For the last year, the USS Voyager has been recuperating at the Renaissance shipyards. The good ship took a beating in its engagement with the Covid Confederation's Star Cruiser Pandemic. The Voyager limped home from the battle, was evaluated by Admiral Funk, and found to have serious damage to several key ship components necessary for successful space travel. The Voyager was assigned to a berth and left fallow as the rest of the fleet carried out the campaign to rid Earth space from the Covids once and for all.
The Trouabdour is happy to provide the following update on the Voyager's health and expected release date. With the thumbs up given by Mark Ursic at Renaissance Academy, Admiral Funk and his band of merry men and ladies received their marching orders. Bracken Funk, Lejana Funk, Parriss King, Nathan King, Camden Robinson, Megan Warner, Maeson Busk, Drew Wright, Matt Ricks and Renaissance Academy's master technician Gage spent the past fortnight within the ship's inner workings repairing, organizing, reorganizing, and searching for necessary parts. Many long nights, early morning, very early mornings, and around the clockers were spent consoling the ship. Over 160 volunteer hours were put into the effort. Thank you to everyone for their support.
The Voyager can hold a grudge when not pampered as the staff discovered upon their return. Understanding this personality quirk, the Voyager staff carried out the repairs while gently talking to the ship and reminding her of her rightful place as a flagship of the line. Happily I'm writing to report that their work was successful and the Voyager is ready to launch and take her place with the other ships in the Utah County fleet.
Admiral Bracken Funk is to be credited for taking on the refit and seeing it to completion. Bracken in turn wanted to thank his wife Lejana for her contribution. Lejana contributed 40 volunteer hours helping to organize the equipment and props and familiarizing herself with the program. Without her, the Voyager would still be buried under all of the items that were scattered throughout the ship during school construction and the shutdown. She also pulled an all-nighter with Bracken Wednesday to Thursday (until from 8 am on the 10th, until 6pm on the 11th) in preparation for the Voyager's return to space flight on Friday. Bracken also wanted to mention the "overnighter" experience his children enjoyed aboard the Voyager while he and his wife were working on the ship. They are now being dubbed "STARSHIP TROOPERS" for their sacrifice of their comfy beds at home.
Renaissance Academy's Starship Voyager will soon be ready to once again see to the students' needs at the school. Watch for further updates on developments. They will be forthcoming as Covid 19 safety measures change.
March 6, 2011
Saint Sheila. My Hero.
Hello Troops,Some time ago I wrote about the Space Center’s Patron Saint Sheila. The article was a tribute to Sheila Powell, one of the Space Center’s three field trip teachers.
The people I proclaim ‘Saints‘ encapsulate my vision of heroism. They are selfless with their fellow man. They are kind to a fault. They bear their burdens with a strength that inspires. All this, and much more, defines our Saint Sheila.
Sheila’s rise to sainthood is the result of several factors. Sheila was a sixth grade teacher in the Jordan School District. That fact alone drew Vatican attention. Sheila is a cancer survivor. Cancer survivors no longer exist in the same world as you and I. They experience life differently, knowing how fragile it is and how quickly it can end. They have the power to stop time and enjoy life’s special moments. You see them sometimes, standing alone, looking at something so innocent to us that it would hardly cause a moment’s thought, yet they sit memorized - lost in the fraction of a pleasant second.
A few weeks ago Sheila’s father passed away. It was yet another burden for her to carry, being the eldest and responsible for her surviving mother.
And finally, this week’s news.
“I’ve got Parkinson’s Disease,” she told us on Monday. It was said much like you would say you were coming down with a cold. The calmness of the statement was followed by the brightening of her halo. Such a statement can leave the listener uncertain of how to respond. For a moment you visualize the meaning, then realize the uncertain road ahead. The “I’m so sorry,” that inevitably follows are the only words that manage to surface.
And so, our Saint Sheila embarks on another journey of faith, with us beside her.
Recently I overhead several of the staff discuss a member of BYU’s basketball team. I believe his name was Jimmer. The word ‘hero‘ was used to describe their perceptions of his character and abilities. I thought for a moment of how life changes you as you age. When you’re young you admire people that excel in doing things you dream of doing well yourself. You make them your heroes. You put their posters on your walls. You dress like them, talk like them, and eat the cereals endorsed by them.
Now that I've reached the Autumn of my life, I choose my heroes differently. My heroes are the men, women and children who carry the burden of misfortune and illness with a faith that inspires me to be a better person. I see them playing a hand none of us would want, and yet manage to do it in such a way that we are all the better for it.
Saint Sheila is my hero.
Thank you Saint Sheila.
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