Portraits of Latter-day Saint Women Archives - Women in The Church of Jesus Christ

Reyna Aburto’s Story, part 1

Women Seeking Christ — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 07:57:15 +0000

Reyna Aburto, and her brother who was killed in the 1972 earthquake

Reyna Aburto is one of the world leaders of the women’s organization (Relief Society) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Last fall, Sister Aburto gave a powerful talk on mental and emotional health, including talking a little about her father’s death by suicide. This talk touched many people.

She explains more about why she wanted to talk about these things.

“[T]he reason why I wanted to talk about emotional distresses and my own struggles was the hope that if I did, more of us would open up and talk about our challenges. Since I have shared my burden in general conference, I have felt so supported and loved by the sisters of this Church!”

Since giving her talk, she has shared more of her story via a three-part series on the Latter-day Saints Channel.

Below is the first video. You can also read more about the early years of her life in Nicaragua, the death of her brother (besides taking the life of her brother, the earthquake of 1972 in Nicaragua also destroyed her family’s home), and the questions about life after death that were planted in her young mind. Reyna was not a member of the Church during those years.

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A Good Man: Charles Shultz #Peanuts

Women Seeking Christ — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:41:53 +0000

A delightful Deseret News article shares an interview with Charles’ Shultz’s daughter, Amy Shultz Johnson, who also happens to be a Mormon woman. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was 22.

Johnson feels her home life prepared her to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was 22 years old. She summarizes her conversion with a quote from LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who said, “We say to the people, in effect, you bring with you all the good that you have, and then let us see if we can add to it.”

It’s inspiring to hear stories about [famous and not-so-famous] people who understand the principle of family first, and the value of a wholesome, values-driven life.

“Now a mother of nine, Johnson said Schulz never talked about himself or his profession and would stop everything he was doing when his kids entered his office. His availability led her to conclude that he didn’t have a job.”

I doubt most of us with jobs could say the same, but it sounds like we could learn a thing or two from Charles Shultz.

And here’s my triple-dog dare: Replace any tendencies toward expletives (or substitute swears that Mormons are really good at) with the word “Rats!” (See the article for more about Shultz’s simple one-word approach for dealing with frustration.)

Kudos to Charles Shultz for the legacy of love and goodness he left for his family and for American culture. Would that we had more Charles Shultzs.

p.s. This makes me want to go see The Peanuts Movie (and, no, no one asked me to post about it).)

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Thoughts, Resources, Mentoring Options for Mormon Women in Business

Women Seeking Christ — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 08:15:29 +0000

I recently shared a comment about mentoring women who are interested in business. (Others can talk to mentors in other fields, but this is my area of expertise.) I thought I would make a post out of my comments.

I’ve been involved in mentoring students (mostly women in business students) for over a decade, and the topic of Mormon women, motherhood, education and the tension women sometimes feel with LDS teachings of family first + education/preparation is something I’ve been passionate about for a long time.

First, the thoughts and quotes:

I often like to say that we as women need to learn to “dance in the tension.” I think we need to be absolutely unflinching about the doctrine of marriage and motherhood, and that can be done while also encouraging education and deliberate (yet open-to-revelation-as-life-unfolds) professional preparation and planning. I believe that when we embrace the doctrine lean into this tension, God can and will guide us in His very personal way.

I think, also, when women can understand that education helps prepare them to serve in the kingdom however and wherever they may be led/called, it can add more of a ‘whole’ to the whole issue rather than being framed as an either/or scenario.

Mary Cook gave an excellent talk on this subject at BYU a few years ago (summary here:http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58136/More-fit-for-the-kingdom-more-used-would-I-be.html). Some of the ideas that she shared in that talk also appeared in this New Era article: https://www.lds.org/new-era/2009/04/more-fit-for-the-kingdom?lang=eng

I also think this talk by a female BYU-I professor captures the tension beautifully. http://www.byui.edu/Documents/instructional_development/Perspective/V7n2PDF/v7n2_hurley.pdf

Lastly, this quote from Eliza R. Snow is one of my favorites:

“Don’t you see that our sphere is increasing? Our sphere of action will continually widen, and no woman in Zion need[s] to mourn because her sphere is too narrow.

“God bless you, my sisters, and encourage you, that you may be filled with light, and realize that you have no interests but in the welfare of Zion. Let your first business be to perform your duties at home. But, inasmuch as you are wise stewards, you will find time for social duties because these are incumbent upon us as daughters and mothers in Zion. By seeking to perform every duty you will find that your capacity will increase, and you will be astonished at what you can accomplish.” (quoted in Daughters in My Kingdom)

I think consecration and personal revelation are key to dancing in the tension. I believe God cares about what we have to offer, and yet He offers, first, all that He has to offer if we will seek to follow His plan. I believe firmly that as we do this, and seek His guidance, He will lead us in how, when, and where to use the talents He has given us all along our life’s path. He’s the best mentor there is!

– – – – –

Resources for women who are interested in connecting with female mentors or others interested in business:

– BYU Management Society. There are women in business involved in chapters all over the world. Some chapters have specific women’s groups to help with networking and mentoring. See https://byums.org/women-professionals . If there is not a Women in Business group in your area, consider starting one. See http://byuwomeninbusiness.blogspot.com/2011/12/starting-women-in-business-group.html for ideas.)

– With the internet (see LinkedIn and Facebook, blogs, and more), women can take initiative and connect with LDS professionals in places all over the US and elsewhere.

– For students at BYU, there are robust women in business clubs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These clubs have regular opportunities to network with professional LDS women.

Undergraduate Women in Business club: http://womeninbusiness.byu.edu/

Graduation Women in Management club: https://sites.google.com/site/wimbyu/)

– As an FYI, the undergraduate club will be holding an event on March 13. Elaine Dalton will be speaking and there will be opportunities to connect with people in various emphases within the business program. http://www.marriottschool.net/womeninbusiness/major-shopping-event-registration/

– The Marriott School has several advisory board where female mentors might be found. http://marriottschool.byu.edu/advisoryboard/

– The BYU Management Society held a Women in Business conference in 2011. There were several dynamic and accomplished women who were invited to speak and participate. http://marriottschool.byu.edu/conferences/wibc/

– Several of the women who participated in the Women in Business conference were featured on the blog for the conference who are excellent mentors to follow on Facebook and elsewhere (e.g., Whitney Johnson’s Harvard Business Review blog posts (http://blogs.hbr.org/whitney-johnson/), personal blog (http://whitneyjohnson.com/), Chrysula Winegar’s blogs (e.g., http://chrysulawinegar.com/, http://whenyouwakeupamother.com/).

See many more Mormon women in business featured at http://byuwomeninbusiness.blogspot.com/

p.s. The non-profit Aspiring Mormon Women also has a list of other resources for women in professions such as law, medicine, science, and more. http://aspiringmormonwomen.org/resources/

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Lindsey Stirling – Mormon.org profile

Women Seeking Christ — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 13:34:59 +0000

Lindsey Stirling was one of the performers at the recent Pioneer Day concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Hear more from Lindsey Stirling about her life, her struggles with an eating disorder (anorexia), and how she sought healing and help to (re) learn of God’s love and her identity as a child of God. Her faith helped her face and overcome her trial and flourish as an artist.

(And if you are a cereal lover, you’ll love Lindsey’s story all the more!)

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New Young Women General Presidency

Women Seeking Christ — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 23:05:28 +0000

A new Young Women General Presidency was called today in the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President – Bonnie Lee Green Oscarson

1^st Counselor – Carol Louise Foley McConkie

2^nd Counselor – Evelyn Neill Foote Marriott

You can read a little about each of these women at the LDS Newsroom site.

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Tribute to LDS Woman Leader: Elaine Dalton

Women Seeking Christ — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 20:17:02 +0000

~by Ashley

How do you start an article with the hopes of paying proper tribute to a woman who has literally changed your life? A woman who traveled the world over, ministering to “the one,” while bringing millions closer to Jesus Christ? Well, let me begin by telling you a little bit about this remarkable woman leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the “Mormon Church” by friends of other faiths).

Sister Elaine S. Dalton was married to her sweetheart, Stephen E. Dalton, in the Salt Lake Temple. She is the mother of 6 beautiful children (5 sons, 1 daughter), and is the the grandmother of 16 (and counting). She received a bachelor’s degree in English at Brigham Young University. She loves to run (and has tackled 18 marathons!), hike, dance with her granddaughters, and read (especially the scriptures). She also makes great chocolate chip cookies. She can be found lifting others spirits wherever she goes. She is truly a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, in her “spare time,” for the past 15 years she has served in the general Young Women’s program (an auxiliary program that includes all Mormon women ages 12-18, that has the purpose of bringing these girls closer to Christ) in different lay positions (non-paid). In 1998 she was called as a board member, in 2002 as a counselor in the presidency, and then in 2008 as the president. On the 6th of April, 2013, she was honorably released from her calling as Young Women General President. Her efforts in the general program will go down in history for all eternity.

Have you ever met somebody that makes you want to be your best self?

Sister Elaine S. Dalton indeed has a unique way of teaching millions, while focusing on “the one” — just as the Savior did during his earthly ministry. I have personally seen this “in action” in my own life, and in the lives of many others. She really believes what she teaches that “one virtuous young woman, led by the Spirit, can change the world.” [1] You can tell by the way she talks to everyone she meets.

Such was the case when I had the privilege of meeting Sister Dalton a little over five years ago. Because of her belief in me, I have gained greater trust in the Lord, and have tried to become a better person in every aspect of my life. Physically, I started exercising more and have since run 3 marathons; and spiritually I have drawn closer to Jesus Christ in ways that I didn’t know were possible.

Once I changed, I had the desire to help others change as well and was able to start an organization called “Voices for Virtue” which now has over 138,000 members.

My story is just one of many. Elaine Dalton knows that if you desire to do the work of God, He will qualify you for the work. She serves in a way that invites everyone she meets to have the desire to serve God.

Elaine Dalton really is a woman of God and has “run… the race that [was] set before [her]” (Holy Bible, Hebrews 12:1). She has found success by following the prescription that the Mormon apostle, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, said, “True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes (see John 17:1, 4; Doctrine and Covenants 19:19). In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny.” [2] I believe wholeheartedly that her service in the Young Women’s program is just a stepping stool for even greater things to come. Sister Dalton has changed the world, and she will continue to do so, because it is in her spiritual DNA.

Mormon women, of all ages, have been changed for the better because of this remarkable woman. Many would love to share their appreciation. If you have been impacted by Sister Dalton and would like to say thank you, please fill out this form: “Thank you to Sister Dalton,” the responses of which will be compiled and given to her as a gift. Or you can fill out the form below.

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She’s a Mormon, a Comedian, and a Dreamer

Women Seeking Christ — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:06:39 +0000

Jenna is a Mormon woman who is making her way as a comedian in New York City…following a dream, keeping her standards, loving her life.

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Portraits of Mormon Women: Trina

Women Seeking Christ — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:56:39 +0000

My name’s Trina Browning. My passions are singing, reading, blogging at Tidbits From Trina, teaching CPR and First Aid, secret service and hanging out with my family. I am who I am because of the examples, experiences, blessings and challenges I’ve had throughout my life. Not all of them good, not all of them bad. I wouldn’t change any of them. I’ve learned and been strengthened and shaped by each and felt blessed by the many great experiences the Lord has given me.

I grew up in a home with many challenges. We endured financial struggles and my mom had major health problems including difficulties carrying children due to double female organs, a stroke and cancer. I watched my mom bury more children than most could comprehend. Being the oldest I felt the need to be responsible and a good example to my three younger siblings as well as easy on my parents. The fabulous thing about growing up in our home was I rarely felt the burdens of our challenging situations. My parents were strong. They taught us to love each other and love the Lord. They taught us not to complain. They taught us to find humor and goodness. They taught us to develop our talents. They taught us to look for our blessings. It wasn’t hard – there were many!

The summer between my junior and senior years in high school I was in the Miss Teen America pageant in Hollywood. Although I didn’t place in the top 10 an agent heard me sing during the talent competition. He contacted my parents and offered to put me on tour opening for a successful artist. I was ecstatic. I’d been singing since I was just little. I LOVE to perform. This was truly a dream come true. It was such a huge decision that would affect the rest of my life that I needed to pray about it. After I started to pray I got scared. I’d have to leave my home and tour with a chaperone, being homeschooled on the road by people I didn’t know. Then I had a strong realization that this life wouldn’t be good for my future children. I knew my answer and gave up my dream so I could be the kind of mom I wanted to be. Raising my kids the way Heavenly Father wants me to is worth everything I gave up. No regrets.

At the end of my freshman year in college at BYU Idaho (then called Ricks College) my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She was given three months to live. I remember when a hospice nurse showed up at our doorstep. My mom was lying on the couch and told the lady that no one at our home was dying; she must have the wrong house. She lived for 15 more years, long enough to see all of my children on this earth. Her faith was incredible.

In my second year of college at BYU Idaho (then called Ricks College) Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi, a general authority in our church offered to give my mom a blessing. She asked if I’d like to come. I wanted to but I already had a date with a really cute guy named Kevin- so I brought him along. After the most remarkable blessing I’ve ever heard, Elder Kikuchi bluntly asked Kevin and I when we were getting married. Embarrassed we let him know we’d only been dating for 2 weeks. He then told us he married his wife only 2 weeks after meeting her. Although I don’t think he was telling us we were meant to be together forever, it definitely put some thoughts in our heads. I became Kevin’s wife just a few months later in the Portland, Oregon temple.

Interestingly enough, Elder Kikuchi was scheduled to seal us but his flight was delayed. He called the temple president from the plane and asked if he’d be willing to step in for him as long as it was okay with us. He came and talked to Kevin and I about it. We had the option of rescheduling or having the temple president seal us. We just wanted to get married so we were sealed by the temple president instead. I’ve never regretted that. I love being married to Kevin and realized then that it didn’t matter who married us as long as it was sealed by the Lord so we could be together forever.

We (intentionally) had 5 kids in 7 years. My husband’s theory was ‘the sooner you get them out, the sooner you get them out’. We thought it’d be fun to have a few years to travel or go on missions after the kids were grown and while we’re still somewhat healthy. A few years ago we added a developmentally disabled teenage boy to the mix through a system similar to foster care. Although he has a family who loves him dearly and is involved in his life we love being his second family and the people he lives with. When he became an adult we realized we were attached to him. So we made the necessary arrangements for him to continue to stay with us. Including him we have 6 kids between the ages of 20 and 13. Being a mom is the most important and rewarding blessing I’ve received. I thank Heavenly Father each day for my children and the opportunity I have of being their earthly mom. I believe these children are mine, on loan from Heavenly Father and I need to do everything I can to guide them back to Him. I constantly strive to be as good a mom as I had. My kids deserve it.

A few years ago, on a very hot summer day, Kevin was coming back from a hiking trip in his truck. His brother was right behind him in a different car. The truck started to over-heat but he was unable to pull over for many miles due to construction on the freeway. Finally, he made it to an exit and parked the truck. He got in with his brother thinking he’d come back late that night when it had cooled down and drive it home then. When they went back to get the truck they found it in more than one piece, burned, along with a lot of land. We learned that just minutes after Kevin parked it, it literally blew up, catching many acres of land on fire. It took three fire agencies including a fire helicopter to put it out. We were shocked to find we would probably be sued for around 2 million dollars. We were numb. I remember sitting in my newly decorated master bathroom wondering if we’d lose our home and everything else. The possessions I’d loved just days before meant very little to me any longer. I realized that we could lose it all but as long as we had each other we’d be okay. It was a relief to know no one could take away the things that mattered most to us, our children and the gospel. We fasted and prayed. We exercised faith that the Lord’s will, would come about. We sure hoped the Lord’s will was our will but were grateful that things were in His hands and would work for our best, whatever that was. After many stressful months we received word from our attorney that the agencies had decided not to pursue a lawsuit any further. That was a life changing experience.

The Lord has given me opportunities to learn and grow, to shape myself into a daughter that he’d be pleased with. I’m a work in progress but I’m improving. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ I’m empowered to do those things He wants me to. I’m grateful for Heavenly Father’s plan and that he puts such importance on families. I look forward to the day that my family and I meet Him again.

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Portraits of Mormon Women: Charity

Women Seeking Christ — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:38:38 +0000

Editor’s note: We are grateful to Charity for sharing a little about herself and her passion for motherhood today in this Portraits of Mormon Women post. Tomorrow, we’ll be sharing a poem Charity wrote. Charity has a blog here.

In the fall of 1964, a German professor at Indiana State University changed my life, 10 years before I was even born. He had learned German as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and my parents, who were engaged to be married at the time, were in his class. When they learned he was a Mormon, they felt sorry for him, and went to the library to learn more about his religion. As a result, they went to him with a list of questions. They were intrigued by his answers, and continued to learn. In January they were married and the following April, they were baptized. As a result, I and my 6 siblings were raised as members of the Church.

After attending BYU, my parents returned to Indiana, to 40 wooded acres given to my father by his father, outside the small town of Crawfordsville, IN. I loved growing up on that property. There, my parents were some of the initial members of the tiny Crawfordsville Branch. I remember attending Church in a rented building as a young child. When I was about 8 years old, we were able to build our own building, and shortly after that became a ward. It never occurred to me that not every young Mormon girl watched her chapel be built, and knew what a Building Fund was. Life was good in our little Branch, and later Ward. I knew that there were people there who loved the Lord. My dad always had off-the-wall ideas, and one day he came home after having seen a flier on the bulletin board at the Stake Center and said, “Let’s apply for the Hill Cumorah Pageant”. We did, and were accepted, and as a family we were in the Pageant for 5 years, for me the ages 10-15. The Book of Mormon, and early Church History came alive to me. Much of my young testimony was gained and grown at the Hill Cumorah. I was also introduced to kids who had grown up in Utah, whose wards were their neighborhoods, and nearly all of the kids at their school knew who Joseph Smith was. The idea was mind boggling to me.

I’ve always been a person with big plans. I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I also wanted to be an archaeologist, and maybe a nurse, and a biology, math or history teacher. I wanted to travel the world, and I loved to sing, play music and perform on the stage. I loved sports. I never played them very well, but I loved them anyway. The Olympics were my favorite, and every sport I tried, I dreamed of competing in it for my country. For me, the Olympics combined the thrill of competition, the love of sport, and the deep patriotism I’ve had burning within me for as long as I can remember. My interests were as varied as the fascinating world around me. I went to a small rural High School where it was possible to dabble in many things, and so I did. I was in the plays, on the swim team, in the band, and lots of other activities. I also always knew I wanted to go to BYU. I grew up watching BYU football at the Church on the satellite dish with my family. That’s how you had to do it in Indiana. I knew the Cougar fight song LONG before I reached Provo as a freshman, and every year for Christmas I looked forward to the new BYU shirt I knew would be inside one of the gifts under the tree for me.

After graduating from High School, I went out west to BYU with three goals:

1. Not be engaged until at least my Junior year of college.

2. Not marry a boy from Utah. I really didn’t have anything against boys from Utah. It’s just that I was the 5th of 7 children, and my 3 older siblings who were already married had married people from Utah, and I wanted to be different, that’s all.

3. Finish my degree before babies came. I had seen my mom struggle to finish her nearly completed degree many years after leaving college. She did what she felt was right and left it to raise her kids, but I wanted to have that wrapped up so I wouldn’t have to worry about it.

So, guess what happened? I met my future husband on the first day of class my Freshman year, at the opening Ward social. We were instant friends, talking, laughing and climbing trees together. I couldn’t imagine my life without Rick. We were engaged by February of that year, and he is from West Jordan, Utah. So much for my plans. The Lord apparently had bigger and better ideas than my own. Once I was engaged, I made a serious plan for graduation, taking full class loads, going to school through the summers, but I didn’t finish my degree before the babies came, either. I was REALLY close, and I was able to finish through Independent Study while my husband worked on his Masters degree at Purdue University. I took my last final a few weeks after my second baby was born, completing my degree in Elementary Education, graduating Cum Laude.

Babies three, four and five came as we navigated our way from grad school, to a job at Caterpillar, to building a new home, then leaving a year and a half later to move to Illinois for a promotion. We’ve been here 7.5 years now. Our oldest, a son, is a Junior in High School, and I often find myself looking back, knowing that I have lived through it all, but wondering how it happened. My middle three children are girls, ages 15, 13 and 10, and the youngest is a boy, 6. Like me, my children’s interests are varied, and they are active in many things. This keeps me busy and leaves me little room for anything other than motherhood, although I do find time to serve as a counselor in the RS Presidency and support my husband as Bishop.

Being a mom is my most important job, but there are other areas of interest in my life. Through my years of motherhood, I’ve tried to apply my own interests to my mothering whenever possible. For example: Sometimes I dream of opening a bakery. Instead, years ago I learned to bake bread and have been baking my family’s bread for many years now. I also love to try out new recipes, and I’ve enjoyed teaching my children to bake. Sometimes I dream of teaching a classroom of eager minds. Instead, besides helping my own children to learn, I have enjoyed volunteering in their classrooms. Currently I love teaching my 4th grade daughter’s classroom science two times a month. Sometimes I dream of performing on stage, and I love singing a capella music. While still in Indiana, my sister-in-law and I started an a capella singing group of moms. We got together once a week at my house and sang while the kids played. Later, when I moved to Illinois, I sang for awhile in the local Sweet Adeline’s chapter. My children have caught the love of music as well, and it is something that we enjoy as a family. Sometimes I dream of writing a book, or poetry, or songs, or something. Instead, I occasionally write on my blog. Sometimes I dream of changing the world and making a difference in the community. Then I look at my five children, and know that I am. My interests are still varied, and at times I’m even envious of women who have accomplished things outside of motherhood, but I’ve learned that we each need to figure out for ourselves what works for us and our family, and that Lord’s path for us. Too much harm is done to individuals when we foster comparison in motherhood. Motherhood and it’s methods are as varied as the children whom we mother, and we would all benefit from being more accepting of those around us who choose to mother a little differently than we do.

Last year my youngest went to all day kindergarten, and I had a little bit of an identity crises. For 15 years, I had had at least one little one at home with me. And while I had MANY tasks to fill my time, I wondered who I was supposed to be now. Of course I was still Mom, but was now the time in my life to do more? It’s interesting, the changing phases of motherhood. There’s really no busier stage than another, they’re just different. I used to be able to wind down when the kids went to bed at 8, giving me a couple of hours in the evening for something I wanted to do. Now I have to seize those hours during the day, since life is pretty much full on until 10:00. One thing I’ve learned is that life is a lot happier when I learn to enjoy the stage of life that I’m in, right now, rather than to look ahead and dream of another stage when I’m sure that I’ll have more time, or energy, or something. I’ve had enough of those stages come and go to learn that just isn’t true. When one stage passes, and another comes, I usually look back and wonder why I didn’t more fully enjoy what I had when I had it. So, now that’s what I try to do.

Our family has lots of fun together. We all enjoy baking and cooking, and I don’t know how many times we’ve talked about the idea of starting a family restaurant. We also love the outdoors and find a lot of enjoyment in the beauty of the Earth around us. We love traveling to all areas of the country to see the various types of beauty. We especially love to visit the National Parks. We’ve enjoyed hiking, canoeing, camping, and whitewater rafting, to name a few of the activities. We look forward to being a little more adventurous now that our youngest is old enough to participate in some more outdoor activities. This summer we plan to backpack in Colorado for 4 days. Should be exciting. We also enjoy getting together with extended family. I find a lot of joy watching my children become good friends with their cousins.

The Gospel and the Plan of Salvation are my parenting blueprint. When I have a question or concern about parenting, I often think of it in terms of our Father in Heaven, and how He deals with His children here on Earth. I’ve often heard parents state that they wish children came with an owner’s manual. I believe the Gospel can be our manual for raising our children. When we immerse ourselves in living the Gospel, we will be blessed with guidance from our Heavenly Father, through the Holy Ghost, to raise these children, His children, entrusted to our care. I’ve had it happen on multiple occasions. I know that He is as interested, and ultimately even more interested, in my children’s success than I am.

I still have big plans for my life. However, each day that I watch my children grow, those plans become more and more entwined with the lives of my husband and the five beautiful people that I am lucky enough to have call me Mom.

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Portraits of Mormon Women: Micah, Corporate Jet Pilot

Women Seeking Christ — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:11:07 +0000

Editor’s note: Many thanks to Micah for writing this piece for Mormon Women. You can also read about Micah on her Mormon.org profile, which we found while getting this post ready! You can also find Micah at her blog, Captain Micah.

Growing up, I simply got used to my family laughing at me when I would run outside to see what was flying overhead. After all, I had known since I was six years old that I wanted to be a pilot. What had started such a dream? Was it the helicopter pilot who landed at the elementary playground for a school assembly when I was in the first grade? He did look pretty cool in that flight suit. I was drawn to every aspect of aviation, and after my introduction to it as a youngster, I desired to do nothing else for work. I loved the idea of flight. Why being in command of a giant pressurized metal tube soaring through the sky ever appealed to my childhood heart, I may never know. I do know that I love what I do, and I am enjoying every second of my job as a corporate jet pilot.

Growing up in small-town Utah didn’t offer many chances to interact with aviation. To overcome that, my mom gave me a wonderful present for my fourteenth birthday…an aviation day camp at the local university’s flight school. After completing a day covering airplane systems, weather, and flight planning, I got an entire half-hour flight in a tiny single-engine airplane. Exhilaration doesn’t begin to describe how it felt to finally be at the controls of an airplane! The smile didn’t disappear for weeks. I was hooked.

Since that wonderful day, I have attained my Private, Commercial, and Airline Transport Pilot Certificates, along with my Instrument, Single-Engine, and Multi-Engine Ratings. I am also a Certified Flight Instructor for basic, instrument, and multi-engine, so I can not only fly it all but teach it all as well. (Pilots are really humble creatures, in case you were wondering. And I know from experience). I really enjoy sharing aviation with easily-excited kids just like me. And the term “kids” is used very loosely there. I am a type-rated Captain in the Hawker Beechjet 400 and flew one for five years before recently switching to a new job flying an Embraer Phenom 300. And, yes…it’s as cool as it sounds.

I am the one in the back of a commercial airliner, hoping that the flight attendant asks, “Does anyone know how to fly this airplane?”

Most weeks for work, I leave on Monday and get home on Friday. Every week is different, which is one of the many aspects of my job that I love. Destinations change constantly, and I get the chance to explore different parts of our beautiful continent. With this new gig, there is even talk of traveling to Europe and the Caribbean. I could be bullied into such situations, if it was absolutely necessary. I am a team player, after all.

I have a blast at work but also enjoy time at home with my loving Hubby. We’ve been together since 2008 when we met in our singles ward and married in the Mesa LDS Temple. It was nice to know that we had the same goals and ideals before we even began dating! Marrying in the temple means I will be with my husband not only for this life, but for eternity. We’ve been promised that things properly sealed here on earth will be sealed in heaven, and I can’t imagine life without my sweet man.

And he does the dishes.

Though I am in love with my occupation of flying a private corporate jet for now, we have goals to grow our family in the future. My incredible mom wasn’t able to be at home to raise her four children, and I am hoping to provide a stay-at-home-atmosphere for my kids. We’re going to have two boys and a girl, in case you’re wondering.

Hubby doesn’t dare hold newborn babies yet, so we aren’t in any hurry. And I’m having a lot of fun flying a jet around the skies, so that doesn’t help, either.

In my spare time (snort), I bake cupcakes with two friends from church. We cater weddings and special events with the most decadent (and not healthy in the least) cupcakes one can imagine. It is fun working with such neat gals and having a creative outlet at home. Using it as an official excuse to eat chocolate doesn’t hurt my feelings, either.

The greatest appreciation for my work comes on late-night flights when I am so close to the beautiful stars in the sky. I marvel that we get to learn and grow in this life and be happy. I know that living the Gospel of Jesus Christ leads to happiness, and that my life is fulfilled and meaningful when I follow the example of my Savior. I feel blessed beyond measure to know that I can kneel in prayer and converse with Him. He knows me personally, and I strive every day to know Him.

I welcome comments and questions on aerodynamics, flight school preferences (North Dakota all the way!), and how to bake cupcakes to perfection. I feel so blessed to live this life and love every second of it. I can’t wait to get to know all of you better, so bring it on.

The post Portraits of Mormon Women: Micah, Corporate Jet Pilot appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.