Hula Group Luau

On Saturday, August 24th, those who joined the Hula Group met together to show off their newly acquired Hula skills!  After feasting upon some authentic Hawaiian food, we put on a little show for our families.  While encouraging our audience to "keep their eyes on the hands," we shook our "naughty hula hips!" A big thank you to Lilianna Stone for donating her time, talent, and energy to teaching the hula lessons each week and for hosting the amazing luau.  All who participated had a great evening.

New Small Groups Info

Reminder: Standards Night is tonight at 7:00 pm

Spotlight: Crystal Burton

Crystal Burton
Born and Raised-Crystal was born in Salt Lake but raised in Fillmore, Utah. She was very active in high school playing volleyball and basketball, running track, and being part of student government. She even did FFA even though she didn’t live on a farm. She and Jamie lived in St. George while he played baseball for SUU. Afterwards, they moved to Florida, but Crystal wanted to move closer to home; however, she didn’t want the snow, so they moved here.

Schooling and Career- Crystal went to SUU and graduated with a major in biology and a minor in PE. In Florida, she worked at a YMCA doing fitness classes for all age groups, but she especially loved working with kids! She started teaching PE at a private school but wanted to be able to teach in a classroom, so she went back to school at Santa Fe College to get her elementary certification. She taught 5th grade in Florida and then taught elementary PE in Alpine when they moved back to Utah. She is currently working as a computer aide at Bloomington Elementary, but she’s hoping to get a full-time teaching job next year!

How they met- Crystal and Jamie met at SUU where he played baseball, and she was an athletic trainer. They saw each other quite often because of this and because they were both science majors, but they didn’t start dating until after Crystal graduated. They will have been married for 16 years in December.

Family-  They have 3 kids: DJ is 13, HALLE is 10, & ADDISON 7.
Hobbies and favorites- Crystal loves to read! She also gardens but isn’t sure how to do it here in St. George. She loves to play and watch almost any sport. In fact, she is a fantasy football junkie! She plays with her husband and his friends.

Something Unique About Her- Crystal was born right after Christmas, so the nurses brought her into her mom in a stocking. She often tells her parents that she was the best Christmas present they ever got!

Spotlight: Sarah Sparks

Sarah Sparks:
I was born and raised in Turlock California, right in the heart of the Central Valley.

My husband brought me to St. George.  Never thought I would be living in a red rock desert, but here I am and I am loving it!  I do have to admit it was not love at first sight though!

I went to Ricks College for a summer and fall semester, then got engaged and came down to Dixie College to go to school. I started a degree in Family and Consumer Science focusing on Development of Home and family, but then started my family and did not finish my degree.  However ,I would love to finish the degree I started when my kids are older!  I am going on my 9th year being a realtor and I work at Fidelity Real Estate.

Chris and I met while he was serving a mission in the Fresno California Mission.  He happened to be at my Seminary graduation, He only had 6 weeks left on his mission and he gave the sister missionaries assigned to my ward his contact info. to give to me.  He said I don't want to hear from you until AFTER my mission.  I kept the note, and called after he got off his mission.  We met on the 4th of July and it has been "Sparks" ever since!  We have been married for almost 13 years!

We have four kids.  Our oldest is Sophie and she is 10, followed by Shadyn 7, Shanley almost 5, and Tysen 15months.

I enjoy cooking, baking, spending time with my family, going on vacations, hanging out with my sisters, organizing, exercising, and gardening...although I am not good at it!

It takes ALL day to get my hair braided...literally.

Spotlight: Noelle Christensen

Noelle Christensen:
Born and Raised- Noelle is from Globe, Arizona. She served a mission in England then moved around a little bit. She and Corban were living in Cedar City before moving to St. George. He had been commuting here for a few years, so they decided it was time to move closer to his work.

Schooling and Career- Noelle earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and elementary education from Northern Arizona University. After getting home from her mission, she taught for a year and decided that she didn’t like it. She went back to NAU to get her master’s in counseling. She currently works for LDS Family Services, helps with a group called Lifestar, and has a private practice.

How they met- Noelle made a random, or inspired, decision to moved to Pocatello, Idaho after a school friend said it was a great place to live. While there, she met Corban at their first single’s ward FHE. They got married one month before her 30th birthday. She robbed the cradle because Corban is actually 5 years younger than she is! But, it worked out. They’ve been married for almost 7 years now!

Family- Noelle and Corban has 2 children so far: Corelle who will be 5 in December and Kelsen who just turned 2.

Hobbies and favorites- Noelle loves to write, run, read, and cook. She makes very yummy treats! She also loves to cross-stitch.

Something Unique About Her- Noelle is one unique lady. She was MVP for her cross country track team, graduated at the top of her class, and happened to be a minority at her school. She also loves her job because she gets to see how lives can be changed!

Spotlight: Sarah Wood

Sarah Wood

Where were you born and raised?

Well I was born in Ogden, raised in Riverdale till I was about 14, and was then forced to move to

California. (I was a very upset teenager who thought the world was coming to an end). I told myself I

would never admit this because I didn't want my mom to know I was actually happy we moved (I was

still trying to be angry) but I totally fell in love with Cali the second I got there, and it ended up being

some of the best three years of my life so, there mom I said it!

What brought you to St. George?

My step dad got an awesome job as an ROTC teacher at Dixie High School. Lemme tell ya at first I was

not very happy to hear we were moving to St. George of all places! But I freakin LOVE St. George now

and truly consider it home :)

Where did you go to college and what degree did you get? What have you done since then?

Well I haven't gone to college yet but I plan too after my mission to Vancouver Canada Baby!! Woo! I

leave September 18th which is right around the corner. It blows me away how fast it's coming! I know

it will be challenging and one of the hardest things I'll ever do but I know with all my heart every second

out there will be worth it. I can't wait to serve people of Vancouver!

How did you and your husband meet? How long did have you been together?

Well my husband and I are totally planning to meet after my mission. We also plan to be together

forever and always if he can put up with me that long :P

What are the names of your kids?

Well thank goodness I don't have kids yet! I mean I love kids and all but I'm in no rush to get started. I

definitely wanna enjoy some time with my husband first if ya know what I mean ;)

What are you hobbies and/or favorite things to do?

I love to run, read and relax! I call in my triple R therapy (just made that up on the spot, I don't really call

it that). I also enjoy spending time with my family when they're not driving me too crazy and when they

are I LOVE to spend time with my friends!

Hope this gives ya a little bit of an idea of who I am!

Standards Night: Sunday, August 25th

For those with youth, we highly encourage you to attend this Sunday's Standards Night with your youth.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Katie Craig on the birth of her baby girl Chloe. She was born Friday, August 16th, weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces and measuring 19 inches long.

Temple Group - Temple closing from 8/26-9/14

This Wednesday, we will be meeting at 8:45 am to attend the 9:20 am session. Meet at the south parking lot of the Crimson Ridge Chapel.
The Temple will be closed from Monday, August 26th through Saturday, September 14th. Our next Temple Group, following this Wednesday, will be Wednesday, September 18th, 9:20 am session.

Play Group

This weeks Play Group will be at Liliana Stone's home this Thursday, August 15th, at 4:00 pm.

Hula Group

Hula Group will be meeting on Wednesday, August 13th, at 7:00 pm instead of Today. Contact Liliana Stone if you are interested in private lessons to catch up.

Temple Opportunities This Week

There are two opportunities to attend the Temple this week with our ward.

Tomorrow, Wednesday August 14th, our Relief Society Temple group will be meeting at 8:45 am for the 9:20 am session.

This Friday, August 16th will be our Ward Temple Night. We will be attending the 7:20 pm session.

Spotlight: Shawna Robinson

Hi!! My name is Shawna Robinson and I was born and raised in Ogden, Utah.

My family and I came to St. George because my husband Kevin retired out of the Air Force after almost

22 years serving our country. He and I are in a second marriage to one another and St. George was a

central location to both of our families.  We came here because it just felt right. We felt drawn to come

here, not knowing why completely.

I went to college at Weber State University for three years and then served a mission to Tucson, Arizona.

Upon returning home, attended again but got married and started having children before I was able to

finish. I am now enrolled in Dixie State University to finish what I started all those years previous. Once

I finish, I will have a Bachelors degree in Child and Family Studies.  I love to hike and bike and swim and

will be exploring other talents and interests such as learning to play piano and painting and I would like

to do more with photography.

My sweet hubby and I met on an Lds dating site called LDS Planet. I was attracted to him when I saw the

profile picture of him sitting outside with his shoes off next to a tree. For some reason, I have always

loved trees! We started corresponding and I liked how "normal" and grounded he seemed. He agreed

to come to Utah (he lived in CA) to attend General Conference with me. We had so much fun together,

we've pretty much been together ever since. We have been married for 5 1/2 years.

I have four children whose names are Sarah (19; who leaves in Sept. on a mission to Vancouver Canada),

Jaden (18 this month, but who still had another year of highschool), Shaylee (15), Kyler (13). I have also

had permanent custody of my younger sister Julia since she was ten and she lives with us. She is (20).

My hubby has three children of his own. Tristan (he was 2yrs old when he married his first wife),

Michael (18) and Amanda (20). Both of whom live in Ca. Amanda has a little girl (our first grandbaby)

who is 1 year old.

I love to be in the water. I am a regular fish, a mermaid. I love the Ocean and Hawaii.

Spotlight: Mary Murdock

Mary Murdock

Born and Raised- She was born in Anaheim, California and raised in Palmdale, California. She moved to St. George when Scott got a job teaching here.

Schooling and Career- She got her bachelor’s in biology from SUU with minors in music and chemistry. She got her master’s degree at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut to become a physician’s assistant (PA). She currently works at Red Rock Pediatrics and teaches piano at her house.

How they met-She and Scott met at a single’s fireside in Irvine, CA. They talked and found out they were in the same ward. They started dating, and the rest is history. They’ve been married for 8 years.

Family- Mary and Scott have 4 children: Travis (6), Tyler (3 ½), Ethan, (21 months), Brooke (2 ½ months).

Hobbies and favorites- Mary loves to shop. She also likes to sew and do projects. She says that she always likes to be working on a project. When she gets one completed, she starts another one!
 
Something Unique About Her- She can’t smell at all! When she was a child, her sister yelled at her mom that the cookies were burning. Mary asked her how she could tell. Her sister replied, “I can just smell them. Can’t you?” Mary couldn’t. Doctors really don’t know if there is even a medical reason. She’s just unique!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Bodie and Amanda Sorensen on the birth of their baby boy, Krew.  He was born on August 2nd, weighing 7lbs 2oz and 20 inches long.

Spotlight: Kellie Richins

Kellie Richins
Born and Raised:  Kellie was born in Bossier City, Louisiana (pronounced Bozure) and grew up in Hallsville, Texas – population 1, 556.  An honest-to-goodness one stoplight town.

What brought her to St. George: Mark and Kellie moved their family to St. George 7 years ago when Mark got hired to teach seminary for the church.  When he was hired, they got a choice between St. George, UT or Albuquerque NM- Kellie emphatically said, “Pick St. George- I don’t want to live in Albuquerque!”

Kids: Kellie and Mark have four awesome kids:  Isaac (11- but he’ll be 12 end of August); Emma (9); Elie (5) and Rachel (3.5)

Schooling:  Kellie started out at Ricks Jr. College and went there for her associates, then decided to serve a mission (she went to Anaheim, CA Spanish speaking).  When she got home from her mission she transferred to BYU-Provo and earned a Secondary English Teaching Degree.  She taught HS English for 5 years and then started working as an online teacher with Utah Online School (sponsored by Washington County School District).  In 2009 she went back to get her Masters and graduated from SUU in 2011 with a MA in Education.  In 2012, she went back to earn her Administrative Endorsement and has been the principal of Utah Online HS since January 2013.  She loves teenage kids and loves teaching and getting a chance to work with them at both school and church.

How did they meet:  Mark was a member-referral J Kellie’s best friend from her mission and Mark’s best friend from his mission were cousins and they actually met when Mark came over from Colorado to be best man in his companion’s wedding.  The official first time they met each was at 6:00 am in the Provo baptistery.  Kellie was impressed that Mark didn’t slaughter the Spanish names they got that day so when she was invited to come to the wedding reception the next evening- it was a no brainer!  In October they will be married for 14 years.

Hobbies:  Kellie loves to run- it is very cathartic for her.  She loves the beach and loves laying out and getting tan even more.   Crossfit, biking, hiking, shopping, movie nights with the family, traveling etc.. you name it.

Unique:  While living in Colorado- Kellie got to teach at Mark’s Alma Mater and work with the teachers he had in HS (very fun experience!)

Spotlight: Marva Cutler

Marva Lovie Jenkins Cutler
*Marva wanted to do this a little differently, so part of this is real and part is fake. You will just have to get to know her personally to find out which is which!

Where were you born and raised? Marva was born in Freedom, Wyoming which is near Star Valley where a new temple is going to be built.

What brought you to St. George? Marva says the heat and red dirt brought her here!

Where did you go to college and what degree did you get? What have you done since then? Marva went to Dixie College and studied anthropology. After school, she worked in water application pump and appurtenances.

How did you and your husband meet? How long have you been together? Marva and her husband met on a motorcycle ride. It's been a wild ride ever since, and they've now been together for almost 50 years!

What are the names and ages of your kids? Their son Travis was called home to his Heavenly Father. The rest of her kids are grown and living here in our ward. Jenny is a fabulous teacher; Courtney is a fantastic mom; and Cameron is a super geologist!

What are your hobbies and/or favorite things to do? Marva loves to skydive, deep water fish, and hike in the snow! She loves adventure!

What is something unique about you? She was a WDBE for the state of Utah and the first women to get a license for drilling!