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Meet the Liberty Stake Primary Presidency
Meet the leaders who were called this summer
Norma King, Media Director (Rush Creek Ward)
Natalie Bergin, Stake Primary President
Childhood, Family, Education & Employment
My family and I have lived in Liberty for about nine years. My husband, James, and I have three children—Ian, Anna, and Nathan. I grew up in Alamo, California, in the East Bay area near San Francisco. James and I met on a blind date while at BYU. Later, while James was in law school, I taught math at a community college in Connecticut. After his clerkship and a few job opportunities, we felt like Kansas City was the right place for us, and we’ve been here ever since.
Childhood Memory That Developed Your Testimony of Jesus Christ
In Primary I was told I’d feel the Spirit, but I never really did. Years later, even after finishing the Book of Mormon in high school, I was frustrated that I didn’t feel much of anything. A while later a thought came: “You already know—stop waiting for some huge sign.” It was the first time I recognized the spirit and I realized for my whole life the spirit had been speaking to me through thoughts in my mind, not strong feelings.
Experience That Shaped Your Testimony
It is all the myriad of small experiences that have shaped me, but if I could sum them up into one sentence a mantra of mine is “Mistakes are opportunities to learn.”
Favorite Calling in Primary and What Do You Enjoy Most About Working with Children
My dream calling would be Primary pianist—I get to sub for it a lot, but I’ve never actually had the calling. A girl can hope, right? I’ve been the Primary music leader a number of times, and while it’s both wonderful and a little exhausting, I honestly think it’s one of the most important callings in Primary. There’s just nothing like music to invite the Spirit, and the Primary songs are still the ones that have stayed with me since my own Primary days.
Best Part of Primary?
The innocence of the children and the pure spirit that can be there because of them.
Superpower in Primary
Knowing people’s names is very important to me and, although it is not a superpower of mine yet, I have a goal to be able to know the name of each child in the Liberty Missouri Stake.
Ways to Focus on the Savior
When hard things come up, turning to the Savior just kind of happens naturally for me. The trickier part is when life’s going well—I definitely find it harder to keep my focus then. What helps me are those habits I’ve had since I was a Primary child: going to church every week, trying to really read my scriptures, and continuous dialogue of prayer throughout the day–those little routines keep me connected.
Nicole Austin, Stake Primary First Counselor
Childhood, Family, Education & Employment
Married to Matt Austin (Stake High Council). We have six children: Mackenzie is freshman at BYU Provo, Aubrey is 11th grade, Reid is 7th grade, Autumn is 5th grade, Lennox is 3rd grade and Skylar is 1st grade.
My husband and I are both originally from Iowa near the Des Moines area. We moved to the Kansas City area after following a prompting to move out of Provo, UT where we lived for almost 5yrs. Covid allowed for us to relocate back to the Midwest and our goal was to move where there was a temple close by. I work full-time(remote) for SAP Concur as a Commercial Finance Manager for the Americas region.
Childhood Memory That Developed Your Testimony of Jesus Christ
I am a convert to the church and joined in my late 20s. Growing up I always believed in God and the power of prayer. I attended many different churches growing up and fellowship was an important part of my faith journey. I think having Christ-like attributes, regardless of your religious affiliations, can make all the difference in someone’s life. Learning to love and serve others has had this had a huge impact on my life, both on the giving and receiving side.
Experience That Shaped Your Testimony
I think it’s important to counsel together as husband and wife as well as with your children. Communication is the key with any relationship. Our family roles have changed over the years and we always adapt to what works best for our family. We find balance in who is going to attend certain activities for the kids and sometimes we divide and conquer. We try not to overfill our schedules so we don’t burn out, and we pick up the slack when the other person needs help. It’s not always perfect, but we find what works for us.
Favorite Calling in Primary and What Do You Enjoy Most About Working with Children
Being the Primary secretary is one of the best callings, as you get to know all of the children and their families. I think you also build relationships with the teachers and other leaders in Primary.
Best Part of Primary?
The best part of Primary is hearing the children give talks and watching their testimonies grow–also, hearing the children sing and feeling the strong spirit in the room as they sing.
Superpower in Primary
I started babysitting at an early age, and babies and children always loved me. I’ve always been told I’m good with children. Seeing children learn and grow their testimony is such a sweet experience. All kids deserve to feel love and be loved. I think showing children in Primary how much their Heavenly Father loves them is one of the greatest gifts we can teach children.
Ways to Focus on the Savior
Frequent temple attendance has changed my life. One year ago my husband and I committed to weekly temple attendance, and we prioritize this in our lives. We schedule out three sessions at a time and we go separately when we cannot go together. When you put God first, everything else works out. Our family has seen the blessings of regular temple attendance in our lives.
Kimberlee Ames, Stake Primary Second Counselor
Childhood, Family, Education & Employment
I moved to Kearney, Missouri, from Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 10. I graduated from high school there, attended my first YSA activity in Independence, Missouri, where I met my husband Rodney. We have raised our four children in Missouri. They are now married, so we now have a total of eight children (lol) with eight grandchildren. We lived in Independence for eight years during undergraduate studies and law school. We then moved to Kearney for three years, and then to Liberty.
Childhood Memory That Developed Your Testimony of Jesus Christ
A memory from my childhood would have to be the time that I was five years old in Logan, Utah. We were staying with my grandparents for the Easter season and all had gathered at the tabernacle for an Easter egg hunt. Afterwards, as all the families were getting into their cars, I decided to hide and see if anyone would notice. (Obviously I was in need of some attention?-haha) Well they all drove off without me and I remember being so frightened and decided that I would try and follow the tire tracks on the road. That didn’t last very long before I realized that I was completely lost. I then saw some bushes and crawled back behind them and apologized that I had done what I had done and then prayed that I would know how to get home. After crawling from behind those bushes, a police officer spotted me and ended up taking me to the police department where we called my grandma. Fun fact, my grandma’s name is Bonnie and when the police officer asked me if I remembered her name, I told him that it had to do with butter, (Bonnie Butter) and that is how the police officer was able to locate her in the yellow pages (old school). I got to ride to her house in the police car and was showered with the much attention needed by my cousins and family. But most importantly, I learned that day that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will hear and answer prayers, especially a child’s prayer. I’ve since learned, the answer may not be so immediate, but the answers do come.
Experience That Shaped Your Testimony
In asking what has helped shape my life up to this point, it would definitely have to be the calling of motherhood. Having to rely on the Holy Ghost to bring to my remembrance the doctrines and principles learned and understood but mostly how to teach those doctrines and principles to my children when they were little, then as they grew into adults. I would study and learn many parenting philosophies and techniques but when it all came down to it, I definitely received a testimony that “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. That the study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker that a study of behavior will improve behavior”- Boyd K Packer
Favorite Calling in Primary and What Do You Enjoy Most About Working with Children
My most favorite calling in Primary would have to be Primary President because I’ve only served in Primary as President-haha. Being with the children and watching them sing and feel the Spirit is THE BEST. I love watching them feel safe and happy, and love watching the teachers interact with them and love them.
Best Part of Primary?
The best part of Primary is most definitely singing time. I think one finds that children won’t remember a lesson that was taught by a teacher, but will always remember the songs that were sung and learned in Primary/singing time.
Ways to Focus on the Savior
What helps me when challenges arise in my life, and helps me stay focused on the Savior during challenges, is going back to basics. The scriptures, the words of the living prophets, going back to the foundational precepts that Heavenly Father has given us. Communicating with Him, and finding meaningful time alone with Him. Daily prayer, scripture study, placing high priority on families, and to serve and minister to others. And lastly assessing myself, and my relationship to myself. Meaning, that I take the time to walk in nature, enjoy God’s creation, ponder the truths of the restoration, and what they mean to me personally, as to see myself and Heavenly Father sees me.
Sandy Millett, Stake Primary Secretary
Childhood, Family, Education & Employment
My husband and I both grew up in Davis, California. We’ve known each other our whole lives, even went to nursery together. We were married in the Oakland California Temple in 2005. He has worked for Oracle (formally Cerner) for the last 15 years. And I work from home as a medical biller. We have one amazing son who is 6.5 years old and just started first grade. He is our never-ending joy and we are so thankful for him.
Childhood Memory That Developed Your Testimony of Jesus Christ
My testimony for Jesus Christ has always been there. I don’t remember ever not knowing He was my Savior. However, my time at Girls Camp in Northern California really solidified my testimony and rooted my faith even more.
Experience That Shaped Your Testimony
As the youngest of eight children, I have been able to watch my siblings enter different milestones in their lives and learn from them.
Favorite Calling in Primary and What Do You Enjoy Most About Working with Children
I think being a Primary teacher is just about the best calling there is. I learn so much from Heavenly Father’s children. Their pure hearts and simple way of seeing things helps me to be grounded and is the perfect way to start a new week.
Best Part of Primary?
Without a doubt singing time is the best. These beautiful songs sung by such sweet spirits fill my soul and makes me want to try harder everyday. It amazes me how their testimonies really shine through as they sing.
Superpower in Primary
Children have an innate ability to tell if you are nervous around them and if they can trust you. I think my former years as a teacher and my experience with my own 37 nieces and nephews, has made me so comfortable with children that they know and can tell I am safe for them.
Ways to Focus on the Savior
My amazing husband, family, and friends who are a sounding board for me, help me stay focused on what’s important. Attending the temple as often as possible and daily prayer keeps my relationship to the Savior strong and something almost tangible.