Jobs!!

Today as I was driving to work. An announcement came on that Worlds of Fun is hiring for the

summer season. World's of Fun is an Amusement Park in North Kansas City, Missouri. Back in my college days (1999). That summer I worked at Worlds of Fun as a ticket seller. Shortly after being a ticket seller, I began working in guest relations, which I had to wear a navy skirt with a light blue collared shirt with a little red tie. (I seriously felt like I was airline flight attendant). I loved working there! I also had the chance of working with my older brother Caleb. He worked in the park on the rides. I remember I would work during the day and he would work at nights. On the weekends, we were able to ride to work together which was always nice to have him drive home in dark when I was tired. Working at Worlds of Fun, I really enjoyed working there. I was able to be a good example to others, I also learned to stick up for myself. I've always had trouble with letting others pursuade me to change my opinions. By working there, I realized and learned who I really was. I learned that it didn't matter if I didn't use profanity words, dress immodestly, drink or even smoked. I learned that it was ok that I didn't do those things. A friend Ruth, who I met while working there, was so nice to me. One day she had asked me, why I was so different from everyone else. I explained to her that I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I told her about some of my beliefs and that we had standards that I have always chosen to live by. She then commented, how do you do it? I told her that is wasn't hard because its just the way I have always been taught and lived. She never once put me down, she never tried to get me to do wrong. She helped me to realize that I was ME and I should be grateful for that. So as I thought about all the jobs that I've had before my career. I really am grateful to have had the opportunity of working at Taco Bell when I was 16, Hy-Vee grocery store for 3 years, Copy Max for 3 years, Worlds of Fun for the summer of 1999, Independence School District where I worked for five years as a substitute teacher/para-this was the job where I realized that I needed to get myself back into school so that I could become a classroom teacher. Even during my two years in Idaho when I was going to college, I had a janitor job where my roommate and I would get up at 4 am and work till 7 am. (Yes, we were crazy!!) I also worked in the galley doing dishes (I think this was also another one of my favorite jobs) I met some of the most amazing people while doing dishes.

Throughout our lives we go through experiences that we learn and grow from. I know that there were rough moments at a job that I may have had but I look back, I am so grateful that I was able to go through the experiencest that I did. I sure learned alot. Not only did I learn more about myself, but I was able to learn about who I wanted to be, I also learned patience and humility. I learned that when I have a trial in my life, so many people around you still love you and support you when they barely even know you. For that, I am truly grateful. I'm also grateful for the many life-long friendships that have made throughout my life while working through college. I want my friends to know that they are each so special to me, many of you have influenced me for the better. I know that Christ blessed me to have you in my path so that we could become friends. Thank you so much!