Emily Madsen:  

I was born in California on December 2, 1973, to Dennis and Melody Downing. I was the first daughter born to my parents after my two older brothers were born. I moved to Boise, Idaho in 1980. The first school I remember attending was Koelsch Elementary in Boise. Later, my parents moved to 4948 Maverick, in Boise and I attended Lake Hazel Primary, Lake Hazel Elementary and finally Silver Sage Elementary. My parents divorced when I was in 4th grade. After elementary school, I attended Lake Hazel Junior High and Meridian High School. During my junior year at Meridian High, I became pregnant and transferred to Booth Memorial High school for my senior year. While I was in high school, I worked at Burger King. During the fall of my senior year, I gave birth to Carson in 1991. After finishing my 1st semester of my senior year, I moved to Michigan with my aunt and uncle. I lived there for 9 months while I completed a couple of credits and finished high school. I, then, returned to Boise and met and married Frank Madsen III, in 1993. We added a second child, Britton, to our family in 1994. I had just started working at Micron Custom Manufacturing Services (MCMS). Frank and I moved to Meridian, Idaho and in 1997, we added our last addition to complete our family when Denn was born. In 1999, Frank and I bought our first house in Nampa, Idaho. I was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), however, I drifted from church shortly after I had Carson. It was a slow transition, but I felt that God would never forgive me for having Carson and I was reminded of that often inside the walls of church. The lack of peace and joy was on my mind a lot and I lost interest in an organization that did not give these things to me. In 2000, I was invited to a church my friend attended and that night I realized my need for Jesus and that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. Jesus found me i...Expand for more