Hi, I'm Colleen

I am a wife, a mother, and the pet parent of 3 Westies. I love chocolate. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was laid off by my company at the end of May 2011. I was a liability insurance adjuster for a third-party-claim administrator. I have been struggling with unemployment for 10 months. I was born at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Tokyo, Japan. My dad was in the military and my family moved a few times before settling in Colorado Springs, CO when I was 4 years old. I have been married to my junior high school sweetheart for 23 years and have 2 children. We moved to Denver in the early 90s. My daughter is 20 and attends college at Brigham Young University-Idaho where she is majoring in International Relations. My son is 15 and attends a brand new high school, Vista Peak Preparatory, where his class will be the first graduating class of seniors in 2014. I have 3 West Highland White Terriers named Winifred, Elizabeth and Anne. I love to read, go to movies, and listen to music.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised in the Church. I married a returned missionary in the temple and we for the most part have been happy. Soon after my son was born, we had some serious challenges and financial problems and were inactive for about 8 years. During that time we remained spiritual but we missed a lot of guidance and instruction. Because we didn't have the weekly reinforcement of our testimonies that church meetings provide, we made some decisions that caused us to experience some problems that we likely could have avoided. But during that time we had a dedicated home teacher who visited us faithfully every month. After he shared a message with us he would always invite us to come back to church. Then in 2003 I was laid off from my job at an insurance company. I knew that I needed Heavenly Father to bless me so I could find work - but I also knew that he wouldn't bless me if I wasn't doing what I knew was right. So I started going back to church by myself. I didn't realize how much I had missed it! For a while, I went by myself. Then it was just me and my children. I could make them go because I was the mom! But after a while, they enjoyed it and it wasn't a fight to get them out the door any more. After a while, my husband decided he needed to go back too, and we all have been active ever since.

I know that the church is true, because for a while I chose to live without it. I am thankful for the friendship and fellowship that is found in our ward family. No matter what trials, challenges, fears or problems may arise, I have faith that all shall be well.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

A few years ago, my husband and I wanted to visit his brother in Arizona for Thanksgiving. Most of my husband's siblings and their spouses and children were going, but we couldn't afford either the vacation time or the expense of the trip. We prayed to find a way that we could join my husband's family for this trip so we could spend time with them. A couple weeks before Thanksgiving, my boss called me and asked if there was any way I would be willing to fill in for another employee in my company's Phoenix office the week before Thanksgiving. He offered to reimburse me for the mileage for driving there and offered to pay me a full day's salary, but he only needed me to work 4-5 hours each day. That was the answer to our prayers! We were able to go on the trip and had a wonderful visit! We had some great experiences that really brought my husband's family closer.

There was another instance when my sister-in-law and her husband & son were at our house for a visit. My husband and son were working on our car and it was starting to get dark. Suddenly, my husband realized his CTR ring had slipped off his pinky finger. We all grabbed flashlights and looked all around the car, but we couldn't find it. My nephew, who had just recently been baptized, suggested we say a prayer. We all stopped, held hands, and he prayed a very simple prayer asking to find the lost CTR ring. As soon as the prayer was over, he turned on his flashlight and where it was pointing on the ground was a flash of silver! The ring was right there! We immediately all said another prayer of thankfulness and gratitude for finding the ring.

Whether we are trying to do something big, or looking for something small, I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers. Sometimes prayers are answered right away, like when we found the ring. Sometimes prayers are answered later, or don't seem to be answered at all. But I know that all our prayers are answered, because Heavenly Father loves us all.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

I think that one of Jesus Christ's most powerful and influential messages is to love one another. But there is more to it than that. The Savior teaches not only to love those who love you, but to love your enemies, to bless them that curse you, and to pray for those who use you and despitefully persecute you (Matthew 5:44 and 3 Nephi 12:44). I was having a problem at work with my supervisor. It seemed like he was going out of his way to make my life harder and to demean me personally. I really didn't like him, because how can you like someone who is being mean to you? I was having such a hard time working with him that it was affecting my life - I couldn't sleep and I was being cranky to my family. I just couldn't handle it on my own anymore. I prayed about the situation, and I said in my prayers, "I don't like him because of what he is doing to me. But I know that even though I don't like him, his soul is precious to Thee. I know that he is one of Thy beloved children, and I ask Thee to please help me to deal with him. I don't like him, so I ask Thee to help me to love him as Thou loves him." It didn't happen immediately, but over a couple months my heart softened. I was able to work with him without any anger or resentment. I was able to communicate with him in a kinder way that seemed to completely change all of our interactions. It seemed like when I started treating him with more kindness and consideration, he stopped doing most of the things that were making my life hard. I know that the change came because I asked for help to love him the way that Jesus loves him. Treating people with love has a powerful effect not only on others, but on us.

How I live my faith

It's hard to think of specific ways that I live my faith. To me, it is just who I am. I really enjoy going to church every Sunday, because I love how I feel when I'm there. I serve in the auxillary organization called Primary, which is a program for children ages 18 months to 12 years. I love working with the children, and I especially love helping the grown-ups who also work with the children. I get to visit different congregations that meet in different buildings and help support them as they teach Heavenly Father's children that He lives, that He loves them, that Jesus Christ is their Savior, and that even in a hard and scary world, it is possible to be happy.

My faith has been both tried and strengthened since I've been unemployed. I have experienced fear and worry about the future, but I have also felt the sweet peace of the Holy Ghost testifying to me of the fact that my Savior loves me, and that my Heavenly Father is aware of my situation and my struggles. No matter what, I know that I am a beloved daughter of God, and that helps me to continue moving forward through my challenges. I have prayed a lot about my long and so far unsuccessful job search. I have felt over and over again that everything is going to be fine, and that sweet assurance is what keeps me going.

What is the role of the husband and the wife in the family?

Colleen answered...

In the family, the husband's role is to preside, provide, and protect his wife and children. The mother's role is to support her husband and nurture their children. The man and the woman are equal partners and if both will commit completely to love and obey Heavenly Father, love and support each other, and to love and care for their children, then that family can experience happiness and joy, no matter what trials or challenges they may face.
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Jocelyn answered...

The role of husband and wife in the family is to first and foremost love each other! Wow, revolutionary!!!
I have found that when there is love and complete commitment between my husband and I, there is no problem that we cannot face together. It is much easier to teach the children with love and to handle life's challenges.
My husband and I are equals. I feel loved, respected, and appreciated by him. I hope he feels the same things from me.

What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Jonathan answered...

We absolutely believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe that He was the God of the Old Testament. Under the direction of the Father, He created the earth. He spoke to the Old Testament prophets such as Noah, Abraham and Moses. He was born to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. He walked among the people of Palestine, working many mighty miracles. He suffered and died for our sins. He rose from the grave and ascended to Heaven to stand on the right hand of the Father. We believe that He appeared alongside the Father to the prophet Joseph Smith. Today, He is at the head of our church and leads it through the prophet and twelve apostles. He will come again to reign upon the earth with all those who have faith in Him. Through Him, and Him alone, we can be forgiven for our sins and receive eternal live in the Kingdom of God.