In the summer time, things are a bit “dead” around here. That gave us an idea. Why not go and work for the dead? (I know, we are just brilliant aren’t we?) So we got permission to go do temple work each Thursday this summer.
So, as usual, on Thursday we started to drive from the University area to the temple area in Bellevue. The fastest way to get there is by using the “520 bridge” over Lake Washington. It is actually a beautiful “floating” pontoon bridge that looks like this at one end:
And it looks like this as it spans over the lake:
Unfortunately, bridge traffic mostly looks like this:
Slows downs to screeching halts happen all the time.
As we made our way onto the bridge, some “mishap” at the far end of the bridge brought traffic to a complete standstill. Mike quickly applied the brakes to avoid what would otherwise be our 4-runner becoming “one” with the cars piled up ahead of us.
As we started our rapid slowdown, we heard a great tumultuous noise coming up from the rear. At first it sounded like a large semi-truck applying its brakes. A nano-second later, the sound turned into a ROAR and deafening high-pitched “SCREACH!!!”
We instinctively braced for impact. Frantically we stared into our rear view mirrors. Just how far back was that earth-VIBRATING Thunder coming from? Just how many cars were to be blasted off the bridge like falling dominoes? Un-nervingly we could not see our fate.
Then in a heartbeat - the maker of all our fears appeared. Streaming from our far right, only to be gone in an instant overhead, the Navy’s “Blue Angels” thundered by. They were flying really, really low over Lake Washington. Apparently they do this every year for Seattle’s annual “Sea Fair” event. You would have thought someone would have told us! And don’t you normally “see” the jets before you “hear” them? What is up with that?
Once we got our hearts beating again at a normal pace, we then drove the rest of the way over to the temple. It’s welcomed serenity was especially “calm” and “cool” considering Seattle’s current heat wave.
That’s It? Really - a New Record?
Our first fourteen years of married life finally paid off. How you may ask?
Well, for the first fourteen years (7 in a 2 bedroom apartment in Orem & the next 7 in our Provo home) we had no A/C. Since 90% of all Seattlites - our own term of endearment, like unto Mulekites, Lamanites, Nephites, etc., - since 90% of all Seattlies don’t have A/C, they are melting! But not us. Mike hasn’t even taken off his jacket – okay, that might be a little strange – but it’s kinda fun in a strange way to be here to experience the new all-time high in Seattle when it hit 103˚ on Wednesday! Whaa Whoo!
Okay, the “real” story is, the “Insty” does have A/C. So we have little complaining to do until we go home at night to our apartment. Then the jacket comes off (as actually so does most everything else, hah! Take that you monster heat wave!)
He knows why we are here
As mentioned before, over the past two weeks, everybody, the director, the full-time instructor and the secretary have all been gone. That has left us two little mice to run around doing most everything. But it has been good. Like we said, summer can be a little slow. Anyway, yes, it is fun to be teaching “extra” classes over the past two weeks. And, yes, it has been very rewarding to be teaching our own classes this summer. And, yes, it has been nice to have the time to do some extra gospel studying. But, sometimes the “other” experiences, the experiences that just happen because we are here, are just as rewarding (if only we had the patience to allow the Lord to His part.)
For example, we have been trying to give extra help to one of the Insty students by the name of “Will.” Will is a young man in his mid-twenties whose life changed dramatically about 8 years ago. (Will is very open about his life’s story, so we aren’t telling you anything he would not.)
As a teenager, Will went to a local Seattle area high school. He was a star on his school’s football team. He had lots of friends and dated lots of fun girls. He attended church regularly. When he turned sixteen, he was given a brand new pickup truck. For all appearances, Will seemed to have everything going his way.
However, Will was not happy. In fact, he was so unhappy that one night, while he was driving his new pickup down a lonely highway, he did something horrible. He suddenly punched down hard on the gas peddle. He then followed an urge and intentionally swerved right in front of an oncoming semi-truck.
But for the grace of God, Will should have died. Will intended just that. But he didn’t. In an instant, Will’s earth life changed permanently in ways he never could imagine.
Over the next 3 years doctors did their best to repair the damage done to virtually all of his organs. They also performed reconstructive plastic surgery. The doctors did their best, but his broken body would never be the same.
No more football. No more being able to drive. His “friends” and girl friends drifted away until there was none.
Will is still the same on the inside, but his brain is now slow to process thoughts. His speech is now halting and slurred. He is able to walk, but in doing so, his walk is very labored and slow. Doctors tell him he may improve over time, but it has now been 8 years.
Will continues to get professional help to assist him with his emotional challenges. But he still has “good” days and “bad.” Most of time, the wonderful students here try to help Will the best they can - with both his “good” and “bad” days. They know inside that broken body is a child of God. It is truly amazing to see how his fellow students render such respect and kindness to him.
Yet there are days, even weeks, that Will gets down. This past week was one of them. Will has been trying to find some part-time work to help him with his bills. The economy is slow right now, and that makes it even tougher for people in Will’s condition. For example, when he applies at Burger King, instead of the normal 5 or 6 applicants for a position, there is more like 20. Will has a difficult time competing with 20 others who are more physically capable. And of course, Will has the normal challenges of people his age. He worries about his “thinning” hair. He worries about whether he will ever get the chance to marry in this life, or for that matter, will he ever go out on a date with someone who would take him serious.
We try to help Will the best we can. Quite frankly, we don’t have answers to many of the problems he faces. But we are here to comfort. We share stories of the warehouse falling down and Mike breaking his leg and how just as it seems darkest, a light will eventually shine forth. We softly testify to him that he does not have to face his challenges alone. We re-assure him and testify to him of a kind and loving Father in Heaven who knows Will’s earthly plight. He has not forgotten Will. He has never given up on Will. Will is still here on earth for a purpose - a meaningful purpose.
By the time we finish most of our visits, Will is smiling. Smiling is something he still is so capable of doing that brightens everyone’s day. As he leaves for the day a little brighter – a little cheerier, we know it is not us who brings him hope. It is that wonderful Spirit of comfort. We likewise feel blessed just for having the opportunity of being here.
In closing, may we be so bold as to leave you our testimony. We know the great God of this Universe knows the plight of each of His imperfect children. He cares. He commands angels, both in heaven and on earth, to assist us here. We are never alone. You, and each of your loved ones, are not excluded. You are His. This we know.
Love,
Elder “Mike” and Sister “Jenny” Thornton
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