Choosing the right BIG can be so difficult‏

We were thinking about doing something really, really BIG for our last term at the Institute.

Then we came across a protestant church which is situated right next to the I-5 freeway on the north side of Seattle.
After looking at what they have done, we are thinking BIG may not always be a good thing.

Here is a picture so you can see what we are talking about:

Now we are not exactly sure what they were going for. But apparently the city thought it was too BIG and won’t let them occupy it.

What do you think? We don’t mean to be condescending, but we can’t imagine even the Zoramites erecting such a tower. In fact, our thoughts honestly ran along these lines when we first saw it:

Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about. Alma 31:22

We can’t imagine that reaction was what the church was going for. But just what were they thinking? Which elderly widow of their congregation was going to ascend up to that tower to pray or worship?

Perhaps the tower is just a sign of the times. Speaking of signs of the times, when we go walking every evening, we see this great sign:



We couldn’t have placed the sign better if we tried. We just wished more of the people in those cars knew how to read. Anyway, there are quite a few casinos in and around Seattle due to the several Native American reservations.


Back onto more spiritual matters, it always turns out to be a good thing to sit back and watch the Lord in His wisdom rather than counsel the Lord isn’t it?

Here at the University of Washington, the single wards’ Bishoprics are somewhat similar to BYU single ward bishoprics. But in some ways they are different. For example, Bishops tend to serve in the single wards for 8 to 10 years. Think about it! Can you imagine having the energy to serve in a single ward for 8 to 10 years? We wonder sometimes how these good men find the energy. But we now see evidence why the Lord has these good men serve these longer periods.

Unlike BYU wards, a large number of the students are converts, and recent converts at that. This means, the single UW ward is basically the only “ward life” they have ever known. Having a Bishop who has been in the ward long enough to really get to know each of his flock can mean a big difference in convert retention.

Also, other long term needs can be addressed that may unintentionally slip to the wayside if bishops were changed as frequently as they do at BYU. For example, a young man named Sean got his mission call back in 2006. Sean didn’t have any worthiness issues, but he decided a mission was not for him. But in 2006 a wise bishop put Sean under his wing. Sean responded well and this same Bishop then called him to be his ward executive secretary. Sean has served there for two years and has remained active. In fact so active, he and a group of his buddies just returned from a “road trip” where they visited over 25 temples in a two week period before school starts again next week. Sean has now matured. He has matured to the point that he made up his mind to see if he could return and serve his mission. It will be almost 4 years, but just a little bit ago, he and this same good Bishop got the approval for his return!

Sean is an outstanding young man and would have been even if he had never decided to return to his mission. But just think what this will mean to Sean and his family. Our hearts are so glad for him! And these are but a few examples of why sometimes we have found it is better for us to be patient until the Lord reveals why He is doing what He is doing and what His timing is.

Speaking of time, we can hardly believe our final school term is upon us. After the long quiet summer, signs of the new school year are breathing new life back into the Institute. Yesterday we witnessed the baptism of a young South Korean student whose nickname is “K.J.” K.J. is one of the most diligent students we have ever met. He will be a great asset to the Church in South Korea when he returns. Each Sunday brings a new wave of students into the three single university wards. Just when we thought we were getting a good handle on knowing all the students, here we go again! It is going to be such a challenge trying to remember all these new students’ names.

This upcoming week will be a mad dash of final preparations. This fall, we will be teaching four – 2 credit hour – classes. Mostly Book of Mormon, but with one New Testament class. Also the first week Institute “Kickoff” is going to make us wish a little for the slower summer days. Basically it will be a week of sign-ups, barbeques, parties, touring (and lest we forget, also teaching.) Anyway, it begins! And this is where we need to end this email.

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

P.S. Not that we are fair-weather fans or anything, but what happened to BYU? At least we have UW to root for this week, who knocked off No. 3 ranked USC!