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!”

Simeon and Stephanie welcome Sydney Grace Lovell

Sydney Grace Lovell, firstborn child of Simeon and Stephanie Lovell, came into the world at 9:19 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020 weighing in at 8 lbs. 7 oz.  She went home to a basement apartment at 865 E. 1400 North in Mapleton, UT.

Stephanie had hoped to have natural childbirth but the duration of her labor made it necessary for her to have an epidural.  Sydney's grandmother Shipley came from Oregon for two weeks so her mommy and daddy could take an occasional nap.

Sydney joins her cousin 9-month-old Ayah Fay Lovell, daughter of Simeon's twin brother Selwin and his wife Brianna.

Welcome to the family, Sydney - newly arrived from heaven.

Call me Governor Mom!

You can now call me Governor Mom!

On June 26, 2020, Linda Sappington - aka Mom or Best Grandma Ever (BGE) was inducted / installed / “crowned” Governor of Utah Rotary District 5420.  My biggest concern, during my year as Governor-nominee as well as in my year as Governor-elect, was whether I had anything to offer the 45 Rotary clubs in my district. 

 

But when the moment came, I felt the mantle fall on my shoulders and in my first two weeks as DG, there has already been some really magical moments, including how quickly this year is going by.  As of this writing I am nearly two months into my year.

In this 1-year assignment during RY2020-21, I will meet (by Zoom or in-person) with 45 clubs around the district, develop some “bigger, better, bolder service projects which change lives”; answer hundreds of “what’s Rotary” questions from those outside of our amazing organization as well as some of our longtime members; and, do a fair amount of problem solving on the district level and for struggling clubs.  

In short, it is shaping up to be a fulltime job until June 30, 2021 - but certainly it will be the most unique year ever due to the COVID pandemic!  At the end of my year, I will write my DG history and post it to my blog.  I hope it will be a rich history – despite the coronavirus – filled with amazing and fun experiences.  I could not understand how I had ended up in this position … but since I’m here now I am excited to see what difference I can make in my district and the world!

Some (unedited) comments by friends and fellow Rotarians:

*    I left last night feeling real pride in being a Rotarian and what Rotary means.  I was also awed by how you stepped up to and into the role of District Governor last night.  You are going to have a great year!   (Art Haines)

*    Governor Sappington, I very much enjoyed your presentation last night and the goals you have set for us.  In the past, you have set high standards for us and have been an example of what a good Rotarian should be.  That now continues.  Thank you!  And, congratulations!  (Tom Powell)

*    Linda, My Dear Long Time Friend,  We worry not! And to you I say, “Fret not.” We could not be better off for our incoming Gov. Your tremendous talents and abilities are proven and solid. Your dedication and commitment are unsurpassed. Your long list of Governors you have served and the years of District service you have given places you at the top of the list and will hold you in good stead. You know how to navigate the waters of public and human relations and your love of and for Rotary are well established. You will not fail. Moreover, you will handle everything that requires your time and talents with utmost respect and dignity, and you will show the rest of us how to adapt to new and different ways to lead and to serve. We are behind you all the way.  Welcome, fellow leader!   (Jim Coleman)

*    Linda, this is the BEST DG presentation I have ever seen in my 14 years as a Rotarian. I like that you personalized it. Excited about the District projects.


*    Thank you, DG Linda.  Your presentation was perfect. You are an awesome person and a godsend as Utah's District Governor.  Thank you for all you do!   (Eugene Hotinger, CCRC)

*    You were fantastic, thanks!     (Pearl Wright, District PI Chair)

*    You have trained us with more Rotary information than ever before in the history of our district."  (Kristi Guest, Area 7 Assistant Governor)

*    Yeah!!!! About time the district made this change! We have grappled with this for years and are so frustrated with those few who made it hard for the rest of us!  Way to go, Madam DG!   (Tere Moore, Brigham City Rotary Past President

Kris Starts Over in Ohio

Kris Sappington Schnabel has made a bold move.  

In order to cut Erin's tuition at Ohio State University from $40,000 to something a little more reasonable, our 3rd daughter sorted, tossed, sold and finally packed up all her earthly belongings and drove - all by herself - from Sonoma, CA where she has lived for at least 18 years to Columbus, OH where she doesn't know a soul. But in the age of COVID, Kris had a 5-minute conversation with her boss - where she works as a mortgage underwriter, telling her of her plans to relocate to which the boss said, "OK, as long as you're not telling me you're quitting!"  It seems there are now options for working at home - certainly due to the coronavirus - like never before.

Our adventuresome daughter tells us the drive through 5 states was wonderful and beautiful.  It is much more humid - probably due in part to those pesky Great Lakes - but she is impressed with Columbus, a town she describes as a lovely place.

Will she stay there forever or return to CA or UT?  Its anyone's guess at this point.  When Erin graduates - in about 4 years - our Kris-e-ola will likely make a decision, but it could go either way or anyway.

It's hard to think of her so far away but if anyone can make it in a brand new community, its our beautiful Kris!!!  

Denver Sappington's Return Home to St. George

It has been 25 years since our oldest son David and Jan’L Jones Sappington were married in the St. George Temple ( Jan'L is the youngest daughter of former B7 Ward members Ron and Clarelynn Jones and our nextdoor neighbors for several years).  

Soon after their wedding day, they set off on their life journey, eventually settling in Denver, CO.  David, who has spent his working career in retail, has been skeptical about getting into manufacturing, but he brings an amazing management skill set to his new job as Chief Operating Officer and if allowed to do so, will take Wild Coyote Foods beyond the dream of family members – including his father-in-law - who have operated the business since it first began in Aunt June’s Santa Clara kitchen.

We are so excited to have our son, his beautiful bride and their three boys Kaler Sappington (21), Kole (18) and Kyle (15) as our new neighbors and ward members. 

The family will be living in Jan'L's childhood home at 2947 Jacob Hamblin Drive across from Frasers, for a couple of years to see if David is a fit with Wild Coyote Foods ... and if WCF is a fit for David.  

Kaler and Kole have both been accepted to BYU-Idaho but due to the current coronavirus situation, don’t know if they will be able to attend in-person for the immediate future.  Kyle is the one most impacted by this move.  He just graduated from middle school in Denver, and thought he was going to start high school in August.  Turns out he will be attending one more year at Dixie Middle School (or whatever it will be called after all is said and done), the school his mother and father attended at his same age.

I have prayed for this day for several years and am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful blessing in our lives. 

Seven graduates ... no graduations! Erin Jade Schnabel

Pictures on the left (top and bottom) are of Erin's high school!

Perhaps no one in the Sappington family has ever had the high school experience Erin Jade Schnabel, youngest of Kris Sappington Schnabel's three children, has had.  She calls the last few year's "a crazy ride, uphill both ways, never boring and never dull."  

Nevertheless, she was scheduled to end her secondary schooling at Cardinal Newman High School, a Catholic school in Santa Rosa, CA, in commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 30, 2020.  However, since the world was in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, it didn't happen for EJ or millions of other seniors around the country, robbed of this final high school experience by a microscopic virus.

Still, her years as a Cardinal at CNHS and the degree she has earned were filled with favorite - and a few not-so-happy - memories beginning in her sophomore year. In mid-October 2017, her school along with just about all of central California burned to the ground. Over a few days and weeks more than 56,556 acres burned.  Approximately 12,000 structures were damaged or completely destroyed, including 5130 homes, and 4000 commercial buildings.  Also part of these grim statistics were the loss of 3200 cars, 111 boats and the death of 23 residents.  Total expense for what is being called “the costliest fire in California history" (to date), is $2.79 billion.  

Erin attended her first homecoming dance on the Saturday night before the fire began, but on Monday morning woke to find her high school, as well as her elementary school, in a pile of ashes. 

As a junior she attended a new school where she didn't know many of her classmates and where she - for the 1st time in her school life - was expected to wear a uniform.  Also as a junior, she set records for home runs and runs-batted-in (RBI) on the softball field, a skill she hopes will translate into a way to pay for her college education.  As a senior she was able to attend a class retreat where - like camping out - she was able to enjoy her new classmates who had now become her friends and team mates.

Erin's future plans have a laser-focus on earning a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University where she hopes to study business economics then go to graduate school for a law degree with a goal to become a corporate lawyer and eventually have a family.

This darling and talented California blond has a bright future ahead of her.  We are more than proud of her for achieving this milestone.

As your grandmother, I pray you will always believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.  I can't promise to be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise to love you for my time on earth and through all eternity!