I am the wife of a Soldier, I am a mother to a beautiful little girl, I am an Apache, and I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
A week before 17th birthday, my brother passed on in a fatal car accident. I was left feeling numb, empty, and filled with grief. I struggled with my emotions and beliefs, and inevitably came to the realization that I needed a firm religious foundation in my life. I needed to build my faith... But before I could do that, I needed the religious structure... So I researched various religions, and it came down to two specific denominations. After meeting with the missionaries, I knew this was the foundation that I had been seeking. I found peace and solace in the gospel.
The gospel is the foundation of my life. To live without faith in the gospel would be an empty life... Being the wife of a soldier isn't always easy. It means a move is always in the future, and as hard as it is to break ties and move into a new atmosphere? There is a calm inner peace that lies within the chaos, just by knowing that there is a church near every possible Military Installation.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heberews 11:1 Faith is like the wind. You can't see it, but you feel it, and you know it's there.... Show more Show less
I grew up in a musical family and received two conservatory degrees in violin performance. It's still unbelievable to me that I get to play and teach music for my job, that I'm employed to do something that's so much fun. I'm a pretty straight-up classical player, but occasionally I dabble in Argentine tango. I love hiking, miss the summers I used to spend in the Rockies, and I quilt in my spare time. My husband and I were married shortly after I finished grad school. I used to say that I would never live in the southwest. Just looking at a Georgia O'Keeffe made me thirsty. But in the few years we've been married, we've lived in Houston, Albuquerque, Tucson, and Phoenix. The desert aesthetic is finally beginning to grow on me! We have two beautiful daughters. While mommy practices the violin, they enjoy sucking on kazoos, banging maracas on the coffee table, and lining rubber duckies up on the piano keys.
I want to be part of a church that is founded and led by Christ, not by man. That's what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints claims to be. I choose to be Mormon because I've studied its doctrine and the scriptures, prayed about it, and felt the Holy Ghost confirm that Christ is at its head. I know of no other institution that has such high visions of each individual's potential, that gives such an honest hope of how much good every person can do and become, and that provides such clear steps, standards, and support to empower us to achieve that potential.
I believe that everyone is a child of God, His creation, and I try to treat people accordingly. Every person is of inestimable worth. It's very difficult to treat someone hastily or unkindly when I remember how dear they are to our Heavenly Father. I think about this the most when I help or teach my own children and remember that before they were mine, they were the Lord's. In my local congregation, there are always ways for me to use my music to serve. I frequently play violin or piano for services, help prepare youth and adults to perform for services, and teach music in the children's programs. It's a privilege to be able to volunteer my profession to serve the Lord so directly, to consecrate what ability I may have to Him. There are times when music can communicate more effectively than words, and I cherish being able to witness the moments when it does so. There are some specific things I do that I consider consecrations to the Lord and a way to actively live my faith. I consider Sunday my Sabbath, and I dedicate that day to doing things that are worshipful, strengthen my family, or serve others. A portion of my income is dedicated each month as tithes and donations to those who are in need. I avoid foul language and vulgarity. There is so much entertainment and so many activities that are wholesome, uplifting, and invigorating that there are no excuse for spending my time on things that are cheap or demeaning. I set aside specific time to participate in service projects, both through my congregation and the community. We've done everything from sewing receiving blankets for the church's humanitarian center to clothes drives for local schools to distributing fliers for the fire station about drowning prevention awareness. I make regular visits to other families in our congregation and neighborhood to help us stay connected and help take care of each other.
My wife and I have five beautiful daughters ages 10 thru 30. I served as a missionary in Vancouver B.C. from 1978-1980.
I love spending time with my family. Waterskiing has been the family outdoor activity since 1994. We all have bicycles; some of us taking biking more seriously than others. We love the outdoors and hike in the summer and snowshoe when it snows. In the past I produced film and video for a living and now it is my hobby. I love most kinds of music. As a teenager and young adult I worked at retail Hi Fi stores. I have always had a nice stereo and still spend free moments listening to music. I played competitive basketball in my youth, but not so much anymore; years ago I took a spill while on my “off road motorcycle” and both of my arms were broken. This accident required many surgeries and today limits some of my activities. My work has taken me to more than 30 different countries. I love the different cultures of the world; I have found wonderful people everywhere I have traveled. I have worked in the banking, mortgage, creative services, video production, technology and rich media industries in the past. Today I work for a fortune 100 company as a software business consultant.
I was a Mormon as a boy because I was raised in an LDS family. I am a Mormon today for many reasons; these reasons ultimately lead to happiness for me and my family now and in the future. For me there are truths that cannot be properly understood thru traditional means. Information and knowledge that reaches far beyond mortal reason must be obtained in spiritual ways. The knowledge I have of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on a spiritual level is more real and enduring than any knowledge I have gained in a traditional ways.
In June of 2013 I went with 175 youth and 60 leaders that live in my area on a “pioneer trek” were we pulled handcarts over 27 miles in two and a half days; thru this experience we learned more about Mormon pioneers and what motivated them, and also to appreciate their sacrifices more. Youth between the ages 14 and 18 also and a great time dancing and playing pioneer games; and some of the adults did as well. We all enjoying the scenery, great outdoor cooking and each other far away from the noise of our busy electronic world in southwestern Wyoming. The were youth asked to develop a theme for trek. “Of One Heart and One Mind with No One Left Behind” is what they came up with. I find their maturity and their insights into life amazing. This was the fourth trek that I have had the privilege to document with video. Over the past fifteen years the trek experience has become very special for me on many different levels. The kids are incredible and I always get back much more than I can possibly contribute. I find there is much to learn from the youth of today.
A Better Health At Work award has been handed to Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
The “continuing excellence” status has been awarded to the mental health service provider for raising health awareness in its workforce by participating in national campaigns and events, and mentoring other agencies.
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