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Hi I'm Jennifer.
About Me
I am an athlete: basketball, running, yoga, tennis, cycling, weights, swimming, volleyball & more. I am a bit competitive and love board games too -especially scrabble. My husband won't play with me anymore because he got sick of losing. That's probably because I love words too. I got my college degree in Journalism and hope to write a book one day. For now the only time I have to write comes in the form of my journals or our family blog. I also love photography and have won awards for some of my photos. I also love food! I live to eat instead of eat to live (which is why I exercise so much). I wasn't always an athlete. In fact, I thought people who ran for fun were just gluttons for punishment. Run a 5K was on my "bucket list," so a few years ago I started training. I was a couch potato and it was a struggle. Eventually though, I made it and went on to run a marathon the next year. Now I routinely run the distance of a 5K & continue to run in longer races for charity- like the 10 miler I'm running in April for a local hospital. I even organized a 5K for two years to benefit the local food bank. I am blessed to have four amazing and beautiful daughters that teach me so much and a husband who supports me in all I do. I love to sing and participate in the church choir. I enjoy acting and have participated in many productions and look forward to being on stage again before too long. I have many interests and hobbies which explains why I'm always on the go, but what mom isn't?
Why I am a Mormon
It took me a long time to find my self-worth. When I was growing up I was always taller than everyone else. I was also overweight and felt unattractive. I had big ugly glasses, never wore cool clothes that fit right and had no talents that I could see. I didn't like myself so I couldn't blame anyone else for not liking me either. I struggled with depression until I learned that I was basing my self-worth on the wrong things. Instead of the temporary things, like my appearance, I should have based my worth on eternal truths. Eventually I realized that no matter what, I was a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I have a divine parentage, which makes me a daughter of a king. I also recognized that God loves me unconditionally and always will, no matter what I look like or do, because I am His child. Once I based my self-worth on these eternal truths, my life changed. I learned that when I was in the service of my fellow man, I was happiest. I stopped worrying about myself and began to see that there were people worse off than me who were happy so I could be too. I began to volunteer my time to various charities and wherever I saw a need. My depression lifted and I began to see myself as the Lord sees me. I learned to stretch myself and began to grow and develop new talents. I felt like I had been the Ugly Duckling. Everything changed when I learned I was truly a swan and I began to look more like one on the inside and out.
Personal Stories
How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?
Our family reads the Book of Mormon daily after dinner. We finish eating and pass around copies of the book and take turns reading. It brings a peace into our home as we spend time together unplugged and uninterrupted. We study how to be more like our Savior and how to return to live with our Father in Heaven again. We find answers to our problems within it's pages and are reminded of eternal truths. Our home is always a better place after we have read the scriptures.
How I live my faith
I am the Compassionate Service Leader in my congregation's women's organization. That means I get to organize our service projects within our community. If we have a sister that had a baby, was ill or injured, then I make arrangements for meals to be brought into her family to help lighten her load. If a family is moving, we have helped them pack and clean to prepare for their move. If we have a sister who is experiencing grief, I find ways to bring her joy, such a card signed from her friends or a basket of goodies to let her know we care. If we have a funeral, I organize the meal for the family afterwards. If we have a food drive, I help organize it. All of these little things help me meet the needs of our community and bring great joy. I feel so blessed to be a part of making someone else's burden easier.
