Medical problems forced me to close my law practice. I had worked in the legal system for 32 years and welcomed retirement. During the next two years, however, I found that life without work was boring and unfulfilling. Then our financial situation began to suffer when my wife’s employment became unstable and our medical bills began to pile up. I tried to find work but was told I was overqualified. When I thought about what I would like to do and what I might be good at, I decided to pursue a new career in real estate.

At my wife’s suggestion, I contacted the LDS Employment Resource Services center. We attend the local LDS ward, but I am not a member. I didn’t think they would help someone like me, someone who wasn’t a member of the Church. I was wrong. The Church-service missionary at the employment center assured me that their services were available to everyone. He suggested I speak with the development counselor.

As I spoke with the development counselor, she told me my plan sounded reasonable, given my background and skills. When we discussed how much it would cost to obtain the education it required, I realized that it would be impossible for us to pay. Surprisingly, the development counselor found the financing I needed to pay for the class.

While I was in the process of taking the class, the development counselor offered me an opportunity to participate in a business partnership. This is a program in which Deseret Industries pays my salary for a short period of time at a local business so I can gain experience and learn new skills. I worked in a realty office. I then studied and passed my licensing exams for two states.

As soon as my real estate licenses were approved, I was offered a position with a real estate company. However, I needed money to pay fees to a professional realtor’s association and setup fees for a listing service and lock box program. We didn’t have all of that money.

Once again, I contacted the development counselor at the LDS Employment Resource Services center to see if she knew of any programs that might help with the fees. It was hard for a 59-year-old man, who had never asked anyone for financial help throughout his life, to ask for help now. When I called her back, she advised me that the LDS employment program would pay all of the costs. My eyes filled with tears and my voice choked while trying to express my surprise and appreciation.

The Church-service missionaries and development counselor were so kind and helpful to me, a nonmember of the Church. I can’t thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the LDS employment program enough for helping me achieve my goal.