Meet Celeste LaFollete

Thank you for sharing with us Celeste! We are excited to get to know you.

I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I met my husband at BYU-Idaho where I studied Health and Nutrition and he studied Business/Pre-Med/Finding a hot wife. We came to Midwestern way back in 2006 for my husband to attend medical school. He graduated in 2010. We then moved to Quincy, IL  for residency, where I thought I was gonna die for 3 years. I'm happy to report we survived-marriage, children, and sanity intact. Well, mostly intact. We are back now for good. Hallelujah! My husband, Martin, is a family physician for Abrazo. I love the Bellair ward and I love Phoenix so I am thrilled to be back here! We have three crazy children. Emma is 7 and will be attending Adams. Grant is 4. Jeffrey is 2. Now that Martin is finally done with school, I have my own dreams of graduate school. I'll be studying English and History and just about anything I want! I start at ASU soon. If I have free time I love to read--nothing better than quiet time with a book :)

Dessert-Better than Sex Cake (is that too scandalous for a ward blog?)

Hobbies-reading, writing, and arithmetic. Just kidding about the arithmetic--I hate math. But the other two are true. I also enjoy making fun of my husband and thinking up new ways to escape from my children. :)

Season-Ironically, this has occupied my thoughts for years now. I hate tornado season (got enough of that in Oklahoma). I hate winter (got enough of that in Rexburg and Illinois). I hate rainy, cloudy springtime. I hate hot, humid summers. So, what does that leave....Winter in Phoenix? I don't know why Hell is described as a hot place. I imagine it as a cold, frozen place plagued by tornadoes, like a combination between Oklahoma, Rexburg, and Illinois. Winter in Phoenix is just heavenly-my personal celestial kingdom. 

Scripture-2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Love this! Someday, when I grow up, I want to be a fearless woman.

Hymn-Come Thou Fount

Testimony-There was a time in my life when I had serious doubts about one particular aspect of the gospel. I thought I could keep my doubt contained. I thought I could maintain my testimony of the rest of the gospel and just avoid that one particular topic. But doubt won't stay contained. It leaks out. It festers. It moves and begins to contaminate every aspect of your faith. The gospel of Jesus Christ comes as a complete all-or-nothing package. I can't pick and choose what I will believe. My life experiences so far have taught me that there are basically two forces at work in this world, and in my own life: Fear and Love. The Lord has helped me to understand that fear is often the underlying emotion hidden behind things like doubt, anger, jealousy, insecurity, desperation, criticism, guilt, and low self-esteem. Fear drives a lot of my personal ailments. But, it seems that the Lord is trying His best to teach me that love (a.k.a. faith and trust in Him) is the cure. I am gradually learning how to embrace that love and choose faith over fear, but it's hard. My faith is probably smaller than a mustard seed some days, but I really do believe the Lord accepts even that small desire to believe. I also believe in being open to suggestions as the Lord often has better ideas and a brighter view of things than me. Who knew? I have lots of things to be grateful for--like a fabulous husband who is not perfect, but is perfect for me, and three sweet children who will all be in school in 3 years and 1 month, but who's counting...:)

November Relief Society Meeting

We had such a fun relaxing Relief Society meeting this month. It was good to get to know each other a little better. Thank you Sister Martin for opening your home for this meeting and thank you to everyone who brought yummy treats. It was a great night!

Meet Shannon Baker

Thank you for sharing with us Shannon! We're excited to get to know you.

I’m Shannon Baker. I’ve been in the ward with my husband for 16 years, and in Glendale since I was in second grade. In fact, I was a here when the Bellair Ward was created, and our Stake Center was built. I never imagined I’d grow up, get married, and move three miles from my childhood home- but that’s exactly what happened. I earned a BFA from Arizona State in Drawing (yes…..you can actually major in drawing), and loved every minute of it. I met my husband at our local singles ward, after an inspired Bishop did a bit of matchmaking. We’ve been married for 16 years and have four amazing kids. Joshua is 15, Emily is 13, Abby is 11, and Mackenzie is 8. They keep me super busy, but I feel blessed to be their mom.

If I have an hour of free time you will most definitely find me wandering the aisles of Homegoods or Home Depot. Home design is a passion of mine, I love to paint, craft, build, organize, and tinker around my house. If I have a project going, I’m a happy lady. I’m also a pretty serious blogger. I love to cook, clean, and read. I run a book club that’s been going strong for almost 10 years (boy do we have some stories). I’m also pretty crazy about travel. My engineer husband travels quite a bit for work, and I’m lucky enough to occasionally tag along. We also enjoy travelling just for fun, and try to take one big trip each year together.

Our family loves Freddy’s frozen custard, watching movies, and swimming. I love autumn, especially the first day each year when it’s cool enough to leave the back door open! My favorite hymn is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. The line “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail” is a powerful reminder to me, especially as I’m raising  teenagers. I love the gospel and this ward. Life is crazy, busy, and usually exhausting, but also incredibly fun. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Super Saturday!

Wow! We had an amazing time together on Super Saturday! Thank you to all the teachers and for those who planned, cooked for, and put together this activity. 

 

Chinese Food Cooking Class

Thank you Flo you are a master chef!

Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Cashew Chicken Recipe

Creative Journaling Class

Thanks Dina you are an amazing artist and teacher!

 Creative Journaling Document

Today in a List Document

October Newsletter

Speed Friending Relief Society Meeting

Thank you to everyone who planned, cooked, and came to our annual get-to-know-you meeting. It was an amazing night. We had good food, met new people, and developed friendships. Here are some pictures of the beautiful women in our Relief Society. 

Meet Ilaise Levrets

Thank you Ilaise for sharing with us! We are excited to get to know you.

1.Tell us about you and your family.

In our family, it's just us two - my husband Faron and myself.  Faron grew up in Bandon, Oregon and I grew up here in Phoenix.  Faron work as a patient transporter for Phoenix Children's Hospital and I am an elementary school teacher for the Washington school district.  I attended the University of Arizona and majored in Special Education with a minor in Psychology.  Faron will begin his education through the BYU-Idaho Pathway program in the fall.  We don't have children.

2. If you had an hour of free time, what might we find you doing? 

I like to watch movies, visit the library (read), visit friends/family, play board games, go for walks, shop, play sports, visit the Phoenix Temple, find a deal, travel.

3. Share an experience that strengthened your testimony or why the gospel is important to you.

I am always strengthened when I watch conference.  Listening to the prophet and church leaders feed my spirit. Faron and I like to share what talks had an impact on us.  This allows us to look inwardly to what we need to do to change or what we've been doing that has changed for the better.  The gospel means everything to me.  I am grateful for the gospel everyday.  It gives me a reason to hope for a better today and tomorrow.

4. What are your following favorites?

Dessert - Love chocolate or anything sweet

Hobbies - Read, play board games, watch movies and drive

Season - winter in Arizona and summer in California

Scripture - Alma 37:37 "Counsel with the Lord..."

Hymn -  "How Firm a Foundation"