prayer moment

Do you ever have one of those moments when you pray for an answer to a question, and God not only answers you he practically hits you with a 2X4 with the answer? I had one of those moments this weekend. I was offered a job as a teacher in a state jail. The idea of working in a jail was really scary to me so I started praying to see what God would want. The pay is better then any job I have worked yet, and insurance starts from day one, but it would take me out of the school system, where I ultimately want to work. so I had a lot to weigh out. Well, Friday when I went to be fingerprinted, the lady printing me looked at my app and said, oh, you were born in Utah - are you LDS? I told her yes, and she said, oh, good, that will make 2 of us working here. Did you know we are 10 minutes from the temple here? We get off work at 2:30 here, and I go to temple sessions twice a week if you want to go with me. (remember I just got those ordinances restored - perfect timing.) then she said "I have no impact on the prisoners from here in payroll, but if you get to teach them just think of how much you can share your testimony with them - how awesome!" I thought that was my confirmation to work there. Then sunday at church, Relief Society was about sharing pure testimony, and one lady said that sharing your testimony with even the most hardened of people will soften their hearts and bring about a lasting change. I took that as another sign that this was right, thanked God for the answer and figured that was it. THEN, in Sunday School we were talking about free agency and someone made the comment that people who live in jail have 3 square meals a day, cable tv, a recreation center and things the rest of us would enjoy but have NO CHOICES - the only choice they get is what to think, feel, and believe. I don't know why this person thought of prisoners for this example, but wow! What a good confirmation AGAIN that I need to go work there. was that the end of it? NO! During Sacrament meeting, the stake mission president and his wife were talking. She was telling a story about a woman who felt compelled to write her testimony in a Book of Mormon, wrap it up in wrapping paper, and put it in her purse to give to someone she felt inspired to give it to later. But she got mugged and her purse was stolen. She figured that was the end of that Book of Mormon. But 3 weeks later she got a note in the mail. It said he was the man that stole her purse. It returned her 25 pesos and her ID, and had a lengthy letter about how he had been in and out of jail, but when he stole her purse he found her Book of Mormon, and read her testimony in the front, and it changed his life and heart forever. It was such a neat story - and yet another confirmation that I need to work at the jail. So God didn't leave any doubt in my mind, did he? This job pays 29 thousand a year - as a substitute teacher I only get around 15 thousand a year. Insurance starts on day one, and I havent had insurance since August, and I have a huge hernia I need to get taken care of. I am on contract with the school district until March 10. This job starts March 14. And the final kicker - I originally applied for this job 7 months ago. I prayed at the time that God would put me in a place where I could share the gospel. I had forgotten about the fact that I was praying for that when I applied at the jail. God reminded me of that Sunday. Be careful what you pray for - you just might get it! -Sherrie

Wow, that's all I can say right now. Wow. The Lord definately knows each of us individually and knows what we need and prepares us for it. Congratulations on your new job. You'll have to let us know how it goes Melody