April 25, 1998    (this was a letter sent to the LDS teen e-mail list)

             Here is an event that happened yesterday, and I thought that I
    would share it with you.  I was looking for a job,  so that I can pay for
    my mission.

             Well, I had originally intended to work at Sonic drive-inn
    several months ago,  but I didn't get any response to my application.
     So,  since Sonic wasn't giving me a reply,  I put in an application
    at Krogers.  The manager told me to come back the next day and meet her at
    the bench in the front of the store to have an interview,  which must have
    been because I made a good impression.
     
            And there I was,  right on time,  waiting on the bench.  Then the
    manager comes walking up and sits down beside me.  We had a short
    conversation about the "nice day" outside,  and then she asked,  "what
    hours would you be looking for?"
     
            I then told her,  "Well,  I definitely cannot work on Sunday or on
    Wednesday evenings."
     
            She then told me,  "this is a Union job,  and I will not be able to
    guarantee that you won't work on Sundays."
     
            I replied,  "Well,  I'm really sorry,  but I can't work on Sundays."
     and then,  with a hesitant voice,  she said,   "It was nice meeting
    you."
     
            When I was going out the door,  I said,  "Thank you for at least
    considering me."

            I told my Step-dad about the experience on the way home.
     I walked in our front door,  and said to my mom,  "I can't work on
    Sundays,"  and she knew that I wasn't hired.

             Then mom said,  "Mr. Thomas from Sonic called."

         I was stunned for a second, and then she went on,  "He wants you
    to start tomorrow."

             While I was thus in a confused and over-joyed mood,  I asked,
    "what time did he call?"

             And my mom said,  "probably at the same time that you were telling
    Krogers that you couldn't work on Sundays."

             I called Sonic,  and talked with Mr. Thomas,  and he said,
    "actually, I was hoping that you could come in tonight."

            And that is my own personal witness,  that when the world closes a window
    in the house of opportunity,  the Lord will open the garage door and let
    you take the ferrari for a ride.

            I made $48 in 6 hours yesterday, compared to only $30 that I
    would have made for the same amount of time at Krogers.  To some that may
    not be much,  but to me it is.   And I know for myself,  that it was because
    of a simple phrase  "Well, I'm really sorry,  but I can't work on Sundays."

    Buh-bye
    Your Friend,
    Matthew

    __________________________________________________________________