Shukria Mahmsoria came from Afghanistan about a year ago with her husband and children – Kabir, 13; Ramziea, 9; and Reza, 7. They are expecting another child in April. They chose to come to Utah because they felt it was “a good place with good people.” They remembered a woman who helped them when they…
Oasis Housing began with two women from the Utah State Hospital moving into Sharon Evan’s newly remodeled basement in February of 2017. Sharon shared her vision then of providing not just housing for those with mental illness, but helping them grow and blossom. Four years later, that growth is steady and gratifying. Like any gardening…
Many have been searching for or examining their faith as the pandemic continues to rage across the world. I have followed that pattern. Multiple evidences witness to me that we are not alone in this world nor governed by the winds of circumstance and man’s fallibility. I have felt God’s love, heard His voice in…
We begin the new year with this powerful tenet: “We believe in God and are women of faith.” This is a common theme about which we speak and write. But it is more than words and ideas. It is most powerful when modeled by the examples of women who live it. We invited such women…
Linda’s mom taught her about abundance–to be grateful rather than looking at what others had and wishing it were hers. When she was about 13, her girlfriends got a treasure trove of clothes and wonderful gifts and she complained a bit to her mom. “I wish I had …” BRAKES ON! Before she finished the…
We met two “cheerspreaders” when the newly-completed walking trail behind our home opened. In case you’re wondering, these are cheerleaders with powerful impact. They don’t just lead us in cheering on the team, they inspire us to be of good cheer and pass it along. Athletes and regular people like us flocked to the trail…
Calibrating Your Compass A compass is designed to aid in accurately navigating our travels. Ships and aircraft have highly refined devices, but nearly all of us carry a compass around in our phones. For the most part, my phone GPS saves me time and aggravation. Except when it decides to misbehave and send me off…
Tenille Farr loves Big Ocean Women. She proved it by finding time to chat with me for this article in the midst of company, three teenage sons involved in homecoming, ball games, her garden “on full strength,” canning, and a truckload of fruit to distribute. Seeing her jam-packed life, I offered to wait until another…
A virtual cottage meeting in August included members from several cottages. Big Ocean leaders added their thoughts and encouragement. Each attendee came away with a better understanding of the challenges women face and that many of these challenges are magnified by COVID-19. Not only did these women increase their knowledge, they found wisdom to help…
Nyachangkuoth Rambang Tai, also known as Tai, is the cottage president of the South Sudan Cottage. She recently shared how the donations from Big Ocean Women made an important start in lifting and caring for women and their families there. With painstaking care, Tai itemized the purchases made, accounting for all the funds. Can you…