One of the common questions we get asked from time to time is - What exactly are our Seattle mission boundaries?
We asked the same question when we first got here. And well, we still aren’t exactly sure. But we are pretty sure they aren’t as big as those of Elder & Sister Wells, who, if you read their wonderful blog, apparently cover most of Africa. But, the geographical area we serve is one of the funny mysteries when serving a CES mission. You simply go wherever the Institute director tells you to go and where we are directed to go apparently spans three missions.
However, there is only so much area that can be covered by two little missionaries. Between the University of Washington Institute director, Todd Knowles, and Brother Randy White, (the other full time institute teacher) they have their hands pretty full just teaching classes on campus at the Institute on the University of Washington.
We also spend a fair amount of time teaching 2 different classes on the University of Washington campus ourselves. But, the sky is basically the limit, as far as what could be accomplished on all the other campuses in the Seattle area.
For example, Seattle University has more LDS students than the University of Washington. Presently, the only institute class for Seattle University students, and all the other central and south Seattle colleges, is just one night class taught by – you guessed it, just us two little missionaries.
As far as the north end of Seattle goes, when we first got here, there was an institute class being taught at Everette college, but that was it. So one of the first things that happened to us when we first got here was Bro. Knowles opened up an additional Institute class to cover more of the north end colleges by having us two little missionaries teach a daytime class on Edmond’s campus.
This past week, to boost attendance and get the word out that we now have an Institute class at Edmonds, those students who are attending the class put up a booth display on campus at a club fair. The club fair went GREAT! The students did such a wonderful job telling their fellow students about the class. Also, of course we attracted a bit of attention from non-LDS students as well. And we placed several Books of Mormon, handed out many pass along cards and various church pamphlets and DVDs. Edmonds is a surprising diverse campus for such a small campus. The student body is about the size of BYUI. We met people from Iran, Vietnam, Turkey and those were just the people we dared asked. We were invited to attend a couple of interfaith forums in the coming weeks that we’ll try to make it to at least one of them. We felt like REAL proselyting missionaries! It was so wonderful and as you can see from the picture of our little booth, we think everybody really had fun getting into the missionary spirit of it all.
We asked the same question when we first got here. And well, we still aren’t exactly sure. But we are pretty sure they aren’t as big as those of Elder & Sister Wells, who, if you read their wonderful blog, apparently cover most of Africa. But, the geographical area we serve is one of the funny mysteries when serving a CES mission. You simply go wherever the Institute director tells you to go and where we are directed to go apparently spans three missions.
However, there is only so much area that can be covered by two little missionaries. Between the University of Washington Institute director, Todd Knowles, and Brother Randy White, (the other full time institute teacher) they have their hands pretty full just teaching classes on campus at the Institute on the University of Washington.
We also spend a fair amount of time teaching 2 different classes on the University of Washington campus ourselves. But, the sky is basically the limit, as far as what could be accomplished on all the other campuses in the Seattle area.
For example, Seattle University has more LDS students than the University of Washington. Presently, the only institute class for Seattle University students, and all the other central and south Seattle colleges, is just one night class taught by – you guessed it, just us two little missionaries.
As far as the north end of Seattle goes, when we first got here, there was an institute class being taught at Everette college, but that was it. So one of the first things that happened to us when we first got here was Bro. Knowles opened up an additional Institute class to cover more of the north end colleges by having us two little missionaries teach a daytime class on Edmond’s campus.
This past week, to boost attendance and get the word out that we now have an Institute class at Edmonds, those students who are attending the class put up a booth display on campus at a club fair. The club fair went GREAT! The students did such a wonderful job telling their fellow students about the class. Also, of course we attracted a bit of attention from non-LDS students as well. And we placed several Books of Mormon, handed out many pass along cards and various church pamphlets and DVDs. Edmonds is a surprising diverse campus for such a small campus. The student body is about the size of BYUI. We met people from Iran, Vietnam, Turkey and those were just the people we dared asked. We were invited to attend a couple of interfaith forums in the coming weeks that we’ll try to make it to at least one of them. We felt like REAL proselyting missionaries! It was so wonderful and as you can see from the picture of our little booth, we think everybody really had fun getting into the missionary spirit of it all.
The tall young man in the back is Alex Matthews. He is the current LDS club president on campus. He is also a great return missionary who still loves missionary work. The two young sisters on the right are twins. They basically know just about everyone on Edmonds’ campus. The girl holding the orange paper is just one of the many students who came by to ask questions.
Speaking of teaching classes, this week was a little extra busy. Brother White qualified earlier this past year to run in the Boston marathon. So he flew out to Boston and competed this past week. He finished with a 3 hour 18 minute time - which for those of us who have never covered 26 miles in anything other than a car, all we can say is WAY TO GO!! And it was our pleasure to cover his classes so he could attend that event.
Also, a big shout out goes to the Greg & Michelle Wimmer this week. We “borrowed” their Thai red-curry recipe and used it in the past Friday Friendship Feast. It went over so well, that more than one of the students, who are getting married in the next little bit, want to know if the Wimmers could possibly fly out and cater their wedding dinners! Just in case there is any question - the Wimmer’s Thai red-curry recipe, yah, it is that good!
Speaking of weddings, another shout out goes to Paige Crosland who tied the knot this past weekend. Sorry we couldn’t be there Paige, but we are so excited for ya!
Also, we would like to thank the many, many families who have been so kind and considerate over the past months to invite Katie over for Sunday meals, including the Wises this past weekend. Thanks for being there for her absentee parents. No matter how old your kids get, they still love good ole fashion cook’in and some attention.
Well, we are still in Seattle if anyone ever gets a notion they will be in this neck of the woods this summer. Speaking of which, Sharon Jeppesen just emailed us and said she will be visiting her kids in Seattle this next week and may pop in on us, so we are really looking forward to that!
Well, once again it is P-day eve and we try to get this email off in time so Anziano Thornton in Italy gets it in time for his P-day on Saturdays.
Thanks again for all we know goes on to promote this wonderful work both home and abroad!
Love,
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton
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