Mormon convert, grandmother now member of bowling hall of fame

During this time, Jay began running bowling centers in various parts of the United States, including Florida, Tennessee and Louisiana, with Cheryl assisting him on a part-time basis.

"Wherever we moved, we always prayed for guidance and Heavenly Father directed us," Cheryl said. "Every time we moved I gained a stronger testimony."

During this period, Cheryl also established a career as a designer of porcelain dolls. She learned the art from her mother-in-law and designed 25 dolls for the Knickerbocker Toy Company, which was eventually purchased by Marie Osmond. Cheryl designed individual dolls that were then mass produced in China.

The Robinsons moved to the Placentia 1st ward in 2008, a ward where they had also lived briefly in the 1990s.

Forty years after she began her career as a pro bowler, Cheryl was thrilled to be elected to the U.S. Bowling Congress Hall of Fame this year. She was inducted on July 1, 2011, at ceremonies in Arlington, Texas.

"It was very exciting," she said. "It was nice they didn't forget me."

"Bowling was my metaphor for life," she said. "It's important to have a good foundation to be a good bowler, and it's important to have a good foundation for life."

Barbara Openshaw serves on the Public Affairs Committee in the Placentia California Stake.