Chelsey Ortega: Latter-day Saint, Woman, Dancer, Book Worm, Student, Wife, Mother.

October 2, 2013

As I have read recent articles and blog-posts about the Ordain Women Movement (OWM) in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have had lots of thoughts and emotions going crazy in my head.  Tonight it got so crazy that I decided I needed to put pen to paper (metaphorically, I’m actually typing this up).  This is more for me – so that I can understand myself – more than it is for others, and I am not sure if I am going to post this, so if you are reading this: congratulations. J

I was born into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My parents were sealed in the Manti, Utah Temple and I was born a year and four months later.  I was baptized when I was eight years old.  I remember when my mom told me that I would need to meet with our Bishop before I could be baptized; I asked her what the Bishop would say in the interview.  She told me that he would ask me if I wanted to be baptized (or maybe if I was ready to be baptized – I can’t remember the exact wording).  I asked, “What if I say no?”  My mom replied, “Then you won’t get baptized.”  I remember freaking out and exclaiming that I wanted to be baptized, to which my mom responded then I should tell my bishop yes.  I didn’t realize at the time, but my mom was teaching me that my entire religious life would be based on my choices.  I believe that she truly at that time was allowing me to choose to get baptized.  She was not choosing for me.  During my teenage years I realized what she was teaching me that day.  And I feel like all of my choices have been because I felt them important, I have never felt forced.  Do I always understand why I make a choice?  No.  I use the Spirit and faith for that.

I was born a girl (surprise!) and I am now a 22-year-old woman (23 if you are reading this after October 25^th).  I feel very blessed to live in a time and country where women can vote, work and most important choose to work and vote.  I feel very comfortable with the woman that I have become, and do not feel like I am missing anything due to my gender (except maybe 2 or 3 more kids ;) – but those will come later).

I have taken all sorts of dance classes since I was three years old: Jazz, Tap, Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop and Ballroom Dance.  Ballroom Dance was my main focus during my teenage years.  I performed on my middle school team, my high school team, BYU’s teams and Center Stage’s Adults In Motion team.  I danced competitively while I was in high school and my first year and half at BYU.  Dance does something to my soul that I cannot explain.  It makes me so happy and creates this warm fuzzy feeling inside.  I believe that dancing to certain songs or a dance that sends a specific message can create a very spiritual feeling.

I love to read!  My parents taught me how to read, and before I entered kindergarten I was reading the Babysitter series all by myself.  When I was nine years old my Aunt Vickie got me into Harry Potter (the first three were already published at that time); and I grew up every two years standing in line at midnight to purchase the next book.  My mom stood in line with my brother, Michael, and I for the fourth book, my dad for the fifth, my cousin Jason for the sixth and my cousin Spencer for the seventh (that was my favorite standing-in-line experience, we had so much fun!).  But the most important book I have read is The Book of Mormon.  The first time I read it all the way through, by myself I was eight years old.  I read it for the Faith In God award in Primary (at least I think that’s what the award is called).  I’m pretty sure I only understood the stories that I already had memorized.  The second time I read it I was twelve and was reading it for the Faith Personal Progress project in Young Women.  I probably understood a bit more, but I was on a deadline, so I zoomed through it.  The third time I read it I was fifteen and was reading it for President Hinckley’s challenge to read it by Christmas.  I also zoomed through it this time.  The fourth time I read it was my freshman year at BYU for my Book of Mormon religion class.  I felt like I was beginning to understand a bit more because I had a professor helping me.  My fifth time reading it has been my favorite time.  I started reading it when I found out I was pregnant with Benjamin.  I finished it a week after he was born – if I would have known I was going to be in labor for 60 hours I would have finished it at the hospital!  Unlike my first four times reading the Book of Mormon, I was not on a time limit to finish.  I took my sweet time.  And I felt my faith, testimony and understanding of the Book of Mormon grow tremendously.  I probably still don’t know it as well as the missionaries.  I can’t quote verses and say what book and chapter they come from – I can paraphrase though!  However, I can say with all my heart that I know the Book of Mormon is true – I know that what is written in there is true historically and spiritually.  I know that Jesus Christ visited the people of the Americas, and I know that this book testifies of him.  I absolutely cannot wait to purchase the picture book of the Book of Mormon and read it to Benjamin!

I am currently attending Brigham Young University.  I am majoring in History Teaching and my minor is Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL).  Most of the people that I went to high school with have already graduated or are about to graduate from college.  The fact that I won’t be graduating until April of 2015 is a little disheartening.  I took a break to have Benjamin and now that he is here I will only be attending part-time.  It’s ok though, he was totally worth it, and I am proud of the fact that I am continuing and will finish and earn my degree eventually.  I love going to BYU.  It was the only school that I applied to and was so happy to get in.  I love the religious additions that the professors bring to their classes – especially my history professors!

I met my husband when I was 18, we got engaged when I was 19 and we got married in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple three months before I turned 20.  I am a huge advocate for marriage.  We read in the Doctrine and Covenants that marriage in the temple is the New and Everlasting Covenant.  I cried during our sealing ceremony, and my wedding day is one of the top of the best days in my life.  Yes there are moments where marriage is really hard.  There have been moments where I have been so mad at my husband that I have seriously contemplated locking our bedroom door and making him sleep on the couch, but then I realize that I would also be sleeping alone, and quite honestly I am scared of the dark.  So my fear trumps my anger.  Plus we can usually work things out pretty quickly.  Marriage really does take sacrifices.  I believe that I have made some big sacrifices – well to me they were big.  My husband has also made sacrifices during our marriage.  I’m not going to give any examples because I feel like that part of our marriage is for us alone.  Both of us are very happy with the choices we have made together and for each other.  We love each other so much and now extend our love to our son.

 

On July 3, 2012 my husband and I found out I was pregnant.  It felt so surreal that a tiny person was inside me.  We told my parents that day and told my husband’s parents two weeks later.  We ended up telling other family members at a family reunion because I was a little too obviously sick and throwing up.  But the details of my pregnancy for another time.  After 60 hours of labor Benjamin Gerson Ortega entered this life on March 10, 2013 at 11:31 am.  (Once again, the details are for another time.)  Becoming a mom was honestly one of the most spiritual experiences of my life.  When the nurses placed Benjamin into my arms I remember feeling this overwhelming amount of peace, love and calm.  There are several different types of moms out there.  I am currently a stay-at-home-student-mom.  I am currently not working, but I do attend classes at BYU three times a week for two hours.  When I graduate I will be a stay-at-home-mom, and when my youngest enters school (whenever that will be) I will be a working mom.  I think that motherhood is wonderful and an important aspect of a woman’s life.

What does this have to do with the OWM?  Probably nothing.  When I first started typing this I originally planned on quoting different thoughts on OWM from different articles and blog-posts and then expressing my opinion about each quote.  Instead, I discovered who I am and shared what is in my heart.  I’ll admit that I was angry with these women at first, but “who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly?”  They are daughters of God just like me.  Being exposed to their questions and wants through the media has made me question my feelings on my place in the LDS Church.  I can firmly state that I am 100% comfortable with the role that I have chosen to take.  I am happy where I stand, and I believe all other women deserve to be happy too – even if what makes them happy is different than what makes me happy.  I want to thank all those writers about this movement for motivating me to really look at myself.  I know that Heavenly Father loves me; I know that he loves those women, and I know that he loves you.

Now I invite you to find some words that describe who you are.  Elaborate on them in your mind or on paper.  As you do you will discover what a unique and amazing person you are.  And don’t forget: you are a child of God.