About a month ago, I got a job at Cracker Barrel. I began as a server and absolutely hated it. Serving isn't for everyone. After a few days of serving and repeatedly having horrible days, I decided to go and quite. When I went, the general manager asked me if I would be interested in working in retail instead. I took him up on his offer and was hired as a retail employee a week later. I knew that I would have to work some Sundays in order to keep the job, but I didn't quite know what I had gotten myself into. I haven't gone to church in who knows how long because of work. Hopefully I will have this coming Sunday off so that I can go to a friend's homecoming.
Today at work, I asked if there is any way that I can work before or after my church meetings, and I was told that I have to keep my whole day open and I can't request times that I can't work. As I tried to choke back the emotions that flooded forward, I had to make a decision. Work or church? Why couldn't I have both? I need to work to pay for my education, but I know that in order to truly live the gospel of Christ, I need to make sure I am attending my church meetings. As I stood in the bathroom stall wiping the tears from my cheeks, I decided that it was now time to look for a new job. As much as I love the people I work with, I need to do all I can to attend church.
Now I knew why I have been so irritable and sad lately. When I was living with my parents, I didn't really have a choice to go to church or not. I had to go. Now that I am on my own, I have to make decisions. For the first few weeks, I didn't go to church because I "didn't want to". I know now that it was the adversary getting at me and tempting me to do things I normally wouldn't. Because I haven't gone to church for a while, I realize how important it really is!
This week I will be working harder than ever to find a new job closer, and willing to work with my religious request. I know that once I begin doing what is right, everything will work out and fall perfectly into place. Just like moving here.
I know that the gospel of Christ is true! I am proud to say that I strive to live it everyday! Even though I know that Satan is tempting me more than ever now, I can and will remain strong and be the same person here that I was back home. I am grateful for roommates that share the same beliefs that I do and that we are able to talk about gospel principles. I am so very thankful for my family and the knowledge that I have of eternity and how I will be able to be with them forever. I am so grateful for the atonement and that we are able to repent of ills that we have done in the past. I am so very thankful for the many wonderful examples of strong women in my life. These women include my own mother, my grandmother Allen, and even though she may no longer be on earth, my grandmother Petersen. I am so happy that I have them in my life and that I can learn from their examples. I've never felt so lonely in my life, until now that I live away in a place I've never known before; but I am comforted to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who loves and watches over me everyday. As hard as it may seem to believe some days, I know that he will never fail me and that he always has his arms stretched out towards me. I am grateful for the power of prayer and the comfort it gives. I am grateful for the testimonies of my family and friends and the strength that they give me each day. Most of all, one of the hardest principles and grasp but one of the most important to remember, I KNOW that I am a daughter of God and that I AM special.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and the rest of the week. Hope you like the pictures I took on temple square. Loves!
-Linsey
