My Perfect Storm

A perfect storm is defined as the powerful combined effect of a unique set of circumstances, and while my perfect storm has not been calamitous or detrimental, it has been, nevertheless, the reason for my exhaustion and my depleted wardrobe!

In December, my Rotary club asked me to chair the year’s largest fundraiser … selling California oranges.  “Sure,” I thought.  “I know how to organize an event like this”  Our club sold 324 cases and could have sold more.  Our cut of the profit earned our club about $4200 which will be used to fund some local, state and worldwide service projects.  Since I had never been involved before this year, I had nothing to base our success or failure on, but our club secretary said, “I am giddy with delight” so I guess I must have done OK.

As chairman of the St. George Art Museum’s Advisory Board, I also looked eagerly forward to the 12^th Annual Soup-N-Bowl fundraiser when it began to be discussed at our meetings back in October.  This event is where patrons of the arts buy a $20 ticket which gets them lunch, their choice of a handmade ceramic bowl and free admission to the art museum.  “What’s hard about that,” I asked myself as I prepared press releases and radio ads and hurried out to sell my tickets.  The results?  Again, I have never attended so didn’t know what constituted success or failure, but I’m told we had a much bigger-than-usual crowd ... and we earned $9700!!!  Not bad for an “old lady!”

Simeon and Selwin got their drivers licenses on March 1, picked up their $2000 missionary wardrobe from Adrian’s on March 5 and got their final immunizations for their missions on March 7.  Simeon spoke in church on March 9 and, right after church, we got in the car to head for SLC and the MTC (Selwin leaves in about 3 weeks).

So what did this have to do with a “perfect storm?”  All of this activity culminated in the same week. 

Through it all, I have come to realize how much I need some new clothes, so after I catch up on my sleep …  and now that I have some time, I am going shopping!!!

Funeral Weekend

Michael and Lilly came for a brief visit this weekend during which our youngest son served as a pallbearer for Dave Nelson, the father of his best friends Chris and Tim.  This friendship began in high school and also included their father Dave, their mother Madge and sister Tiffany. Dave, a simple man who Chris said "would have been outraged by all this fuss,"  was called by his children “a great example, a great father, a great missionary and a man with an unparalled work ethic who served others and loved his family.  He was a friend, a mentor, a hero and was happiest when doing the Lord’s work.”

The funeral was also an opportunity to catch up with some of our former ward members and friends, including Michael's favorite scout leader and mentor Kim Wallace.  On another note, it is common knowledge in our family Michael had "a thing" for Tiffany Nelson in high school.  During the viewing, Madge - noting Michael's nearly white hair - whispered to Tiffany, "it's a good thing you and Michael didn't end up together.  Your kids would have had white hair by the age of 12!"

While Michael attended to his responsibilities, we enjoyed having Lilly all to ourselves – even for just a few hours.  We went to McDonald’s and on a mystery trip to the new St. George Children’s Museum where she “milked a cow,” experienced a wheelchair, explored a “cave” in the red rocks, got trapped in a giant bubble and left her shadow on a wall.  It was a delightful day which ended at home with Wii bowling, tennis, baseball, golf, boxing and another viewing of "Ice Age."  We so enjoyed their company, even though the reason for their trip to St. George was sad.  Lilly is a darling little child and so fun to be around.

One Step Closer to the Mission Field

Selwin and Simeon went to the temple for the first time today.  It was a lovely experience and our first opportunity to see one of 3 new movies.  Jim and Mary Andrus, Marsha Cook, Diane Blackett, and Jan and Bruce Christensen, friends who served with us in Guyana and Trinidad and some of our best friends went along.  The twins were attentive and seemed touched by what they experienced while temple workers and even some of the patrons added to this wonderful, spiritual experience.  Many approached them and asked about where they are going to serve and wished them well.  This day was almost as sweet as being with my own kids in the temple.

My New Little Toy

My dear friend - and fellow Rotarian - Sterling Spafford passed away a year ago leaving behind his vast wealth, including five homes; a myriad of awards and recognition for his generosity in dozens of causes - especially Rotary where I met and served with him; and, this pretty little 1995 red convertible Jaguar.  Sterling was the original owner buying it, new in 1995, for a whopping $63,500!!!  I bought it today for a fraction of its original price because Sterling's wife and daughter knew he wanted me to have it!  There's not a scratch on this 20-year-old little jewel and it has only 19,320 miles on the odometer.  Yep, that's right ... about 1,000 miles per year!  I am so excited.

Just Because

We received some lovely gifts for Christmas this year.  I had sent out a note to all my kids early in the season letting them know we do not need any more “stuff” so I was pleased to receive only “gifts of the heart” including a lovely outfit from Stacy and Rick and their family, a wonderful plaque listing all our grandkids “made with love” from Kendi, and family photos from Kaytee, which she had taken in the fall but did not post or distribute anywhere until “the grandmas” had seen them first.  

It was an exceptional season.  I feel very blessed … and loved!        

Sappington Christmas 2013

We had a particularly enjoyable – but unusually busy – 2013 holiday season though when it started is a bit vague.  Perhaps it started when President and Sister Benn visited for a week in our home.  Our wonderful Georgetown District President and his came from Guyana – leaving from Las Vegas on October 25.  Then on Halloween the Lovell twins, also from Guyana, arrived in St. George to live with us until they leave on missions.  It was crazy busy for about a month through dentist and doctor appointments, meeting with the bishop and stake president, and travel back and forth to day jobs … but they finally got their mission papers submitted. 

Maybe it started when Kris came home for a visit, staying for about 10 days while she tried to get her bearings after a difficult breakup – then came back a few weeks later with Erin to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family including David, Jan’L, Kaler, Kole and Kyle; as were Kelly and Gary, Allysa, Josh and their boys – for a total of 17 ½ people for dinner. 

Could be it started when we got back from California – to visit my mother and go to Knott’s Berry Farm with Kelly and Gary.  I attended the Jubilee of Trees with my Rotary club then rushed to put up our tree and the lights when it was time for the ward and  Rotary Christmas parties.  Or perhaps it started when we had a blizzard in St. George on December 8 which dropped 8 inches of the white stuff – only the 19^th time in 115 years our community has had measurable snow.  No question it feels more like Christmas when there is snow!

On December 15, we were one of four homes participating in Christmas Around the Ward.  Almost 100 neighbors and friends stopped by to see our decorations and enjoy a dining room table filled with goodies before moving onto one of the other houses.  Maybe it was the most wondrous Christmas program at church done by our ward choir, with solos by some of our talented members – including a memorable performance by Emma Warner-Nelson. 

Or could it have been Larry coming to visit from December 23 to 27… or David and his family coming back on December 24 and returning home to Denver on January 2!  Then Charlene, Todd and Ayami dropped in on  December 26 for an overnite stay on their way to Salt Lake City.  Their visit attracted Stacy, Rick and their family for an evening of catching up.  On December 30 they returned when heading back to central California – and Fukuoka, Japan.  As David and Jan’L pulled out of the driveway, Stan and Diane Blackett arrived for two months out of the ice and snow of their hometown of Logan – mercifully not with us (they rent a condo in Green Valley).

Through it all, I:

·               cooked endlessly

·               sent Christmas cards

·               managed to do my visiting teaching

·               responded to frequent e-mails and Skype calls from Guyana

·               tried to work a little since I still collect a paycheck

·               and, stood by as the twins opened their mission calls – Simeon to the Georgia Atlanta Mission (leaving on March 12 [Taisley's birthday]) and Selwin to the Mississippi Jackson Mission (where Josh Postma served - leaving on April 9 [my dad's birthday]).

As crazy busy as the past two months have been, this has been an absolutely wonderful holiday season filled with good friends, good food, plenty of love and laughter, gifts from the heart, and a sweet spirit which has lasted for several weeks as we celebrated the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  So whatever constituted Christmas this year, it was one of the sweetest and happiest holiday seasons I have ever had … and I pray for many more just like it!

PS:  When I was creating my collages (above) and saw all the happy faces smiling back at me, I was reminded of the line from “Blindside” when the drunk uncle called to ask about the “extra” family member on the Christmas card.

Sappington's Celebrate Thanksgiving

We had a delightful (but typically noisy) Thanksgiving at our house this year with four of our six kids  - and about half of our grandchildren and two of our greats - home for the holiday.  Kris came from Santa Rosa, CA with Erin for hugs and turkey dinner.  David and Jan’L, and their three boys, came home from Denver for Thanksgiving for the first time in many years.  Kelly and Gary, from Ogden, were here, too, stopping over on their way to California where they had generously offered to travel to help clean and sort at Grandma Doris' home in Corona.  Allysa and Josh came by with their two boys as did Taisley (although Stacy and Rick were not there because we celebrated on Wednesday, in anticipation of our travel to Southern California and Stacy had a medical procedure scheduled that day).  Selwin and Simeon Lovell, our twins from Guyana, brought the grand total of those around our dinner table to 17 ½ (the half was little Benny who enjoyed a few spoonfuls of potatoes and gravy).

Grandma cooked and cleaned up from 6 a.m. to well past 10 p.m. while Grandpa rounded up all the kids for a “mystery trip” to Snow Canyon and the scout cave on the Sugarloaf!  All in all, it was a very fun day!  The only thing which would have made the day better would have been to have Michael, Lilly, Kaytee, Josh, Adyn and Skylar here, too!!!  Maybe next year.

Back to Branson

Between Halloween and Thanksgiving - with Kris here visiting and only 3 days after the twins arrived - we abandoned our responsibilities and flew to Branson, Missouri for a week in our 3-bedroom timeshare with Larry and Karen Harris (from Layton and with whom we served in Guyana) and with Stanley and Diane Blackett (our long time friends and regular traveling companions from Logan).  Our third – and perhaps our last trip to Branson (after all, how many shows can you see in a lifetime) - we spent our time (and money) in a variety of ways. 

We explored the city we have watched grow up from the first time we were there in 2005.  The population is now 10,520 (up from 6000 in 2005) with about 125 theaters / shows which attract more than 15,000,000 visitors every year … and now also has 3 Walmarts (we visited them all at least twice).  We also had a delightful day in Eureka Springs, AK, a Park City-like community about an hour away from Branson with wonderful shops, restuarants and historic sites from the 1850’s mining boom.

The shows we saw were:

·               Jim Stafford (comedian, musician who has been in Branson for 24 years)

·               Shoji Tabuchi (Japanese violinist who has just celebrated his 25^th year in Branson) Excellent showman with wonderful staging, costumes, lighting and the most beautiful bathrooms in America (see pictures)

·               The Haygoods (a multi-talented family of 5 boys and 1 girl who performed everything from rock and roll, Ozark mountain music and Christmas.  I loved them!!!)

·               New Jersey Nights was a review of the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  It started out like a road show and I kept thinking about how much we had spent for this one … but, wow!  It ended up being my favorite of all the shows we had seen to this point, then …

·               We saw the 12 Irish Tenors, which included four of the young men from last night’s New Jersey Nights.  Our 5^th show was outstanding with classical music, humor, dance and amazing harmonies!!!  My favorite show this week!  I didn’t want it to end.

·               Andy Williams Christmas Show came complete with Lennon Sisters Kathy, Janet and Mimi and Osmonds Jay, Merrill and Jimmy.  It was a typical Christmas show.  I’d give it a 3 out of 10!

·               On the last night, we attended Six, a group of six brothers who sing a capella … and are hilariously funny!  It was sooooo much fun and the only sold out show we attended during the entire week in Branson.

Despite the rain and the cold temperatures, this was a really great week!!!

Halloween at the Sappington House

The members of our ward – the young and the young-at-heart - enjoyed another fun Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot on Halloween, Thursday, October 31.  Hosted by the Primary, the activity has become an eagerly anticipated, well-attended favorite holiday event.  Members of all ages dress up to hand out Halloween goodies to little ghouls and boys who go from trunk to trunk for their treats.  We also enjoyed the Young Women’s Chili Cookoff for an excuse not to have to cook. 

This was the very first Halloween for our Guyanese twins.  It was also their first look at their new home ward.  The members were warm and welcoming, while the boys were polite and quiet.  Not sure if they were overwhelmed about Halloween or had “jet lag” 

When we got home, Alyssa brought Josh and her boys by to see us.  A short time later Kendi and Danielle came by to show us their costumes … then Rick dropped in with a gaggle of kids from their neighborhood to go trick or treating in ours, including Taisley.  Then Stacy stopped over after work to see what was going on and to meet her new “baby brothers!”  Fun evening … and a total immersion into our family for our boys!

Welcome to the Family!

Get ready for this one!!!  We are having twins … due on Wednesday, October 30.  These newest additions to our family are Selwin and Simeon Lovell from Georgetown, Guyana (pictured with Anne Bertschi whose son Levi is currently serving in the West Indies Mission).

Their mother died when they were just children and their father relocated to the United States about a year later, leaving them in the care of his mother.  They are absolutely identical and, other than an uncle, are the only members of the church in their family.

We are happy to have them in our home as they finish preparing for fulltime missionary service somewhere in the world.  Thankfully, the bishop and stake president are willing to help with some of their missionary needs.  Members of the ward and stake have generously offered to help them on their missions and others are prepared to put them to work until they enter the MTC. So now when I am asked how many children I have, I can say I have 4 girls and 4 boys!!!

They attended church on Sunday for the first time while we were in Branson, Missouri.  We received a phone call while we were on the highway and it seems both have been called to serve as advisors in the Young Men's program.  They are both looking for work, bicycles and a short term social life.

Life is so interesting and certainly full of surprises!  I can’t believe it could possibly be more unexpectedly surprising than this!