Charlene, Bob and Tiffany ... David and Jan'L Visit

Charlene, Tiffany, Bob and 6 of their 8 kids (Ben is on a mission in Uruguay and Ayami - actually Todd's daughter - is with her dad in Japan for the summer) came to St. George for a day long visit on August 2.  They are staying in a timeshare in Las Vegas which also includes Bob's parents and some friends from Italy.  We enjoyed the chance to get reacquainted, to hear about the adoption process for the little boys and Abby, and break some bread together.  We spent time at the Town Square, playing in the water and riding the merry-go-round.

To our surprise, in the late afternoon David and Kaler dropped in.  It has been long enough since the cousins - David and Tiffany - have been together in the same room, David admitted he had never met Bob.

We didn't take many pictures (darn it) but we did manage to get a picture of our 3 sets of twins - all together in one room.  Selwin and Simeon Lovell, Josh and Phillip Nelson and the baby boys Ashton and Sawyer.

David, Jan'L and their boys were here for a few more days.  We enjoyed lots of good visiting and a fun evening playing a rousing game of Phase Ten with David, Kyle, Kole, Simeon and his girlfriend Stephanie (she's a killer Phase Ten player).  Ah, good times!

Montana Vacation

Eleven days on the highway between St. George and Kaytee and Josh’s home in Anaconda, MT – round trip 1470 miles – was jammed packed with friends, family and fun!  Our original plan was to spend our first vacation night in Logan with Stan and Diane Blackett, but our plans changed along the way.  As a result, we kept driving, ending up at the home of Lynn and Sharon McLing (one of Ed’s mission companions back in the day and now “snowbird” members of our Bloomington Ward) in Preston, ID.  We had planned to have lunch with them on Thursday anyway so it all worked out – although I think Sharon was a little surprised we showed up early.

The drive through Idaho and into Montana was long and uneventful but found us in Anaconda way ahead of schedule.  Kaytee and Josh had already had family visiting for about a week when we got there so we tried to stay out from under foot as they prepared for Adyn’s birthday party and baptism on Friday and a large Postma family reunion on Saturday.

On Sunday after church we loaded up the kids and headed for our campsite not far from Yellowstone National Park.  We spent two nights in the Chisholm Campground from which we visited the Museum of the Rockies (huge dinosaur displays, star shows, a wonderful farm house) and other wonders.

Everything for our trip had been completely planned before we left home, but with the possibility of rain in the forecast and since we were already so close, we decided to cross Missoula off our list and instead spend a couple of days in Yellowstone.  We had lovely campsites, saw lots of wildlife and roasted marshmallows over the campfire. 

On the ride home, Ed and Adyn hiked to Lewis and Clark Caverns (Skylar just couldn’t traverse the 300-foot incline to the cave entrance), making it after 7 p.m. when we got back to Anaconda. 

Happy memories of our time with the Postma family:

·      -  Adyn’s baptism and confirmation by her teary daddy Josh - a beautiful service with many friends and family members in attendance.

·      -  seeing the kids’ excitement when we first drove up in front of their house – and getting a big welcome hug from our daughter

·      -  being asked to speak about the Holy Ghost at Adyn’s baptism

·      -  Adyn’s excitement at seeing a Mermaid Barbie doll in her birthday gift bag

·      -  Ending Adyn’s birthday watching “Finding Dory” in 3D with Kaytee and the kids at Anaconda’s Washoe Theater

·     -   Seeing Thoryn’s happy smile, and reaching for her Grandma, when we arrived and her teary frustration when taken off my lap so we could leave for the night

·      -  Two beautiful little girls curling up in the top bunk of the camper at the end of a long and busy day … and sleeping until 8:30 – 9 a.m.

·      -  Calls and texts from Selwin and Simeon to query if we were having fun, wishing me a happy birthday, telling me I was missed and asking “do we have garlic, onions, vinegar …” 

The only unhappy memories were three days of rain and cold … Ed burning up his expensive new trifocal glasses … Skylar getting lost at Old Faithful Inn … and being completely unplugged for four days!!!

Grandpa and Grandma are worn out, but the kids are already talking about “next summer.”  Adyn is excited about the idea of doing something fun again suggesting, “but, Grandma, let’s make it longer!”  Yep, gotta love these little ones!

Selwin Gets Shorn

Today Brianna Teddie Bair declared to the world on Facebook she is in a relationship with Selwin.  They make a darling couple and we are happy for both of them.  She texted him from work wanting to get together tonight for 4th of July festivities.  He told her he and Simeon were going to give each other haircuts ... to which she responded, "I want to learn how to cut your hair." Soon after she showed up and with trembling hands took the razor to his head.  It all turned out OK, but I think both of them were a bit nervous about the outcome.

Simeon Graduates

Simeon graduated last night from Southwest High School here in St. George.  He signed up to get a GED a couple of weeks after returning from his mission.  He hadn’t finished high school in Guyana – dropped out so he could find a job to help his family – but felt strongly he needed to cross that finish line in his life.  A few days into his studies at SWHS, he decided he wanted to get a diploma instead! 

In an effort to complete the required 22 packets, his studies frequently kept him up until midnight or later after a full work day in the hot sun … but, not only did he complete 13 credits, he did so in record time, finishing faster than any student had EVER done at SWHS - and with 20 A’s and 2 B’s.  Then to cap off his successes, he was asked to be the commencement speaker!!!

We are so proud of this great young man who is hardworking, determined and anxious to succeed in school and in life!

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!