My Mysterious Malady

A few months ago I changed the brand of caffeine free Diet Coke I have been drinking for "forever" and almost immediately noticed it tasted bitter.  Then it occurred to me MOST of what I was eating or drinking tasted bitter.  My quick internet search about this malady revealed this is not really all that uncommon, and I have since found several people who either have this problem or know someone who does. I made an appointment with a local ENT specialist who did every test known to human kind.  His conclusion, "can't find anything.  You're just going to have to live with it!"

Not a lot of fun because most food - especially anything sweet - tastes terrible and because food is one of life's great delights!  The good news, however, is I have lost 15 pounds!!!

Summer with Taisley

Taisley will be spending each Monday and Tuesday at our house throughout the summer, so she doesn't have to be home alone while everyone in the Welch home is off at work.  Our first week together was Memorial Day so, after Grandpa got home from the golf course, we loaded everyone in the car and headed for Pine Valley for a picnic and to play in the water.  On Tuesday, I had several things on my "to-do" list, but we managed to fit in baptisms for two women in my family and two of the women in Selwin and Simeon's family with Taisley as proxy.  We also took in a nearly free movie - "Miracles from Heaven" - then talked about death and prayers in the parking lot before kissing Taisley goodbye for the week ... well, actually two weeks because she has Girls Camp next week.  I have lots of fun things to share with her while we are together making memories.

We hope our summer will also include visits from Charlene, Bob and Tiffany, David and his boys; EJ, Larry and a WIM couple or two.  There is likely to be gardening and canning, a trip to Montana to visit Kaytee and to celebrate Adyn's 8th birthday and her baptism, a visit with Michael and Kelly on on our way to and from Montana; and a trip to Denver to visit David and Jan'L for the occasion of David's birthday and to tour the new Ft. Collins Temple before it is dedicated.  In short, its going to be a busy couple of months.

ROTY 2015-16

I don’t want to come across as self-aggrandizing, vain, conceited or totally void of humility, but on Friday, May 6, 2016, at the recent statewide conference of Rotary District 5420 (50 clubs throughout Utah) in Cedar City, my name was announced by our District Governor Glade Hamilton as the 2015-16 Rotarian of the Year.  It was a pretty big deal and I was so surprised, I nearly fell off my chair.  Not sure what I did to deserve this honor, but I am humbled because there are more than 1800 Rotarians in the state … many who have done amazing, remarkable things and deserve this recognition far more than I.

Together Again

It was a joyful reunion at the St. George Airport, when on Wednesday, April 13, Elder Selwin Lovell was reunited with his identical twin brother Simeon Lovell after their combined 26 months of full-time missionary service (Selwin in Mississippi Jackson and Simeon in Georgia Atlanta).

Selwin's mission president Bruce L. Olson wrote:  "We are grateful to have had Elder Lovell in the Mississippi Jackson Mission.  He has been an outstanding missionary.

"Sister Olson and I have loved serving with Elder Lovell.  We have watched him grow in his faith and his love for the Savior.  We have seen him strengthen the missionaries and members around him and he will be missed.  We have encouraged him to continue to be faithful and keep his sacred covenants, to serve where he is called and to continue to bless the lives of all those with whom he comes in contact.  We express our gratitude for your support and love for him during his service.  May the Lord continue to bless you and your family."

To Southgate Stake President James Bown, Selwin's mission president wrote:  "Elder Lovell has served faithfully.  He has studied and applied the gospel and has acquired Christ-like attributes which will bless and benefit himself and others throughout his life.  He has been an example to all of the missionaries with whom he has served and has strengthened the faith of members in wards and branches."

Selwin was also welcomed home by Stacy and Rick, Kendi and her friend Taylor, Taisley, Danielle and our Bishop Mike Bair and his family including wife Lori, daughters Brianna, Cara and Aspen.  Following Selwin's meeting and release by St. George Southgate Stake President James Bown, we met up with the family for a hamburger cookout at home.

Certainly many stories are still to come from this "exceptional missionary and fine young man" who served in the deep South, but the future is bright for the twins, though certain to include hardwork, school and eventually marriage and families.

Thanks to our children and grandchildren - as well as to our ward members and neighbors - who have embraced these Guyanese kids.  We love you all for opening your hearts and homes to these young men, who when they arrived in St. George a little more than 2 years ago were "strangers and ye took (us) in."

Another WIM Reunion

On April 1, 2016 we enjoyed another opportunity to meet with some of the missionaries with whom we served in the West Indies Mission.  We had lunch together at Thanksgiving Point (there were 37 people there and we only knew about 6 of them because most had served with President and Sister Mehr, while we served only with President and Sister Gamiette).  In the evening we were joined by many of the young missionaries - most who served with President Mehr - only a few who had served with President Gamiette.  But the "joyful noise" with lots of big hugs and even a few tears as missionaries reunited and as always, the spiritual messages from our presidents left us "Gamified" and "Mehrinated."

We also enjoyed a chance to spend a little time with Kelly and Gary and with Michael and Lilly on this beautiful 186th Annual General Conference weekend.  We love our missionary friends ... and our family.

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!

Tripping in Death Valley

We’ve always talked about visiting Death Valley National Park for two reasons.  First, because Death Valley is not too far from St. George (about 3 hours) and second, because it’s the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service and we’ve been encouraged to “Find Your Park.” 

About 45 minutes from home, traffic on the I-15 freeway came to a complete standstill.  After waiting more than an hour, traffic finally began to move.  The delay was for two accidents – one was a small pick-up truck which rear-ended a car hauler and the second was a motorcyclist who bit the dust.  No word of any fatalities, but at last 3 passengers were life-flighted into Las Vegas.

Death Valley officially became a national park in 1994, although it was designated such in 1933. It is spectacular but nothing like our Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Arches or Canyonlands National Parks.  Death Valley is desolate in a “Moses and the House of Israel” kind of way without a speck of green to be seen anywhere.  Death Valley holds the record for being both the hottest place in the world (138 degrees) and the lowest point below sea level (258 feet), but it is unique and strangely beautiful.

We spent the night in Pahrump (pop. 36,000+) which Ed kept insisting he had been to before … “I’ve attended WMA conferences here a couple of times” but when I asked him how far we were from the I-15 freeway and he responded “only about a mile” I knew he was confused.  Turns out he thought he was in Primm, instead of Pahrump, which explains why he kept commenting how much it had changed in the past few years.

We were also lucky enough to hit the right weekend for the Pahrump Balloon Festival.  We hadn't planned on it ... didn't even know it was happening, but it was so fun to wake up to several dozen hot air balloons in the clear blue sky on a cool Saturday morning.

Another check off on our Bucket List.

Eight is Enough at the Nelsons

Who says babies don't smile before three months?

On our way home from Kris' we spent the night with Charlene who had cooked a delicious pot roast dinner which we took over to Tiffany and Bob's house to meet the twins - Ashton and Sawyer - Abby's full brothers, born prematurely at 28-weeks.  They are now two months old, but medically only 5 days old.  On the blackboard in the kitchen someone (probably Bob) had written "eight is enough ... for me."  Tiffany revels in her motherhood - a wonderful trait - but at 45-years-old, it might be that having 4 children under 3 is even her max!

Hike to Point Reyes

On almost our last day in Sonoma, we decided to take one more trip, this one to visit Point Reyes.  We walked a couple of miles to (the gate of) the lighthouse because, as has been our luck, it was closed (always on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in case you want to visit, too).  The point is well reputed for having whale, porpoise and sea lion sightings.  We didn't see any of those specimens, but it was a clear beautiful day so we enjoyed it anyway.

Sonoma Train Museum

Ed found the Sonoma Train Museum ... it was a beautiful collection of early California life and the coming of the locomotive.  Tylre said she's never been there so I hope she'll take Memo to see it.