As all missionaries know, an important event routinely occurs – that of Mission Transfers.
It usually happens via the telephone. Someone calling and announcing your efforts to publish glad tidings in that particular part of the Lord’s vineyard is now over. Announcing what little time you have left will now be devoted to a new area and with a new companion.
Before the phone call ends, your emotions usually drown out the person speaking. The spirit simply carries your mind and heart away to another place. Mostly away to those whom you have come to serve and love. By design, there is little time to exchange good-byes.
And so was the case for us. We knew our time was far spent. We knew our week of transfer at the Institute had arrived.
Yet, it didn’t come by telephone. Our companionship remained intact (despite my companion not getting me anything for Mother’s day – but that’s another story – which he has since made full restitution for.) And we are to remain at the U-dub Institute.
Despite all that, a transfer occurred. How you may ask?
Winter term ended. Though we remain, some of our students are leaving. Some are getting married. Some are graduating. Some are going on missions. And for some, it’s simply time to head home for summer.
All these transfers have been a little jarring. Somehow we had it fixed in our minds that since we were serving but a year - it would be us leaving the U-dub - not them.
Despite the jar, we had a splendid time with all the Institute students at the closing social. We held the social at a place called the Golden Gardens:
It usually happens via the telephone. Someone calling and announcing your efforts to publish glad tidings in that particular part of the Lord’s vineyard is now over. Announcing what little time you have left will now be devoted to a new area and with a new companion.
Before the phone call ends, your emotions usually drown out the person speaking. The spirit simply carries your mind and heart away to another place. Mostly away to those whom you have come to serve and love. By design, there is little time to exchange good-byes.
And so was the case for us. We knew our time was far spent. We knew our week of transfer at the Institute had arrived.
Yet, it didn’t come by telephone. Our companionship remained intact (despite my companion not getting me anything for Mother’s day – but that’s another story – which he has since made full restitution for.) And we are to remain at the U-dub Institute.
Despite all that, a transfer occurred. How you may ask?
Winter term ended. Though we remain, some of our students are leaving. Some are getting married. Some are graduating. Some are going on missions. And for some, it’s simply time to head home for summer.
All these transfers have been a little jarring. Somehow we had it fixed in our minds that since we were serving but a year - it would be us leaving the U-dub - not them.
Despite the jar, we had a splendid time with all the Institute students at the closing social. We held the social at a place called the Golden Gardens:
Golden Gardens is basically a very beautiful beach along the Puget Sound. And as luck would have it, we have been experiencing some very beautiful sunsets:
You might have thought that “Bond – James Bond” was the only person you can think of who would ever wear a suit and tie on a beach. But move over Bond, because can you believe it? Elder Thornton was the ONLY one on the entire beach dressed in a suit and tie that day, (However, note the orange/purple “party” tie he is sporting.) And I might have been the only person wearing a skirt.
But no matter. In fact, our attire ironically turned out to be a very good thing. You see, with a very large beach and thousands of people, it was a little hard, especially for the 30+ BYU interns who had just arrived in Seattle for the summer, to actually spot our “Institute” group on the beach. But have no fear, what other group would have a couple, dressed in missionary attire, besides the Institute? So, due to our dress (and maybe because no one was holding a beer bottle) our group was easy to spot. We roasted hot dogs, melted smores, threw a football and just had a swell time.
On Sunday, we held Institute Graduation. The Institute Choir sang:
And 12 Institute students graduated – 4 of which attended our classes. We were so very proud of them!
And so ends another term here at the Seattle Institute of Religion.
Summer now officially begins. We start our new classes in two weeks.
One of the classes we have been assigned to teach is entitled “Building Lasting Relationships.”
With a title like that, who can tell? This could be the summer of love at the Institute!
(But, help! We are in need of some good material for this class, so any suggestions are WELCOME!)
As always, you have our love and gratitude for all you do!
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton
No comments:
Post a Comment