Bring a humongous cord, Ma'aki will pray, 80 makes a party!‏

When our kids were little (especially Katie), whenever we would ask them to do something, our requests were usually met with a "Why?" As young parents we had ALL the answers (LOL!), so we would put forth our best efforts to explain the "Why." This normally was met with another "Why?" and then another, and another. You've been there. This game continues until your ears fall right off the sides of your head and roll into the mud to plug themselves up from hearing one more "why?" We are not sure this is what the scriptures mean “to become as a little child” is it?

Mike: “Ummh, Jen when we leave to go on our mission let’s bring: scriptures, maybe some pass along cards, our MTC material, and oh, let’s not forget to pack a ridiculously large power cord.” (How big you may ask? A world-record Anaconda would pale in comparison to its 150 feet of length, its massive weight and its multiple-outlet head.)

Jenny: “We probably own 6 other power cords. All, much more reasonable in size.” Rolling her eyes, “Why bring THAT heavy old thing?”

Mike: “I have NO idea. But I am learning to quit asking ‘why.’”

Jenny: “What? That doesn't make any sense. But, okay then if you can bring that, I get to bring my big crock pot and my . . .”

And now you know the rest of the story of how we managed to fill a U-haul trailer when packing for Seattle.

As earlier reported, we did make it all the way to Seattle (humongous cord, crock pot and all.) Here is a map showing the exact location of the Institute at the University of Washington where we spend much of our waking hours:

Here also is a picture of the Institute faculty:

Left to right, Randy White, Debbie Williams, Todd Knowles, “Elder” & “Sister” Thornton

Those who went to Lone Peak High School or Pleasant Grove High School may recognize Brother White who taught at those seminaries before coming to the Institute. (He says a big hello to Ben Wade and Rhett Wimmer!) The director, Bro. Knowles, wrote a lot of the Church Institute curriculum. Sister Williams is just the best office manager you could ever find. Additionally, there are several other brothers and sisters who teach an evening class or two.

To understand a little better what our CES mission entails, you must understand a little about the environment LDS students face living in the Seattle area. The U-dub LDS students LOVE their school as much as BYU students love BYU (Go Huskies! – unless they are playing BYU of course.) Seattle is a mecca for a wide variety of interests. They love their Huskies, they love their art, food, pets, literature & world travel.

An “I-5” freeway shot of the University of Washington Campus:

The area, however, is not without its challenges. In the U.S., Seattle ranks #2 (just behind San Francisco) in having the least amount of people who believe in God. Also, Seattle has the same #2 ranking in people choosing to live alternative life styles (again, just behind San Francisco.) In a nutshell, if an LDS single adult so chooses, Seattle seems to be an area of choice to “lose” oneself and create distance from family and LDS acquaintances. As a result, even though a large number of single LDS adults live in the Seattle area, a large number of them do not consider themselves “active” LDS members.

Also, with the expansion of BYU-Idaho, statistics show a large number of the “active” LDS undergraduate students are now enrolling in BYU-Idaho. This, of course, is not a bad thing, but simply is another reason why the number of “active” LDS single adults in the area has decreased. As a result, many of the Institute single adults are graduate students.

So there lies the Institute’s challenge. Provide interesting classes for busy graduate students while fostering programs which assist both “less active” LDS students and non-members alike who are facing difficult and sensitive social issues.

Anyway, as a result of the above, the number of students enrolled in the Institute hit an all-time low about 3 years ago. On the brighter side, these numbers are now improving and are actually higher than they were 5 years ago. But they represent only about 20% of the LDS student population, so we have a lot of work to do just here on campus. Other campuses are in need of even more work.

Okay, okay, enough with the statistics, and on with this week’s email. In order to reach more students, the Institute is attempting to bring classes closer to where the students reside. As a result, on Tuesday evenings, we teach students who primarily attend colleges in the southern parts of Seattle (such as Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University.) Since we don’t have an Institute building on these campuses, we offer the classes at a nearby chapel. The chapel is primarily used by two Polynesian branches (one Tongan, one Samoan.) We love teaching there because a few of the kids who attend these “Poly” branches also make it a point to attend our evening institute class.

One such person is Ma’aki. Ma’aki came for the first time to our class this past Tuesday. We were teaching the epistles of Paul, and just happened to be discussing 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (Paul’s writings on charity.) That chapter is so GREAT, and most of the class participated with good input. But getting Ma’aki to participate in any way was just not happening. We were afraid his first trip to our class was going to be his last. Then at the end of the class, Elder Thornton - right out of the blue, as ever you could do - asked, “Ma’aki, would you say our closing prayer?” The entire class went deafly silent. After what seemed like “minutes,” Ma’aki replied, “I don’t know how.” Ouch. Yet Elder Thornton broke the silence with a smile and said “It's really quite simple, Ma’aki.” He then outlined the 4 simple steps of prayer and asked “Ma’aki, would you like to give it a go?” Ma’aki stood up as if to simply leave; However, he took down his hood, pulled off his cap and folded his huge arms and said, “Sure, I’ll try.” Ma’aki then gave one of the most-heart felt, simple prayers we have heard in a long time. Afterwards, everybody thanked Ma’aki for his prayer. He sat back down and started having a discussion about charity with Don, a fellow student (and also a great return-missionary.) Ma’aki asked Don, “If a person does not have charity, can he get it?” [an interesting assessment of oneself isn’t it?] Anyway, Don assured Ma’aki that is exactly what the “good news” of the gospel is all about. Ma’aki smiled and they had a conversation about charity that went on for a good while. Ma’aki was apparently listening to the class discussion fairly intently after all. On the drive back to north Seattle, Sister Thornton asked Elder Thornton, “Did you think asking Ma’aki to give the closing prayer was the right thing to do to get him to warm up the way he did?” Elder Thornton replied “I had NO idea. But I am learning to quit asking ‘why,’ – because asking the ‘why’ always leads to talking myself out of it in favor of the ‘rational’ thing to do, rather than what felt like the ‘inspired’ thing to do.”

Wednesday and Thursday classes came and went [more on them perhaps in a future email.] But what we want to get to is FRIDAYS!!!

Each Friday a “time-honored” historical event takes place. It is called “Friday Friendship Feast.” Basically, for $2 bucks you can come and eat a “Feast” at the Institute which is sponsored and cooked by the missionary couple. In the past, long, long ago, the “Friendship Feast” was exactly that. Everyone did their best to try to invite a friend and it was a great way to end your week with friends in a friendly, somewhat party type of atmosphere. Hundreds would attend. However, when we arrived, we noticed only about 40 institute kids attended the “Feast.” We inquired as to the numbers. We were told that basically, this was about the number of kids we could expect to attend each week, and they were basically the exact same kids who attended every week. This seemed a little odd to us. Don’t get us wrong, the kids that were attending are the BEST!!! We know they were attempting to invite others. However, we knew that at least 250 had signed up for institute. And if the "young" missionaries were to attend, they were supposed to bring investigators. So we figured, if this “Feast” was truly a “Friendship” feast, we would like to see if we could change things up a little bit.

However, when we hinted at changing things up a bit, we were basically told, “We have had GREAT missionary couples in the past. They have tried everything, but nothing has worked. The Institute Council has a "set" menu of meals that the kids like and any deviation usually leads to lower attendance.”

Admittedly, as we learned about their efforts and as we learned about the wonderful couples who had served before us, we were perplexed. But, it just didn’t seem right to be sponsoring a “Friendship Feast” without their being any new friendships being spawned. It just seemed like it had somehow turned into a quick meal that the most faithful of the Institute students were simply attending out of a sense of duty.

Mike asked Jen, "What are we to do? How do we get the FUN and FRIENDSHIP back into a $2 Feast?"

Jen, "I have NO idea. We need to stay within budget and do what the Council has asked. But, we may just 'tweak' a few things here and there - I'm not sure what, but let’s just do whatever it is we do.”

With that in mind, the "new” missionary couple went shopping for their 1st friendship feast.

One the best kept secrets in Seattle, is a Target store on the north end. What is so great about this Target you may ask? Well, it is a multiple level store and it has an escalator which is better than riding the Space Needle! And it’s FREE!

Just look! Here is “Sister” Thornton putting her shopping cart onto the escalator:

Then, she gets on and follows her cart down! It is just amazing thing for two small-town missionaries!

(And if you look closely enough, "No" Mike is NOT in the cart - BUT he thinks Target could sell tickets if they let kids ride!)

Anyway, we held our 1st Friday Feast and the numbers were as predicted (about 40'ish.) But, we tried our very best to tweak things just a little. For example, since it was "barbeque hamburger day" instead of grilling outside, somewhere in the back - out of the way, where no one could see, - Elder Thornton brought the grill right out in front of the Institute - almost right in the middle of the front sidewalk and started grilling. This caused a bit of a stir. One friendly bus driver jokingly opened up his door while waiting for the light to change green and yelled "Hey, that sure smells good! Can I park the bus and bring everyone inside?" Then he just laughed and the light turned green. But, between the tweaking and Sister Thornton’s wonton salad, the attending Institute students were apparently impressed enough to give it one more college try to invite more friends to the next Friday's Friendship Feast.

We then held our 2nd Friday Feast, Sister Thornton once again tweaked the menu. Low and behold, we started to see a miracle. As the kids were eating dessert, Tres Leche Cake (Thanks Katie!) they were actually texting their friends to come over and check out the new Feast. As a result, we hit 60+ students. Now the kids were catching the Friendship spirit and told us they would put out an extra effort to get even more there. We in turned promised a "Feast" they would never forget. What had we just promised? We weren't exactly sure, but we just knew we had to do something.

Well, yesterday was our 3rd Friday Feast. We knew there was only so much we knew how to do with food [Where is Jerry Bauer when you need him? Oh ya, serving a mission!] So we went a little different direction. In addition to introducing new food like “Cluff” rolls, Elder Thornton brought in the humongous cord. Why? Well, you see, the Institute building was built in 1959 without many electrical outlets and what outlets there are around the kitchen and multi-purpose room get blown if you hook too many things to them. One crock pot can do it sometimes – two – forget it. Anyway, we thought the food would simply taste better if it stayed warm, so to have them in heated crock pots and trays seemed to be the way to go.

Also we wanted to give a big boost to the ambiance by bringing in a speaker system to play Italian music in the background and a projector system to show Italian slides and pictures projected up on the big screen. (We were serving pasta and having gelato for dessert.) However, there was no way of supplying that many things with electrical power WITHOUT a big “humongous” cord to bring power from another part of the building.

Once again, it seemed to work! The numbers increased to 80+. The missionaries themselves brought 10+ investigators! The only bad thing was, we didn’t quite anticipate that many people and we ran out of food or we might have perhaps hit 100+. (Hey, but try stretching a $2 buck meal planned for 50 into 100 – we worked miracles, but we apparently weren’t up the “dividing of the fish” type yet.)

Well, going from 40 to 80, it’s a start! The area director, Brother Fowler, came down out of his office and commented, “It looks like we have the ‘party’ back in the Friday Feast.” Of course, that is exactly what we were looking for! We feel like we still have a LONG way to go, but hopefully we are back on the right track with the purpose of this Friday “Friendship” Feast.

Thinking back now to our children's "Why" questions, it seems like they would continue to ask "why" until finally we would say something like "Because I told you." For some reason, that apparently was what they wanted to hear. Only then would they go on their merry way and do whatever was normally asked. Perhaps this is the part of "becoming like little children" our Heavenly Father is trying to teach two missionaries. Maybe He just wants us to go on our merry way and DO for no other reason than "Because I said." Then afterwards the "Why" or the "How" quietly presents itself doesn't it? "Take no thought, , ," That has always been a bit scary to some of us who have to plan and think every little detail out.

Well, this week is "Stir Fry" week. Once again we have promised a GREAT feast. We NEED help! Any GREAT recipe for a meal or a dessert to keep this Party going would be GREATLY appreciated!

Any ideas on creating a PARTY atmosphere "Asian style" is GREATLY appreciated! Recipes, pictures and music are all needed!! We’re EXPECTING you to come through for us. Thanks in advance.

Love,
Elder “Mike” & “Sister” Thornton

P.S. We want to extend our “Happenchances” to both the Mathesons and the Turleys. Sister Thornton was fortunate enough to run into Marcia Matheson and we have both run into Carol Turley a couple of times. They are doing just great and we love conversing and seeing their warm and friendly faces!

A Paramount Happenchance‏

Greetings from the GREAT Northwest!

Not that every week is like this one, but this has been one of those weeks we could write a book on all the happenchance meetings we’ve had. How exactly did Mormon condense all those plates down to a “small plate” version? Well, here goes pressing this week down into a “small email” version:

Last Sunday we went to 5 young adult ward sacrament meetings to be introduced as the “new” institute missionary couple in order to get to know more of the wonderful single adults and invite them to join us at institute. As we went to the last of these meetings, that particular Bishop received a blast from the past. As Sister Thornton introduced herself you should have seen the look of surprise on Bishop “Spaulding’s” face to see “Little Jenny Furness,” his 1st cousin, whom he had not seen for 20+ years! It was a wonderful happenchance reunion.

Later that night was a fireside featuring Sister Julie Beck. Before the meeting commenced, once again, as the “new” missionaries were meeting and being introduced to people towards the back part of the chapel. In the middle of it all, a sister quietly joined our group and commenced talking to Elder Thornton. Suddenly a thought occurred to Mike, “This sister who keeps conversing with me sure looks a lot like Julie Beck – hey, wait a minute – this is Sister Beck.” Now, at times like this, all that came to Mike’s mind was a French term Jenny has been trying to teach him when he finds himself in such predicaments. The term is simply “Pardonnez-moi, je suis bête.” - English translation: “Forgive me, I am stupid.” Fortunately, Mike thought the better part of valor was to refrain from showing off his new French term. Sister Beck (along with her “tall” sports-loving husband) then gave a wonderful fireside presentation. Once again it was a wonderful happenchance meeting.

Although we had been at Seattle Institute for over ten days, we actually had yet to meet with our Mission President and his good wife. It just so happened that they were giving a “senior” missionary dinner this last week on Wednesday. As a result, they called us to see if our schedule would permit us joining them for dinner. We were delighted, so on Wednesday, the “newest” senior missionaries went to the mission home and met President & Sister Moffat. What a wonderful gracious couple they are. We also met the other “senior” missionaries and just loved finding out all about their assignments they are carrying forth. Being able to meet all the “senior” missionaries this early in our mission in one place was again just a wonderful happenchance meeting.

As we gathered to eat, all the other “senior” couples seemed to know each other. Consequently, the other “senior” couples began drifting into chairs next to couples they knew. Being the “newest,” we were just happy to watch and wait to see which two chairs would be left. As we watched, it was kind of like watching a game of musical chairs in slow motion (remember, these are “senior” couples.) At the end of this fast-pace game, two remaining chairs finally opened up. However, they were NOT the two chairs we had expected. Rather, the two left were right next to Elder & Sister Coleman of the 1st quorum of the seventies. We took our seats and tried not to act too scared.

As it turned out, Elder & Sister Coleman were very, very nice. But it was a bit tricky for Jenny. You see Sister Moffat had prepared a WONDERFUL meal featuring Northwest Pacific Salmon seasoned with a marvelous mustard rub. Jenny loves salmon. However, Mike, let’s just say, is NOT a huge fan of mustard. And salmon – it’s not exactly on Mike’s top 1,000 things to eat. So Jenny found it quite difficult not to be beaming too “big” of a smile each time Mike would take a bite of mustard-smothered salmon, slowly chew, swallow and force a “natural” smile - Then try to stay focused enough to make small talk with Elder Coleman. Jenny admitted later, what made it even more difficult, was the fact Mike was probably given the BIGGEST piece of salmon ever to eat. However, after dinner, Elder Coleman gave a “mini” fireside and bore his testimony. What a powerful testimony Elder Coleman has. Again, what a wonderful happenchance of a meeting.

As wonderful and fun as the above happenchances were, we have saved the best for last. On Tuesday, a well-dressed young man came into the institute building just about closing time and asked to use a phone. Mike said “sure” and let him use his cell phone. The young man had apparently missed his connection and was trying to call and find out where to hook up with his ride home. He made the call and said “thank you” and headed to go outside. Without much thought, Mike simply replied, “you’re certainly welcome, AND you know you can drop by this building anytime.”

Wednesday came and went as described above with the dinner at President Moffats. Thursday rolled around and just as we finished teaching our morning Book of Mormon class, the well-dressed young man came strolling back into the Institute. Mike invited him to come on in and sit down in the lounge area. He did and said, “He wasn’t sure why, but he just felt impressed to take Mike up on ‘dropping on by.’” Of course, we were glad he did. As we talked, he asked us what this building was for? Mike explained what the “Institute” building was. Mike then asked him what his name was and what he did for a living and such. “Chris” said he was working two jobs and going to school part-time. One of his jobs was a part-time guide for the Paramount Theatre [a very nice, historic theatre in Seattle - We haven’t actually been there yet, but here are some pictures we found of it.]

Outside view of the “Paramount”

Inside view of the “Paramount”

Anyway, as “Chris” and Mike talked further about the Institute and our Church, Chris opened up to Mike. He said that actually he has recently been looking and petitioning God to find some direction in his life. He had looked into Scientology, but it seemed “weird.” [And considering what he told Mike about his “Scientology” experience, we don’t blame him.] Anyway, as they conversed, we discovered he actually had heard a little about the Book of Mormon and our claim that Christ had visited the Americas. He commented that something felt “right” about Christ visiting the Americas. Anyway, just as we were finishing up our discussion, two “young” missionaries came into the Institute [the “younger” Elders come and use the Institute as a place to meet and teach investigators.] Mike introduced “Chris” to them. They promptly scheduled a time to meet with “Chris” to teach him more about the Book of Mormon and our beliefs and gave Chris a Book of Mormon and marked the chapters in 3 Nephi for him to read where Christ came to the Nephites.

Of course, meeting Chris was marvelous. We felt in a small way, our meeting Chris has been an answer to one of our own petitions. You see, we love our calling at the Institute, but, it has not left us anytime [yet] to actually go out and proselyte. We miss that. So since we haven’t been able to go out [yet], we simply have been petitioning in our prayers to simply have someone come to us. And what do you know? Both Chris and our petitions were answered. A kind and loving Heavenly Father brought two petitions together in a way only He could do. Meeting Chris the way we did was indeed a wonderful divine happenchance of a meeting.

Does God answer the petitions of his missionaries? Absolutely. Even if “Chris” had never come through our door, all the “happenchance” meetings we have enjoyed this week show how mindful He is of two little “senior” missionaries from Provo. This we know. And just as importantly, we know He is just as mindful of you! He knows the righteous intentions of our hearts.

We truly love His Gospel and these wonderful young Seattle adults we are called to serve.

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Missionary Greetings from U-Dub - Yes we can!

Yes we can! We completed our MTC experience with three days devoted just to CES training. Below are all the wonderful “couple missionaries” that are being sent out on CES-related missions who came into the MTC with us. Their assignments take them around the world: Fiji islands, India, Armenia, Marshall islands, Mongolia, Switzerland, Singapore, etc., and SEATTLE! It is amazing how diversified the background is of each couple. Some are fairly recent converts, some past-mission presidents, some have been out 2 or 3 times – and then there was this one couple from Provo, , ,

Okay, it’s kind of a “Where’s Waldo” type of a photo to actually find “Sister” Thornton.

We could write an epistle on all we learned, BUT the new CES training on how to teach from the scriptures is truly AMAZING!!! (“Amazing?” Hey, we hadn’t left the MTC yet and we started spelling and sounding like missionaries.) Back on point, the training simply has brought new meaning to scripture reading – it truly is inspired and brings so much more out of every chapter you read. We would tell you all about the new techniques, BUT you really do just have to come here and find out for yourselves (okay, since Mike still hasn’t been released as the HP group leader, this is his shameless plug for every HP in our group to go anyway you can – either serving at home or abroad - it doesn’t matter – just go.)

Anyway, we would have stayed to learn more, but EVERYBODY in our group was leaving, so that was that – we had to go.

The next day we packed our suitcases. We then packed the 4runner. Then we packed a U-haul trailer. Okay, you might think we went a “little” overboard on packing, BUT, traveling on “purse and script” is simply a little different for “senior” couples nowadays AND although there are advantages on going on a mission to Fiji - there are also advantages on going to Seattle – what more can we say?

After all that packing we did start driving to Seattle, but we had a slight problem. Interstate 84 was closed going through Snoqualmie due to snow and avalanches. Interstate 5 was closed for flooding somewhere between Portland and Seattle. In other words, you just couldn’t get to Seattle. BUT we just started driving anyway and figured we had been called and something will just have give (we hoped not us.) Just as we made it to the point where you have to decide which way to go, something did. Interstate 84 opened up and we sailed into Seattle with no problems.

We drove straight to our apartment at:
13530 Linden Avenue North #313
Seattle, Washington 98133

That is our apartment mail box area – a VERY exciting place for missionaries!

Not that you need to start writing immediately, BUT, there is a reason why we just went to the trouble of typing out our address – feel free to write OR better yet, if you just happen to be in the Seattle area, please drop on by! (Okay, okay, emails are just fine too!)

We do live in an apartment complex, much like, well, every other apartment complex we can see for miles and miles. But just in case you haven’t seen one lately, this is what they look like from the inside:

After you get off this elevator, if you look REALLY close, our apartment door is CLEAR down this long hall (keep looking, it’s CLEAR down until you can’t see,,)

Anyway, it has been dark when we leave and it is dark when we get home, so this is what we mostly see. As far as the apartment insides go, again, it is pretty standard issue:

We feel pretty special though, because that is 100% NEW carpeting you are looking at!

After reaching the big city of Seattle, we drove over to the LDS Institute at the University of Washington (the U-dub!)
We didn’t even get lost (okay, the Garmin didn’t get lost – we’re not even sure where the Space needle is yet.
That might be because it has been a “little” foggy and overcast – but here in Seattle, they just call it “Partly-Cloudy.”

The Institute was built in 1959 and has quite the heritage. Dean Hughes emailed us “Congrats!” and said back when he was a “graduate” student at the U-Dub, the Institute was run by a director by the name of Jeff Holland.

Inside, we found the Institute to be a wonderful place for U-Dub students to simply hang out and banter about current affairs.

Relax and Recreate a little;

Eat and socialize a little:

Of course, there is ALWAYS the feeling like you should ALWAYS be studying as a student. AND, although we have an office upstairs, we prefer to set the example and study up for the BoM courses and the NT course we are teaching right in the thick of it:

Why? Well, our class enrollment started out very small, so while we prepare, we “enlist” student help with the lessons and our class sizes are growing, so maybe we can teach all these brilliant minds of U-dub graduate students a thing or two. AND they have a few things that they are teaching us also. Like, did you know there is this thing called “Cha Cha” on the internet, where live people (as opposed to “unlive” people) actually answer questions over the internet on basically any topic vs. the old “ask Jeeves” where you just got some computer generated answer? What a concept! Live people!

Well, we could go on and on, but we leave you some parting shots of the Institute’s “Multi – Multi” purpose room. Note, on the one end is the standard basketball hoop, with tables and chairs for eating, recreating, ect., But on the other end, behind the draw-back curtain, is a small podium/chapel which makes the room into a chapel on Sundays for three of the on-campus single wards.

This email must come to an end. We hope to get out and send some pictures next time of the big city, but the most we have been away from the Institute was simply to get a bite to eat on the “Ave” – which is what the locals have named their “University Avenue” where everyone seems to go for a bite to eat – which is very good – but not “Cheap.” We are really getting to love the students here and the wonderful program. We truly wish we could take all of you with us.

Our Best of Wishes and Love,

“Elder & Sister” Thornton

MTC Anew

As most of you know, we had originally wanted to go and pick up Katie, but in her mission, “picking up” is strongly discouraged, (so we changed our plans and opted to visit Jenny’s mission instead.) A few days after arriving home, we went back to the SLC airport with banners and balloons flying high waiting for Katie’s plane to land (which had been delayed in Chicago overnight.) While waiting we received a cell phone call and it was from Katie! She had finally landed! One problem though, due to the extreme weather, her plane didn’t actually land in SLC. Rather, after a very informative review of their “water landing” cards, Katie and the rest of the passengers actually landed safely at none other than the Provo municipal airport! BONUS - they got to use the “emergency” exit upon departing the plane!

If in all your travels you have never landed in Provo, this picture pretty much explains it. We would have taken more pictures, but this one really does show off most of it. Note that a “terminal” is apparently not necessary here, instead, just walk over to “yellow striped” parking lot area and jump into your car. We think SLC international airport could really speed up their process if they followed Provo’s example. As for baggage, go figure, but apparently the airport doesn’t have baggage service. We finally caught up with her baggage a few days later. Anyway, Katie called again and opted for us to drive clear back from SLC to pick her up rather than just walk home. She later admitted this wasn’t quite how she pictured her “homecoming” but we are likely to remember her “homecoming” event for quite sometime don’t you think?

Well, we did rush home and put up a banner or two. Note, having your “return” missionary hold up her own banner might not have the same effect as the “classic” airport scene with family and friends, but hey, she is a good sport!

Well, Katie made it and after a “long” ten day re-union, Katie’s “homecoming” and our “farewell” talks were given the same Sunday. The next day, Katie returned the favor of picking her up at the airport by taking us to the MTC.

Now, we are sure you all must be wondering with all the talk about “raising the bar,” how they let us in, but the picture below proves we are here and we love it!

Yes, this map does show that the earth was flat when we last served, but we consider ourselves fortunate in that we can still remember that far back to point out where we served in our youth. (Grandma Fern, Mike, Jenny, Katie)

We might look young, but upon our arrival we soon discovered that about half of our MTC teachers were none other than a bunch of “returned” missionaries, who were Katie’s friends in high school, and use to hang out at our home. Having them as teachers has been a “hoot” to say the least!

We also bump into many other people that we know who work here or volunteer like Ivan Holt, George Taylor, Neldon Stanley, and several more who we are just not remembering at this moment. They have all been so kind to us.

Basically there are about 30 couples in the MTC and they are expecting 35 more next week (and probably every week.) Many of the couples have served multiple missions and it is truly amazing how much experience most of these couples have had serving in various Church capacities. Their knowledge and experience truly makes us humble just to be among them for this short time. We definitely think Seattle drew the short straw.

For those who wonder what the MTC is like nowadays, we both think that “Preach My Gospel” is truly inspired. Unlike when Mike taught here (well over 25 years ago) the stress level of having to memorize the old “rote” rainbow discussions and coordinate the whole memorized script with flip charts has been done away with. You teach in your own words and the emphasis is made on keeping it simple. Also, the food nowadays tastes like – well – food! We even see MTC President Boone and many other staffers eat here every day. And bonus – they still let us go home at night to sleep in our own bed and of course spend some time with Katie. Being “senior” missionaries sure has its advantages.

Well, they do give us a “bit” of homework to do each

night, and we are busily packing, so we had better sign off. Please know of our love for all of you and how much we appreciate your support and examples.

Love,

Mike & Jenny (aka “Elder & Sister”) Thornton