Hi, I'm Elisabeth.

I'm a Wife and a Mother of three and an Aussie girl at heart. I'm a Children's Illustrator. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

First and foremost, I am a wife to a doting, loving husband, and mother to our three, beautiful young children. Second to this, I am a professional artist and children's illustrator. Between the hustle and bustle of being a Mom and running a business from my home art studio, I do what I can to find balance in our home. Being a Mom is the most rewarding calling I have ever been given. Simply, automatically being given the title of, “Goddess,” in your home is something you don’t come across any where else! In between baking cookies and giving countless hugs and kisses to my most adoring and important fans - the Best work - I draw and find inspiration for my images from my own life. As a Creative, I design whimsical, children's illustrations that are sent to companies around the world to be placed on a variety of family friendly, crafting products. In fact, my children are the basis of much of the inspiration behind many of my designs. I work on my art on the days my BFF and hubby is home. Due to his work schedule as a Fire Fighter Engineer, we tag team and get things done. On weekends and Sundays, we take a break from the rigors of every day life. We love the Lord, and the Gospel. He has blessed me with my talents, and the life which I love. My life is busy. It's not always easy. But being able to utilize the gifts my Father in Heaven has given me in abundance, and finding the balance towards a successful end each day, is so very rewarding.

Why I am a Mormon

My mother was baptized when I was seven years old. When I turned eight, I too was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since this day, I have felt the presence of my Father in Heaven in great abundance. Because of how I felt about the Gospel earlier in my life, when I was 22 years old, I was called on a Mission and I served as a Sister Missionary in Temple Square, Salt Lake City, for 18 months. I know God hears and answers our prayers, and I received a deeper testimony of this as I witnessed His hand in the lives of so many people that I met. Time and again, I witness the love and the power of answered prayers. One of the greatest blessings in my life was meeting my dearest friend, and my soul mate, who is my husband. We met while serving our missions. He was an Elder, a Missionary serving in the Salt Lake Mission. After we both returned home, we married in the Mesa Temple. It was a union made in Heaven. We have been married for going on 12 years. Our love for each other, the promises we made in the Temple to one another, and our love for the Lord, remain true. I know that God lives, and He loves us. He has a Plan for each of us. He knows us individually. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, another testament of Jesus Christ, coupled with the Bible. Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and we continue to have a Prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson. We have all these blessings because our Heavenly Father loves us, and wants us to receive further revelation from Him. He wants us to succeed and to be happy. I know that I am a Daughter of the Most High God, and that through Faith, all things are possible. Because of my decision as a child, and through the example of my Mother, and countless other good people, I have attained my own sacred testimony of what is true, and carry the beliefs I hold today.

How I live my faith

Every four weeks, I help to teach the young girls in our Ward as an Activity Day Leader. We have a lot of fun together, learning more about the Gospel while doing fun, every day things as we strive to achieve certain goals, such as learning a new skill (eg. learning to draw, learning how to create different hair styles, self grooming, baking etc.), and simply associating with other girls their age. I cherish my current callings, as well as the callings I've held in the past, such as being a leader to other young women and helping to teach them similar things that inspire and enrich their lives. As a Visiting Teacher, I have had the privilege to meet with, and visit, various ladies in my age group, Moms and Moms-to-be, each month. We share simple messages of the Gospel, messages that inspire and uplift the soul and the heart. We enjoy our time together as we strive to serve and be friends to those whom we meet with. It's a special blessing to receive Visiting Teachers in my home too, as I find I am blessed through their thoughtfulness, and their love. How thankful I am for the love my Father in Heaven has for each one of us, and that He thinks of everything to help our lives be a little easier, so we can be happy and successful.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Blake answered...

There are absolutely no race or color restrictions in the church. When Jesus was here in the earth, he said that he came here to save the sinners. The last time I checked, all the people in the world, it doesn't matter color or race, are sinners. The church is a place where people can come closer to Christ. There are no restrictions to who can come in. Anybody that has a desire to come closer to Christ, has the right to come closer to Him.
Chelsea answered...

All worthy male members of the church can become priesthood leaders.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Michele answered...

Sometimes if people know I am Mormon, they believe that I will not be friendly and accepting to those who practice a different lifestyle than mine. The truth is MOST of my dear friends do not share my lifestyle. I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, I don't watch R rated movies.

And, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

Does that mean that I don't want to be friends or on a committee with someone who is gay or lesbian? Not any more than I would avoid a person who smokes or drinks or watches R rated movies. While I don't choose to participate in those activities, I have many friends that I cherish dearly, including friends who are gay and lesbian, who view political and religious issues differently than me. I don't "tolerate" them. I adore them. And, thankfully, for me, they don't tolerate me either. We respectfully disagree on various political and religious issues, but there are so many other important things that bring us together as friends and community members. One of my most cherished friends, who identifies as a lesbian, told me the other day, "Michele, before you, I had a stigma about Mormons. You have changed that. I cherish you." Her remark is dear to my heart. It says she knows I love her, but even more, it says something about her that she gave me a chance when others told her not to. I am grateful she was willing to give me a chance because I gained a very special friend - a sister of my heart.