2020 Opening Keynote Speakers
Emily Brems
Discovering Joy in Our Divine Design
Many people are aimlessly searching for happiness, looking everywhere and for everything, not realizing the only location of true joy is found within. We already have everything we need inside of us to live joy filled lives, but learning practical tools based on gospel principles will help us refocus, recenter, and discern between the adversary's lies and God's truths about joy. We are responsible for our own joy and have the power as God's greatest creations to experience it.
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. |
|
Friday Morning Devotional
Hayley Stice (Hong Kong)
Originally from New Zealand, Hayley now speaks with a questionable accent and currently resides in Hong Kong. She is delighted to be one of what can only be a handful of people that have earned the right to Hong Kong Permanent Resident status TWICE. That means, she has lived in Hong Kong for at least 7 years at a time in two entirely separate times. She met her husband in Hong Kong and she had her 3 children in Hong Kong. If you want her to never stop talking ever, ask her about Hong Kong.
Outside of Hong Kong, Hayley studied theatre and earned her BFA at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursued an acting career in LA, learned Italian and taught English in Milan, abandoned it all to get married in North Carolina, and now she uses all those creative, multi-tasking skills to direct her children into performing life.
She has lost count of how many times she’s attended the ASIA Women’s Conference but she has served on the committee as part of the Service Project team for the last two years and is delighted to be serving in her new capacity this year.
Outside of Hong Kong, Hayley studied theatre and earned her BFA at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursued an acting career in LA, learned Italian and taught English in Milan, abandoned it all to get married in North Carolina, and now she uses all those creative, multi-tasking skills to direct her children into performing life.
She has lost count of how many times she’s attended the ASIA Women’s Conference but she has served on the committee as part of the Service Project team for the last two years and is delighted to be serving in her new capacity this year.
Saturday Morning Devotional
Ashley Stahle (Taiwan)
Ashley is a lover of wisdom, adventure, food, connection, endorphins, date night and laughter. She will bungee jump or skydive in a heartbeat but riding the teacups at Disneyland is her definition of pure agony.
Ashley feels as much thrill learning from people as she does from all of her endorphin seeking interests and this has led her to a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and professional work in staffing, event planning, training and charity work.
Although she likes to be anxiously engaged in good causes, Ashley loves empty calendars, reading, and is currently most proud of her newfound- yet fleeting- ability to be more still and present with her family. She enjoys the crazy adventure of living overseas with her husband and three children and has recently relocated to Taiwan after living in China for 5 years.
Ashley feels as much thrill learning from people as she does from all of her endorphin seeking interests and this has led her to a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and professional work in staffing, event planning, training and charity work.
Although she likes to be anxiously engaged in good causes, Ashley loves empty calendars, reading, and is currently most proud of her newfound- yet fleeting- ability to be more still and present with her family. She enjoys the crazy adventure of living overseas with her husband and three children and has recently relocated to Taiwan after living in China for 5 years.
Inspire Session
|
Monica Alvarado (Shanghai, China)Content creator, passionate about art, the human mind and the gospel of Jesus Christ, animal rescuer, educator and married to the best graphic designer who makes all my abstract dreams come true, literally. Dreamer, believer, and achiever.
Currently living in Suzhou, China, teaching 3rd grade Math at an International School. Diane Morgan (Taipei, Taiwan)My name is Diane Morgan. I am a mom of 4 kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. We currently live in Taipei. We are here because of my husband’s job, which moves us around every couple of years. This move is exciting because we know we will live here for 3 years. The longest place we have ever lived together as a family! Before children, I studied psychology at UVSC. I love people! I enjoy figuring out why people do what they do. I watch how things in their life affects their decisions. It helps me better understand and sympathize with those around me. Although, I haven’t used this knowledge professionally, I do use it to help my kids (and myself) figure out their emotions with all the changes that happen in their lives.
I believe one of the gifts I have received from Heavenly Father, is to help people around me know they are loved. When I’m not spending my brain power moving us across the world, I enjoy dancing and sewing. And, of course, talking to people! Lee Ann Scott (Singapore)Lee Ann lives in Singapore. She will be returning back to Sandy Utah at the end of this year. She enjoyed her first career as CEO and chief MOM while staying home and raising with her four children. She has also enjoyed her second Career as a Kindergarten teacher specializing in English as a Second Language, as well as working with Gifted and talented students.
Her hobbies are volunteering as a tour guide to Israel, tutoring children fighting cancer, working with the Days for Girls making and delivering kits, as well as other places she feels like she can make a difference. She has enjoyed finding a new hobby in Asia and will never turn down a chance to play Majong. Rachel Hunt Steenblick (Wenzhou, China)Rachel Hunt Steenblik is originally from Oregon, but has lived in many US states (Utah, Washington, California, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey), Vienna, Austria, and now, Wenzhou, China.
She is many things, but mama, poet, editor, and philosophy professor are at the top. If you asked her for her shortlist of things she liked in college it would have included books, bikes, boggle, and crepes. It still includes crepes and books, but more specifically children's books and poetry books. It also includes screen printing (when she has the chance) and taking naps (also when she has the chance). But, because she has three children aged six and under–as you can imagine–those chances are pretty rare. :) Rachel also appreciates cheesy go-around-the-circle things, mild weather, The Good Place and The Good Place Podcast, people who can talk about important things with vulnerability and honesty, a general holding and honoring of the heaviness and hardness of life along with the light, sharing delicious food with friends, researching and writing poems about Heavenly Mother, and kindness. She really, really cares about kindness. Marj Sanders (Singapore)I am the mother of 6 children, 4 girls and 2 boys. I loved being a mother and raising my children, I think that is probably my greatest accomplishment. Being grandmother to 5 is the best thing ever, watching a little face light up when they see you....even if it is on a video call!
I love to serve and look for ways to do that. One of the things I most wanted my children to learn was to look around, find a need and do something about it. I lived in Hong Kong for 9 years and learned to love hiking and being outdoors. We are now in Singapore as empty nesters. I am really wanting to get deeply involved in family history, I guess I should quit playing so much mahjong! I love Asia and the people that we have met here. Ginger Habel (Shanghai, China)Ginger is a 7th grade Math teacher at Shanghai American School. She's made a career of teaching middle school students and excels at making them do ridiculous things in front of their peers. Her talents include speaking "Middle Schooler", shoveling snow, making guacamole and helping crabby people smile.
She's decided that laughing through life is better than crying and a hug and ice cream can heal any wound. She is the oldest of 11 siblings, has 46 nieces and nephews and loves living in China. She served a mission in Scotland, graduated from BYU, lived in Portland Oregon long enough to believe in recycling, loves traveling, and now has a home base in Utah. Betsey Hawkins (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)Betsey Gimbel Hawkins enjoys laughing loudly and frequently at herself and with her husband and four children ages 12, 9, 6 and 3. She has spent the last 10 years living in Hong Kong and now Saudi Arabia. While living abroad, she has developed a love for traveling and in 2019 she spent 77 consecutive days visiting 17 countries with her children. She survived thanks to Diet Coke and Friends on Netflix.
Betsey loves reading and wants you to tell her your favorite book you've read recently. She has graduate degrees in Public Policy and Library and Information Sciences and loves a good politics podcast. Betsey is a loyal friend and once you are her friend, you are her friend for life. Brenda Christensen (Taipei, Taiwan)Brenda has lived in Asia for many years and loves it! She is a middle school educator so loves kids and teaching, too. Her favorite pastime is riding her bike which she does daily whether running errands or exercising along the Taipei City river trails. She firmly believes that every excursion and vacation is made better with a bike ride or two thrown in. She also loves wandering through (and buying) flowers and plants at the extensive flower markets in Taipei. Another great love of hers is art. She has been a docent at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and explores art galleries large and small wherever she goes.
Her appreciation for beautiful things naturally extends to the light and beauty the gospel brings into her life. She is most grateful for the many ways the gospel helps her to see the beauty in people and in the things around her. Cherie Burton (Hong Kong)Cherie is a wife, mother, coach, entrepreneur, teacher, pioneer, adventurer, woman of faith and daughter of God. Originally from California, she and her husband, Stan, have lived in Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong) for 15 years. She has two delightful miracle boys - Cole and Kenney.
Professionally she’s worked in human resources, as a life/education coach, owned/operated international businesses in the fashion, cosmetic and health industries and volunteered in many capacities. She’s been involved with this conference for 7 years both as a speaker and organizer. At church, she’s served in many organizations and is currently the District Relief Society President in Hong Kong. Cherie is always ready to have fun and is known for her quick wit, sense of humor and easygoing caring personality. In her free time she loves travel, sports, puzzles, reading, and exploring whatever life has to offer. |
Closing Keynote Speakers
Elder & Sister Meurs
Message to the Asia Area Sisters
Elder Peter F. Meurs was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2016. He is currently serving in the Asia Area Presidency.
Peter Fletcher Meurs was born in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, on December 21, 1956. He married Maxine Evelyn Thatcher in January 1979. They are the parents of four children.
Elder Meurs received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Monash University in 1980. He worked as an engineer for Esso Australia and participated in the development of oil and gas production fields. He was a founding partner of Worley Parsons Limited, an international engineering services and project management company. His last assignment was to lead an iron ore expansion project for Fortescue Metals, where he served as an executive director on the board.
Elder Meurs has served in numerous callings, including branch president, counselor in a bishopric, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a district presidency, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, counselor in a mission presidency, and Area Seventy.
Sister Maxine Evelyn Meurs was born and raised in Melbourne Australia to Max and Mary Thatcher.
Sister Meurs met her husband in her local ward when his family moved to Melbourne. She qualified as a Special Education Teacher and taught for two years before becoming a full time mother. Brother and Sister Meurs were married in the New Zealand temple on Jan 2, 1979 and are the parents of four children and grandparents of 10.
Sister Meurs has served as a Stake and Ward Relief Society President and in many Stake, District, Ward and Branch roles in the other auxiliaries. She has also enjoyed producing roadshows and plays. Sister Meurs is a very active wife, mother and grandmother.
Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2016. He is currently serving in the Asia Area Presidency.
Peter Fletcher Meurs was born in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, on December 21, 1956. He married Maxine Evelyn Thatcher in January 1979. They are the parents of four children.
Elder Meurs received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Monash University in 1980. He worked as an engineer for Esso Australia and participated in the development of oil and gas production fields. He was a founding partner of Worley Parsons Limited, an international engineering services and project management company. His last assignment was to lead an iron ore expansion project for Fortescue Metals, where he served as an executive director on the board.
Elder Meurs has served in numerous callings, including branch president, counselor in a bishopric, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a district presidency, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, counselor in a mission presidency, and Area Seventy.
Sister Maxine Evelyn Meurs was born and raised in Melbourne Australia to Max and Mary Thatcher.
Sister Meurs met her husband in her local ward when his family moved to Melbourne. She qualified as a Special Education Teacher and taught for two years before becoming a full time mother. Brother and Sister Meurs were married in the New Zealand temple on Jan 2, 1979 and are the parents of four children and grandparents of 10.
Sister Meurs has served as a Stake and Ward Relief Society President and in many Stake, District, Ward and Branch roles in the other auxiliaries. She has also enjoyed producing roadshows and plays. Sister Meurs is a very active wife, mother and grandmother.
Danielle Lesser
Topic: TBD
Born in Landstuhl Germany, Danielle and her family moved to Provo Utah at the age of
2 ½ where she lived until she met and married her husband Steve in December of 1990
while studying for a degree in Geography and Communications at BYU.
In 2009 her family consisting of 4 children and one 3.5 Kilo dog named Skippy, took
their first international assignment when they moved to Singapore and fell in love with
Asia! They repatriated to the U.S in 2014 where Danielle accepted a position on the
board of a non-profit group in Bocas Del Toro Panama called the Red Frog Foundation
which provides educational tools, building materials and assists in clean water projects
for the community. She continued her work with the Red Frog Foundation even as they
accepted another work assignment to live in Brisbane Australia in July of 2015. Now
after 3 ½ wonderful years she has once again landed in the beautiful Lion city of
Singapore with only one daughter now living at home. She feels so lucky to have been
given this opportunity to live once again in S.E Asia!
Danielle loves to build, create and repair things! She also loves bright vibrant colors, floral design (especially with orchids), trying new food, discovering new places, trying her hand at Asian cooking, listening to beautiful music and attempting to learn Mandarin
Chinese.
2 ½ where she lived until she met and married her husband Steve in December of 1990
while studying for a degree in Geography and Communications at BYU.
In 2009 her family consisting of 4 children and one 3.5 Kilo dog named Skippy, took
their first international assignment when they moved to Singapore and fell in love with
Asia! They repatriated to the U.S in 2014 where Danielle accepted a position on the
board of a non-profit group in Bocas Del Toro Panama called the Red Frog Foundation
which provides educational tools, building materials and assists in clean water projects
for the community. She continued her work with the Red Frog Foundation even as they
accepted another work assignment to live in Brisbane Australia in July of 2015. Now
after 3 ½ wonderful years she has once again landed in the beautiful Lion city of
Singapore with only one daughter now living at home. She feels so lucky to have been
given this opportunity to live once again in S.E Asia!
Danielle loves to build, create and repair things! She also loves bright vibrant colors, floral design (especially with orchids), trying new food, discovering new places, trying her hand at Asian cooking, listening to beautiful music and attempting to learn Mandarin
Chinese.