2015 Breakout Session Presenters
Anita Hummel (Hanoi, Vietnam)
A Bus On a Dusty Road:
How living in Asia has shown me how to be a better Latter-Day Saint.
This presentation will tell the stories and show the faces of many of the great and noble souls I have met along the dusty roads of life – many who have never heard of Jesus Christ. Yet these great and noble souls have shown me what true Christianity means, and taught through their example ways for me to become a better Latter-day Saint.
Bio: Anita Hummel went into what many consider her family business, which is Asia. Her grandfather lived in China for over 14 years as a United Brethren Missionary. Her Uncle was a US Ambassador to Burma, (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Pakistan and China and under Kissinger was appointed the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs. After serving a full time mission and graduating from Brigham Young University, Anita traveled to Asia to have a quick adventure, but instead ended up spending over 29 years living and working in Hong Kong, Thailand, China and Vietnam.
Anita’s passion is the work that she is doing with Project Sprouts, a Hanoi based initiative seeking to bring positive change to one student, one school and one community at a time. As the founding member of Project Sprouts she has helped assemble a great team of dedicated volunteers who are all working to make a difference in the rural hill tribe areas outside Hanoi, Vietnam.
Anita’s daytime job is her design, product development and manufacturing company in Hong Kong, China and Vietnam that manufactures products for the Home Furnishing Industry. Anita presently has a book with the same title as her presentation up for review for publication with some LDS publishers.
Anita’s passion is the work that she is doing with Project Sprouts, a Hanoi based initiative seeking to bring positive change to one student, one school and one community at a time. As the founding member of Project Sprouts she has helped assemble a great team of dedicated volunteers who are all working to make a difference in the rural hill tribe areas outside Hanoi, Vietnam.
Anita’s daytime job is her design, product development and manufacturing company in Hong Kong, China and Vietnam that manufactures products for the Home Furnishing Industry. Anita presently has a book with the same title as her presentation up for review for publication with some LDS publishers.
Carol Jensen (Manila, Philippines)
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Weaknesses, Talents and Gifts of the Spirit:
Tapping Hidden Greatness to Hasten the Lord's Work
Weaknesses are surprising allies in our search for usefulness in the Lord's kingdom. Discover their benefits, and learn how to identify and use personal strengths and gifts to help move His work forward today!
Click here for presentation notes
Weaknesses, Talents and Gifts of the Spirit:
Tapping Hidden Greatness to Hasten the Lord's Work
Weaknesses are surprising allies in our search for usefulness in the Lord's kingdom. Discover their benefits, and learn how to identify and use personal strengths and gifts to help move His work forward today!
Click here for presentation notes
Bio: Born on February 19, 1972, Carol (Hilton) Jensen was raised in British Columbia, Canada, with great emphasis on using good manners. At age four, she learned that a strategic use of politeness and good cheer came in extra handy at the Customer Service desk at the local department store. The clerks seemed to carry a large supply of candy for small children to enjoy while waiting for their moms to find them. Always cheerful and quick to say, "Thank you", Carol quickly gained a reputation for being extra friendly, which was well-reinforced. She carries this reputation to this day, and the friendliness is 100% genuine. She really does love people.
Her life has been spent going to school, studying other cultures, learning to speak other languages (she is conversational in four, and is working on a fifth) and performing in musical theatre. She has worked and served in a variety of interesting jobs and callings. In her not-so-spare time, Carol works hard to raise a family in the gospel, while serving as her ward's Young Women president.
Her life experiences have helped Carol draw closer to Christ, and continue to help her in her progression towards becoming more insightful and compassionate. She is also applying her experiences in the two books she is currently writing; one of which is about gifts of the spirit. Carol enjoys editing her husbands assignments, too. He is working on his MBA while working full time. No rest for the weary.
Speaking of her husband: Jonathan is calm, patient and loving. Carol knows a good thing when she's found one. They have two sweet and spunky teenagers, Camille and Joshua. Their daughter is serving a full-time mission for the church in Toronto, Canada, and their son has plans to follow her lead in a couple years. The Jensens will be part of the Makati 4th Ward in Metro Manila for the next two years, on an assignment with Jonathan's company. As a family, they are almost always polite, intelligent and well-behaved. Well, they try. At least, they are friendly.
Her life experiences have helped Carol draw closer to Christ, and continue to help her in her progression towards becoming more insightful and compassionate. She is also applying her experiences in the two books she is currently writing; one of which is about gifts of the spirit. Carol enjoys editing her husbands assignments, too. He is working on his MBA while working full time. No rest for the weary.
Speaking of her husband: Jonathan is calm, patient and loving. Carol knows a good thing when she's found one. They have two sweet and spunky teenagers, Camille and Joshua. Their daughter is serving a full-time mission for the church in Toronto, Canada, and their son has plans to follow her lead in a couple years. The Jensens will be part of the Makati 4th Ward in Metro Manila for the next two years, on an assignment with Jonathan's company. As a family, they are almost always polite, intelligent and well-behaved. Well, they try. At least, they are friendly.
Cherie Burton (Shenzhen, China)
Don't Quit Before the Miracle:
Running YOUR Race With Patience
Just because something isn't happening for you right now doesn't mean it won't happen. What do you do in the meantime? How can you keep going until the miracles come -even when things appear hopeless? Come gain insights from an amazing true tale of a decade of trials resulting in the greatest of miracles -some hoped for and others unexpected.
Running YOUR Race With Patience
Just because something isn't happening for you right now doesn't mean it won't happen. What do you do in the meantime? How can you keep going until the miracles come -even when things appear hopeless? Come gain insights from an amazing true tale of a decade of trials resulting in the greatest of miracles -some hoped for and others unexpected.
Bio: Cherie is a wife, mother, coach, entrepreneur, teacher, pioneer, adventurer, daughter of God and a woman of faith.
Originally from San Jose, California , Cherie is the second of Gene and Beverly Young’s fabulous five kids. She grew up in the Bay Area and Oregon. She attended the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) where she met her future husband, Stan Burton and later graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior. Cherie and Stan have been blessed with a wonderful family and have had many fantastic adventures while living around the world - including Oregon, California, Thailand, Indonesia, China (twice) and soon to be Hong Kong!
Professionally she’s worked for several high tech companies doing training, human resources and technical writing; as a life/educational coach for several universities; and owned/operated international businesses in the fashion, cosmetic and health industries. She currently works as a mentor and coach for an international nutrition/detox company, in addition to managing her home.
Cherie is always ready to have fun and is known for her quick wit, sense of humor, and easy going caring personality . In her free time she enjoys all kinds of physical activities - running, yoga, hiking, kickboxing, and dancing to name a few, watching sports and competitions, playing games, reading, movies and exploring whatever life has to offer in her current location. At church she’s served in many auxiliaries and currently is the Gospel Doctrine teacher in her branch in Shenzhen, China.
Her life, like everyone’s, has had it’s unique challenges - growing up in a church where few faces looked like hers, having a disabled sibling, infertility, part-member family, and living far from loved ones to name a few, but all of these things have given her experience, a rich life and a firm ever-growing testimony of her Heavenly Father, Savior and the gospel. She counts herself truly blessed.
Professionally she’s worked for several high tech companies doing training, human resources and technical writing; as a life/educational coach for several universities; and owned/operated international businesses in the fashion, cosmetic and health industries. She currently works as a mentor and coach for an international nutrition/detox company, in addition to managing her home.
Cherie is always ready to have fun and is known for her quick wit, sense of humor, and easy going caring personality . In her free time she enjoys all kinds of physical activities - running, yoga, hiking, kickboxing, and dancing to name a few, watching sports and competitions, playing games, reading, movies and exploring whatever life has to offer in her current location. At church she’s served in many auxiliaries and currently is the Gospel Doctrine teacher in her branch in Shenzhen, China.
Her life, like everyone’s, has had it’s unique challenges - growing up in a church where few faces looked like hers, having a disabled sibling, infertility, part-member family, and living far from loved ones to name a few, but all of these things have given her experience, a rich life and a firm ever-growing testimony of her Heavenly Father, Savior and the gospel. She counts herself truly blessed.
Cherilyn Williams (Islamabad, Pakistan)
Spiritual Triage
We will look at the approaches we take during a spiritual "emergency" and those we use to sustain our spiritual health.
Bio: I've been married for 27 years, and we have three children who are at university and on a mission. Working in US consulates and embassies has allowed our family to live in India, Mexico, the UAE and Pakistan. I've been a registered nurse for 25 years, and due to the nature of where we live now, have had special triage and medical emergency training, practicing the steps we must take to treat medical emergencies, and spiritual emergencies are no different.
Diana Thompson Nelson (Bangkok, Thailand)
Leaning into Fear -
Letting Fear Catapult you to Perfection
What is fear, and what would our lives be like without it? How can we leverage our everyday fears to propel us to perfection rather than cripple our progress? Learn some strategies that will help you not retreat from fear but help you become who God would like you to become.
Bio: Diana Thompson Nelson spent most her childhood in Orem, Utah. At a young age her parents instilled in her a love of the gospel and a love for
travel. After serving a mission in Nashville, Tennessee she met her husband while attending BYU. She received her B.A. in Communications and her M.A.in Teaching English as a Second Language. She taught at Boston University and at Charlotte’s, NC Community College. She loves running and was a race director in Austin, Texas. She loves spending time with her three daughters and enjoys traveling, reading, biking, Muay Thai boxing, and laughing. She is currently teaching early morning seminary to the amazing youth in Bangkok, Thailand.
Gena Mabee (Arizona, USA)
How To Forgive
We know as Christians we are obligated to forgive. How exactly do we do that? Taking a second look at scriptures found in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon we find that the Lord has revealed specific steps to forgiveness.
Bio: Gena Mabee was raised in San Jose, California, earned a BA in Communications Studies from BYU- Provo. She was an admissions counselor at BYU for a few years and since leaving that position has been a successful business owner while being a full time mother to her sons, ages 17 and 14. She and her husband, Paul, have been married for 20 years. She has been a guest and professional speaker in business settings in Arizona, California, Oregon and Hawaii. She is the author of the book Standing Out Sometimes Alone, a memoir/novel, about dealing with the challenges of being the "only one" and trying to fit in. She has held leadership positions with Mary Kay Cosmetics ranking in the top 3% of the company in sales, and leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her favorite pastimes include working in the LDS temple baptistery, watching The Amazing Race, eating, mountain biking, yoga, napping, visiting with friends, playing Rock Band with her family and learning to play the violin. Currently she lives in Gilbert, AZ.
Karen A. Rich (Seoul, South Korea)
Fear Not!
Consciously Choosing Faith Over Fear
In the midst of our most trying times, it is easy to be overcome by fear and anxiety about what we don't know or can't change. This fear can be paralyzing, and giving in to it halts our progress. When we choose to live IN faith despite our challenges, peace will be our companion and we can move confidently toward our eternal goals--no matter what the outcome!
Consciously Choosing Faith Over Fear
In the midst of our most trying times, it is easy to be overcome by fear and anxiety about what we don't know or can't change. This fear can be paralyzing, and giving in to it halts our progress. When we choose to live IN faith despite our challenges, peace will be our companion and we can move confidently toward our eternal goals--no matter what the outcome!
Bio: The beautiful irony of life is that Heavenly Father's version for us is so much better than anything we had planned for ourselves... Who knew I would be part of a gathering of sisters from all over Asia in Hong Kong in 2015? He did--and I'm so grateful. I was born and raised in beautiful Northern Virginia; in fact, Elder and Sister Gong used to babysit me! Even though we lived in the same area for my entire childhood, my parents instilled in me a love of world history, people and cultures. By the time I turned 21, I had been to 15 countries and I was hooked! Luckily, my husband's job with the U.S. military has afforded me the opportunity to feed my addiction to traveling, and we are currently thoroughly enjoying our time in Seoul, South Korea. It has also afforded me the blessing of meeting amazing women and men around the world whose circumstances and examples are awe-inspiring, and who increase my testimony of a loving Heavenly Father who knows and deeply cares for us ALL!
My husband Jeremy and I have four wild, crazy, and wonderful children: Bennett (13), Ethan (11), Caroline (4), and Charlie Dane (1). They keep us on our toes and remind us of what's important in the big scheme of things. We love to cook as a family, make up weird lyrics to songs, and play games together... most of the time. We're definitely not perfect, but we're enjoying the process! And, in my favorite quote from President Hinckley, "Life is like an old-time railway journey... with delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
Katie Lear Maxwell (Hong Kong)
The Turning of Hearts:
The Other Armor of God
Prophets have taught us that we will be protected from the adversary by doing family history. Watch your burdens become light and miracles come as you apply this powerful Armor of God and Healing Balm of Gilead.
Is it really that easy?
Yes, yes it is.
Bio: Katie Lear Maxwell was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her Cambodian speaking, Houston, Texas mission was a precursor to the rest of her life. Her husband looked twice because she served an Asian mission and she has since always-lived in hot and humid climates: Wisconsin, Virginia, Cambodia and Hong Kong. She works full time as a mom to her 3 kids and a part time piano teacher. Previous to that, she worked in social work and teaching. She has a Family and Human Development degree from Utah State University and did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. She loves her husband, kids, anything with music, the mountains, natural food and snow. Her latest hobby? Genealogy
Mary Phelps (Utah, USA)
Spiritual Weapons for Fighting the War of the World
We will look at tools that we can use as we try to stay in the spiritual world, while Satan wages a war in our temporal world.
Bio: Mary Phelps was born in Columbia Falls, Montana. She spent the first six months of her life in and out of the hospital because she was allergic to her mom’s milk and all the formula available at that time. Fortunately, soy milk came on the market and literally saved her life. Perhaps that was a foreshadowing of the future connection she would have with Asia!
She attended BYU for 2 years and then was called on a mission to Taipei, Taiwan. After she returned home, she felt impressed to major in Chinese, which proved invaluable 20 years later when she started the first junior high Chinese program in Utah.
After her mission, Mary was teaching Mandarin at the MTC to a district of 12 elders. They were worried about her as she taught double shifts and didn’t seem to be dating. In their weekly interviews with Dave Phelps (a counselor in the branch presidency at the MTC who served his mission in Thailand) they would plead with him to take “poor Sister McMaster” on a date. Auspiciously, their first date was a double date, which has lead to a lifetime of double happiness in their love for and adventures in Asia. They have lived in Taiwan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Thailand over a span of 18 years.
Their love of Asia has been passed on to their 5 children and 9 grandchildren: Maile is married to Peter, who served a mission in Taiwan. They became engaged while teaching English in Qingdao China. 2 of their 5 children are currently in the Chinese immersion program in Utah. Jordan was born and served a mission in Hong Kong, and he is named after the Jordan MTR stop! Sienna is married to Brandon, who served a Hmong speaking mission. With their 3 children, they live in Guangzhou where Brandon is working at the Guangzhou consulate. Micah served a mission in Taiwan and later met his wife Sara in Shanghai; they just had their first baby. Brianna was adopted from China at age 5 and is currently serving in the Taipei, Taiwan mission.
Mary loves the youth of church and has spent 13 years serving in the Young Women’s program and 4 years teaching seminary.
Although Dave’s job has relocated them to Utah, their hearts will always be in Asia. Mary is excited to be here at the conference surrounded by such stellar warriors!
After her mission, Mary was teaching Mandarin at the MTC to a district of 12 elders. They were worried about her as she taught double shifts and didn’t seem to be dating. In their weekly interviews with Dave Phelps (a counselor in the branch presidency at the MTC who served his mission in Thailand) they would plead with him to take “poor Sister McMaster” on a date. Auspiciously, their first date was a double date, which has lead to a lifetime of double happiness in their love for and adventures in Asia. They have lived in Taiwan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Thailand over a span of 18 years.
Their love of Asia has been passed on to their 5 children and 9 grandchildren: Maile is married to Peter, who served a mission in Taiwan. They became engaged while teaching English in Qingdao China. 2 of their 5 children are currently in the Chinese immersion program in Utah. Jordan was born and served a mission in Hong Kong, and he is named after the Jordan MTR stop! Sienna is married to Brandon, who served a Hmong speaking mission. With their 3 children, they live in Guangzhou where Brandon is working at the Guangzhou consulate. Micah served a mission in Taiwan and later met his wife Sara in Shanghai; they just had their first baby. Brianna was adopted from China at age 5 and is currently serving in the Taipei, Taiwan mission.
Mary loves the youth of church and has spent 13 years serving in the Young Women’s program and 4 years teaching seminary.
Although Dave’s job has relocated them to Utah, their hearts will always be in Asia. Mary is excited to be here at the conference surrounded by such stellar warriors!
Pamela Robinson (Shenzhen, China)
I Will Not Leave You Comfortless:
I Will Come to You
In our time of trial and need we will not be powerless and alone.
God has told us He will be with us and He will keep His promise.
Hello sisters, my name is Pamela Robinson and I am a member of the Shenzhen 1st Branch in China. I’m looking forward to the A.S.I.A Women’s Conference and feel the conference theme, “Be Strong and of a Good courage...Fear not for the Lord thy God will not fail thee,” is totally relevant for our lives as Latter-day Saint women living in these days.
I’ve been in China for over two years and live in the city of Huizhou. I’m teaching at Huizhou University and yes, my students keep me on my toes. My classes include Public Communication/Western Media in the Political Science Department and Writing in the Foreign Languages Department. In addition to teaching, I am also writing my first novel.
I was born and raised in the great city of Las Vegas, Nevada. I enjoy teaching in the Relief Society, love the great outdoors and am an animal-nut. My career includes working as a journalist in Texas and a Training and Development Specialist in Los Angeles County.
I attended Brigham Young University and received my Master’s degree in Public Administration, Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Justice Administration and an Associate Degree in English. I served my mission in the New England states of New Hampshire and Vermont.
In our world of stress and upset, from the personal to the international in scale, we need divine inspiration and intervention to be at peace and to maintain the calmness, focus and productivity needed to accomplish our missions here on this earth. Our Heavenly Father is aware of all that is going on with us, our circumstances and needs. Through his son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, he will come to us in our times of trial and struggle. His inspiration and intervention will bring us strength and power far beyond our own abilities.
I’ve been in China for over two years and live in the city of Huizhou. I’m teaching at Huizhou University and yes, my students keep me on my toes. My classes include Public Communication/Western Media in the Political Science Department and Writing in the Foreign Languages Department. In addition to teaching, I am also writing my first novel.
I was born and raised in the great city of Las Vegas, Nevada. I enjoy teaching in the Relief Society, love the great outdoors and am an animal-nut. My career includes working as a journalist in Texas and a Training and Development Specialist in Los Angeles County.
I attended Brigham Young University and received my Master’s degree in Public Administration, Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Justice Administration and an Associate Degree in English. I served my mission in the New England states of New Hampshire and Vermont.
In our world of stress and upset, from the personal to the international in scale, we need divine inspiration and intervention to be at peace and to maintain the calmness, focus and productivity needed to accomplish our missions here on this earth. Our Heavenly Father is aware of all that is going on with us, our circumstances and needs. Through his son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, he will come to us in our times of trial and struggle. His inspiration and intervention will bring us strength and power far beyond our own abilities.
Robin Smith (Singapore)
Hoping God Grades on a Curve:
What To Do When Surrounded by Seemingly Perfect People
Mark Twain said “Comparison is the death of joy”. But it is so easy to compare! You are chugging along all happy and then suddenly you see someone else or their family, child, husband excel at something and you feel disappointed in your own. Why do we do this? How can we stop? Can we laugh about it? Oh yes, we can laugh. And we can learn to love even the most perfect people!
Bio: Robin Austin Smith is a mother, community leader, educator, and blogger. She has been successful in the business world, as founder and president of 4HR (www.4hr.com), as well as non-profit and educational ventures. Currently serving as the Singapore Country Editor for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she has also founded a successful consulting business, directed an outdoors-education program and camp for over 300 teenage girls,worked closely with the Boy Scouts of America, and participates in the United States Air Force Cadet Sponsor Program. Robin holds a Master’s Degree in Science and most recently lived in Colorado.
Sandy Mecham (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
The Road To Solace
Have you ever tried to follow a faint distant light in a dark tunnel?
Feeling lost, scared, confused, frustrated, ... Come and find out how to brighten, beautify, and widen the tunnel so the journey can be fun, amazing, and rewarding.
Bio: Sandy Mecham was born and raised in Hong Kong. She is married to Jared Mecham from Pocatello, Idaho. They have 2 children (12 year-old son, Jaden, and 10 year old daughter, Jacey). The children were born in New York City and the Mechams have since lived in Shanghai, Idaho, Delaware, Singapore and are currently living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sandy graduated from Utah State University with her Master's degree in Information Systems specialized in Training and Development. She taught computer and training classes at Utah State University and at University of South Carolina. Besides working with computers Sandy enjoys arts and craft, swimming, teaching, and organizing.
Sandy shares her time and talents with the A.S.I.A. Women’s Conference by designing all the printed materials; program, banners, name tags etc. that you enjoy throughout the weekend.
Sandy graduated from Utah State University with her Master's degree in Information Systems specialized in Training and Development. She taught computer and training classes at Utah State University and at University of South Carolina. Besides working with computers Sandy enjoys arts and craft, swimming, teaching, and organizing.
Sandy shares her time and talents with the A.S.I.A. Women’s Conference by designing all the printed materials; program, banners, name tags etc. that you enjoy throughout the weekend.
Susan Southam Jackson (Shenzhen, China)
A Bend in the Road
My life took an unexpected turn when I discovered my husband’s pornography addiction. There are many others on this same path of healing, walking the same road. I am sharing my journey of hope and healing and will introduce the church’s new program designed specifically for spouses and family members of loved ones with addictions.
Click here for presentation notes
Click here for resources and contact information
My life took an unexpected turn when I discovered my husband’s pornography addiction. There are many others on this same path of healing, walking the same road. I am sharing my journey of hope and healing and will introduce the church’s new program designed specifically for spouses and family members of loved ones with addictions.
Click here for presentation notes
Click here for resources and contact information
Bio: Susan was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah, the second oldest of 10 children. Susan had planned to marry a nice Utah boy and settle there for the rest of their lives. After marrying her California boy they moved from Utah to Texas and have lived in Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio and currently live in Shenzhen, China. Along the way they had 6 wonderful children. 3 currently attending BYU Provo, 1 on a mission in West Virginia and 2 with them at their new home in China.
Music is a large part of Susan’s life. Singing has given her the opportunity to be in various musical groups and productions.
She is currently the music director for a local high school presentation of “One Summer Night”. She enjoys staying active and loves seeing this part of the world. She never expected to leave Utah, but loves every bit of the world that she has had the privilege of seeing. She believes that chocolate should be categorized as a health food and that no calories from it should ever be counted. Since “Life is like a box of chocolates” was already taken, Susan is still looking for a slogan for her life…but it will have something to do with chocolate.
She is currently the music director for a local high school presentation of “One Summer Night”. She enjoys staying active and loves seeing this part of the world. She never expected to leave Utah, but loves every bit of the world that she has had the privilege of seeing. She believes that chocolate should be categorized as a health food and that no calories from it should ever be counted. Since “Life is like a box of chocolates” was already taken, Susan is still looking for a slogan for her life…but it will have something to do with chocolate.
Tandye Calvano (Chongqing, China)
Have The Courage to Change...
Those Things We Can
Come with me to take Honesty and Integrity to a new level. With steps from AA, let us take a deeper look at the power inside ourselves.
Bio: Dancing from birth I always loved being on stage. Teaching since my 20s, in Latin, Ballroom, and Show Choir. I loved sharing what I learned and teaching fun in this life. When I turn 18, I was not on a solid foundation of the Gospel. I had a mindset to prove the Gospel of Jesus Christ was wrong. I wasted a lot of time. I learned a lot of life lesson during that time. Missionaries brought me back into the church in December 2003. I was a loss sheep but me never forgot me.
I currently live in Chongqing, China. I have enjoyed being married my favorite dance student for 7 years. We have two young sons Anthony and Alexander 2. I am currently serving as the CCID President of Relief Society. I am honest, loud, fun, unique and I child of God.
I currently live in Chongqing, China. I have enjoyed being married my favorite dance student for 7 years. We have two young sons Anthony and Alexander 2. I am currently serving as the CCID President of Relief Society. I am honest, loud, fun, unique and I child of God.
Tanya Lofgran (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)
If Ye Seek Him, He Will Be Found of You
(2 Chron. 15:2)
Understanding the true power of prayer through scripture and testimony. Prayers should be more than just hopeful, they need to be faithful. Answers are more than just "maybe's". Our prayers can be more than feeble pleas at the end of a tired day, they can be fervent, bold and mighty!
Bio: I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah where I met my awesome husband when we were just 14. We have now been married over 11 years, and have three amazing children. Two years ago my husband said he wanted to apply for a job in California. I cried at even the thought of leaving my large family behind, but said I would happily go with him. Well, California never happened and somehow we ended up in Vietnam instead! This for us is just the beginning of what will likely be many years abroad but I feel like we're off to a good start.
In our Vietnamese branch in Ho Chi Minh I am both the music coordinator, which I love, and the Relief Society first counselor, which is very difficult since I don't speak Vietnamese (yet). I'm also nearly done with my BA (yeah!) which I've been completing online while here. My one great love is learning and trying new things. I've tried quilting, painting, yoga, children's dance, and all sorts of crafts. Right now I'm working on guitar, who knows what will come next. That is pretty much the story of my life since we made the decision to move to Vietnam, 'Who knows what will come next!'