Sel, Brianna and Ayah welcome Zion

Zion Selwin Lovell, firstborn son of Selwin and Brianna Lovell and little brother to 17-month-old Ayah, came into this wild and crazy world on Saturday, May 29, 2021 weighing in at a hefty 9 lbs. 4 oz. His birth was not without incident.  

According to his Grandma Lori, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, he came out face up, his blood pressure and blood sugar were both down, he was slightly jaundiced … and his birth required the use of forceps.  Not a perfect delivery but certainly a perfect baby.   

So cute and so glad to have him here!

Another graduate in the family

Kirsten, oldest of Michael and Jessica’s four kids, is – as of Thursday, May 27, 2021 – a graduate of American Leadership Academy,  a charter high school in Spanish Fork, UT!  There was a question as to whether she would "walk" to receive her diploma, but in the end, Kirsten put in the hard work necessary to make it happen … and we know the world is waiting for what this beautiful young woman has to offer.  Can’t wait to see where life takes her!

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!

Kelly is now a Master

In my Facebook feed on a mid-February morning
was a message from our firstborn with a one-word message ... "DONE"!

 So very proud of our oldest who has been working fulltime from home at Hill AF Base and ALSO working fulltime to complete her Master’s degree in Informational Technology from the online Western Governors’ University (in record time, by the way, finishing in just 10 months which is about 6 months ahead of schedule) ... all during a pandemic. When she started this process, she set her end date for Valentine's Day 2021, so even then she's a couple of days ahead of schedule. 

 

Gary planned a party to celebrate his wife’s amazing accomplishment at his son’s Warehouse 22 event center.  He invited neighbors, friends and co-workers with an e-invitation then held his breath while he waited for any of them to RSVP.  Not many did, but as it turns out, there were about 30 people who shouted “surprise” when we came through the door … and lots of hugs and congratulatory messages in cards and videos.

 

We love this beautiful and SMART girl (one of 6 who are also beautiful and smart) who is - and always has been - driven to succeed! She is well-loved by many – especially her friends and her boss - and we are proud of where she is in life.

 

Congratulations, Kelly Sappington Yocum!

Our Four Missions

MISSION #1:  We served an official 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guyana, South America in 2011-12.  Most people who know me know it was one of the high points in my life.  We came home two weeks early because I had fallen and developed a macular hole in my right eye which required a surgery doctors in Guyana were not trained to do.  I have always been disappointed we did not get to say goodbye to those we had grown to love like family and I have always been sorry we’ve never been back for a visit. 

I know, without a doubt and to the depth of my soul, my Heavenly Father knew Guyana was where we would be able to use our unique skill set and where we would be able to make a difference for a few people. 

 

Guyana was also where we met Selwin and Simeon Lovell.

 

MISSION #2: I feel my second mission was a call from the Lord to help these two fine young men get settled into a  new life in a new counrtry. 

I remember so well, the day Selwin called from New Jersey.  He and his identical twin had – just a few days before – arrived at their father’s suggestion to come to the US to live with him and his family  of four in a very small apartment.  Sel and Sim were, at the time, 20-years-old.  Four days later, their stepmother packed up their belongings and set them out of the street.  The Brown’s – also in New Jersey from Guyana – took the boys in for awhile but it quickly became apparent having two grown men move into their small accommodations wasn’t going to work either.  They tell me I was the only other person they knew in the US – or, more likely the only one whose phone number they had.

 

When they called me to ask if they could come to live with us, I was  unquestionably startled.  I told them I would need to talk to Brother Ed and the bishop.  I knew they both wanted to serve a mission, go to school, find jobs and get married … and we needed twin beds which we didn’t have.  When I reached out to Bishop John Goldhardt about my concerns he said, “don’t worry, Sister Sappington, the church and our members will help.  You bring those boys here.  Our ward needs them!”  A couple of days later we sent them airfare and twin beds arrived at our house.

 

The twins arrived on October 30, 2012.  Soon after, they submitted their papers and while we waited for mission calls to show up in our mailbox, we taught them some of what they needed to know to live in America – including driving and banking … and I loved every minute of it.

 

They are now both returned missionaries (Simeon served in Atlanta, Georgia and Selwin served in parts of Mississippi and Louisiana), college graduates, naturalized citizens, husbands and fathers.  I am truly happy to have been part of their transition.  They were not mine in the beginning but I love them like those to which I gave birth.

 

Penny enjoys the view out of the van window.

MISSION #3:  My next mission was a bit different.  My mother lived alone in California for about five years after my father passed and seemed to be doing OK until she tripped over her cat Penny and broke her hip in about 2013.  My brother Larry and I then “helped” her make the decision to move into assisted living.  We promised we would not sell her double-wide  which made the move a little easier for her, but after awhile we began to realize she was developing dementia which eventually became Alzheimer’s (it was probably Alzheimer’s from the beginning).  After about a year, the AL where she lived reached out to “suggest” we needed to move her into memory care which we did but when family members weren’t showing up to check on her,  some of the staff began to take advantage, including the theft of her wedding ring set.

 

At that point it became obvious we needed to make a change in her living arrangements.  After lots of discussion, we decided to move her to St. George (she was so NOT happy about leaving California) and into a memory care unit about half a mile from our Bloomington home.  I dropped in every day – always at a different time – and sometimes more than once … and made sure to get to know her caregivers by name and face.

 

As it turns out, my 3rd mission was not so much a service to my mother as it was to her ginger kitty Penny who had diabetes and required a shot every single day … a task I performed for 18-months (ironically, the length of our mission to Guyana) until Mother passed away and Penny went to live for a couple of months with one of the caregivers.

MISSION #4:  My 4^th and perhaps last mission is my service as District Governor-nominee, District Governor-elect and, after three years, finally as Governor of Utah Rotary District 5420.  From July 1, 2018  to June 30, 2021 I had the extreme honor to serve alongside some of the most amazing Rotarians in 45 clubs around the state as well as with Rotary International leaders in a few of the 220 countries where Rotary exists in the world.

There is a possibility Ed and I might have the opportunity to serve in one of Washington County’s two temples when the complete re-do of the St. George Temple and construction of the Red Cliffs Temple is completed, both in the summer of 2022.  Together they will need about 3000 volunteers.

I certainly hope there is a MISSION #5 in my life and my Heavenly Father sees these efforts as “missions” …. and gives me at least a little credit for doing some good in the world!

Sappington Family Top Ten List for 2020

ONE   2020 was "the year to end all years" - a year "which will live in infamy" - with most of the craziness due to what was called the novel coronavirus ... also referred to as COVID-19.  The year started out like all other years ... then on March 12 - Taisley's 18th birthday and just 11 days after we returned from High Country PETS (presidents-elect training seminar) in Denver, the bottom dropped out of the world.  By New Years Day 2021, many millions in every country on earth had been infected with this new virus, originating in China ... and many thousands had died from it ... including three members of our ward (Fritz Morawetz, Mike Sorenson and most recently Katherine Warner)!

Businesses closed down; travel was restricted; all 167 operating temples went offline and chapels were closed; events were canceled, including weddings, funerals, community events - even Thanksgiving and Christmas for most of us. 

Then there was an earthquake.  The epicenter was not far from Whitney's house.  Scared her ... scared all of us who love her, too.

On September 8, the Wasatch Front was hit with a massive hurricane-force windstorm.  The temperatures here in Southern Utah dropped 35 degrees overnight and in Northern Utah the 100+ mile per hour winds blew roofs off buildings, overturned about 45 semi-trucks over along the I-15 corridor and uprooted more than 1000 decades-old trees between North Ogden and the Utah County line.

Some Rotary District Governors have a district level project or two, but most don't.  As Governor of Rotary District 5420, I identified two projects, including a Native American Initiative in a state with eleven native American reservations representing 8 tribes.  I have been horrified for many years to hear of the plight of our indigenous families, many who don't have running water or electricity in the 2nd decade of the 21st century and where either or both of these deficiencies have exacerbated the impact of COVID-19.

So what do a hurricane-force windstorm and problems among the Navajo Nation, Shoshone, Goshutes and other tribal populations have in common?   A continuous need for firewood, which is their primary source for heating and cooking.  So Rotarians joined forces with Church members and the State of Utah to cut those 1000 trees into firewood ... more than 3,000,000 lbs. of it and transport it to most of the 11 reservations around the Beehive State.

And just when we thought nothing more could possibly top what had happened in the previous 8 months, we got word of a Christmas star which was due to appear on or about December 20 - a phenomenon which had not occurred for 800 years!

Kelly and Gary came for Ed's birthday on December 31.  I had ordered a cake for him so Kelly and I went to pick it up during which time we talked about what a crazy year it had been.  I suggested, the only thing we hadn't experienced this year was snow.  Her response as we walked into the grocery store, "well, there's still 12 hours in the year."  When we came out a few minutes later ... it was snowing.  Of course, it wasn't much but it gave us a good laugh!  

The world was convinced, at the stroke of midnight on January 1, just as 2020 had disappeared, so would all this craziness ... but alas, 2021 - so far - has brought more of the same.  I guess we'll see what surprises are in store for us in this next chapter.

TWO   David, Jan'L and their three boys returned to St. George in July.  Since then we have enjoyed several rousing games nights, great conversations, watching them create a new home in their old neighborhood and spending Thanksgiving and the first Christmas in many years we've had them here.

THREE  Kris moves to Ohio (see the story dated August 17)

FOUR  Governor Mom (see the story dated August 19).  As of this writing, I am half way through my year as Governor of Utah Rotary District 5420 and it has been a remarkable experience, so far.  I have visited all 45 clubs - a few in-person but most virtually - and have worked hard to save a few of our small clubs who were, reportedly, "on the brink" of disbanding on July 1, 2020.  I asked Paul Summers to head up a Native American Initiative to "champion" and support tribal communities around the state ... and he has succeeded beyond my wildest expectations.  We also organized a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force but it hasn't moved off first base in six months so I'm a little frustrated.  Still, it has been a real honor to serve in this role. More to come!

FIVE  Simeon and Steph welcome Sydney Grace Lovell  (see the story dated Sept. 28)

SIX  Our darling Taisley Welch is engaged to Wesley Pugmire and these two young lovers have set March 20, 2021 as their wedding day.  More to come!  

SEVEN  7 grads but no graduations for Taisley Welch, Kendi Hansen, Kaler and Kole Sappington, Simeon and Stephanie Lovell, and Erin Schnabel.  Off to college are Kaler (BYU-I), Erin (Ohio State), Taisley and Kole (DSU); Kelly (Western Governors University for her Masters), Selwin Lovell (SUU for his Masters), and Stephanie (testing for her CPA certification)  (see stories dated from April 19 - May 26)

EIGHT  Ed turns 80 .... reluctantly but with family, friends and cake.  Ed was not looking forward to turning 80 (I reminded him several times its better than the alternative), so I planned a surprise party for him.  I invited neighbors, friends and family for a drive-by parade with cake.  Kaytee, Josh and their kids drove down from Montana and Kelly and Gary came from Ogden ... and he was completely surprised!  Throughout the evening of December 31, several of our friends and neighbors stopped by (with masks on) to wish him "happy" and most of our local grands dropped in for noisy chit-chat.  It was a fun event despite COVID.

NINE  Dad / Grandpa interrupts Sacrament meeting ... twice!  Our bishop was a little shell-shocked when Ed passed out the first time, but when the second time in three months resulted in a 911 call for an ambulance, our ward leader just adjourned the meeting and told everyone to go to Sunday School.  The hospital ran every test known to mankind and finally concluded he was ODing on one of his medications - taking two instead of the recommended dosage - which dropped his blood pressure dangerously low.  

TEN  Stacy is wildfire certified.  Our second daughter has always liked to live a little on the wild side so when husband Rick was named Chief of the (teeny, tiny) Gunlock Fire Department, she decided she needed to support him by becoming one of his favorite volunteers.  At our house, everytime we hear there is a wild fire burning in her part of the county, we hold our breath until we hear from her.

Well, there it is ... another year gone by and more amazing mileposts in the Sappington Family History Book. Life is good and we're looking forward to what 2021 brings us!  

Blessing of Sydney Grace Lovell by her father Simeon Lovell

 

BLESSING OF SYDNEY GRACE LOVELL BY HER FATHER SIMEON LOVELL

Sunday, January 9, 2021 

Mapleton 6^th Ward

Our dear Father in Heaven, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which we hold, we give this child a name and a blessing.  And, the name by which you shall be known on the records of the Church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is Sydney Grace Lovell.  

Sydney, we are pleased to have you in our family and grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us by giving you to us.  I bless you, first and foremost with the gift of patience, which will be a guidance to you as you go through life.  I bless you to be faithful and loving to those around you, especially your family.  I bless you with the gift to unify others, with your character and with your voice that you will guide them by always doing what is right … and to be a leader in whatever calling, whether in the church or outside the church, you may hold.  I bless you to respect those around you and to see them as your brothers and sisters and as sons and daughters of God.  And, I bless you to love and cherish the name you have been given and to remember how precious you are, not just to your earthly mother and father, but also your heavenly mother and father.

I bless you to seek guidance from the Lord as you go through trials, for you will face them.  And, I bless you with the will to never give up, no matter how hard those trials may be.  I bless you to be encouraging so you can help others along the way.  I bless you to take counsel, not just give it, for listening is also a heavenly virtue.

I bless you, as you learn the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will gain your own testimony to not just believe but to know those things you have learned are true.  And when you are ready to serve the Lord, in any capacity which He may require and ask of you, I bless you to be the light you have been designed to be by our loving Father in Heaven.

And, all these blessings I give unto you in the precious name of your Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Recorded by Brother Ed Sappington and transcribed by Linda Sappington

Always, Forever and ... No Matter What!

As my signoff on every birthday and Christmas card, letter and email to any and all of my family members – and even in communications with a few close friends – I leave with the same message, “I love you always, forever and no matter what!” Most days, I honestly mean it.  But, there are those days when I’m not being absolutely honest because of those times when I am disappointed and can’t understand an action or a choice made by those I profess to love unconditionally.

My promise to love “always and forever” isn’t hard because “always” and “forever” are pretty ambiguous terms; and, gosh isn’t “always” and “forever” eons from now anyway?  It’s the “no matter what” over which I sometimes struggle.  For instance, would I still love them if they came home with all F’s on their report card?  Totaled my cute little convertible Lexus? Robbed a bank?  Voted Democrat? Abandoned their family?  Pimped or dealt drugs.  Murdered someone in a fit of rage resulting in life imprisonment?  

 

Thankfully, none of these scenarios apply – well, I guess its fair to say at least one of them does – but it makes me wonder if, in some of these more heinous examples I could – and would - still love them “always, forever and no matter what.”

 

But, as one of my beautiful daughters has pointed out more than once, I’m not perfect either.  I have flaws, shortcomings, and have made more than a few really dumb decisions in my lifetime, some which have brought pain to friends and family members. Yet there is Someone who knows I’m imperfect, but continues to pour out blessings on me as proof I am still His beloved daughter - even when He and I both know, I don’t deserve it!  And, He has never hesitated or stumbled on the “no matter what!” though I’m pretty sure He has been disappointed in me, more than a time or two.

 

So, my precious family, I want you to know I am committed to following my Savior’s example and while it sometimes might take a minute or two to sort out my feelings in an effort to understand your choices, I will love all of you always, forever … and unconditionally “no matter what!”