A little about me… how I would introduce myself.

Lucy is 14. She is sassy and loves Dr. Pepper. She is currently cast as Earthworm in AFJR High’s James and the Giant Peach.

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Cole is 10. He’s fun. His favorite thing in first grade on his about me poster was this: A good plan. Yep.

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Peter: Peter T. Anderson. The T stands for Trouble. Need I say more?

I’ve been married to my best friend, Barry, for 17 years. We have three kids and we have lived in AF for 8 years. Some of the places we’ve lived besides here is Las Vegas and Mesa Arizona.

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I love dirty sodas and my roadbike. Like, ALOT. And I write really bad poetry in my free time.

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I grew up in MD just outside of Washington D.C. My favorite smell is AZ in Nov/Dec. The air smells like citrus. So the smell of Christmas, to me, is lemons and limes.

When other people introduce me it sounds like this…

Kristen Anderson is a 6th grade teacher in Alpine School District with a Master’s degree in Education through WGU. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from BYU-Idaho in General Studies with a minor in English Literature. Kristen brings a diverse background in both education and family support work.

Kristen holds certifications in Family Studies, Family Services, Family Conflict Resolution, Teaching English to Foreign Language Learners (TEFL), and Trauma-Informed Teaching through BYU–Pathway Worldwide/and Westminster College. She also has professional experience working with the American Fork Police Department in Youth Risk Prevention, where she focused on supporting and guiding at-risk youth and families in conflict.

With a passion for helping individuals grow—academically, emotionally, and spiritually—Kristen currently serves on the UEI (Utah Education Initiative) Area Leadership Council for the Church and as the Stake Education Specialist. Kristen is enjoying working with youth and adults alike to build confidence, resilience, and purposeful direction in their lives.

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But if you had seen me back then…

Not the path I planned

• Years of instability, including seasons of near homelessness
• Lost my dad at 15
• Helping raise 6 younger siblings
• Including teaching them 1st-4th grade,
• homeschooling myself

What that looked like…

• Teaching violin lessons on weeknights
• Waitressing whenever I could
• Working as a carnival worker/pony walker every Saturday, 5 a.m. to midnight
• Late night/early morning cram sessions for school after seminary and before work
• Saving every penny I earned that didn’t go towards supporting my siblings and mom.
• Learning to carry more than most teenagers should
• Loving and attending institute classes

While others were applying to college or preparing to serve missions…

• I prayed about a mission and felt guided to serve differently, this was a hard answer for me
• Worked with CES as an EFY Field Coordinator for 3 years, instead
• Traveled, testified, and brought youth closer to Christ, this was an awesome good time.
• Served in Ghana, helping dig wells and working in school

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In the background,

God was teaching me exactly what I would need, every step of the way.

My path didn’t look traditional…

• Started at community college, transferred to a four year later.
• Traveled to China to teach English, got stuck there for 13 months.
• Attended BYU–Provo, got married, dropped out to raise kids
• Built a career as a lifestyle photographer for 7 years, photographing end of life care/bereavement
• Went back to school in 2022
• Finished my degrees/certifications through BYU–Idaho/WGU online

Definitely not a straightforward path.

Along the way…

• ADHD, perfectionism
• Grief, loss
• Depression/anxiety
• Living with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, chronic health issues, infertility, and many surgeries
• Learning, slowly, how to keep going even though my skills and learning abilities were underdeveloped.

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“Different paths can still lead exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Why am I sharing this?

Because in some of my hardest years, the Lord taught me how to move forward one small, intentional step at a time.

The principles and strategies I’m about to teach you aren’t just ideas, they’re tools I used to survive that season… and they’re the same ones I still use today to move forward with clarity and purpose.

Education is a Commandment

“For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea — it’s a commandment. We are to learn ‘of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad’ (Doctrine and Covenants 88:79–80). ...

“You have a duty to learn as much as you can. Please encourage your families, your quorum members, everyone to learn and become better educated. If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your ‘university’ — a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply. Strive to increase your knowledge of all that is ‘virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.’ Seek knowledge ‘by study and also by faith.’ Seek with a humble spirit and contrite heart. As you apply the spiritual dimension of faith to your study — even of temporal things — you can amplify your intellectual capacity, for ‘if your eye be single to [God’s] glory, your whole [body] shall be filled with light, and … [comprehend] all things’” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:67).

— President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Two Principles for Any Economy,” October 2009 general conference

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Pursue the Right Higher Education

We would say, ‘Pursue higher education, but the right higher education for the person.’ For some, it is going to be vocational and the trades. For some, it is going to be college and academia. For some, it may be another approach that continues to expand their minds and their capacities and their talents and abilities. And if they will involve the Lord, then we can help them with all of … the logistical things.”

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— President D. Todd Christofferson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now second counselor in the First Presidency, Church News podcast, Dec. 10, 2024

Lifting People Spiritually, Temporally

“A core tenet of our faith is the importance of education. Many early Church converts in the 1830s were poor and uneducated, and their conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ fueled their desire for learning.

“Interestingly, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the few religions where the more education you receive, the more committed you are to the religion. Pew Research found over 80% of Latter-day Saint college graduates describe their religion as ‘very important.’ …

“As a Church, we believe that education can lift people both spiritually and temporally, and we have developed BYU–Pathway to ensure our people have access to affordable, high-quality education everywhere in the world.”

— Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, address to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., May 26, 2022

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Education Takes Faith

“Faith is defined as a conviction so strong that it causes us to act in a way we otherwise would not act. It can be directed to many things. Going through the many deprivations and stresses of an education takes faith that this will give a better life later. Surely many of you and your families know this. To serve the Lord and keep His commandments during a time of higher education takes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His promises. … Do your best and then trust in the Lord and His timing.”

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— President Dallin H. Oaks, “Faith,” BYU–Idaho devotional, Nov. 16, 2021

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Clarity Creates Momentum

• Setting Academic, Financial, Spiritual & Mental Health Goals

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• “You do not need to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Vague Goals = Vague Stress

• “I should…”

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• Clear Goals = Direction
• “By ___, I will…”

Heaven Meets Motion

• “It is expedient that you should study it out in your mind; then you must ask…” – Doctrine & Covenants 9:8

90-Day Academic Goal

• By __________ (Date), I will:

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• Apply to ___ programs
• Raise GPA from ___ to ___
• Complete FAFSA
• Finish prerequisite
• Meet with advisor

Financial Independence = Margin

• Income – Expenses = Margin
• Margin = Options
• Options = Peace

Spiritual Development Goal

• By ______ (Date), I will:

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• Study scripture daily for ___ days
• Attend the temple ___ times
• Pray specifically about direction
• Fast once for clarity

Brain Health Is Stewardship

• By ______ (Date), I will:

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• Sleep before midnight on weekdays
• Limit social media to ___
• Exercise ___ times per week
• Journal ___ times weekly
• Schedule counseling

Mental Strength = Choosing Your Next Step

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• Simone Biles simplified her routine to stay in control
• She didn’t aim for perfect—she aimed for steady
• You don’t need a full life plan
• You need a clear, doable next step

Bottom line:� Direction comes from action, not having everything figured out

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Discussion & Q&A

• “What questions do you have about building your life intentionally?”

Movement. Then Miracle.

• “Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things.” – Alma 32:21