be here. 

Whether it is a return to the temple, or Church membership, or place where the Spirit is strong, the call to remember what it feels like to bathe in Heavenly Father’s Spirit, triggers surprise, peace, and often tears of joy -unrestrained and unbidden.

Tears in such cases are a compliment to the ERC’s Spirit and the candidate’s heart. The fact that she felt it that strongly made us truly grateful.

I am so very grateful for the Spirit of our ERC. It is an incredible place to serve and the Spirit is almost always tangible. A couple of weeks ago the UPS guy stepped in the door to deliver a package and stopped in his tracks and said "There is something here that I feel inside when I walk in the door." We explained to him what it was and he agreed that it was an amazing feeling. We have an amazing staff in Steve, Jeremy, Britta, the Hernandez's, Brother Tanner and Sister Taylor. Each does all they can to bring the spirit with them as they serve. I am so blessed to be serving in such a place with incredible new friends.  We have daily opportunities to bear witness of our Savior's love and His hand in each of our lives and to encourage the clients who come in to seek His help every step of the way in their search for employment. God loves his children. We witness this daily as people come through the door humbly seeking help. I am grateful to be an instrument in His hands in serving these, His sons and daughters, one by one and to be able to feel his guidance directing my thoughts and words and witnessing to me of His love for each of them.