Sister Anna Gibb and her beautiful new baby boy, Parker, welcomed us into her home to meet her and Parker, and their "friendly" dog, Daisy! Daisy was very happy to have someone there to play with as we enjoyed getting to know Anna. We first 'toured' the bedroom where we were introduced to the first "4 level bunk bed" I have ever seen! And found out that those beds are used frequently by Anna's step-daughters, who also share the room with Daisy when they come over.
Anna and her husband have been married about 18 months, and Parker is their only child together. She is a beautiful and loving first time mom, who spent the time we were there walking with him, putting the binky in, and wiping spit up from the floor as new mom's always do. Parker was born a preemie, at only 4lbs and spent several weeks in the NICU. So they are so grateful to have him happy and healthy now.
Anna's career for several years has been a dancer. She graduated from SUU with a BA degree and has been dancing and teaching dance ever since. She now works at two different dance academy's two nights a week, while holding down a 40 hour a week job working from home, being a new mom, and a step mom to three daughters, and a wife, too! Talk about having a great supply of energy, and a determination to make your life work.
Anna has had some real adventure in her life. The highlight for her was to spend three weeks with her mom in Europe, especially in Germany. She is only a second generation German and was thrilled with the blessing of being able to tour Germany and spend time finding out first hand where the family originated, how they lived and what their life was like.
Another real thrill for Anna was that she was able to participate in the Shakespearean Festival. It was a real privilege to have her company win a Tony Award each of two seasons at the Festival. She also is able to claim the title of actress, because she is in the LDS movie, "Singles Ward".
We were delighted to be greeted at the door of her home, by Sister Juli-Ann Smith. She is a warm and welcoming sister, who was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, as one of five girls in her family, and was baptized into the Church in Brisbane.
Marriage and motherhood was a joy to Juli-Ann, as she brought forth those beautiful babies, 5 girls and 2 boys. Juli-Ann had her hands and house full, and then a surprise came into her life. When she was 28 her husband died of cancer, and she found herself for the rest of the growing up years for her children, a single mom. Fortunately, she is an energetic and determined woman, and handled this challenge with faith and courage.
Eventually, she felt the definite prompting to move to the US and relocated to Colorado, still with five of her children living with her, then to Salt Lake, then to Idaho Falls, ID, then back to Salt Lake City; although CO actually continues to be her favorite because of how beautiful it is and how many outdoor activities and things there are to do there.
Juli-Ann's strong spirit and will to thrive, kept her family going and growing, as she progressed in her career life, and her children were each married and became independent. She now has 8 grandchildren, and another one do in a few months.
Juli-Ann is a very young at heart, energetic and independent woman. She was just married for the second time in August and moved into her new husband, Roger's apartment with him. She is most at home doing outside things; almost anything that is outdoors, she loves; or anything that is active or athletic, such as Women's Basketball! Yes, women, you have a new team member, as soon as Juli-Ann gets her cast off! In fact, her love of being outdoors was the cause of her breaking her ankle and spending Christmas Eve in the emergency room; all because she would rather go on a walk in a beautiful blizzard instead of staying in on Christmas Eve! You will LOVE getting to know Juli-Ann Smith. I felt her strong spirit, her amazing determination, and her love of really living life and finding courage to do all of it with a beautiful and contagious enthusiasm for her family, church and friends.
Have you ever met someone who was friendly and very cordial, and then she tells you how shy she is? I could relate to Stacey Petersen as she invited me into her comfortable and cozy living room and was as welcoming as anyone I've met, but says she becomes more reserved in larger groups. Stacey and Ben Petersen recently moved onto London Bay from St. George due to a job change for Ben, who works for Utah Truffle Co. Along with them came their five children, who are a wonderful addition to our Young Men's and Primary organizations. Stacey has also just been called to serve in Young Women's.
Stacey has lived in the St. George area almost her entire life, where many of her family still live. This is the first time they have ever moved away from St. George and they have found it a little difficult leaving their lifelong friends and family. They like it here, however, and are looking forward to meeting more people.
Stacey has some fun hobbies, which include roadbiking, and has been on some fun trips with Ben; touring Zion's Nat'l Park was one of her favorite. She also has tried out her "feet" in running 5K races. Stacey and Ben met when she was fourteen, but didn't start dating until he returned from his mission to Italy, and she was attending Dixie College. Soon after their marriage, she found her favorite occupation to be a mom and homemaker. And just from what I've observed in her home, she is GREAT at both of those professions! You will enjoy taking a chance to introduce yourself to Stacey Petersen and family, who are officially a very important part of our ward!!
If you would like to take a stroll and have an enjoyable chat with a really fun couple, take a walk over to London Bay and meet the Chappell Family, Jessica and Randy.
Jessica was raised in Provo and Randy grew up in Murray, but their paths unexpectedly crossed on a blind date, which opened their eyes to marriage! Jessica attended college at BYU-IDAHO and has been a coach/teacher of PE and Health for seven years at South Jordan Jr. High. Randy is still enjoying his education in the math and PE fields. They both love sports and Jessica's hobbies include coaching and playing all kinds of sports, including soccer particularly. One of Jessica's most valued memories was a humanitarian trip to Thailand with a group of High School young people, as their mentor. They went for a couple months to help rebuild the drinking water systems into the homes of the Thai people. That was an extremely humbling and gratifying trip for Jessica and the group of people she was with, and a lifesaving act of service for those Thai people in need. Jessica is currently serving in the YW's as the Personal Progress Coordinator, and the proud couple is expecting their first baby (a boy) in January.
Jamie Sackett
Jamie, and her husband Joe Sackett, were married in April and that was when the newlyweds moved their new family in with Jamie's mother, Diane Graham. Jamie was born while her family was living in Murray, then moved around somewhat in the Salt Lake Valley, graduating from High School in West Jordan.
Both Joe and Jamie plan to further their education and go on to college courses as soon as possible, and would like to someday move to California and pursue her love for creative arts. She has worked in retail mostly, but right now she is busy pursuing some very creative hobbies that she has while she is at home with a sewing maching and a love for design. Jamie is experimenting in what is called "upcycling" clothing. I was excited to have her show me a piece which she created from an old tank top, a bed sheet, and some very beautiful hand embroidery of her own. She is actually re-creating some beautiful and unique vintage clothing. Her creativity has come from years on practicing her hobbies of sewing, creating, drawing, sculpting, and even singing and dancing. If it's creative, you will find Jamie involved in it!
I asked Jamie what her most fun trip EVER was, and she described to me what would have been an ideal trip for me, too! She was able to vacation in New York City with her family, where she had the privilege of experiencing FIVE different Broadway Shows, enjoying what she found was great hospitality from New Yorkers, and seeing the Statue of Liberty. I discovered if you want to meet someone who has so much enthusiasm for life, then enjoy a FUN conversation with Jamie Sackett, and watch her face light up as she talks about her dreams and experiences. WELCOME JAMIE & JOE !!
Both Joe and Jamie plan to further their education and go on to college courses as soon as possible, and would like to someday move to California and pursue her love for creative arts. She has worked in retail mostly, but right now she is busy pursuing some very creative hobbies that she has while she is at home with a sewing maching and a love for design. Jamie is experimenting in what is called "upcycling" clothing. I was excited to have her show me a piece which she created from an old tank top, a bed sheet, and some very beautiful hand embroidery of her own. She is actually re-creating some beautiful and unique vintage clothing. Her creativity has come from years on practicing her hobbies of sewing, creating, drawing, sculpting, and even singing and dancing. If it's creative, you will find Jamie involved in it!
I asked Jamie what her most fun trip EVER was, and she described to me what would have been an ideal trip for me, too! She was able to vacation in New York City with her family, where she had the privilege of experiencing FIVE different Broadway Shows, enjoying what she found was great hospitality from New Yorkers, and seeing the Statue of Liberty. I discovered if you want to meet someone who has so much enthusiasm for life, then enjoy a FUN conversation with Jamie Sackett, and watch her face light up as she talks about her dreams and experiences. WELCOME JAMIE & JOE !!