Simeon and Selwin Become U. S. Citizens

“I hereby declare, on oath, I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms for the United States when required by the law; performing noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion … so help me God.”

Simeon Lovell repeated these words on Monday, August 26, 2019 - along with 100+ people of the world - in the rotunda of the Utah State Capitol to become a naturalized citizen of the United States.  

There were new citizens from Afghanistan, Argentina, Canada, India, Iran, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, the UK, South Africa, Kenya, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Tonga, Philippines, Haiti, Vietnam, Ukraine, Russia, Mexico (the largest group) … and of course, Guyana, South America.

Selwin's naturalization ceremony took place on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 in the U. S. Court of the Washington County Courthouse in St. George.  Don't you just love his stance ... as he is talking to the judge and to his audience.

Judge Paul Kohler offered a few moving words, "because I'm the judge and I can't help myself." To 13 of the nation's newest citizens (4 from Mexico and 1 each from the Philippines, Chile  Russia, England, Vietnam, India, Spain, Canada and of course, Guyana) he said, "We love you, we value your culture and your traditions.  E plurabus unum, on American currency refers to our country as a land of immigrants, a melting pot ... and you are encouraged to reach out ... to 'become' Americans because we are a nation of immigrants.  Don't become customers of America's government ... instead serve and share ... and mentally write your name on the U. S. Constitution!"

The process of naturalization involves being “legal” in the country for a minimum of five years, completing an application, including payment of $725 per applicant; attending a face-to-face interview, and passing an English and civics test. 

We are so proud of these two fine young men, for all they have accomplished in the 6 years they have been in our family!  God bless America.

On Your Mark: District Governor School

It was 4 days of intense training but Mom finally graduated from District Governor school in Denver, though it was not without a whole lot of frustration, tears and stress - particularly mine - among this year's  31 District Governor candidates.  I am grateful to have had very valuable public speaking experience even but, at the time, I didn't think I'd survive.  While I succeeded in making it all the way to the end of the class, it was EXTREMELY difficult.  I've never doubted my ability to teach and train, so I was the most surprised at how much I struggled.  The difficulty came when our facilitator gave us the assignment to tell our Rotary story in exactly 2 minutes. They were timing us right down to the second ... and we were being filmed and critiqued with each presentation ... and I couldn't do my presentation at all!  To make matters worse, we were all told before breakfast, lunch and dinner, 6 of us would be called out of the audience to give our presentations ... and at the last possible second, we would be asked to tweak the talk to add a call to action about Rotary membership, foundation giving or branding.  We were supposed to be "warned" but the first time I was called up, it was without any advance notice.  But, perseverance won out and I was finally able to do what I was being trained to do.

Guess its "if at first you don't succeed, suck it up ... and keep trying!"

I suspect, during my very busy year as Rotary District Governor, I will look back and laugh about my struggle to master the art of public speaking, but in the moment, there was nothing funny about it!

DGN Judy Zone was unable to attend this intense, but absolutely amazing and fun training due to her husband’s recent accident and subsequent surgery, but DG John Hanrahan made the trip (although he was only able to be there for one day because of another commitment).  The Saturday evening celebration was not just a party … but a party and a half!  I am both apprehensive and “can’t wait” to serve in this new role!  Whoot, whoot … bring it on, D5420.  Let’s do this!

Danielle Says, "I Do!"

Our beautiful and sweet Danielle Welch said “I do” to her handsome and devoted Kale Porter on Saturday, August 31, 2019.  The nuptials took place in a beautiful outdoor setting at Bigelow Ranch (between Veyo and Gunlock, UT) where the temperature was 107 degrees in the shade. Surrounded by family and friends who love them both, Danielle and Kale were joined “til death us do part” by her Grandpa David Welch whose authority “came off the internet at a cost of $50” according to the handsome cowboy officiator who was delighted to have been asked to “tie the knot” for his granddaughter and her new husband.

The happy couple, who have known each other since junior high school, will honeymoon on a beautiful beach then return to their temporary home in St. George where she works as a medical assistant for Dr. Ryan Lewis, son of our longtime good friends Rex and Vicky Lewis (Rex was our best man on Saturday, August 31, 1963 – our own wedding day 56 years ago in Idaho Falls, ID).

Those family members surrounding the bride and groom, in our Sappington family group photo, were Kelly S. and Gary Yocum, Kris S. Schnabel, Stacy S. and Rick Welch, Taisley Welch, Kendi and Taylor Dunkley, Michael and Jessica Sappington (and their kids Lilly Sappington, Kirsten, Joshua and Laura Lenford), Simeon and Stephanie Lovell,  and of course, Ed and me!  

It was a beautifully memorable event, sharing this magical moment with our happy bride and groom, Taisley looking luscious as the maid-of-honor, good food, happy tears, and lots of hugs and kisses.  No doubt, this family milestone will almost certainly be on Grandma’s 2019 Top Ten List of Sappington Family Stories.