Meet Betty Urzua

We recently connected with Betty Urzua and have shared our conversation below.

Betty, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

It all started when I met my husband. Through him, I was introduced to new people, fresh ideas, and perspectives I had never encountered before. He handed me two books that would change the course of my life: From Fury to Freedom and The Magic of Thinking Big.

The first book, From Fury to Freedom, told the story of a dramatic conversion to Christianity. When I reached that part, I paused. I closed the book and thought deeply. I had a choice to make: I could either set it aside and continue believing what I had always been told—that Christianity wasn’t for me—or I could lean in and explore it for myself. I chose to lean in. That moment was the beginning of my personal transformation.

The second book, The Magic of Thinking Big, opened my eyes to the fact that I had a choice in how I lived and thought. Up until then, I believed I was simply “the way I was”—stuck with my insecurities, my self-doubt, and a version of myself I didn’t like. But that book introduced me to the possibility of change. It planted the seed that I could grow.

I started reading more books and discovered the power of self-talk. I learned how crucial it is to monitor and shape the words we speak to ourselves. I began reading affirmations out loud. I challenged myself to look people in the eye and greet them—something that once felt terrifying. Slowly, confidence began to take root.

People started to notice. They saw a shift: I was no longer pessimistic—I had become optimistic. And when challenges came, instead of hiding as I once did, I reminded myself: God brought this to me, and He will see me through. Each step of faith built on the last, growing my courage and deepening my trust.

This journey has been anything but easy, but it has been beautiful. One decision to turn the page led to a new life filled with purpose, faith, and transformation.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My passion for education began in a deeply personal way—when I saw that my brothers, who were in public school special education programs, weren’t getting the support or instruction they truly needed. That frustration sparked something in me. I started learning everything I could about education and teaching methods. In high school, I had the chance to participate in a classroom training program, and I loved it. That experience confirmed it—I had a heart for teaching.

When I became pregnant, my husband and I had a few friends who homeschooled their children. Inspired by their example, we made the decision to pursue homeschooling as well. Teaching my first son was a joy—everything came easily to him. But when it came time to teach my second son, I was suddenly faced with a completely different challenge.

Everything was a struggle for him. Eventually, I discovered that he had severe dyslexia. At the same time, I saw that he had an incredible memory and was a gifted artist. That’s when I began studying under a neurodevelopmentalist who created a personalized program I could implement at home. I had no idea how much I was about to learn—or how much this would shape the course of my life.

There were many moments of doubt. I cried more times than I can count, wondering if someone else could teach him better. But my husband encouraged me to keep going, and with his support, I persevered.

I became part of a homeschool group, and when the leader had to step down, she looked at me and said, “You have the skills and the heart to lead this.” So I stepped up. I ran the group and discovered how much I loved supporting and encouraging other families on their homeschool journeys.

Then, God called our family to move cross-country. Not long after settling in, I was asked to lead again—this time, an even larger homeschool group. I kept saying “yes” to each opportunity, trusting that God would be faithful to guide me. And He always did.

Fifteen years later, another move brought us back across the country. Now I had led two thriving homeschool communities in two different states. We had six children, each with unique learning challenges. And with each one, I found new ways to teach, support, and inspire them.

Now, here in Boise, Idaho, I believe God is doing something even bigger. I’m working with my church to launch a brand new homeschool program—Awaken Academy—set to begin in Fall 2025. So looking forward to help create another community of like-minded believers, coming together to share time, talents, and resources to help one another thrive.

Along the way, I’ve learned that having children with learning challenges doesn’t mean something is wrong with them. I’ve always told my kids, “There’s nothing wrong with you—we just need to find a new way to teach you.” I’ve chosen to focus on their strengths first, and then build up the areas where they need extra support. Too often, traditional education zeroes in on where a child struggles, ignoring the places where they shine. That imbalance can damage a child’s self-esteem and sense of worth.

To help shift that mindset, I’ve used stories and biographies of great artists, inventors, and historical figures—people who also struggled with learning challenges but went on to change the world.

And now, that’s my mission too: to raise, equip, and empower the next generation—and to walk alongside other parents as they do the same.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I had to start by getting to know myself—understanding my personality, discovering my purpose, and developing the gifts I’d been given. I focused on personal growth and committed to lifelong learning. It’s important to always be working toward something, but just as important to stay present with the people who matter most.

I realized that I’m naturally an executor—give me a task, and I’ll get it done. But I’ve also learned to slow down, stay grounded in what truly matters, and appreciate people along the way.

Find someone who’s further along in life to guide you—a mentor with a strong marriage, parents who’ve successfully raised older kids, or someone succeeding in business. You can either learn from your own mistakes or grow by learning from theirs.

There are so many resources available, but be sure to listen to people who live with integrity and bear good fruit. And remember—it’s never too late to start.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

There are several books and people who have helped me along the way. First is my husband Juan, who has always encouraged me or pushed me to grow. He has shown me that I am much more capable that I thought. Also, Greg & Jacquie Francis have been instrumental in my growth as well as the growth of my husband and adult children. They are the type of mentors you should find in your lives.

The book What to Say When You Talk to Yourself. This book completely changed the way I understood the brain, and how to make my mind work for me instead of against me. I love this quote from the book “Your mind does not know the truth from a lie, it will believe whatever you tell it” If you tell yourself, I am terrible at remembering names, your mind will make sure that you are terrible. But if you start telling yourself, people are important to me, so I always remember peoples names. You will start remembering peoples names.

The Bible was completely new to me as a young adult, Jesus through His Word has shown how to live and love. The Bible is a manual for how to live, and make an impact.

A more recent book that brought all of this into alignment for me is Convergence by Colin Higginbottom. Through this book I learned “Convergence is living as the most authentic version of yourself, running in the lane you were created to run in, alongside the people you’re supposed to do life with, using the tools you need, all within the power of God.”

“Convergence happens when your gifts, talents, and acquired skills “converge” with the role that empowers you to do your best.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Greg & Jacquie Francis

Awaken Pathfinders Apprenticeship

Xcaret
Los Angeles History Museum

Pilgrim’s Progress Homeschool Association

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