Shining Sister

Shining Sister Becky Wise

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in several places. I am the second oldest of 7 kids. My family is really close (in age and in our relationships with each other!). We lived in Sandy, UT initially and then moved to Layton, UT when I was 6. Our family moved to Los Alamitos, CA when I was 14 and stayed there for my sophomore and junior years of high school. Then we moved to Minnesota when I was a senior in high school. Although it was hard to start over, especially during my senior year, I am grateful for the experiences and friends that came with each move.

I left Minnesota to come out to BYU. It was at BYU that I started thinking about serving a mission. I had never really considered it before, but after talking to returned missionaries and taking a Mission Prep class, I decided that I wanted to serve. I was called to the Phoenix, AZ mission, Spanish speaking. I loved my mission and am so grateful I had the opportunity to serve!

Family

I met my husband, Elias, at BYU. We were both in the same undergraduate program--Geography, with an emphasis in Urban Planning. We met when Elias started talking to me in class one day. It wasn't until after talking with him that I noticed that he was in 3 of my other classes! We became friends with a group of students that were in our program and started spending a lot of time together. We dated for 3 months and got engaged! We were then engaged for 6 months, and got married in June of 2010.

Our son, Helam, was born in April. He is 7 months old now and learning new tricks every day! He recently learned how to climb up the stairs and pull himself into a standing position. Oh, and he just got his first two teeth! He is so much fun and keeps me busy!

What kinds of things do you enjoy?

I enjoy reading (just finished Harry Potter 7 again), singing, scrapbooking, and organizing. I love being a mom--best job ever!

Any inspirational quotes/songs/sayings/advice that gets you through hard times or you just love.

I have a couple of scriptures that help me when I get down: D&C 123:17 and Alma 26:27.

I also keep the word ANIMO on my mirror to remind me to keep going and stay positive. It is a Spanish word that doesn't translate well...it means "come on", encouragement, energy, courage...

Music always cheers me up, especially Broadway and Christmas! :)

Shining Sister (New name for the spotlight)

(Isn't Linda stunning?!)

Shining Sister of the week:

Linda May Kurtz (Williams) Van Orman

Was born in Portland, Oregon in October of 1948. In 1959 we moved to New Jersey and my Dad worked in New York City.

In 1964 we moved to Chicago where I graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.

I have many great memories of my childhood: going to the beach in Oregon with my parents; seeing Broadway shows in New York; a fun vacation on Cape Cod; a great older brother that took me on dates and tried to teach me how to behave. Mike is 8 years older than I am. My parents were fabulous and gave me many opportunities like dance lessons, voice lessons, lots of traveling and great lessons on manners and how a lady behaves!!!

I graduated from BYU in 1970 with a degree in Music and Speech & Drama and have been privileged to go on two USO Tours throughout the Far East and to teach all three subjects in my 18 years as a teacher at Dixon Middle School. I began my career at KIXX and then KEYY Radio in Provo where I was a secretary and had my own one hour show each day. I once interviewed Robert Redford and he was a true gentleman!

I have 3 wonderful sons from my first marriage and Peter has 4 beautiful daughters from his first marriage (I was a single mother for 10 years and then was blessed to marry Peter in 1998)....So together we have 7 children, 7 spouses of those children and 25 grandchildren. Our oldest grandson is currently in the MTC learning Mandarin Chinese which he will use in the Calgary, Alberta Mission.

My favorite quote is from a song in the Sound of Music Movie:

"A bell's not a bell till you ring it;

A Song's not a song till you sing it.

And love in your heart wasn't put there to stay

Love isn't love till you give it away!"

My favorite songs are "I Heard Him Come" or "Because I Have Been Given Much."

Note: Linda wrote this in an email to me and I changed nothing because it was so beautifully written. What an amazing life she has had thus far. You are loved Linda! I hope you feel like the "Shining Sister" that you are!

Up and Running!

I am back from the hottest summer of my life spent in Dallas, Texas. This blog will be back up and running from now on with more exciting posts to look forward to!
Since there has been a lot of new move-ins recently, I thought it would be fun to spotlight a sister every couple of weeks. It will include basic and fun information about the spotlighted sister. So, if I (Pregnant Courtney Gray) call you and ask to interview you, you will know what I am asking. I prefer to come interview you in your home, but if that cannot be arranged, a phone interview will surely be acceptable.
Be looking forward to my call :)

In the mean time, be looking forward to the General Relief Society Meeting on Sept. 24th, at 6pm.

Goals

As I was reading through our Relief Society yellow book, I noticed that it has goals for 2011. If you haven't started these goals, now is as good as time as ever!

1. Increase computer literacy among the sisters.
2. Increase scripture study (New Testament & Book of Mormon)
3. Help each sister to feel loved and wanted at all times.

Remember these fun activities

Play Group: Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Young Mothers and children come together to have fun in the cultural hall.

Cozy Corner Crocheters: The 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Carolyn Davis' home.

Book Nook: The 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1:30. Call Gigi Berrett (221-2991) if you have a question.

Girls Night Out: A night for young mothers to leave the children at home and get together for some fun. Call Kaysee Leishman for details.




*Note*
Claire Hudman is at Stonehenge in room 213. She will be there another few weeks.

Upcoming Event

May 10th 7 p.m.
The Director of Turning Point at UVU will speak to us. We would encourage everyone to bring at least one nice, clean outfit to donate to Turning Point. They can use dresses, suits and business casual outfits. Anything that women could wear to job interviews and to work.

More March Birthdays

Julie Nelson- March 25th
Geniel Roper- March 26th
Sara Call - March 27th
Claire Hudman- March 28th