2020 Breakout Session Speakers
We are excited to present the following speakers for the breakout sessions on Friday and Saturday.
See below for more information about speakers and session topics.
Finding Fulfillment in an Empty Nest
Lori Boss (Guam)
We spend most of our teen and young adult years learning the importance of focusing on our families, rearing children, and dedicating ourselves to motherhood. A noble goal and hopefully a rewarding time of life for most of us. As our children leave home though, we often find ourselves asking, “What do I do now?“ “Where should my focus be in this next stage of life, when children aren't my full-time job?”
I hope to encourage you to begin now to find fulfillment and joy, whether you are already experiencing an empty nest or if it is years away. It is never too soon to start preparing for your future. Learn how to explore your talents and interests and with the Lord as your guide, experience a new sense of being with personal growth and opportunities.
I hope to encourage you to begin now to find fulfillment and joy, whether you are already experiencing an empty nest or if it is years away. It is never too soon to start preparing for your future. Learn how to explore your talents and interests and with the Lord as your guide, experience a new sense of being with personal growth and opportunities.
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BiographyLori is a wife, mother of seven and grandmother of six. She understands the challenges and blessings of a forever family and the difficulty of continuing to parent from across the ocean. She loves her work as a certified birth doula and has a passion for all things associated with caring for and empowering women and blessing the lives of children. She feels all women can do far more than they believe they can, if they turn to the right source for help.
She has spent most of her married life overseas, including Tokyo, Manila and now Guam. The positive influence of faithful friends from around the globe continue to bless her life and build her testimony of Jesus Christ. Her desire to help children and families on Guam has inspired her to join with two equally dedicated women in forming the first adoption service on island, as a non-profit. Her strength comes from knowing she is truly a daughter of God, children who continually push her along and offer help, and having the unfailing support and encouragement of her husband Roderick. |
What Beholdest Thou?
Liza Jensen (Dongguan, Guangdong, China)
Helen Keller wrote that “the only thing worse than being blind is having sight, but no vision.” Whether or not any of us will experience physical blindness while here on this earth, we have all had a veil placed over our eyes at birth. Satan loves to take advantage of our limited vision and actively seeks to distort and diminish our sight. The Savior, on the other hand, invites to come unto him and “feel and see.”
Perhaps you have burning questions, difficult challenges or crippling fears. I know I do. How would you feel if you could see the answers and solutions more clearly? How would your life be different if you could see what the Lord is eager to show you? Come feel and see.
Perhaps you have burning questions, difficult challenges or crippling fears. I know I do. How would you feel if you could see the answers and solutions more clearly? How would your life be different if you could see what the Lord is eager to show you? Come feel and see.
BiographyMy name is Liza Jensen. I currently live in Dongguan, China. My husband Scott and I grew up together in Mesa, Arizona...actually we are still growing up together. After he returned from his mission in Taiwan, we married and then promptly plunged into parenthood.
We now have 5 children ages 17, 14, 12, 9 and 4. Just prior to the birth of our second child, I graduated from BYU with a degree in Geography. I love learning about this incredible earth and all of the fascinating people on it. One of my favorite places to be in China is on my e-bike, sunglasses on, wind in my hair and taking everything in. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t quite sure about what I had to offer when I was asked to present. You see, for the last 17 years I’ve been deep in the trenches of mothering small children and I thought to myself, if anyone needs tips on getting gum out of hair or crayon off of walls, then I’m your gal. However, as I pondered what particular topic I could share, my heart and eyes were opened to see things like I hadn’t seen them before. |
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Mindfulness Meditation to Access Your Divinity
Morgan Loosli (Taipei, Taiwan)
Too often we feel ourselves rushing through life without a moment to spare, sometimes to the extent that even our most important relationships are on autopilot. Join this mindfulness session to learn practical ways to be present for yourself, your family, and your friends. While meditation is often associated with Eastern religions, the mindfulness practices associated with meditation can benefit anyone, for spiritual, physical, or intellectual growth. Meditation can serve as an opportunity to commune with our divine nature, to remind us that our love for others can be as unconditional as our Heavenly Parents'.
This session will start with a brief discussion of mindfulness meditation practice and its benefits, which have been shown to include increased sense of self, regulation of emotion, and empathy. The discussion will be followed by a 20-minute guided meditation.
This session will start with a brief discussion of mindfulness meditation practice and its benefits, which have been shown to include increased sense of self, regulation of emotion, and empathy. The discussion will be followed by a 20-minute guided meditation.
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BiographyMorgan Loosli is a native of Salt Lake City whose interest in the world outside of Utah began on trips with her mom where schedules always took a backseat to adventure. Learning to let go of control and enjoy the ride was an early practice which was only later given proper terminology upon her discovery of mindfulness meditation.
As a graduate student, Morgan worked closely with two professors who had spent many years in Asia and regularly practiced mindfulness meditation. Working with these women illuminated the wide application of mindfulness practice, from something as practical as teaching freshmen students how to calculate their blood-alcohol content to something as abstract as the origin of God. From helping students to other adult expatriates, Morgan has spent her adult life trying to apply mindfulness to all aspects of her life, through prayer, meditation, journaling, yoga, and exercise. Morgan works part-time for a mental health non-profit organization in Taipei where she lives with her husband and three children. |
Saved by the 12-Step Program
Jeannie Griffiths (Bangkok, Thailand)
I have spent a lifetime trying to figure out my confusing childhood, which still adversely affects me. In desperation, I finally went to God and said, “Ok, I give up. It’s your turn.”
He graciously provided an answer. He directed me to a 12- step program for children of alcoholics. The program finally explained all my weirdness. It taught me new ways to identify and process feelings. It rightfully maintains real healing only happens with God. Come hear about the lessons learned on my unusual emotional journey.
He graciously provided an answer. He directed me to a 12- step program for children of alcoholics. The program finally explained all my weirdness. It taught me new ways to identify and process feelings. It rightfully maintains real healing only happens with God. Come hear about the lessons learned on my unusual emotional journey.
BiographyWe were asked to share our real selves. So here it is: I was terrified of marriage but with God’s help I finally tied the knot at age 30. My wonderful husband still puts up with me. We lived mostly in Asia where my husband served as a diplomat with the US Government for over 30 years. It was a great way to see the world.
After being told it was unlikely we could have children, we surprised the doctors. I gave birth to three wonderful kids on three different continents. We now have ten grandchildren on two continents. I resisted my husband’s retirement and went kicking and screaming to Utah. Our marriage survived the building of my husband’s dream home. I was very uncooperative. My favorite thing to do is improvising hymns on the piano and teaching Cultural Geography at UVU’s Elder Quest, an education program for retirees. My husband and I are currently based in Bangkok for a couple of months. |
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Super Glue & Porcelain: Repairing Difficult Relationships
Jennifer Linton (Shanghai, China)
Most of us experience difficult relationships: a challenging mother-in-law, an insensitive spouse, a demanding boss, a struggling child, or an annoying neighbor. Relationships create lots of joy, but they can also cause pain, irritation, anxiety, and anger. Human relationships are an important part of our “clinical material” here on earth; not only do they affect our happiness and peace, but they also impact our own spiritual and emotional development.
While we often approach relationship problems from the perspective of what we (or others) can DO differently, this workshop will share four tools to help you SEE your difficult relationship differently. Seeing ourselves and others differently will naturally drive different actions and outcomes, allowing us to feel better, enjoy more connection, and become a better version of ourselves through our relationships. Bring your most difficult relationship to the workshop and enjoy learning and applying four tools to help repair, improve, and strengthen it.
While we often approach relationship problems from the perspective of what we (or others) can DO differently, this workshop will share four tools to help you SEE your difficult relationship differently. Seeing ourselves and others differently will naturally drive different actions and outcomes, allowing us to feel better, enjoy more connection, and become a better version of ourselves through our relationships. Bring your most difficult relationship to the workshop and enjoy learning and applying four tools to help repair, improve, and strengthen it.
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BiographyJennie is a serial chips and guacamole eater. She’s married to a diplomat and they have four daughters. When they aren’t reading to sticky-fingered toddlers and de-escalating pre-teen drama at home, they love to roam the globe as a family and explore new places.
Jennie is a life coach for expat women. Having lived abroad for many of the last 20 years including on 4 continents, she loves to coach women around the world through the challenges of expat life, difficult relationships, mild depression and anxiety, and dealing with challenging kids--all of which she has struggled with herself and found help and healing through coaching. She's passionate about sharing the tools she learned with other women. |
The Power of One Virtuous Thought
Suzanne Calton (Shanghai, China)
Are negative emotions- frustration, anger, grief, apprehension- a sin?
When Christ walked the earth, he felt all of these emotions- he wept, he felt anger that turned tables, he felt apprehension to drink the bitter cup, and yet didn't sin. We learn that the emotions themselves are not sins. Emotions are given by God; the negative feeling itself doesn't alter our standing before him.
Peter invited followers of Christ to "gird up the loins of your MIND". Girding up loins meant to tuck the loose ends of your robes into your girdle to be ready for action. We need to do this for our mind. Each emotion has a unique function- built for motivation to act and for survival. When emotions take control of your thoughts and actions, they are untucked, hence, interfere with our readiness to act.
Like the pre-teen who doesn't understand the need to shower daily (and likely doesn't smell his own odor), often we are not aware of tiny neurotransmitters in the mind- altering and tethering toward dysfunction.
Together, let's study the practice of emotional hygiene and emotional first aid.
When Christ walked the earth, he felt all of these emotions- he wept, he felt anger that turned tables, he felt apprehension to drink the bitter cup, and yet didn't sin. We learn that the emotions themselves are not sins. Emotions are given by God; the negative feeling itself doesn't alter our standing before him.
Peter invited followers of Christ to "gird up the loins of your MIND". Girding up loins meant to tuck the loose ends of your robes into your girdle to be ready for action. We need to do this for our mind. Each emotion has a unique function- built for motivation to act and for survival. When emotions take control of your thoughts and actions, they are untucked, hence, interfere with our readiness to act.
Like the pre-teen who doesn't understand the need to shower daily (and likely doesn't smell his own odor), often we are not aware of tiny neurotransmitters in the mind- altering and tethering toward dysfunction.
Together, let's study the practice of emotional hygiene and emotional first aid.
BiographySuzanne has been in Asia for 12 years and sees this women’s conference as the highlight of each year’s adventure living abroad.
Originally a born and raised west coaster of the USA, she was shocked to get her mission call to GaoXiong, Taiwan (she couldn’t even pronounce it when she read the call aloud to surrounding friends and family) 20 years ago (don’t do the math! ;)). She is the mother to 5 children, 3 adopted while living in China and married to another Chinese speaking RM. Suzanne is the founder of a breast cancer prevention and recovery charity (that has broken 4 Guinness world records), an adoption advocate and had managed small private label manufacturing in Shanghai for over a decade; but currently the family operates a small company called Brick’Em Young. She also has experience as a collaborative art teacher. Suzanne is a recently certified Laughter Yoga facilitator (it’s a real thing!). She serves as the ‘Primary Activities Coordinator for Girls’ in the Pudong, Shanghai Branch. |
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Making Sense of Uncertainty
Laraine & Chuck Chamberlain (Beijing, China)
We’re here on earth because we embraced uncertainty in our pre-mortal lives. Satan’s plan was to give us guarantees, while the Savior’s plan was to leverage the value of uncertainty to make of us something much better. But now that we’re here facing a world of despair, how can we still embrace uncertainty? Has the plan changed or are there still benefits of uncertainty in our modern world? Google, Alexa, and Siri would say – no. But what does your Savior want you to learn about uncertainty in your life?
Among other examples, Laraine and Chuck discuss a time when their daughter went missing and the uncertainty felt like having their hearts ripped out. How is it possible to continue faithfully in God’s plan when your world has been turned upside-down? Fortunately, ancient and modern prophets have revealed the Lord’s loving intentions for us regarding uncertainty in mortal life.
Discover the one reason why we, as pre-mortal spirits, fought for uncertainty, and find out how that principle can help you through every dark period of your life.
Among other examples, Laraine and Chuck discuss a time when their daughter went missing and the uncertainty felt like having their hearts ripped out. How is it possible to continue faithfully in God’s plan when your world has been turned upside-down? Fortunately, ancient and modern prophets have revealed the Lord’s loving intentions for us regarding uncertainty in mortal life.
Discover the one reason why we, as pre-mortal spirits, fought for uncertainty, and find out how that principle can help you through every dark period of your life.
BiographyFrom the first day of their 42-year marriage, Laraine and Chuck have been passionate about marriage and how the power of relationships can help us navigate the roller coaster that is life. One of the lowest points was when they saw the devastating impact of sexual abuse in their family. While searching passionately for healing answers, they recognized their family was not suffering alone. Their professional journey over the last 14 years has been one of discovery, growth, and faith as they’ve helped others through the most difficult trials of their lives.
Through their own challenges, they’ve learned to value principles of faith combined with science-based principles of mental and emotional health. With their youngest son, Jeremy, they recently authored a book titled “Threads of Resilience: How to Have Joy in a Turbulent World.” They enjoy being together whether it’s creating workshops, presenting, traveling, or playing games with family and friends. They are in their third year of teaching at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing where Laraine teaches Oral English and Chuck teaches leadership development and journalism. |
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Why Heavenly Mother Matters
McArthur Krishna (Ayodhya, India)
The LDS website calls Heavenly Mother a "cherished and distinct" doctrine of our faith. Neal A. Maxwell taught, “In this dispensation the Lord gave us this doctrinal truth [of Heavenly Mother] through a Prophet ... the basic truths are always the same, but the emphasis needed will be made by living prophets under inspiration from the living God, and the people of the living Church will respond.”
Are we responding to this truth? What are we doing with this knowledge? Do we honor our Mother in Heaven? Do we let this truth bless our lives? Let's discuss together why the truth of Heavenly Mother matters and how we can invite this truth to bless our lives.
Are we responding to this truth? What are we doing with this knowledge? Do we honor our Mother in Heaven? Do we let this truth bless our lives? Let's discuss together why the truth of Heavenly Mother matters and how we can invite this truth to bless our lives.
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BiographyMcArthur loves a good story! (Come tell her one…) Harnessing the knowledge that stories are powerful, McArthur graduated with a masters degree in Communications from BYU and then co-owned an ideas-marketing business. For thirteen years, she focused on telling social justice stories to help change the world.
In 2011, she moved to the Magic Land of India and started writing children's books. She has published sixteen books—four with Deseret Book. The Girls Who Choose God series focuses on women choosing God— one of the most vital ideas we can teach. Heavenly Family, Earthly Families focuses on eternal truths in building family. Merging her love of color, fabric, form, and social work-- McArthur started textile projects with local artists and a women's co-op. (And she needed some way to justify her embarrassingly large-and-ever-growing bead collection.) These textiles have exhibited in three shows—including one piece of Heavenly Mother. Why Heavenly Mother? Because truth MATTERS. And the world-rocking truth of Heavenly Mother can change women, men, and the world forever. With that truth in mind, McArthur just co-authored her latest: The Girls Guide to Heavenly Mother! (And the boys guide coming soon). See more of her work and stories at InstGram mcarthur_creating. |
Created for Connection
Cilia Clement (Okinawa, Japan)
We have so many ways to be connected in our world today. Why then do we feel so disconnected?
I believe if we can learn to communicate on a deeper level with those we love we will feel more connected and develop a greater love. Being Married takes a lot of love and patience. Once we understand how we are different then we can Empathize with our spouse as we communicate to understand each other and not to just talk at one another. This has even helped me understand and communicate with my teenagers and they don't even know I'm doing it!
I believe if we can learn to communicate on a deeper level with those we love we will feel more connected and develop a greater love. Being Married takes a lot of love and patience. Once we understand how we are different then we can Empathize with our spouse as we communicate to understand each other and not to just talk at one another. This has even helped me understand and communicate with my teenagers and they don't even know I'm doing it!
BiographyI was born in Lousisana and raised in Texas by my mom and dad along with four brothers. I went to college and served a mission a long time ago. Really, it seems like a life time ago. Fifteen years ago I married David. He has served in the military for most of those years. Our children came all at once in a blur. I don't think I have a clear memory of those years. Their ages now are 14,13,10,8, and 7;Two girls and three boys.
We are living in Okinawa for the second time and enjoying it. Now, with my kids all in school I am rediscovering who I am and what I love and who I want to be when I grow up. I am certified to teach several marriage classes through Strong Bonds and I currently teach marriage strengthening classes with my husband and substitute at the middle school. My favorite class to sub is Choir because I have always loved to sing. I also love to snorkel in the Okinawan waters, read novels, take photos, travel to new places, and eat lunch with friends. |
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Casting the Beams From Our Eyes
Jessica Bywater (Shenzhen, China)
Christ commands us to “judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), and to first consider the “beam” in our own eye before beholding the “mote” in the eye of another (Matthew 7:3). The process of removing these beams from our eyes is a lifelong process that requires awareness, humility, time, prayer, effort, patience, and Christlike love for ourselves, others, and our collective experiences and circumstances.
The Lord’s Gospel is perfect, but we are imperfect and develop our understandings of gospel principles through the lens and biases of our cultures, experiences, and socialization. This, however, brings with it blinders--that we may or may not be aware of--which can prevent us from drawing closer to each other and the Lord, marginalizing others, or feeling marginalized ourselves. In becoming aware of these blinders—beams and motes—in our eyes, we can grow to see ourselves and others as the Lord does. We can also further develop the compassion and empathy necessary to create safe spaces where everyone—members and non-members of various backgrounds—may feel welcome in our church.
The Lord’s Gospel is perfect, but we are imperfect and develop our understandings of gospel principles through the lens and biases of our cultures, experiences, and socialization. This, however, brings with it blinders--that we may or may not be aware of--which can prevent us from drawing closer to each other and the Lord, marginalizing others, or feeling marginalized ourselves. In becoming aware of these blinders—beams and motes—in our eyes, we can grow to see ourselves and others as the Lord does. We can also further develop the compassion and empathy necessary to create safe spaces where everyone—members and non-members of various backgrounds—may feel welcome in our church.
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BiographyJessica is a TCK (third culture kid) who grew up mostly in Shanghai, China—where sacrament meeting took place in her family’s living room for a number of years—and Singapore. She currently resides in Shenzhen, China with her two adorable boys and her husband—whom she met in Singapore when she was eleven years old.
By trade, Jessica is a secondary English teacher and is passionate about education. She has served in various capacities over the years but has yet to be extended her dream calling: Gospel Doctrine teacher. Wanderlust is an actual condition Jessica is afflicted with, along with a TBR (to be read) list she’ll likely never complete, and the inability to remember where she left her phone despite being able to remember everything else. And if you couldn’t tell already, her favorite punctuation mark is the em dash—though the Oxford comma is a close second. |
Ða Halgan Godspel on Englisc - The Bible in English
Geoff Stainton (Shenzhen, China)
A significant acceleration of historical events leading to this final dispensation began in 14th century England with the anti-Catholic teachings of John Wycliffe.
A major element of the struggle against the teachings of the day surrounded the battle for the people to be able to read the scriptures in their own tongue. We will see examples of the Bible in Anglo Saxon, Early English, the translations of Wycliff and Tyndale and the not really authorized King James version and how each was met with hostility from the authorities where those who translated or even had copies of the scriptures in English and did not recant would be burned at the stake.
Other issues will be examined such as the significance of Bohemia, why the Pope refused Henry VIII the annulment he requested, leading to an environment where the Bible could be freely published in English, the influence of Ann Boleyn and the impact of moveable type printing presses.
The presentation will be visual and you will also have the opportunity to handle leaves from original Luther, Tyndale and KJV Bibles from the 1500’s to 1600’s
A major element of the struggle against the teachings of the day surrounded the battle for the people to be able to read the scriptures in their own tongue. We will see examples of the Bible in Anglo Saxon, Early English, the translations of Wycliff and Tyndale and the not really authorized King James version and how each was met with hostility from the authorities where those who translated or even had copies of the scriptures in English and did not recant would be burned at the stake.
Other issues will be examined such as the significance of Bohemia, why the Pope refused Henry VIII the annulment he requested, leading to an environment where the Bible could be freely published in English, the influence of Ann Boleyn and the impact of moveable type printing presses.
The presentation will be visual and you will also have the opportunity to handle leaves from original Luther, Tyndale and KJV Bibles from the 1500’s to 1600’s
BiographyGeoff was born in Carlisle, Cumberland, England, a city 9 miles from the Scottish border. His parents joined the Church when he was young and after obtaining his bachelors degree served a Mission in Scotland and Ireland. He subsequently obtained his MBA in Yorkshire where he met his wife Janet and are the parents of 5 sons who each now live in 5 different countries.
Janet and Geoff moved to China in 2008 with their business. The school he went to was founded by St Cuthbert in around 685 AD and each Ascension Day the whole school would meet in the 11th century Norman Cathedral for services and prize giving. There is no truth in the rumour he was one of the first pupils under St Cuthbert. Carlisle was a Roman city (Luguvalium) but has been settled for thousands of years. Perhaps this background has instilled the love of history which he retains to this day. He is looking forward to sharing his studies on the Bible in English to the Conference attendees. |
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Panic Attacks and Terrorist Attacks
Trisha Smith-Pierce (Bangkok, Thailand)
Panic Attacks and Terrorist Attacks: Blessings in Moments of Fear. The Lord has commanded us not to fear but what happens when terror surrounds us? What blessings can we find in those moments? How do we navigate the darkness to find the Comforter He promised to send to us?
Whether fears are deeply personal or affect an entire community, this presentation will make use of personal experiences to explore the blessings that the Lord gives us in our moments of fear.
Whether fears are deeply personal or affect an entire community, this presentation will make use of personal experiences to explore the blessings that the Lord gives us in our moments of fear.
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BiographyTrisha Smith-Pierce is first and foremost a stay at home mom who works with her family to navigate an unstable expat life.
As an expat, she believes that immersing oneself in the local culture can be both incredibly challenging and incredibly rewarding. Trisha and her husband, Josiah, have lived with their three children in six countries on four continents. Through all of this, she has dealt with panic attacks, new cultures, food shortages, terrorist attacks and the other normal challenges of life. Trisha is a teacher who works with schools and governments to teach English, write curriculum, and train instructors. She holds M.Ed. from George Mason University in curriculum and instruction. |
Becoming the New (Wo)Man
Emily Brems (Oregon, USA)
One key to changing from the “old” self (the natural man) to the “new” self patterned after our Savior is discovering the "pain cycle"; primary emotions that drive our relationally damaging coping behaviors. As we become aware of these coping patterns we can use our agency to turn away from lies about who we are and our safety in this world to basing our actions in God's truth that results in peace and joyful living.
Learn practical tools to stop reacting and start responding with virtue, becoming more like our savior. This same model that teaches us how to be emotionally regulated will give us more patience and empathy towards others. As our Christlike eyes develop greater sight, we learn how to look upon the heart as He does.
Learn practical tools to stop reacting and start responding with virtue, becoming more like our savior. This same model that teaches us how to be emotionally regulated will give us more patience and empathy towards others. As our Christlike eyes develop greater sight, we learn how to look upon the heart as He does.
God's Gift of Healthy Sexuality
Emily Brems (Oregon, USA)
God is pro sex and developing healthy sexuality is not only essential to living healthy and joy filled lives, it is paramount to the success and strength of families. The Law of Chastity is a law of love and a "can have" commandment more than the often focused on "can't do" commandment. Integrating healthy sexuality into our own lives also includes how to better discuss it with our spouses and teach these principles to our children and youth. Having the “new talk” with our children can better prepare them for success in many areas of life.
Understanding the vision God has for us helps us realize that healthy sexuality is much more than the physical act. It is a life preserver/power whether we are single or married, young or old. When we understand the magnitude of this gift, we are better equipped to feel the immensity and joy of God's love
Understanding the vision God has for us helps us realize that healthy sexuality is much more than the physical act. It is a life preserver/power whether we are single or married, young or old. When we understand the magnitude of this gift, we are better equipped to feel the immensity and joy of God's love
BiographyEmily is a licensed marriage and family therapist at Church Family Services as well as at her own part time practice (Living Well Counseling Center) in Portland, Oregon. She is married and shares seven kids with her husband of 3+ years in their blended family.
In her practice, she loves helping people work through their relationship challenges and does so with a gospel perspective, which she believes is critical in our times. That includes the relationship people have with their spouse, God, their family or friends, and even themselves. Emily’s greatest joy is found working with couples. She specializes in helping couples develop a healthy and fulfilling sexual bond and also helps them develop the tools to navigate through conflict. She gives people the tools to work through what she refers to as each persons “pain cycle” which we all inevitably have from relationship wounds over our lifetimes. Emily primarily uses the framework of “Restoration Therapy” to do this. She enjoys speaking regularly in the community on various topics, all which guide and inspire people to be happier, more fulfilled in relationships, and live more joy filled lives. In her spare time (hahaha) Emily loves a good cruise to the Caribbean with her handsome hubby, playing games with her family to feed her competitive bone with a fair amount of winning and is always pushing herself to learn more about people, the gospel and the mysteries of God. |
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Be A Changing Woman
Leslie Born (Taipei, Taiwan)
Learn how to recognize, understand, and free yourself of shame in order to take control and lead a more joyful and bold life as your true self.
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BiographyBorn and raised in Glendale, Arizona and currently residing in Taipei, Taiwan where she enjoys her work as a secondary English Language Arts teacher.
Leslie’s favorite roles include being a sister to four brothers and auntie (aka "Lala") to 12 of the most beautiful souls to walk the earth. This gal loves her kick-scooter and should you see her scooting around Taipei, don't hesitate to honk and wave! |
Accessing the Priesthood Power of God!
Codi Long (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)
Sisters, YOU have direct access to God’s power - priesthood power! Did your heart sing during the last Women’s Conference when President Nelson said, “The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood”?
Together let’s discuss how to identify the power of God in our lives, recognize our privileges as women of God, and gain better access to God’s priesthood power.
Together let’s discuss how to identify the power of God in our lives, recognize our privileges as women of God, and gain better access to God’s priesthood power.
BiographyMoving frequently all over the United States and the world with her military family taught Codi, a naturally shy introvert, how to overcome her fear of change and social situations - well at least her fear of change.
Codi married Coby (D is for dame, B is for boy) in the Dallas temple 21 years ago and together they raise their 3 kiddos. After multiple moves in the US, their family has been living in Saudi Arabia for 5 years. Guided by her natural love of teaching, Codi earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Oklahoma State University and loves teaching in school and church settings. From her mother, Codi learned to love and study the scriptures. She has a strong desire to better understand and use the atonement of Jesus Christ, learn to be a more committed covenant-keeping woman, and access God’s power to bless her and those around her. During her free time you’ll find her happily tucked away in her quilting room, tinkering around the house working on that next DIY project, or trying to golf. |
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Mental Health Wellness Strategies
Bonnie Erickson (Taiwan)
We understand the "ideal" in our lives. We know what would make things perfect. We have great expectations of ourselves and others, yet can often feel discouraged, angry, depressed and anxious when we somehow don't measure up. Challenges are part of our lives, some of which exist in our dealings with ourselves and others, and trying to meet those expectations we set for ourselves.
As a lifetime member of the church, a woman in leadership positions, a stay-at-home-mom, a teacher, and, finally, a counselor, I have learned much about the blessings and the difficulties of being a woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Having worked with women and families with a variety of issues, I've identified and collected several effective strategies that help to address difficult issues and help us to move closer to being happy and contented.
As a lifetime member of the church, a woman in leadership positions, a stay-at-home-mom, a teacher, and, finally, a counselor, I have learned much about the blessings and the difficulties of being a woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Having worked with women and families with a variety of issues, I've identified and collected several effective strategies that help to address difficult issues and help us to move closer to being happy and contented.
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BiographySister Erickson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Counselor Educator. She and her husband are serving as Asia Area Family History missionaries. Her family has lived in Florida for 39 years.
The bulk of her work as a counselor was done with incarcerated men and women and LDS Family Services. She worked with families, couples, individuals, and groups addressing many mental health and addiction issues. She was a stay at home Mom for 25 years before attending Stetson University where she earned a MS degree in Mental Health Counseling. She later earned a PhD in Mental Health Counselor Education at the University of Central Florida. Her family and the gospel have always been the most important things in her life. She loves music, art, cooking and creating. She loves to serve her family and teach and laugh with her grandchildren. She has devoted a lot of study and practice to understanding the issues related to women in the church and loves to help others. |