A hobo and a bum

 Oh hi Bakey!

Well, it’s been a tough week for joe, actually a tough night last night. That job at Panda didn’t work out and it was tough on him. I’ll let him tell you the details, but he wasn’t properly trained, wasn’t allowed to clock in, wasn’t given a schedule, and wasn’t told when his shift was over. He may have left before his shift was over, but he had worked over 6 hours. He came home and and he was very stressed out to the point of tears. We calmed him down and told him to take a shower. Mom and I discussed what we should tell him to do. It’s tough because I don’t want you boys to think anything is too hard for you, or to quit, but I also don’t want you to put up with unhealthy situations or to let people take advantage of you. When he came out, I told him that he didn’t have to go back, I told him they may not want him back if it went that badly. I also told him that no matter what, he had to tell them what his intentions were. So today after school he texted them telling them that it wasn’t going to work out. I know that he would of gone back if I would have made him, but I also told him that his first priority was school, second young men, then work. Plus, a six hour plus shift is too much on a work night. I could also tell that that job was a bit (a lot?) too advance for him at his current experience level, but I didn’t tell him that. As of tonight, they haven’t returned his text. I don’t know Jacob, as a dad I’m never quite sure if I’m doing the right thing. I kept thinking of Jacob fielding (no, I don’t compare any of you boys to him or anyone else in the ward) and all the things he’s quit. But even before Joe started this job I worried about him taking it. Not that I didn’t think he could do it, but I wasn’t sure he should. I didn’t want to tell him not to take it though because I think this experience was important for him, and I think you boys need to make your own choices, even if it was hard. When I was praying about it last night I thought that even Joey needs to experience trials. I told him that if he were in a similar situation when he was married with kids, quitting wouldn’t be an option. So, I really don’t know Jacob. I guess that’s not right, even though I worried about letting him quit, I did feel it was the right thing. I hope he got some life experience from this. He’s going to look for another job starting tomorrow. There’s a Wendy’s going to open across from maverick. Mom thought it would be a chance where everyone is new and maybe the training will be better. She also suggested a sweeper job at his school. He said he was going to apply at some other places too. But for now you brother is a hobo, a bum. 

All the Utes news I’ve been sharing on Facebook hoping that you’ll see it. Today’s amazing news was that the Utes have two All Americans, first team no less. Devin Lloyd which comes as no surprise, and Britain Covey, which is the most awesome thing ever and solidifies him as my all time favorite Utes. For some dumb reason he reminds me of you. Maybe it’s the mission thing, maybe it’s the picture you got with him, maybe it’s because his breakout freshman game was against Michigan at that game we went to together. Before this, the Utes have had a total of 8 all Americans. Waddle being the most prominent, and 4 of them were kicker/punters, including Tom Hackett twice. I can’t really tell how many teams have more this year other than Alabama, but the Utes have the most from the PAC12.

Tonight was my second Wednesday at young men. They were supposed to have planned a game night but no one did. So the shot a little basketball then stood around and chatted. If you had been there, I can’t imagine you not organizing a basketball game. I did my best to chat with the boys, and I volunteered to teach the lesson on Sunday. I figure if I don’t know what to do I’d just do whatever presented itself.

I forgot to mention how much I loved you poster. I was trying to tell Ben the other day how the Utes connect you boys with my dad and brother. How when the Utes won the other night all I wanted to do was to share it with you and them. How the emotion of the win mixed with the emotion of missing you and being proud that you are out there, then I mixed for my wanting to share it with my dad and my brother. I still really miss them even after all this time. There are many periods of your life, you’re going through a major one now. Certain things trail through all parts of it though, the Utes being a really fun one for me.

Ben is finishing up his semester soon, this is his last week of class then finals. I guess he’ll be a sophomore next semester? I’m going to take a bunch of time off between the holidays, it will be nice.

Mom’s catching a cold, so I worry about her because she insists on being tough. 

It’s supposed to start raining tonight turning to snow on Friday, maybe up to 6 inches. We’ll see what we end up with. Ben won’t have to go to campus Friday because that’s the first official day of finals. But I will take Joe if it’s really bad even if it bugs him.

Well young man. I sure love you. Please be safe,

Pops