What I Have Learned.....

...in three weeks of being a missionary at the LDS Employment Center in St. George, Utah:

1.  Young people MUST learn a marketable skill!  

2.  Women are the most vulnerable; they have to be very careful in choosing a mate...men can be jerks, dweebs, louts.  (So sorry to all the good, honorable men out there.)  But, oh, the women and children suffer when men choose to follow a wandering path!

3.  We have to do a better job of teaching our children about finances and how to manage, save, and wisely spend money! 

4.  We must teach our young people to stay away from drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol.  They are a cost-sucking habit that will forever affect a person's working career and financial situation.

In three weeks of being at the LDS Employment Center, we have seen:

a mother of six whose husband just walked out the door; she has not worked outside the home, and now, MUST find a job to survive.  (If I met her husband, I'd poke him in the nose!)

a 50ish woman whose husband won't work; she is the bread winner and she is tired of his mooching ways...she wants out of the marriage and needs an additional job just to stay afloat.  She is also the care-giver of a grandchild.

an 82 year old man, former bishop and senior missionary, who just lost his job.  He and his wife cannot exist on social security alone.  He is upside down in his mobile home, and his entire retirement savings of $400,000 was wiped out when the company went bankrupt.

an attractive young woman whose husband maxed out their credit cards and she now is responsible to clear all HIS debts.  She has no marketable skills; just a pretty face.

a young man with mental issues who WANTS and is willing to work, but can't find a job.

a 62 year old lady who comes in often to check out what is available, but doesn't really want a job; it's just a fun place to hang out.

a young man who wants a job, needs a job, but has no skills, and comes in on a daily basis hoping that something will turn up.

chronically unemployable people.

It's a challenge.  It's heartbreaking.  It's mind boggling.  It's an eyeopener.  It's also a constant reminder to follow the church's counsel to; get an education, get out of debt, keep the word of wisdom, and be a person of integrity.

I love Allen's attitude.  He comes home and studies, looks for jobs, finds out about certification for jobs, talks with people about things, researches, speaks with businesses about jobs, CARES.

I come home and fall on my knees with gratitude for a home, a pension, a loving family, a car, an honorable husband and other men in my life (sons, son-in-law, brothers, father, etc.), a church that tries to help people help themselves.

I come home, have a SEE's dark Chocolate and look forward to going back another day.