Stephanie Thompson: A Picture of Strength and Determination
BY: ANNETTE REICH
Four Corners Home for Children President
Photo By: Shutterfreek
Stephanie Thompson; Christian, Wife, Mother, Friend, Mechanical Engineer. Wait, mechanical engineer? Yes, Stephanie Thompson is an intelligent, gifted, talented, and complex woman. She is not complex as in complicated, but complex as in a mosaic. Stephanie is a mosaic of many separate and diverse elements that come together to create a beautiful picture, a beautiful person. She is strong yet gentle, passionate yet patient, skilled and knowledgeable, yet still learning. Stephanie is noticeably independent and can be intimidating; she is immensely intelligent and is an uncommonly deep thinker. There is an ambiguity to Stephanie. In talking with her, one recognizes her comfort level in the male world of mechanical engineering. Yet, there are glimpses of a fun, whimsical girl that you want for your best friend. She could be characterized as fiercely loyal to the people and ideals that she believes in. Truth is one of those ideals. All in all, Stephanie Thompson is delightful.
Born in Shiprock, New Mexico, to Leonard and Susie Scott, Stephanie experienced what she describes as a pleasant childhood. When Stephanie was a little girl, her father enlisted in the Army, and he and Susie went off to Ft. Benning, Georgia, to set up house for Stephanie and her younger sister, Serena. During that time, the girls stayed in Shiprock with their maternal grandparents. Stephanie recalls this time with her grandparents as being among her fondest memories,
I remember hanging out with my grandparents during the weekends at their sheep camp, about thirty minutes from their house in Shiprock. We would play there and help care for the sheep. When we were not at the camp, my grandparents would take us on short drives up to Colorado. We would stop at a grocery store in Cortez or Durango, pick up bread and sandwich meat, and then head out on an adventure. My grandparents would tell us stories of when they were younger and worked on farms in Colorado. Their stories came alive as they would drive us by the actual farms where they worked.
I learned a lot about my heritage by spending time with my grandparents. We were spoken to in Navajo, ate traditional foods, and used traditional medicines. I am proud to be Navajo because I know that the people I come from are resilient, resourceful, and hospitable.
As Stephanie talks about the time she and Serena spent with their grandparents, it is easy to see her heart. She describes her grandmother as a strong-willed woman and becomes wistful as she reminisces about her grandfather,
During the school year, if we missed the bus in the early mornings, Grandpa would drive us to school, first stopping at the 7 to 11. There he would buy 5¢ candies for us to take to school. I had a good childhood. I had everything I needed, and everything I experienced and encountered made me who I am today.
After settling in at Ft. Benning, Stephanie’s parents came back to get the girls. Stephanie remembers the journey to Georgia, commenting that she cried all the way to Albuquerque. She did not want to leave her home and her grandparents for an unknown place. After a few years in Georgia, then Hawaii, the family returned to New Mexico, and Stephanie began attending school in Shiprock. She struggled through her freshman year, bored and unchallenged, and her grades reflected her disinterest. Although she cannot pinpoint the turning point for her, it occurred during the summer between her freshman and sophomore years. When Stephanie began her sophomore year of high school, everything was different. She pulled down straight A’s and started developing her plans to finish high school, get a degree in chemistry, pursue medical school and become a doctor.
That is the road I was on. I had my mind set on medical school and planned to specialize in the field of cardiology.
Stephanie was on a straight course and determined enough to follow it, but she met a young man during the latter part of high school, and the course of her life would soon change. A few months after graduating from Shiprock High School, Stephanie discovered she was pregnant. This unexpected turn of events in Stephanie’s life redirected her and delayed her slightly, but it did not stop her. With help and support from her family caring for baby Acelyne, Stephanie continued schooling through San Juan College.
At that time, Arizona Public Service was offering a summer internship program. Stephanie applied for the program and was accepted. She remembers touring through the facility,
When they took me on a tour through the power plant, I was just amazed at all the machinery! I remember thinking, how do I get into this field … ?
After her first summer there, the plant was doing an overhaul, so they kept her on temporarily. She went to SJC during the day, worked at APS until 1:00 or 2:30 a.m., home to sleep, then back up and off to school. Stephanie kept this rigorous schedule for two semesters. With an Associates of Science and Engineering degree in hand, she transferred to New Mexico State to finish the last half of her degree completion plan.
At this time, I had a mentor and stayed in contact with him when I was not in school. During summer and winter breaks, I would intern at APS. The last summer before graduating I expressed a desire to work at the power plant. My mentor recommended that I step away from APS and try something different in the field of engineering. It was good advice. I went to work for Raytheon as an engineer and fifteen years later, I am still there. In my first two years of employment I was able to complete my MBA.
Stephanie changes the direction of the conversation and begins to talk about her family. She shares that she met Hal Thompson when her daughter, Acelyne, was in middle school. She pauses for a reflective moment then comments,
I truly believe that although I was not a Christian at the time, God put Hal in my life. I believe this one man was placed in my life to take me down the path to meet God. I was not brought up in church, but Hal was. We became friends and started hanging out together. We recognized early on that we are incredibly like-minded. We would even think about the same things at the same time. That continues to this day!
During the course of their relationship, Stephanie and Hal, along with Acelyne, began attending Sagebrush Church in Farmington. After a short while, Stephanie knew God was speaking to her heart. In April of 2015, the three attended the local Passion Play during Easter week. One night at the Passion Play, Stephanie gave her life to Jesus Christ. The church hosted a huge baptism event at Lyons Wilderness Park that Memorial Day weekend, and Stephanie, Hal, and Acelyne were all baptized. This set them on a new course in their lives. Stephanie and Hal realized that God brought them together to be in a relationship that would honor Him and set an example for others. They were married in September 2015.
Stephanie describes her marriage to Hal as a work in progress. She confesses that being a new wife and a new Christian brings challenges to her life. Stephanie is an avid learner in all areas of life, including marriage. She and Hal regularly attend marriage events and conferences, absorbing everything they can to help sustain their marriage. When asked how her strengths play out in her marriage, Stephanie is quick to respond,
Hal and I are constantly learning about marriage and how to be married through conferences,watching marriage videos, reading the Bible, and leading Reengage Marriage Enrichment small groups for couples. Learning about marriage through different resources helps us along the way. They are a reminder to put each other first. I am strong-willed and have been independent most of my life; I don’t really need someone to take care of me. I am still in training as a wife and Christian, but I can serve my husband by working on myself and building my faith. We have been committed to our church life throughout our marriage which helps strengthen our relationship. Being ... I was just amazed at all the machinery! I remember thinking, how do I get into this field? ...
married to Hal has helped me learn that I do not have to do everything on my own. I can have a partner who has my same curiosity and will to do life together with me. I can be myself and still be part of a team with my best friend.
As Stephanie talks about her husband, one senses a man with a servant heart, always willing to help others. A calm, patient, soft-spoken man, who always sees the best in people. He is confident in himself and is not intimidated by having an intelligent, strong, and independent wife. Hal is comfortable in his role as a husband but does not exert his authority. Instead, he extends grace, giving room within the marriage for Stephanie to operate in her strengths.
When given the opportunity to talk about his wife, Hal Thompson does not hold back,
Stephanie is the best. She is strong and intelligent, and I noticed it right away. She is naturally confident and okay with being alone. Stephanie has great determination, and she is proven. I admire that.
Hal describes Stephanie as a mama bear and cautions anyone against “messing with her kid,”
Stephanie has always been there for Acelyne, has always wanted the best for her, and has sacrificed to make it happen. She sacrificed time with Acelyne early in her life to complete her schooling so she could provide for them as a family. That was difficult for Stephanie to do, but she did it knowing it was the best thing for her daughter.
Hal, too, notes the similarities between them, commenting that they are both strong-willed, determined, and stubborn, but it works in their favor.
We are in sync and are often thinking the same thing at the same time. We are like-minded, but it’s all natural, not forced. Our top two love languages are even the same, acts of service and quality time. We can serve one another in these ways and love each other because Christ first loved us.
Hal’s admiration for Stephanie is evident as he talks about her faith, commenting that faith is not a compartment of Stephanie’s life; it is always there in every aspect of her life. When asked how their marriage glorifies God, Hal answers, “we love each other despite our inconsistencies, we hold one another accountable, and we are servants to one another.” The Thompsons have only been married six years but were called to lead a couple’s group a year ago and then continued to meet with couples to do more in-depth Bible reading. This year they are leading a Reengage Marriage Enrichment group.
Whatever they are doing to keep their marriage strong, they should continue. Stephanie and Hal’s marriage exemplifies our relationship with Christ in the way they serve one another. They are strong in similar ways, but there is no competition between them. Hal makes room for Stephanie to be who she is, and operate in her strengths. Stephanie responds to Hal’s leadership as her husband even though she is well able to take care of herself. They have great respect for one another, working well together and leading other couples to have strong marriages.
As my interview with Stephanie winds to a close, I find that I am not quite ready to part company with her. When we first sat down, I had an impression of Stephanie as a gentle woman, compassionate and caring, knowledgeable, and wise. A woman who does not force her thoughts and opinions on others but is willing to share them when asked. When our interview ended, my impression of her had not changed, and I found myself wanting to talk with her even more. That chance will come, and I am already looking forward to it.