Trip-Trap Trip-Trap! Whose in charge here?

Happy, belated, July 24th to all you of Pioneer stock! Of course you who live in the shadows of the ever lasting hills know that this is THE day when LDS kids everywhere are supposed to dress in their best polka-dot bandanas and flock to their nearest ward building parking lots. There, in parade style-fashion, they are to honor our pioneer heritage by being pulled around in little red wagons or by peddling around on their tricycles trimmed in colored paper. Finally, they are to be rewarded for their valiant efforts with that good old-fashioned treat - loved by all who crossed the plains – the orange creamsicle.
Life just does not get any better than that now does it?

Well, despite all that was going on in Utah, Friday came and went in Seattle without a single “Howdy” from any buckaroo & roo-ette! In fact, the “Insty,” (what we have fondly named “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s Seattle Institute of Religion Building”) was closed in commemoration of the day. So, no red wagons, no creamsicles, nothing. We spent most of the day at the temple, hopefully doing some good for those of our honored pioneer past.

Yet, despite the Friday pioneer let down, this week has been a little busier than most other week this month. The reason being, the Director AND the Full-time Instructor, AND the Institute Secretary were ALL gone this week (– AND they will be gone all next week as well.) That left just us two missionaries in charge.

We know, you are probably thinking – “What? Leave that Thornton couple in charge of the Insty? Are they Crazy? Do they know what Mike is capable of doing to a room in 30 minutes or less?”

Well, we did promise not to use any open flames or fireworks. But hey, that still left us a lot of wiggle room.

So, since we need to raise a few funds for an upcoming Institute party, we made a “slight” change to the building by temporarily changing it this:

We figured by turning the Institute into a Hostile, we could cook and provide room and board to enough students so we could really help out the budget. But, alas, as it turned out, most of the students seemed to have disappeared this week. So we took back down the sign. (And yes, we are just KIDDING. This is just a building along the freeway going to our apartment. The Institute is still safe and sound – despite leaving us in charge.)

However, the reason this week was a tad more busy, was because we had to teach early-morning seminary while everyone was gone. Since we have never taught seminary, (and I am not sure Mike EVER attended seminary – but somehow he did manage to graduate) we were a little bit nervous. But, it turned out to be quite fun. The class topic this term is “Mission-prep.” And since we just happened to be “Missionaries,” it wasn’t too big of a stretch. The ½ dozen students were actually quite attentive - at least a lot more attentive than we were at their age. So it was really fun, and we are looking forward to teaching them again next week.

In our other classes, we had a few more new students show up at our Tuesday night class. It is always exciting to see new faces. However, our Wednesday night class suffered some temporary casualties. There was apparently a conflicting “going away” party for some of the interns returning to Provo. We can’t believe they would skip out on our class for some FUN party (Actually, we were just miffed that we weren’t invited.) But all in all, it was a good teaching week with the additional classes we are substituting for – at least until everybody gets back.

And last, one of the biggest surprises we had this week, was one we found underneath the bridge that goes across Lake Union;

This is the “underneath” portion of one end of the bridge. The “Surprise” is when you turn around to find:

You got it, there is a BIG troll under that bridge! (And, yes, that is Katie and me. We actually took this picture when Katie visited us earlier this month and we just wanted to share it with you. So now is better than never, , ,)

We can’t believe the next time we write it will be August! Where is this summer going? We hope your summer is going well for all of you too!

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

P.S. We received a few emails wanting copies of the 38 points we talked about in our last email on the “Family Proclamation.” We will try to email a copy of the Proclamation with the numbered points sometime in the near future. Thanks for all your input! Yes, we are also going to try to put all these emails into a blog. Thanks again for all your wonderful support!

Just Chillin' with our Gnomies!

So can you guess what we have been studying in our “Building Lasting Relationships” Class?

You guessed it, the First Presidency document entitled:

“The Family ~ A Proclamation to the World”

As you know, it boldly goes where no other church on the face of the earth dares to go.

And if you go through it line by line, you can find 38 unique gospel principles within the 4 corners of that inspired document (and counting.)

How did the First Presidency pack so many principles into such a short and simple document? The more and more we study it, the more amazing it becomes.

Of course, here in Seattle, “The Proclamation” is the focal point to some pretty emotionally charged debates. So it has been good to discuss it concepts. In doing so, the young adults are better enabled to articulate a positive position without getting so emotionally defensive.

As we made final preparations for class, Mike came up with a “brilliant” idea. You know, one of those simple, easy-to-do, last minute things he tends to just spring on me now and then. Basically his idea was this, “Since we are studying the FAMILY Proclamation, why don’t we just whip up a good old fashion FAMILY meal for the students while we discuss the issues? You know, something simple, like roast turkey, homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy and such?”

Of course, the word “Simple” is not the word that went through my mind. I quickly found myself reminding Mike that somehow our “little” class has grown to, oh, I don’t know, a class size of about 30+. A simple “roasted turkey, homemade rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy for just a small group of THIRTY? Just what was he thinking? We don’t feed that many at Thanksgiving. Plus there was no time, there was no budget. No, no, no, I am telling him!

So on our way to Sam’s Club to pick up a turkey and the potatoes, (I never could say “no” to that man,) Mike did promise to peel, cook and smash all the potatoes and I actually talked him out of making home-made rolls and just buying some. And I have to admit, when it was all said and done, it actually didn’t turn out to be that big of an ordeal. Besides, most of these kids don’t see home cooked meals for long stretches. So it probably is the least that we can do for them now and again.

But just to top the week off, I reminded Mike it was also “Bastille day” this past week (French Independence day – Having served in France, of course, I still just have to celebrate these things.) Anyway, with it being “Bastille” day, I couldn’t go without making a crepe or two. And of course, once I got the crepe maker out, Mike once again talked me into making enough crepes for our other night class. So there you go. It is just lucky we are only teaching two night classes this summer term. But I have to admit, it is fun to eat and mingle, and not just “lecture” the kids. It really does give us a chance to get to know each of the kids a little better. What is it about breaking bread with someone that tends to breakdown their inhibitions? Well, anyway, getting to know each of these kids at little better is one of the best parts of being here.

And, we really do discuss real gospel issues (in between bites at least.) Hopefully, in addition to the food, we are getting a better handle on “the how” to keep these kids interested in institute, who are just brilliant enough to be hanging around the Institute while they are working on their doctorate or other college coursework. They are so great. We are so very blessed to be here.

So, until next week, just try to remember our summer P-day slogan:

And try to do a little yourselves. Thanks again for ALL you do!

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Pin a Rose on your Nose - There she blows!

Did we tell you summer days around the Institute are just a bit slower? We suppose it may be that way from time to time no matter where you serve in the Lord’s army. There simply exists gaps in this great work at times no matter how good the planning.

No matter. Before the big ramp up for fall, we were encouraged to take a few moments to “smell the roses.” So we have been giving a few tours around campus to a few institute visitors this past 4th of July holiday week.

And among them were Mike’s parents!

Just how swell is it to have your very own parents visit you while on your mission? We asked that question to the “younger” missionaries and they didn’t think we were very funny.

Well, of course, we gave them the full campus tour.

Then we took them to church:

Okay, not an actual church, but a large room in the University of Washington’s library.
It kinda reminds us of something like unto the Hogsworth great hall doesn’t it?
Anyway, it is very beautiful. And it is where we would go to study if we were aspiring wizards.

We also were able to spend sometime with them touring some beautiful gardens:

And yes, we stopped to smell some roses:

Then we said our good-byes to Mike’s parents and “Surprise!”

We then said Hello again to our daughter!

That’s right. Katie dropped in to fill out the remainder of the holiday week.

Of course we did not forget our main duties around the Institute, even with the extra visitors.

Can we tell you how much FUN it was to have our RM daughter attend our Tuesday night institute class. As you may recall, the class is entitled “Building Lasting Relationships” – (aka “eternal marriage prep” class.) Yes, there she sat, “captivated” so-to-speak. While her dear old parents lectured on and on about the importance of dating and temple marriage. Okay, so she might not have been hanging on our every word. And she might have had to roll her eyes a few times at some of our comments and jokes. But did we tell you how fun it is to have a daughter who doesn’t think her parents are the most embarrassing people on planet earth? She even raised a question and made a comment in class. How cool is that?

Since it was the 4th of July weekend, we did reward her for not walking out on us in class by taking her for a day visit by ferry boat to a nearby island. While there we . . .

Rented some mopeds and drove around the island. We found this cool lighthouse and more, , ,

And can you see that dark pointy thing out in the water?

At first we only saw it from the distance, then, , ,

Orcas look really cool out in the wild! (especially when you blow up the picture just a bit.)

And they look even cooler in pods:


And they even sound cool when they “blow.”

Anyway, it was just a fun experience with Katie.

Notice the cute “wind-blown” helmet-hair look after being on the mopeds:

And if you look even closer, you might notice that one of us got stung by a bee, right under the eye – Oouch! In fact, that same person got stung, not once, but TWICE. We aren’t saying who, but our little “bee-magnet” in red still looks great doesn’t she! Despite the stings, she was a real trooper and still enjoyed our company.

Upon leaving the island, on the way home, we then got real close to the land made famous by, , ,

You guessed it, that crazy series of teenage books that once you start reading you can’t put down (but are also too embarrassed to let anyone know you are reading them, hah!)

Well, the 4th here in Seattle ended in a big bang:

Actually, we went home and to bed without seeing them firsthand. But we heard from the students Seattle fireworks this year were fantastic and as always free! (It’s Mike’s pet-peeve that Provo is the only place on earth where you have to pay to see the fireworks.)

Well, Katie is now back in Provo herself.

We remain here holding down the fort and trying not to lead too many students astray with our summer teachings.

We love and miss you all and promise to write something more “missionary” in nature now that all our company has gone.

Hope your summer is going just swell!

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton