Visiting Doris and Dexter

Our three week “circuit” vacation began on Day One with a visit to Mom and Dad’s grave at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA (Section 43 / Site 2210). It was the first time we’ve been to the gravesite since Mother passed away a year ago because we were prevented from reaching our destination three days after her death when SoCal's 2016 Blue Cut fire closed down the southbound I-15 freeway heading into Riverside County.

I must admit, seeing another proof my Mother is truly gone from mortality was a bit surreal but gave me final closure.

Now I have to work through my feelings - knowing what we know about the power of the Atonement - and decide if I will be sealed in the temple to my parents.  If I cannot forgive her for her actions towards me, I cannot expect the power of the Atonement to wipe away my sins, so I will begin the process and hope it leads me to the place I need to be!

Simeon and Steph Say "I Do" Forever

Simeon Lovell and Stephanie Shipley were married for time and eternity in the Mt. Tinpanogos Temple on Saturday, August 5. The ceremony was conducted by Elder Devn Cornish, formerly President of the Caribbean Area Office in the Dominican Republic (including the West Indies Mission) with about 40 friends and family members in attendance.

Brother and Sister Bassler had flown in from Atlanta and both Sim and Steph had former missionary companions in the company. Also present was Bishop Michael Bair and his family, including Selwin and Brianna Bair Lovell.

Following the ceremony, pictures, pictures and more pictures captured this important day, then on to lunch at the La Jolla Groves Restaurant in the Riverwoods Mall in Provo. The evening reception was held at the Springville Art Museum near Steph’s family home were the happy couple greated friends, family and former missionary companions.

Things to remember about this beautiful day:

*    Bringing a truckload of furniture to the kids’ apartment in Provo
*    Taking a truckload of “stuff” back to St. George, including a bed for Steph’s little sister, a student at Tuacahn High School … and all sorts of things for next week’s Open House in St. George
*    Helping Michael and Jessica finish the process of moving him out of his home in Pleasant Grove (whew!!! That was a tremendous amount of work).
*    Staying in the beautiful home of our good friends Bruce and Barbara Christensen
*    Running into Vicki Henderson in the temple.  She and her husband Bob are friends from our college days in Rexburg.

We are exhausted and ready to be home, but it was a wonderful weekend.

Trip to Denver ... Interesting and Scary!

In the middle of our already extremely busy summer, I was asked to travel to Denver to represent Rotary District 5420 in my role as Public Image Chair.  I booked my flight, from St. George to Denver, but it turns out I had to fly first to Phoenix. I flew on Friday morning knowing the program didn’t actually start until 6 pm so I’d have a couple of hours at the hotel to rest and relax my seriously painful knee, sustained from a very minor fall.

I left St. George at 7:45 am, arrived in Phoenix at about 11:30 am (hour time change), found the gate for my “ride” to Denver but when I went to the desk, I was told they had overbooked the flight and there was no room for me. I protested that I had a ticket and a boarding pass … to no avail. I was directed to American Airlines Customer Service where they told me the next plane was also full … so my best bet was to wait for the 3:30 plane which had 6 seats available.

As it turns out I was able to get on the 1:30 flight but after boarding we sat on the tarmac for about half an hour “due to weather.” When we finally did get in the air, it was obvious it was going to be a very bumpy ride, but how bumpy, I don’t think any of us knew!  In short, it was terrifying!

When we finally got to Denver, we circled the city for a full two hours, because the turbulance made it so the pilot couldn’t safely bring the plane down.

Coming home was interesting as well. I sat between a 15-year-old girl on her way to visit her sister in Phoenix and an Arizona border patrol agent (in size very similar to Josh Postma) who wanted to talk about the LDS Church. He had a dozen questions and while our conversation took my mind off the turbulance, my other seat mate held onto my arm for most of the flight – terrified the plane was going to go down.

My leg hurt the entire 48 hours of my adventure, but my room at the Embassy Suites was really nice. Time spent with fellow Rotarians was pleasant and informational. Except for my painful knee and my near death experiences (coming and going), it was worth the effort. Now on to the next adventure! Watch for more.

High on a Mountaintop in Idaho

In the continuing saga of our crazy busy 2017 summer we spent the week of July 10-15 in the Henderson family cabin “high on a mountaintop” at Macks Inn, Idaho with Kaytee’s three little girls while their mommy went to Girls Camp with the young women in her ward.  (We served in the West Indies Mission with Clive and Arlene Henderson.  We were in Guyana and they were on the island of St. Vincent – so, although we didn’t actually serve together, we developed a friendship at several couples conferences and have visited them in Idaho Falls a few times since coming home.  As such, she gave us a deal on their lovely cabin which sleeps up to 25).

Kaytee met us in the early afternoon of Monday, July 10 after which we spent a little time playing in the North Fork of the Henry River at Macks Inn before returning to the cabin for dinner.  On Tuesday, we traveled the short distance to West Yellowstone, then our youngest daughter headed back to Anaconda leaving us with Adyn (age 9), Skylar (age 6) and Thoryn (age 2).  We had been forwarned and told to expect “they are noisy, busy and won’t eat anything.”  They were definitely noisy and busy, but ate pretty well.

On Wednesday, we explored the area around Mack’s Inn.  We found the beautiful, crystal clear Big Springs a couple of miles from our cabin where we went to feed fish. From another direction we found our way to the Johnny Sack cabin which the kids enjoyed.  From there we traveled to the upper falls in Harriman State Park – Grandma tried to convince 2-year-old Thoryn to wait in the car but this adventuresome toddler was having none of that.  She wanted to go with Grandpa and her sisters.  Our final stop was at Buffalo Dam where Grandpa used to swim as a kid.  More hiking … more pictures!

On Thursday, we went back to West Yellowstone where we enjoyed a few hours at the Bear and Wolf Discovery Center.  Ask the kids how much fun this amazing place was … they loved seeing both the educational animal displays and the live bears and wolves.  Back at the cabin we built a roaring fire (in 90 degree weather) where we finally got around to roasting hot dogs and making S’mores. 

On Friday, we cleaned up the cabin, loaded every inch of the car and headed back to Anaconda where we worked on a couple of craft items Grandma brought along for them but we didn’t have time to work on.

Other memories from our time in Island Park …

·               ice cream every day

·               Watching “The Princess Bride” all the way through … twice (much to Grandpa’s dismay)

·               Grandma’s bad mood because she has a seriously sore right knee (“is this your sore knee, Grandma?”)

·               A teary – and exhausted – Thoryn telling Grandpa, “No bed, no bed” as she walked alongside him to the bedroom … laid down and closed her eyes.

·               Cuddling with Skylar
-               Meeting another of Erin's doppleganger's (she was only 11 but her similarities were striking ... she's from California, is a catcher, long ball hitter and clean-up batter on her school's girls softball team)

·               Beautiful prayers by both girls

Up next:

·               Rotary meeting in Denver (July 21-22)

·               Steph’s bridal shower in Springville (July 29)

·               Michael and Jessica’s wedding (August 1 in Provo)

·               Steph and Simeon’s wedding (August 5 in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple)

·               Steph and Simeon’s open house (August 12 in St. George)

·               Our circuit vacation (August 15 – Sept. 1)

·              Probable knee surgery when I can stop long enough to get it on my calendar.

RI Convention in Atlanta

In a convention center large enough to fit four big airplanes – one on each floor – a near record number of 42,713 Rotarians from 130 countries gathered in Atlanta, GA during the week of June 10-14 for the 108th Annual Rotary International Convention. Enthusiastic Rotarians – of every nation, kindred, tongue and people - came from near and far, some in native costume but all proudly wearing the Rotary brand.

We were all in Atlanta to garner great ideas from a variety of Rotary leaders, world dignitaries and in a variety of exceptional breakout sessions; fun, fellowship and the chance to discuss all the good we are doing in the world. During the convention we were in the same room (although it was a very big room) with such famous names and faces as Bill Gates, Co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (who have to date given Rotary International $750,000,000 - or 3/4 of a billion dollars - to finish to fight to eradicate polio from the earth); Ashton Kutcher, actor and founder of THORN - an organization dedicated to eradicating human trafficking; John Cenu, the voice of WWE; and, Jack Nicklaus, a polio survivor now serving as a Rotary ambassador helping to raise funds for Rotary's end game in the fight against polio.

I signed up in mid-March and at the time, Ed was adament he would be golfing for the entire time I was in meetings. By the time we were actually on the ground in Atlanta, his plans had changed but by then we could not afford the nearly $500 late registration fee for him to attend with me. We compromised by him “kicking around” Atlanta in the mornings and me giving up almost all of the breakout sessions each afternoon.

On Sunday, we took a ride over to see the Atlanta Temple, then drove to Augusta, GA, home of what Ed claimed to be the “ultra-fabulous, amazing, gotta-go-see-it-or-die” Augusta National Golf Course. Interesting … because when we got there - 157 miles later - this multi-million dollar 100-year-old course was completely sequestered from the prying eyes of those of us who are not multi-million dollar golf professionals while the surrounding community was – in a word – pretty non-descript … and some areas were downright blighted. A sad commentary on the “haves” and “have-nots” and a 6-hour round trip we both agree we should have skipped all together.

But during the next couple of days, we did enjoy the Atlanta Aquarium, lunch in the food court of the CNN Headquarters building, a tour of the World of Coca-cola Corporate Headquarters and a ride on the ferris wheel – complete with the Rotary symbol in full view - overlooking the city. Not sure if Atlanta was so good to us because of the sheer number of Rotarians in town at one time or because its just a really nice city. Either way, it was an enjoyable few days! We hope to go to the Toronto, Canada convention next year, but we’ll see (Hawaii is the one after that!)

Four Grandparents and a Graduate

We recently traveled to Denver to attend Kaler’s graduation from Prairie View High School. On Friday, May 26, 2017 our 18-year-old grandson – David and Jan’L’s firstborn - donned cap and gown and joined his 375 classmates for ceremonies at the Coors Event Center on the campus of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

According to statistics relating to this Class of 2017:

*  48% plan to continue their education at a college or university
*  37% plan to study at a community college or trade school
*  11% are going to work
*  4% plan to or have already enlisted in a branch of the US military (the largest group of military in the school’s history)
*  $3.6 million total scholarships awarded

After the festivities, mothers of 4 ward member graduates from Kaler’s class organized a party at the church. Kaler wanted his own party, but a surprising number of his friends and ward members showed up for the evening … and Jan’L, in her usual amazing way, had helped organize an impressive celebration.

And then there are the other three Denver Sappington boys:

Fifteen-year-old Kole didn’t graduate from anything, but he is moving up from a freshman to a sophomore at Prairie View High School, making him next-in-line for graduation at the Sappington house. He plays percussion in the PVHS marching band and concert band – including during his brother’s high school graduation - and next year he will be a member of the symphonic band.

Eleven-year-old Kyle is on track to becoming an academic all-star, as well. A recent graduate of Henderson Elementary School, he and two other students were selected from among 84 students in his class to present his “Influential Teacher Speech.” He was also recognized with the “Math Excellence Award” (he was up for Reading Excellence as well, but was told he couldn’t get them both … so he had to chose); for “All A’s and B’s All Year” and as the “Most Valuable Computer Nerd” awards.

In addition to graduation, G-Ma Linda enjoyed spending time with the boys (all 4 of them). We shot baskets at the nearby – and nearly finished – park, just a half-block from their home; playing Phase Ten and/or Uno on the front porch and just catching up! It was a really lovely weekend and – except for the 22-hour / 1300 mile roudtrip drive – I’m really glad we went!

On another note: I had been suffering (should be capital “S”) for about three weeks with sciatica before we left for Denver. My right knee has been killing me … but the rest of the story is David’s left knee has been causing him pain for about the same amount of time. He thinks it is a torn meniscus which might require surgery … so both of us limped around for the entire weekend. But he has also been – in general – feeling lousy with intermittant fever, back pain and nausea.On the day we left, he finally felt bad enough to go to a doctor who diagnosed a urinary tract infection and a “massive” kidney stone (1.1 centimeter) which will require the care of a specialist, including lithotripsy!!! His medical team is going to try to smash the stone into small enough pieces so he will not suffer too much while passing them, but he’s been told to expect more before this is over!

Mother's Day in Idaho Falls

On Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-13, 2017) we met Kaytee and her three darling daughters in Idaho Falls – not quite halfway between our two hometowns – primarily to attend the Open House of the newly renovated Idaho Falls LDS Temple before it is re-dedicated on Sunday,June 4. In addition to spending time with Kaytee, Adyn (almost 9 years old), Skylar (an emphatic 6) and our adorable Thoryn (who is two) our other reason for the trip is because this temple is the one where Ed and I were married. In the tradition of this remarkable church, it is another of 155 breathtakingly beautiful and currently operating temples.

During our time together, we also visited the Idaho Falls Zoo, a nearby Funland park,the nicely done Museum of Idaho, drove to Heise Hotsprings for lunch and “walked down Memory Lane” with Grandpa Ed as he relived his youth in Ririe – a time he considers, to this day, the best of his life. We also enjoyed spending some time with Michael on his birthday (May 10); the hospitality of friends Tom and Merna Summers who provided us with a bed and a hot shower for a couple of nights as our “base camp” and with whom we will vacation in Branson in early November.

The only downside of this mini-vacation was my terrible bout with hay fever. Where our St. George community saw spring a couple of months ago, Idaho Falls was just beginning to leaf out … and it was deadly – at least for me – made worse because of a lot of wind. Thankfully, rain fell on Friday evening and part of Saturday giving me a little respite from my misery, including running nose; itchy, watery eyes; a loud barking cough and losing my voice.

This was the first trip of our very busy summer. Watch for lots more to come before Labor Day!

The Party's Over ... Simeon Moves to Provo

Well, here it is … the end of an era! The party is over after almost four years of having Simeon and Selwin Lovell in our home, two fine young men from Guyana, South America who joined our family on October 30, 2013! Both went on to serve missions – Selwin to Jackson, Mississippi and Simeon who served in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to St. George to attend Dixie State University while also working part time at Wild Coyote Foods.

Soon after his mission, Selwin married Brianna Teddie Bair on November 26, 2016 and since she is a hometown girl, I have high hopes they will remain in St. George at least for a few years.

But, Simeon has now relocated to Utah County where he will be working during the summer months before he and Stephanie Shipley of Springville are married on August 5. He will also attend Utah Valley University toward a degree in Information Technology.

I will miss our late night runs to “Wally World” for milk or to CostCo for whatever. I will miss his look of total delight at finding both jello and a full can of whipped cream in the fridge at the same time; and, his calling me “mom” even though I know I’m not his mom and knowing he and his identical twin brother call all “mature” women mom (with a lower case “m”). I will miss him asking, “what’s for dinner” even though its only been 2 hours since we last ate! I will miss our discussions about essay topics and the gospel; his devotion to his Heavenly Father as demonstrated by his insistence on wearing his white shirt and tie all day on the Sabbath; his amazing prayers, talks and Family Home Evening lessons.

I have been so pleased with how easily my six kids have embraced these two exceptional young men as family members; and, how easily most of my neighbors and ward members have befriended them, as well. And, loving them both has been very easy for me, too.

Like my own children, I knew when they first arrived, they would leave one day to make their way in the world. I just didn’t think it would get here so quickly.

I have been in charge of my ward's Empty Nesters group for the past couple of years during which time several ward members have "questioned" how I could be in charge, but not be an Empty Nester. Seems I am now official!!!

Stop By Anytime!

We appreciate our location on the I-15 freeway, midway between family and friends in both California and northern Utah. Were it not for a comfortable bed and a hot shower, we might never have company. Just kidding! Last month, we had Dave and Janene Bills overnight on their way to some of our beautiful national parks … last night we had Tiffany and her son Ben, recently returned from his mission in Uraguay, now on his way to BYU. Stacy came over after work at the hospital. The cousins enjoyed girl talk until about midnight, after which Tiff – a mother of 7 – had a good night’s sleep (“I hardly ever get to sleep all night,” she said).

We tell people “our door is always open” and we mean it. So fun to see those who have made an indelible impression on our lives.

Losing Michelle Garrett

On Friday, April 21, we had the sad experience of attending the funeral of Michelle Garrett-Shrader, oldest daughter of our dear friends John and Deanna Garrett. This beautiful 49-year-old wife and mother of three succumbed on April 18 after a courageous 7-year battle with cancer, including 30 surgeries, extensive chemotherapy and numerous rounds of radiation.  The funeral was beautiful, the loving tributes heartfelt and the opportunity to see friends we only see at weddings and funerals made the day memorable despite the reason for the gathering.

Her father noted in comments before those in attendance, "Michelle did not want us to mourn, but I never thought I would ever have to say goodbye to one of my children.  Michelle was beautiful and something really, really special.  She was strong-willed, stubborn, resolute, a fighter, tenacious, spunky, bull-headed, strong, determined and faithful to the end.  She touched many lives in many ways and accepted trials with courage and grace."

Her husband Rick reminisced about meeting Michelle as a young college student he eventually nicknamed "Beez."  He also noted, "she loved camping, fishing, planning vacations, education, Pie Day when all her sisters would gather the day before in preparation for Thanksgiving, scrapbooking, her children and "grands"  She graduated with honors from this life ... she went through the refiner's fire and it made her more soft, more loving."

Regional representative McKay reminded us, "God has a plan and the resurrection is certain.  Michelle knew and understood these truths and was an example of enduring to the end saying, as Paul the Apostle testified, 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith'.  Michelle defeated cancer.  It did not make her angry, discouraged and she did not lose her love for her Savior.  In the end, she skipped back to her Heavenly Father who gave her life!  She has been taken from our view but not from our presence."

We also enjoyed the chance to meet up with some of those we knew in Thousand Oaks, including the Garrett's and their remaining five offspring with whom we enjoyed summers at the beach; the Ludlow's and the Horne's.