Sel has an MBA

Selwin Anthony Lovell accepted a Master of Business Administration from Southern Utah University on Friday, April 30, 2021.  He was proud to be a member of the largest graduating class of SUU’s Dixie Leavitt School of Business (which has a 92.3% job placement rate).   We knew Dixie and his wife Anne for many years beginning when the Leavitt's were called to serve as President of the St. George Historic Sites. 

 

This is yet another accomplishment Sel will add to his already long list of accomplishments since he and his twin brother Simeon joined our family after our mission in Guyana ... and, this one will certainly open doors along his career path.  He has worked so hard to get this far and is now submitting job applications right and left though he admits he’s a bit conflicted because Brianna’s family is here in SoUtah but Simeon and Stephanie live in Utah County.

 

We know he will soon find a good job which will challenge him as well as take advantage of his personality, skill set and absolute grit!  We would hate for he, Brianna and their soon-to-be 2 kids to move away, but we understand he needs to do what’s best for his family … so I can live with wherever he can be happy and successful, as long as it isn’t Mississippi or Atlanta.

 

Congratulations, Selwin.  We are so very, very proud of you.

Kaytee to FINALLY get her temple

On the glorious Easter Sunday of April 4, 2021, Russell M. Nelson, the world’s living Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the church currently has 41 temples under construction or being renovated; groundbreaking for 21 new temples took place in 2020; then he revealed the location of another 20 temples soon to be constructed around the world.    

As everyone regained their composure, he listed the following:

·      Grand Junction, Colorado (their third)

·      Farmington, New Mexico

·      Elko, Nevada

·      Yorba Linda, California

·      Oslo, Norway (I’ll bet Aspen Bair and all of her family are over-the-moon excited)

·      Brussels, Belgium

·      Vienna, Austria

·      Kumasi, Ghana, Africa

·      Mozambique

·      Capetown, South Africa

·      Singapore

·      Belo Hoziante, Brazil

·      Cali, Colombia

·      Two more in Mexico

·      Smithfield, Utah (where Charlene was born and reared)

·      Casper, Wyoming

·      Burley, Idaho

·      Eugene, Oregon

·      … and, Helena, Montana

Within seconds of the announcement of a temple in Helena, my phone rang and in a nanosecond, Kaytee and I were both sobbing uncontrollably, overcome with gratitude for a  loving Heavenly Father who has answered so many of her prayers over the past 6+ years.  When she was finally able to talk, she said her phone lit up with a dozen calls from friends who were as excited as she is!

Our baby girl lives in Anaconda, Montana. Currently her temple is Idaho Falls, Idaho – about 3 hours from her home.  Of course, she could attend the Spokane, Washington temple … its only 6 hours away so for five years, she has been asking prayerfully night and day for a temple closer to home.  “Honestly, Heavenly Father, I don’t care if its Helena or Missoula … just please, can we have a temple?”

 We all know how much she has wanted this to happen - and for how long!  After every General Conference, I get a call with a sarcastic question.  “Oh, sure, Utah gets another temple.  I mean, come on.  You really need another temple?  Twenty isn’t enough?”

 

When he heard the announcement Michael texted her a humorous question, “Is this close enough for you?”  In answer to his question, Helena is about 75 miles from Kaytee's home but she and Josh are looking at property in Deer Lodge, which would bring them to only about an hour away.

 

I can’t help but wonder if the Lord simply guided Church leaders to a temple site in Montana because He was weary of her constant pleading, but I am so grateful to know my Heavenly Father answers prayers.  Kaytee says she is even willing to come turn over a shovel full of dirt to get the process moving along!

 

I love this girl!!!

Taisley and Wesley are married

Taisley Ann Welch, youngest of Stacy and Rick's four daughters and Wesley Rex Pugmire were married on Saturday, March 20, 2021.  The wedding venue was the beautiful - but cold and windy - red barn at the Hela Seegmiller Farm in Washington Fields. Taisley made her way down the aisle on her daddu's arm to be handed over to her handsome groom surrounded by a few friends and lots of family with her Grandpa David Welch officiating. 

They are so young - both 19 - but Wesley has loved her since 8th grade.  When I opined they were too young to be getting married, Taisley reminded me, "Grandma, I am - by a couple of weeks - the same age you were when you married Grandpa!"  She's right.  I turned 19 on July 15 and we were married on August 31.  Taisley turned 19 on March 12 and was married on March 20.  

The newlyweds spent a weeklong honeymoon at the beach in San Clemente, CA. For awhile, the Pugmire's will be living in a beautiful and spacious apartment created for them by her Mom and Dad in the basement of their home.

Their future together includes him finishing his studies at Dixie Technical College to become a journeyman plumber while Taisley works at the Foot and Ankle Institute and continues her education at Dixie State University from which she expects to graduate next spring.  

Congratulations, Taisley and Wesley.  We can't wait to see where life takes you both!