Sunday, Fathers' Day, I learned that my best friend's mom had died.
Later, the same day, our 26 year old son called us asking what time we were headed to my parents' for our Fathers' Day BBQ. He said he had been so sick Saturday that he couldn't get out of bed, but was feeling a little better and wanted to go... he thought it was something he ate. Long story, short - we took him to the ER and he was admitted and had an emergency appendectomy in the wee hours Monday morning. His appendix was gangrenous and ready to burst, but they got it out in time. We are so grateful!
We arrived home late Monday morning and weren't there 30 minutes when the police arrived to follow up on our neighbors complaint about our swimming classes. I missed the visit by the police, because I had taken my 13 year old to get her shattered phone fixed. I had paid the deductible on the insurance on Friday and had not had time to take it in. My plan had been to drop it off and come home and get some sleep.
Trent and I did a conference call with the nice Lehi officer. He let us know that they don't look for businesses breaking the law, but we had at least one complaint. He asked us to follow up with the city. He said he wasn't saying to drop everything and go now, but to follow up "sooner rather than later." We didn't tell the officer about just getting home from the hospital, but since I needed to be a nurse for my son, I was very grateful.
After caring for my son and attending the funeral of my friend's mom Wednesday, I decided I was ready to face the music with Lehi City.
What wonderful people we have that work there! The first lady I spoke with said she would consider having her kids take lessons from us because we offered classes after normal work hours and had a salt water chlorinated pool as her kids developed rashes at the rec center. We had envisioned, when we applied for our license, that we would be able to fit everyone who wanted to stay to watch their kids' lessons on our driveway and RV pad that runs the length of our acre lot. In our 6 years teaching in West Jordan, all parking was on the street and mostly in our circle in front of our neighbors homes. No one complained and in fact, most had their kids or grandkids take lessons from us at one time or other. We gathered around the pool and visited and rejoiced in our kids achievements. In the 2 years we have been in Lehi, I can say we have experienced much of the same.
We have had neighbors offer parking space on their land. Suggestions have been made to drop off kids and not allow families to stay and watch. Lehi City also limits the number of students to 24 a day (which we didn't surpass here), but that there can only be 2 classes of 12 kids max per day. In order for us to teach a class at each level and fit in that requirement, we would need to teach Monday through Saturday with 2 classes each day or cover two skill levels (12 kids at a time) . Not sure that would make the neighbors happy, but we would be within the law to do so. Since we never wanted to upset our neighbors, we are only planning to do individualized instruction for now.
Trent was bullied as a child. He has a big heart and told our neighbor the day she came over yelling and swearing at him in our back yard, that if he couldn't keep his voice down enough that she was okay with it we wouldn't teach, and he meant it, because we care about our neighbors. We would have worked with our neighbors, but they would not return texts or calls asking for feed back on how we were doing.
I truly believe that when we stand at the judgement bar of God, we will be judged on how well we loved. Matthew 26: 36-40 KJV
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
I believe when we do the loving things, then we wouldn't break any other commandments. We wouldn't steal, covet, cheat on our spouses, lie, dishonor our parents, etc.
Thank you again for the kind words from so many. We truly feel loved and appreciated. The timing of this is good for Trent. He begins his 3 years in his volunteer position as the Director and Regional Chair for the heating and refrigerant engineers (representing 16 states) on Wednesday. Between that and his assistant coaching for AF High School Wrestling team, church callings, and a few other things he does to give back to the community, he will still be plenty busy.
Keep checking back. Our individualized instruction will continue. You can reach me at 801-414-9048 or email me at LifeSkillsAcademyllc@gmail.com
Valerie
