Clarence Was Right About Holes

We have been in denial. Yet stark reality just swept in.

We taught our last class. We cooked our last meal. We gave out hugs to almost everyone of these 200+ crazy, kind, wonderful, shy, loud, thoughtful, funny, over-the-top, reserve, , , – in other words – just normal, great college-age Institute kids. (“Hugs” you say? Yes, we gave out “hugs.” Not exactly a “mission” thing to do. But what are they going to do? Send us home?)

Clarence Oddbody in the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” tells George Bailey:

“Strange, isn't it?
Each man's life touches so many other lives.
When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”

Though we be the ones leaving, , ,

Each individual and unique kid makes for an awfully big hole in our hearts.

But isn’t the gospel great? For does not Christ’s gospel give purpose and meaning to “holes?” Does not the spirit whisper softly these empty voids will be filled to overflowing?

Take for example, the hollow felt through the hugs and sniffles exchanged as a son or daughter enters the mission field. Or even the small pit felt by a mom each time she reaches the last sentence of her missionary’s weekly email or letter. Are not these filled to overflowing upon their loved one’s return?

And what of the pits and hollows which seem to have no bottom? Those which seem to defy any possible way to be filled? Does not the gospel give hope to the impossible? For we know these pits and hollows are not just ours. They are His.

Our kids are His. Our extended family & friends are His. He wants each of us home. He wants no eternal “holes.”

For this He gave all. For this cause we have given but little. Yet for what little we have given, once again we find ourselves in His debt tenfold.

Speaking of service, as alluded to in our last writing, we were given the permission to have a final friendship feast with a special Christmas missionary theme. So, since a little before Thanksgiving, we have been preparing.

Thursday night we decorated and put it all in place:

Notice how Mike is safely on the ground, while his “elf” (a great young man, named “Xavier”) is doing all the high flying work.

Keeping one eye on Mike (to make sure he didn’t disobey my two-feet on the ground at all times rule - yah, like he has obeyed any of my rules in the past right?), I busied myself in the kitchen:

And so I watched as the scene progressed into the night (or perhaps into the morning, I am not quite sure when we actually finished):

And they even let all 5’2” of me help a little:

And even “accessorize:” Actually we just gathered up a lot of the pictures of Christ that hang in different rooms of the Institute and brought them all together into one room:

And so it was done – or at least as much as we could get done by 4:30am:

So we went home and got a “few” hours of sleep to return and finish.

And a Christmas miracle happened. We finished – (or at least the parts we didn’t weren’t too noticeable.)

And then they all came. And the program went off okay. We would talk more about it, but this writing is getting long.

So they filled our hearts to overflowing and well, I can’t go into that right now without choking up, so I will just have to leave it here:



Though our hearts are heavy, we are also very anxious to be home. Home to our kids (at least Katie for now), family, friends and neighbors.

We so look forward to once again fill the “holes” made without your presence. We are anxious to get all caught up with your lives and happenings.

And so it goes. Our last official missionary writing has come to an end.

See you soon!

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Do You See What I See?

On December 11th, we are having a special Christmas event. We hope it turns out at least ½ as well as what it looks like in our heads – hah!

Basically this will be our last opportunity to leave all these Institute kids (whom we have grown to love) with our testimony of Christ.

As full-time missionaries, we put out a special invitation to all the Institute young adults to RVSP and to bring a non-member or less active friend. We even got permission from our mission President to have the six (actually 7 due to a threesome) university area full-time “young” missionaries to help assist.

So, the word went out. Already enough young adults have RSVP’d that we actually are having to pull the event off twice. Once at 11:30 (sold out) and then an hour later at 12:30 ( ¾ sold out). We really, really hope it turns out as well as what we have hyped it up to be.

So the pressure is on and we spent the better part of our 4 day Thanksgiving weekend preparing for this “little” event.

What could we possibly be up to? Well, we have been putting together a program centered on Christ, based on 1 Nephi chapter 11, connecting His birth with the Tree of Life. (More details on the specifics on this program at a later time.)

And of course the room will be decorated up a little for Christmas. How “little” you may ask? Well, you do understand that Mike is involved right? Yah, you got it, if we actually pull it off, the room will be decorated to the hilt - Including a center piece consisting of a three-panel stained glass Nativity scene.

Each stain glass panel will be about 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. This makes the whole Nativity scene 8 feet tall x 18 feet wide.

Of course, you might well ask, (and actually I did ask Mike): “Do we know ANYTHING about creating stained glass panes? Just how big is our budget?” Well, due to budget constraints and the fact we know NOTHING about stained glass, Mike opted for an alternate plan. Since we are EXPERTS in duct tape, Mike figured we could stretch our area of expertise a bit and try putting together “stained glass” panels, aka, scotch tape, colored cellophane and black butcher paper. Of course, when I asked Mike has anyone ever put together cellophane panels that large? I got the standard Hertz car reply, “Well, not exactly.” But when has a little “big” ever stopped Mike?

So here we are starting to put together the first of three panels:

Don’t let that half-smile fool you. If that looks like a mess, you win the prize! Mike is trying to figure out how to get that “little” shepherd boy to cooperate. Who would have known that cellophane” likes to split and tear so very, very easily when you are trying to make it look like stained glass.

Finally though, it started to cooperate and after ONLY 26 hours of cellophane “fun,” we got the three panels completed. So on to the next task, , ,

On a less-stressful front, here is a picture of some of the young adults in our West Seattle class. In the front, second from your left, is the young woman, named “Kiethly” who was baptized and confirmed last week!


Well, we hope you took some time with family and friends to talk some turkey over some pumpkin pie!

We are so thankful and grateful for all your prayers and support. Know that you are in our prayers as well!

Love,

Elder “Mike” and Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Honoring and "Catching" up

Things have been spinning pretty fast around here. First we were honored to attend the baptism of one of our students who attends our class down in west Seattle. Rats!! We forgot the camera but will get a picture of Kiethly Ispiritu at an upcoming class.

Secondly, we were privileged to be invited to attend a Veteran's Day service that honored 16 Medal of Honor recipients. A couple of students in one of our Book of Mormon classes were participating.



Dane Stevenson is an Air Force ROTC cadet and was up front with the big wigs.

Ben Wilcox is going to BYUI this winter before heading out on his mission. He's on the right in the boy scout uniform carrying the flag.

The Husky marching band was there. One of the saxophonists is an LDS student.

All in all it was a lovely tribute to those who serve our country.

THEN:

Seattle Institute of Religion's annual TURKEY BOWL was last weekend. The LDS student association rented the Husky stadium.

OK, granted they Husky's have artificial turf, but we're still flabbergasted that the university would allow 300+ kids come play under the big lights in their lovely stadium. It boggles the mind.

The kids love it and they come out in big numbers.

There were 32 teams.

One of our favorite teams was the all girls team, "The tutus". (They lost in two but weren't shut out!!)

There were three games going on at once playing the width of the field with the sidelines acting as goal lines.

Some sideline coaching going on.

Who would guess we would find an old neighbor at the Turkey Bowl? Some of you may remember Paul Barnes.

And that's a wrap.

From the missionaries assigned here at the University of Washington. (plus Sister Williams, the secretary here at the institute)

Wild Wumpus

These past few weeks have been an absolute blur.

We can’t believe we are getting down to planning our last big Hoorah in less than a month. And with Mike, well, the “Big” part of the “Hoorah” has us hopping to get everything done in time! – More on that in an upcoming later email/blog.

Aaah, but it is P-day morn! Relax a little, then SCREEEEEEECH!!!!!!
With all the heavy smokers residing in a 100+ apartment building, we had wondered just how long it would be until somebody fell asleep with a lit & smoldering cigarette:However, we will just have to keep wondering because, (fortunately for us,) it was just a prankster who pulled the alarm.

But, that was not the end of our excitement for the week!
The Institute Council sponsored a “Wild Rumpus Dance” in celebration of the recently released movie of “Where the Wild Things Are?”

Anyway, we haven’t seen the movie, but supposedly it is based on a famous children’s story book - A book that apparently I never got around to reading to our kids. I know, I know, chalk up one more reason why my kids were grossly “deprived” and neglected as youngsters!

As you can see the evening was quite fun:
And some of the “things” were quite wild:
And the games were interesting:
And, the atmosphere was, well, , , just fun and “playful”
And, what is a social gathering of young, LDS kids and their friends without missionaries?
Speaking of which, we have a baptism to go to at 7:00pm and one last round of talks to prepare - hopefully.

So until next time, we hope your celebration of “Where the Wild Things Are” was on the fun, yet tame side of life!

And if you haven’t celebrated life lately, shame on you!
The gospel is the “Good News” so start acting the part.
It is never too late to get your “Wild Wumpus” on now is it?

From the U-dub Wumpus Room (just see if you can say that fast 10 times!)

Love,
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Abnormally normal

As far as this past week, you might just say all is “normal” here in Seattle.

Rain for four days straight – normal.

Losing 4 of the 6 University Elders to transfers – normal.

Teaching on several different campuses this week – normal.

Having 86 at Friday Friendship Feast – normal.

Assisting with the creation of a LDS student association at a local college campus - normal:
But, what is a “normal” week without having a few “abnormal” moments?

Abnormal – Watching a “hip hop” dance of some of our LDS students at the college fair:
(Actually, if you are into “hip hop” they are really quite good!)

Abnormal - Dave & Lori Wise helping on Friday. Not that either Dave or Lori are “abnormal,” but, if you recall, this is their second go-round! So Thanks!

Abnormal – Meandering on our P-day down the sidewalks of this late 19th century town - still in much use today:
Where you may ask?

Abnormal name, abnormally cute town!

And the last abnormal moment of the week – Lori Wise and I getting tickets to go listen to Sheri Dew at the women’s fireside in Seattle – then on the way out, really NOT trying, but absent-mindedly (did I emphasis the “absent” part of mindedly) bumping right into Sister Dew afterwards. (FYI, in her fireside remarks, she spoke very highly of our very own Kathy Hughes.)
So if you experienced just a “normal” week, we hope it too was broken up by a few “abnormally” pleasant moments!

Love,
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Hungry?

With each new school year comes a new flock of hungry college freshmen who are craving for Institute.




Craving you say? Weren’t most of these freshmen fast asleep in some early morning seminary class just last year?

Did not at least some of them display an unspoken lack of desire about scripture learning to even the best seminary teacher?


You are probably right on all accounts.

But, all that half-asleep learning did not go to waste.

Not so. Many of them now express they actually miss the daily contact provided by early morning seminary.

It is out of this sense of a daily spiritual needs that brings many of them out of hibernation and into institute.



So, hungry for more scripture-based learning they come. Some of them even sign up for two or more institute classes at a time.

And we stand at the ready:



And hungry they come:


And grateful are we that they do!

Oh, and if you didn’t catch on. We spent part of our P-day at the Woodland Park Zoo today!

It was very nice. But we have to say – Oh how going to the zoo without our kids for the first time REALLY, REALLY makes you miss your kids!
So we are just a little kid-sick but it’s much more manageable than probably the Swine flu. And what are we to do anyway?

Our kids are all exactly where the Lord needs them to be. And we are where we are supposed to be.

Life remains good despite some good challenges. Conference was just amazing! Isn’t the gospel great!

Best of the best to you!

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Boots and Saddles

As much as Seattletonians (Seattle+Washington=Seattletonians) are NOT into umbrellas (refer to former email on identifying tourists), Seattletonians have just the opposite point of view when it comes to rain boots.

We are not sure if it is just fall, but the rainbow boot parade of fashion has arrived.
All around campus, both young and old alike are sporting their latest finds in galosh wear.

Do you think the missionary white manual covers rain boots? Sure it talks about wearing sensible, somewhat frumpy, everyday footwear. But do you think it prohibits sister missionaries from buying say a pair of bright pink polka-dotted rain boots? Okay, okay, if pink is too bright, they do have other cute colors and styles. All they really need to do is match the fall colors around Seattle. And as you can see, the colors are getting to be absolutely vibrant:

And just in time for general conference!

Speaking of conference, here is a tip for anyone who wants to make a lot of “brownie” points with their parents:

When you are listening to conference and the speaker says something about “parents,” “family,” “love at home,” pull out your cell phone. Text your parents with some cute & quick saying like, “I love you guys!” Make sure your timing is right when the speaker is talking about those things.

That is one sure way to make any parent who is watching conference instantly warm and fuzzy for a lot of reasons.

Why so? Well, it tells your parents:

1. You are not napping and you are actually listening to conference,
2. You are thinking and putting the words of the apostles into action, and
3. You are somewhere the spirit and you are supposed to be.

Of course, we weren’t smart enough to do that for our parents. But then again, they aren’t quite up on the “texting” thing (of course, maybe they are and we are the last to know.)

But our daughter, Katie, did exactly that to us. She did it during Elder Bednar’s talk during Saturday’s morning session. And let’s just say it sure did make our day to know she was where she was supposed to be and to know she was thinking about us. Way to go Kate! We love ya! We are sure your brothers would follow your example, but, even if they are fortunate to be listening to conference “live”, they can’t text – at least we hope.

As for us, we are sure glad conference came when it did. We needed a break, even if it is only the opening week. We knew this “Opening” week of Institute was going to be busy, but WOW! We now realize we are “senior” missionaries. This past week has been a blur of classes, shopping, baking, tours and socials. By Friday we were running out of steam. Fortunately, Brad & Karen Beagles came into town. We put them right to work. Once again, looking back, we are not quite sure how Friday would have really happened without their extra help. So thank heaven for angels on both sides of the veil!

Well, it is great to be back in the saddle for one last term!

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Love,
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Choosing the right BIG can be so difficult‏

We were thinking about doing something really, really BIG for our last term at the Institute.

Then we came across a protestant church which is situated right next to the I-5 freeway on the north side of Seattle.
After looking at what they have done, we are thinking BIG may not always be a good thing.

Here is a picture so you can see what we are talking about:

Now we are not exactly sure what they were going for. But apparently the city thought it was too BIG and won’t let them occupy it.

What do you think? We don’t mean to be condescending, but we can’t imagine even the Zoramites erecting such a tower. In fact, our thoughts honestly ran along these lines when we first saw it:

Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about. Alma 31:22

We can’t imagine that reaction was what the church was going for. But just what were they thinking? Which elderly widow of their congregation was going to ascend up to that tower to pray or worship?

Perhaps the tower is just a sign of the times. Speaking of signs of the times, when we go walking every evening, we see this great sign:



We couldn’t have placed the sign better if we tried. We just wished more of the people in those cars knew how to read. Anyway, there are quite a few casinos in and around Seattle due to the several Native American reservations.


Back onto more spiritual matters, it always turns out to be a good thing to sit back and watch the Lord in His wisdom rather than counsel the Lord isn’t it?

Here at the University of Washington, the single wards’ Bishoprics are somewhat similar to BYU single ward bishoprics. But in some ways they are different. For example, Bishops tend to serve in the single wards for 8 to 10 years. Think about it! Can you imagine having the energy to serve in a single ward for 8 to 10 years? We wonder sometimes how these good men find the energy. But we now see evidence why the Lord has these good men serve these longer periods.

Unlike BYU wards, a large number of the students are converts, and recent converts at that. This means, the single UW ward is basically the only “ward life” they have ever known. Having a Bishop who has been in the ward long enough to really get to know each of his flock can mean a big difference in convert retention.

Also, other long term needs can be addressed that may unintentionally slip to the wayside if bishops were changed as frequently as they do at BYU. For example, a young man named Sean got his mission call back in 2006. Sean didn’t have any worthiness issues, but he decided a mission was not for him. But in 2006 a wise bishop put Sean under his wing. Sean responded well and this same Bishop then called him to be his ward executive secretary. Sean has served there for two years and has remained active. In fact so active, he and a group of his buddies just returned from a “road trip” where they visited over 25 temples in a two week period before school starts again next week. Sean has now matured. He has matured to the point that he made up his mind to see if he could return and serve his mission. It will be almost 4 years, but just a little bit ago, he and this same good Bishop got the approval for his return!

Sean is an outstanding young man and would have been even if he had never decided to return to his mission. But just think what this will mean to Sean and his family. Our hearts are so glad for him! And these are but a few examples of why sometimes we have found it is better for us to be patient until the Lord reveals why He is doing what He is doing and what His timing is.

Speaking of time, we can hardly believe our final school term is upon us. After the long quiet summer, signs of the new school year are breathing new life back into the Institute. Yesterday we witnessed the baptism of a young South Korean student whose nickname is “K.J.” K.J. is one of the most diligent students we have ever met. He will be a great asset to the Church in South Korea when he returns. Each Sunday brings a new wave of students into the three single university wards. Just when we thought we were getting a good handle on knowing all the students, here we go again! It is going to be such a challenge trying to remember all these new students’ names.

This upcoming week will be a mad dash of final preparations. This fall, we will be teaching four – 2 credit hour – classes. Mostly Book of Mormon, but with one New Testament class. Also the first week Institute “Kickoff” is going to make us wish a little for the slower summer days. Basically it will be a week of sign-ups, barbeques, parties, touring (and lest we forget, also teaching.) Anyway, it begins! And this is where we need to end this email.

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

P.S. Not that we are fair-weather fans or anything, but what happened to BYU? At least we have UW to root for this week, who knocked off No. 3 ranked USC!

You too can become fishers of blackberries & students

As echoed in the lyrics of the 1969 pop song called Space Oddity,

“Ground control to Major Tom. , , , Planet earth is blue and there is nothing we can do, , ,”


The sky today is perfectly blue. Mount Rainier looks spectacular. September is absolutely splendid!

Yet, September at the Seattle Institute is also a very odd month to be a missionary.

Just as all of Europe takes August off for “Holiday,” it seems all of Seattle takes September off for “Weather.” The Institute itself was closed for the Labor day weekend. Students and investigators are all but non-existent. But have no fear, we remained at our post. Well, sort of, , ,

Here is a picture of our final summer class, held down in West Seattle last Tuesday:

Actually it is a picture of only about half the class. The other half already left last week to go to various places, like BYU – I.

Down in West Seattle, most students are facing some pretty hefty challenges. But face and grow from them they do.

For example, the one gal in the middle, (dressed in green sweater, purple shirt, pink shoes,) just got her mission call. She is about as out-going and positive of a person as you can possibly imagine. And she just finished graduating from BYU – Provo. She also put her charisma to work as an EFY counselor. She is just great with kids.

So what is her challenge? Guess where she got called? The Provo, Utah Mission! Once she got over the initial shock, (the only mission she was fearful to be called to), she wrapped her heart, might, mind and soul around it and got way excited for her mission again. She realizes this is not her work and humbly accepted where the Lord wanted her to go – even if it is back to the very place she just spent the last 4 years going to school and working.

She will be a great asset to any mission! In fact the girl in red and black plaid standing next to her is just one of the many less-actives or investigators she routinely brings with her to our class and to church. She is going to be a great missionary. We are just honored to have had the opportunity to discuss the gospel with her this summer and all the other great students in West Seattle.

Speaking of greatness, take another look at the summer class picture above. If you look closely at the person sitting on her knees, you just might recognize her. Even though she fits right in with all those “young,” single students, she is actually a mom of four, a wife of one – a friend to all, a big happy 25-year anniversary salute to Michelle Wimmer and her husband Greg!

Greg and Michelle came and visited us this past Labor day weekend:


Greg had to leave after the weekend (something about work, work, work, to feed and clothe their naked & starving kids, yada, yada, yada,) but Michelle stayed a few more days and pitched right in and whipped up a wonderful dinner for our “last class of the summer.” It was a Thai curry dish that everybody LOVED. She also sat through our teaching of the last class without falling asleep. In fact she sat right by a less-active student and helped her with scriptures and thoughtfully answered her questions. Thanks Michelle!

Bonus; She even cleans up after herself! That is an art Michelle and I have tried and tried to teach our current companions, but with only limited success. Wait a minute, maybe Michelle and I can go on exchanges! Greg and Mike can go and do that which they do best. You know, “talk, talk, talk, , , clear your throat and pontificate really deep thoughts like, , , ‘back in our single mission days,’ bla, bla, bla, then BYU football talk, then more mission talk, talk, talk,, ,”

While, Michelle and I, “chatter, chatter, chatter, , , ‘wouldn’t so-and-so student be so CUTE with so-and-so?, , ,’ giggle, giggle, giggle, more chatter, chatter, chatter, , , ,” BUT at least we do the shopping for the Institute while yammering. Because, as everybody knows, although we are created equal to men - we just so happen to be “more” equal when it comes to “Multi-tasking.”

And Look! Here Michelle and I are multi-tasking while actually doing some missionary work with a cute couple on their bicycles.

We invited them to Church on Sunday and can you believe it, they came!
Okay, so it was kind of easy to get them to come to church. They were visiting from Alpine, Utah and were already looking for a place to come to church. But, we do what we can and the black name tag does the rest!

We were just thinking, do you think Greg & Michelle’s four kids would miss them very much if we kept them to help with the Friday Feasts until December? After all, about ½ the recipes we tried on the kids last fall came from the Wimmers.

It was such a delight to have Michelle and Greg join us. But, like we said, with the students gone right now, they really did not get the full effect. So to compensate, while the Institute was closed in observance of the Labor day weekend, we took off to visit some of our favorite places:


And of course, we had to stop and pick blackberries that grow like weeds everywhere around here:

But then, as soon as they came, they were gone. Not the blackberries, but the Wimmers.

Now we wait for the students to start coming back. We think it is kind of like the fishermen waiting on the river banks for the salmon to return each fall. Until then, we will keep our lines in the water and work with what we’ve got. We’ll keep preparing for the fall classes and keep picking a handful of blackberries or two.

And for a limited time, we are now taking reservations for those who want to come and help with a Friday Feast this fall. Especially if UW was your Alma Mater! Of course, you have to pay all your expenses to get here. And there is no monetary pay for the work. You have to be subservient, humble and willing to take orders. And Friday hours are, well, long. But besides all that, it is a LOT of fun! Open slots are limited and filling fast, so sign up early. October is already mostly filled. LOL! Remember, this is our final term!

Well, from the all-to-quiet Institute in Seattle, we leave you with the immortal last words of David Bowie, “Ground control to Major Tom. Hellooooo!!! Is anybody out there???? Can you hear us? Is something wrong? Is the circuit dead? , , , may God's love be with you, , ,”

Until we meet again,
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny,” Thornton
Fishers of Blackberries & Students


P.S. Do you think David Bowie, aka, “elephant man” actor and pop star would have ever thought he would be quoted in a missionary email?