Ode to Richard and Sharon

Hello again from Seattle!

First, a special “Keep Getting Better” shout-out to Mike’s sister Nancy Jackson. We love you!

We received a few emails from the Jeppesens over the past week. As most know, they are now making their way slowly Westwest. Can anybody say “Wagons Ho!” We know (as everybody knows) Richard & Sharon make everywhere they go a far better place for having had them in their midst. We are sure it was especially true where they were serving the Lord on a full-time basis. Well done!

Time is flying by far too fast. Where did their 18 months go? We knew (at least in our heads) that we would not be home for their homecoming, but now that reality is setting in that one of the two original couples from our ward – which we were so glad to follow their lead into the mission field - have now completed their service, it feels somewhat akin to having someone kick one of the legs out from under a three legged stool. We will just have to confer with the Wells, (the other remaining couple), on that. Although the Jeppesens are, of course, irreplaceable, perhaps we can claim the Hughes as an extended ward couple to prop us back up.

Anyway, we hope somebody takes copious notes at their homecoming and send the notes to us if possible. Likewise, we REALLY hope their westward travels take them farther than Utah. Perhaps a wrong turn in Colorado might take them to somewhere even farther west like Seattle?

As for us, this week kicked off the new school term. We planted a big pot of flowers, just under the Institute sign, to draw people’s attention to it. We went with flowers, since we think it is getting too late in the spring for Mike to be making snowmen to place under the sign (we hope!)

Spring is definitely here. Cherry blossoms are in bloom and the campus is getting really lovely – If it would just quit raining long enough for us to enjoy it. But, Mike’s camera battery died, so hopefully Mike will have it fixed about the same time it quits raining in Seattle. It does actually stop raining in Seattle sometime doesn’t it? Well, come what may, we will try to have some spring pictures in next week’s installment. Speaking of not getting to take a picture, Mike’s oxygen business partner, Brad, was in Seattle for an event and he dropped in to see us at the Institute during the break which was fun.

The Spring term has now officially started. The young adults are back and the Institute has gone overnight from ghost town to a jumping place. We just finished the normal Friday feast with about 80 people, so we are off to a good start in the meet and greet department.

We also took our “south” students, whom we go teach at the Tongan branch building, who are attending other colleges, like Seattle U to a “Pho” dinner. We also had a drink called “Bubble Tea.” Now, before someone reports us to the Bishop for breaking the word of wisdom – Bubble Tea – is not what it sounds. It really is just an ice/smoothie flavored drink (we got “honeydew”) with large tapioca beads in it – which look like “bubbles.” Anyway, it sounds a little strange, but it really is pretty good. The “Pho” is a Vietnamese soup which has rice noodles and what ever kind of meat you choose to have cooked in it – we chose brisket (but for the Dave Bruner types - you can choose any kind of meat – including “tripe.”) Anyway, the brisket “Pho” was really good. Especially on a cold, rainy day – which Seattle just happens to have a few. It was also really fun to just enjoy our students outside the normal classroom setting. They are just so great!

In the spiritual feeding portion of our calling, in addition our normal load, we started a new night class on Wednesdays. We were initially excited to be teaching a night class because traditionally they are better attended as compared to daytime classes. (They apparently are just a better fit for busy student schedules.)

However, we have found at times students can be brutally honest. For example, one student told us (just before we started the class), “missionary couples usually only get like 2 students to come and that is why they normally don’t get to teach in a valuable night class time slot.” Anyway, as you can imagine, it came as a relief to find 18 students had signed up for our evening class. Normally you add a few over the next few weeks, so hopefully we can retain about 20 or more students. The 18 students makes it the second largest class - so take that “brutally honest” opinionated people everywhere! (Okay, so you might be wondering, what is the #1 largest class? For some reason, it has always been the Tuesday 7:00p.m. class. It just seems to be the day & time of the week that best fits student schedules.) Anyway, for a Wednesday, 5:30pm slot, we feel we are off to a good start.

Speaking of classes, we have a special challenge in most of our classes. In that, in each of our classes we get a wide variety of students. Some are return missionaries who are normally well-grounded in the gospel. Some are doctoral candidate students. Some are freshmen. Also, there are a number of students who have joined the church only within the last year or so. For example, one of our students just got baptized this last Saturday. So the challenge is to be able to teach a broad-knowledge base of students attending the same class.

It is a good challenge though. Studies show that if young adult converts take institute within their first year of becoming a member, (or better yet, even before they become a member), there is about a 90% retention rate among them, which we are told is incredibly higher than the normal retention rate.

Well, try to stay warm and dry for us will ya?

Love,


Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton


P.S. Whaa Hoo! Its Conference weekend!