Simeon Comes Home in Time to Be Taisley's B-day Present

It was a very, very full weekend when Simeon returned to St. George on Thursday, March 10 after two years as a full-time missionary in the Georgia Atlanta Mission. Serving as both a District Leader and a Zone Leader under two mission presidents, Elder Lovell calls his time in Atlanta “life-changing,” “testimony building” and “transforming” in numerous ways.  “I thought I knew how to love my brothers and sisters before but through my missionary service, the Lord has shown me a better way.” 

GAM President David Foote wrote, in a letter to Sister Sappington, "It has been a great privilege for Sister Foote and me to serve with Elder Lovell here in the Georgia Atlanta Mission.  He has done hard things during his time in Georgia and you should be proud of the manner in which he just kept putting one foot in front of the other with great faith, humble prayer, dedication and love on days when it was just plain hard.  The good news is those days were quickly forgotten and Elder Lovell was only strengthened because of all the great miracles he witnessed and helped to facilitate.  His mission will be the foundation of the Christ-like attributes of Charity and Obedience as he has learned to follow the Spirit and lose himself in finding the Lord.

"Elder Lovell has not just served a mission but he has faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ and become more like Him.  Thank you for sharing Elder Lovell with us.  We love him now and will always love him."

What’s next for Brother Lovell now that he has taken off his black name tag?  “I need to get my GED so I can go on to school and I have a couple of good prospects for fulltime employment,” states the convert who joined the church in Guyana, South America with his identical twin at age 13. “Of course, I’m also counting down the days until my brother comes home, too." (Selwin is currently serving in the Mississippi Jackson Mission and due to be released on April 13).  

The Georgia Atlanta Mission is one of three missions in the “Peach" state – Atlanta, Atlanta North and Macon – where 82,857 members live and serve in 151 wards and branches.  The Atlanta Temple became the first temple built in the Southern states when it was dedicated in 1983. 

“Well done, thy good and faithful” Elder Lovell.

On this same weekend, Taisley Welch turned 14!  Wow, where did those years go? Rick and Stacy's beautiful daughter wanted only to have Simeon home, a basketball hoop for the yard, family and friends to help her celebrate ... and a cookie skillet (instead of a cake). Some of the party goers spent time on the driveway putting the basketball stanchion together only to finish with one odd piece ... so they had to take it all apart and put it all back together, this time with all parts and pieces accounted for!  The evening featured a delicious dinner ... and for dessert, a cookie skillet with ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry on top.  We sure love this girl!