Abnormally normal

As far as this past week, you might just say all is “normal” here in Seattle.

Rain for four days straight – normal.

Losing 4 of the 6 University Elders to transfers – normal.

Teaching on several different campuses this week – normal.

Having 86 at Friday Friendship Feast – normal.

Assisting with the creation of a LDS student association at a local college campus - normal:
But, what is a “normal” week without having a few “abnormal” moments?

Abnormal – Watching a “hip hop” dance of some of our LDS students at the college fair:
(Actually, if you are into “hip hop” they are really quite good!)

Abnormal - Dave & Lori Wise helping on Friday. Not that either Dave or Lori are “abnormal,” but, if you recall, this is their second go-round! So Thanks!

Abnormal – Meandering on our P-day down the sidewalks of this late 19th century town - still in much use today:
Where you may ask?

Abnormal name, abnormally cute town!

And the last abnormal moment of the week – Lori Wise and I getting tickets to go listen to Sheri Dew at the women’s fireside in Seattle – then on the way out, really NOT trying, but absent-mindedly (did I emphasis the “absent” part of mindedly) bumping right into Sister Dew afterwards. (FYI, in her fireside remarks, she spoke very highly of our very own Kathy Hughes.)
So if you experienced just a “normal” week, we hope it too was broken up by a few “abnormally” pleasant moments!

Love,
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Hungry?

With each new school year comes a new flock of hungry college freshmen who are craving for Institute.




Craving you say? Weren’t most of these freshmen fast asleep in some early morning seminary class just last year?

Did not at least some of them display an unspoken lack of desire about scripture learning to even the best seminary teacher?


You are probably right on all accounts.

But, all that half-asleep learning did not go to waste.

Not so. Many of them now express they actually miss the daily contact provided by early morning seminary.

It is out of this sense of a daily spiritual needs that brings many of them out of hibernation and into institute.



So, hungry for more scripture-based learning they come. Some of them even sign up for two or more institute classes at a time.

And we stand at the ready:



And hungry they come:


And grateful are we that they do!

Oh, and if you didn’t catch on. We spent part of our P-day at the Woodland Park Zoo today!

It was very nice. But we have to say – Oh how going to the zoo without our kids for the first time REALLY, REALLY makes you miss your kids!
So we are just a little kid-sick but it’s much more manageable than probably the Swine flu. And what are we to do anyway?

Our kids are all exactly where the Lord needs them to be. And we are where we are supposed to be.

Life remains good despite some good challenges. Conference was just amazing! Isn’t the gospel great!

Best of the best to you!

Love,

Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton

Boots and Saddles

As much as Seattletonians (Seattle+Washington=Seattletonians) are NOT into umbrellas (refer to former email on identifying tourists), Seattletonians have just the opposite point of view when it comes to rain boots.

We are not sure if it is just fall, but the rainbow boot parade of fashion has arrived.
All around campus, both young and old alike are sporting their latest finds in galosh wear.

Do you think the missionary white manual covers rain boots? Sure it talks about wearing sensible, somewhat frumpy, everyday footwear. But do you think it prohibits sister missionaries from buying say a pair of bright pink polka-dotted rain boots? Okay, okay, if pink is too bright, they do have other cute colors and styles. All they really need to do is match the fall colors around Seattle. And as you can see, the colors are getting to be absolutely vibrant:

And just in time for general conference!

Speaking of conference, here is a tip for anyone who wants to make a lot of “brownie” points with their parents:

When you are listening to conference and the speaker says something about “parents,” “family,” “love at home,” pull out your cell phone. Text your parents with some cute & quick saying like, “I love you guys!” Make sure your timing is right when the speaker is talking about those things.

That is one sure way to make any parent who is watching conference instantly warm and fuzzy for a lot of reasons.

Why so? Well, it tells your parents:

1. You are not napping and you are actually listening to conference,
2. You are thinking and putting the words of the apostles into action, and
3. You are somewhere the spirit and you are supposed to be.

Of course, we weren’t smart enough to do that for our parents. But then again, they aren’t quite up on the “texting” thing (of course, maybe they are and we are the last to know.)

But our daughter, Katie, did exactly that to us. She did it during Elder Bednar’s talk during Saturday’s morning session. And let’s just say it sure did make our day to know she was where she was supposed to be and to know she was thinking about us. Way to go Kate! We love ya! We are sure your brothers would follow your example, but, even if they are fortunate to be listening to conference “live”, they can’t text – at least we hope.

As for us, we are sure glad conference came when it did. We needed a break, even if it is only the opening week. We knew this “Opening” week of Institute was going to be busy, but WOW! We now realize we are “senior” missionaries. This past week has been a blur of classes, shopping, baking, tours and socials. By Friday we were running out of steam. Fortunately, Brad & Karen Beagles came into town. We put them right to work. Once again, looking back, we are not quite sure how Friday would have really happened without their extra help. So thank heaven for angels on both sides of the veil!

Well, it is great to be back in the saddle for one last term!

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Love,
Elder “Mike” & Sister “Jenny” Thornton