Change is
Life
Well, hello there, Elisia Fans and Friends. My name is Arian, and I’m the lady that reads everything before you do. I know you’re used to seeing a note from our Editor-in-Chief here, but I’m hoping you won’t mind a little change of plans as we roll into the New Year. And really, isn’t that what New Year’s is about? Whether we like it or not, change is not part of life, it IS life. You can force it, you can fight it, you can choose it, or you can roll over and let it happen to you. But no matter what, a change is gonna come.
painfully, unbelievably broke. And many days I have felt hopeless and adrift because I haven’t been able to see my next step. This is the part of change that we hate. The part of it that is blank, void and unsure. Here’s the thing: it’s all a lesson. And I know, I know. That’s the most overused, cliché thing I could possibly say, but it’s true. Everything is a lesson, good or bad, and the people who are paying attention will grow through it all. So, that is what I hope for all of you as we move into 2015. Smile. Fake a smile if you have to. Grow. Through both success and failure learn everything you can, and use the changes that come your way as an opportunity for better.
In 2014, I made some pretty bold changes to my life. I went in a whole new direction and it has been an eye-opening, happy experience of love and gratitude. And that happiness made way for the best holiday season I have had in years. It’s been a dream. Until Next Time, Arian Augustus And sometimes it’s been just short of a nightmare. I’ve lost friends. I’ve been
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
3
BEYOND CHILDRENS THEATER
pg.16 6 BREAD PUDDING FOOD & RECIPIES
8 THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF GOD’S LOVE
10 DR. G SPEAKS SIT & REFLECT
4
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
12 FUTURE TIDINGS GOD’S COMFORT & JOY
14 IS JESUS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
16 COVER STORY BEYOND CHILDREN’S THEATER
22 MANIFESTO FOR 2015 MOCHA M.O.B.
24 FASHION & STYLE HOLIDAY HAUTENESS
26 WHEN AUTHENTICITY RUNS DEEP
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
5
Bread Pudding from the Tucks
Let me start off by saying, Merry Christmas everyone! Can you
With the end of the year approaching, Chef and I were discussing
for me and Chef. God has really shown us who we are to Him and
We knew wanted it to be homemade, and we tossed around the
believe we are at the end of 2014? This has been an amazing year
that he is Faithful. As one of my favorite Gospel artists, William Murphy says in one of his songs, “He is working for my Good.”
We have been very busy for the last couple of weeks leading up
to Christmas catering for lots of holiday corporate and private
events and having to prepare a variety of foods. My nickname is “Ms. Cookie,” and with a name like that, it’s not a surprise that
one of my favorite things about catering these events is preparing
ideas for presents we could give our clients for the holidays. usual ideas: candies, cookies, a cake. But then out of nowhere we both looked at each other and said, “Bread Pudding!” Chef
makes the best bread pudding and everyone loves it so much. So
why not give it to clients as a Christmas treat? We knew it would make a great gift for all of our clients, and when I thought about
it, I realized it would be a great recipe to share with our readers as well.
dessert stations. The Christmas season is great inspiration for
I hope each of you will try this recipe and make it for your families
In fact, we just did a wedding reception for my only sister in the
|| BY YOLONDA TUCK
decorations, and I love to get creative as we design our buffets. beginning of December, and I had the BEST time preparing a 30 item candy buffet for our guests.
6
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
and holiday parties. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
1:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place milk in a large mixing bowl and add the bread squares. Use your hands to press the bread into the milk until all of the milk is absorbed.
2:
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Then whisk in the sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Pour this mixture over the bread and milk. Add the raisins and chocolate chips and gently stir to combine.
3:
Pour the melted butter into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Coat the bottom and the sides of the pan well. Pour the bread milk and egg mixture into the baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes, until the liquid has set. The pudding is done when the edges start getting brown and pulling away from the edge of the pan. You can also bake the bread pudding in ramekins for individual servings.
4:
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
While the pudding is cooking, make the bourbon sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan on low heat. Add the sugar and egg and whisk to blend well. Slowly cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, then remove from heat. Do NOT allow the mixture to simmer or the sauce will curdle! (If your sauce does curdle, just take it off the heat and blend it smooth in a blender.) Whisk in bourbon to taste. The sauce should be soft, creamy, and smooth. Whisk again before serving. Serve the bread pudding with bourbon whiskey sauce on the side. (Or pour it on top if that’s your thing!) Best served fresh and eaten the day it is made.
BREAD PUDDING 1 loaf of White Bread, at least a day old, cut into 1-inch squares (about 6-7 cups) 1 qt milk 3 eggs 2 cups sugar 2 Tbsp vanilla extract 1 cup raisins 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 cup of chocolate chip morsels 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted BOURBON GLAZE 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 cup Kentucky bourbon whiskey
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
7
The Transforming Power
of God’s Love || JAMIE SNOW
8
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
T
he transforming power of God’s love is the most compelling, supernatural, and joyful magic we can experience on this earth, and that we will indeed enjoy for eternity. If there has been a primary theme in my life in 2014, it is coming to truly grasp this love, perhaps for the first time in my life. Although I’ve been a believer for over 40 years, I have performed and earned and worked and TRIED to please God. This has led to an obsession to have the perfect house, beautiful, smart and Godly children…. Heck, even my dog is the most gorgeous dog ever!
the most important thing we can
vigorous workouts knowing that
REALLY believe about ourselves
lead to both physical and mental
And then these past few
or artificial sweeteners. We can
years I crashed. I could not
perform anymore. I could hardly do anything. And it
was there in that helpless state that the realization of
the free gift of God’s grace
and the mystery of the love of Christ came to me in a
wave of mercy. So, what does all of this have to do with a health and fitness column?
I have come to believe that
change to benefit our health and
wellness is the mind. What do we and about God? I think if we can
grasp the magnificent, adoring, and cherishing love of God, it will
transform us. We cannot make
Him enjoy us more if we “do
better,” if we lose 20 pounds, if ANYTHING. When we embrace
God’s love and grace, we look in
the mirror, see the imperfections, and know that we are infinitely loved just as we are. And if our
Lord loves us, accepts us, enjoys us, we can also love ourselves.
When we learn to love ourselves the way God loves us, we don’t
have to punish our bodies with
processed food, additives, sugar, stop overindulging in alcohol and coffee. We can love the beautiful
bodies that so faithfully take care of us each day by getting us where
we need to go, helping us take care of others, and enabling us to play and enjoy life! When we relish in
God’s love, we can feed ourselves well, not out of deprivation, but
to nourish this amazing creation
we need these things and that
poor health and nutrition could self-sabotage down the line.
This year I had two daughters get married, and another one will follow suit in February.
Each of them has lost weight in
anticipation of the wedding, not
by really trying, but because they are so excited in anticipation of
marriage. In the same way, our Heavenly Bridegroom is waiting
on us at the altar and we are beautiful to Him. So, fall in love with Him!
Listen to audible books on your
commute to work that speak of His matchless love. Journal about
the ways you see the love of God in your everyday life. Find music
that speaks of His love for us and our love for Him. My challenge
to you for today and perhaps
even for your 2015 New Year’s Resolutions is to meditate upon
the love of God. Take care of yourself and your health out of love for Him.
that Jesus so dearly loves! We
can give our bodies refreshing water, walks in the sunshine, and
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
9
how often do we just
Sit & Reflect || Kristen “Dr. G.” Guillory, PhD
R
ichard Leider conducted a study where individuals over the age of 80 were asked the question, “If you had to do it over, what would you have done differently?” I thought the responses would be “Spend more time with family,” or “Have more fun.” “Rest More.” It turns out that I had guessed wrong. The following are the top 3 responses:
10
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
1.
They wish they had taken more risks.
2. They wish they had taken more time for reflection. 3.
They wish they had discovered their
purpose sooner. While all of these topics are so important, I want
to focus on reflection. I’ve been known to go from project to project, thinking about what should be done next. Even in my personal life, I’m always
thinking about the next thing. How to get there. When to do it. There’s so much to get done!
Sometimes I even beat myself up and spend too much time thinking on the not so great things.
Last year, my best friend Cherice asked me, “How often do you sit back and think about all of the things you’ve done to help others?” “Umm not really ever,” I told her.
She then said, “You might want to do it. Reflect on
one of the events you host and how that has really
helped people.” I took a few moments to do so. And I am so glad I did.
Reflection allowed me to do the following: 1.
Be Still for a moment.
2.
Express gratitude.
3.
Review the many things I had done.
4.
Be reminded of God’s goodness.
5.
See my growth.
6. See opportunities for improvement (You can’t learn from mistakes if you don’t reflect on them).
It seems some of us just stay moving and busy and
don’t take time to appreciate what God has allowed us to do and make it through. Just recently I hosted an event, and for THE FIRST TIME EVER, I did not
leave the event or wake up the next day focusing on what could have been better. I focused on how God moved in that place and reflected on the fact that I
was uncomfortable which led me to have to lean on
the Lord. And that led to me being transparent. And that led to many other women at the event being transparent as well.
The fact that I reflected on the night instead of
conducting an in depth analysis was HUGE! It was the FIRST time I didn’t focus on what could have
been better, and it was such a blessing. The enemy makes us believe we aren’t good enough, but we don’t have to give him that opportunity. We can
stop and be still and see the good to all that we’ve accomplished.
Reflection can allow us to see that we’ve made it
through some tough times and if we did it before, we can do it again. Reflection can also cause us to see how God has moved in our lives.
So, my challenge to you (and myself) as we end
2014 and enter 2015 is to take some time to sit
and reflect on a regular basis. Really just be still and reflect. Be prepared to see God’s goodness!
You might be surprised to see that you’re pretty Fabulous!
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
11
Future Tidings
God’s comfort and joy || MARI MALDONADO
12
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
I
t’s a Christmas Miracle! One of many for the season I am sure. My dearest best friend and I had been struggling to separate two strands of Christmas lights for 30 minutes and we had made
little to no progress. Beads of perspiration sprung from my pores and a feeling of defeat welled up inside of me. But, I put out an outstretched hand and called upon the name of Jesus who, in a way that only He could do, brought about an act that separated the two strands effortlessly. What seemed to be an insurmountable task only seconds before was now non-existent. Nothing is too big or too small for God. My friend and I continued putting up my lights
and laughing at what was clearly God’s sense of
humor. It felt good to laugh seeing as how I had
been in a bit of a holiday funk. It was the day after
Thanksgiving and just two days earlier, my one and only child expressed to me via Face Time that not only did he want to stay an additional day at his
father’s house, he wanted to spend Thanksgiving Day with that side of his family as well. In the 9
years since my ex-husband and I had been divorced, holiday arrangements had been a non-issue. Other
than the 1 year my son went with his dad to a Dallas Cowboy’s game for Thanksgiving, he had always
spent Thanksgiving with me and my family then would go to his dad’s house in the evening.
him of my son’s request. My ex, of course, did not
have a problem with it and said he would bring my
son home Sunday. Not what I wanted to hear since this was not the norm. I felt surprised and sad all at once, but knowing how much my son needs to
spend time with his dad and how excited he was to
spend Thanksgiving with step siblings, cousins and grandparents, I went along with it. Because I love my son so much I sacrificed my time with him. That Friday I sat on my comfy, happy, bright red couch and cried. I cried not just for this
Thanksgiving but for what was transpiring. To
me, my son’s desire to stay longer at his dad’s was foretelling of things to come. Perhaps a season
where their relationship grows stronger and closer as my role as absolute and complete caregiver is
somewhat relinquished meaning more alone time for me. I got myself together and prayed about it. I trust God in all things, and know that he is preparing my son and I for a new season.
In this Christmas season, let love be the gift we all give. Being divorced is never easy, especially for
children. But by putting love into action we can sure make it better.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and may God continue to bless you in the upcoming new year.
When my son asked to stay I asked him if he had talked to his dad about it. He said he had not,
and then he looked at me with his big brown eyes and said, “Please? I have never gotten to spend a Thanksgiving with them.” I immediately agreed
and told him I would contact his dad to confirm. I then sent my ex-husband a text message telling
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
13
“ 14
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
the Season || KELLY KRAMMER
“
is Jesus t h e Reason for
The holiday season is my favorite
celebrating the birth of Christ. It
oil. Fast forward a few thousand
non-Christians alike in countries all
century that Christmas traditions
was established to celebrate the
time of the year! Christians and
over the world celebrate this time of the year as a time of giving and love. I love it because my family - made up of all denominations
of Christians, Jews, Mormons and
atheists - get together to eat, drink and be merry! I love decorating
the house and baking things with way too much cinnamon, ginger
and nutmeg. I love watching my
friends’ and family members’ faces
light up as they open their gift from me. I love the sounds, the smells,
the sights.… I think you get it. This really is the “most wonderful time of the year!”
I’d like to think that the saying
“Jesus is the Reason for the Season” has its roots in focusing Christians on noble things rather than the materialistic things the holiday
season has so often placed on a
pedestal. But somehow this phrase has turned into a war cry against
sharing this season with people of other faiths and beliefs.
How did Christmas come to be? First, it is important to note that Christmas does not mean the
birth of Christ, rather it is the feast
wasn’t until the end of the third started to pop up around the world.
Why December 25th? Well,
December 25th was and still is
a day to celebrate the rebirth of the sun. Non-Christians would
celebrate this day with feasts and songs and even nativity scenes representing the rebirth of the
sun by Korah, the Virgin. In the
years when in 1966, Kwanzaa
matunda ya kwanza (Kiswahili phrase meaning “first fruits”)
giving a name and new modern
twist to a celebration that has been happening as far back as recorded
history can tell in places like Egypt and Nubia. This celebration also coincides with the Christmas holiday season.
late third century, the Church
So, Actually…
with one of their own celebrating
Is Jesus the reason for the
sun). Anthropologists Ratsch and
mean that Christians cannot
decided to oppose this celebration the birth of the son (instead of
Muller-Ebeling state, “Christmas is a Christian feast infiltrated by ancient pagan customs. On the other hand, it is also a pagan
feast over layered with Catholic
liturgical and folk rituals. It is the
feast of the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and of the sun’s rebirth .…”
Other Holiday Season Celebrations
Around this same time of the year,
and way before Christmas came to
be, Jewish families would celebrate Hanukkah remembering when g-d
kept the oil lamp burning for seven days on only one day’s worth of
season? No. But, that doesn’t celebrate his birth at this time.
It also does not mean that nonChristians cannot celebrate
family, love, first fruits, giving, the sun, a burning lamp or anything else!
Make this season the best
holiday season ever and give
gifts that bring smiles and meet needs. Spend extra time with
others, share the love you have with everyone around you,
and be thankful that we can
celebrate another year together!
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
15
<< beyond
childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theater || ARIAN AUGUSTUS
16
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
Elisia Magazine: So, how did you end up becoming an artistic director? That’s incredible! Robyn Flatt: I didn’t mean to. [Laughter erupts from all three of us. Robyn continues.]
Robyn Flatt
O
ut of complete and total coincidence I met Robyn Flatt
leaving the gym one day in late December. It turns out that Robyn is the delightful woman at the helm of one of the most successful, professional children’s theaters in the country, Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT). In a warm and hugely enlightening conversation with her and Public Relations Manager/Actress, Sherry Ward, I learned everything there is to know about DCT – from education and community involvement to some impressive family ties.
I’d been a member of the professional theater company at the Dallas Theater Center (DTC). I was put in charge of taking theater to the parks. It was a special [summer program] that the theater center was asked to do, and it meant creating a play that would work outdoors. … We did a lot of movement pieces that used mime and dance. … That’s really where I learned how to put something together. You kind of had to make up everything you did. From 1982 to 1984, the theater center went through a transition, [and] we were all pretty well asked to leave. But I love theater. The only way for me to have a chance to continue to do theater was for me to create something in which I could do theater. So, that’s what I did. There were [about] 30 of us who had worked together closely for many years and I knew exactly what their talents were and what they could bring to the table. EM: And you were all jobless. RF: Right. So, they would jump in and volunteer and I would pay them when I could. We just started from total scratch. EM: Coming from Dallas Theater Center, what made
Sherry Ward
you choose to do specifically children’s theater? RF: Well, why compete with Dallas Theater Center? Before I left DTC, people had said to me, “Robyn, did you ever think about taking this work and doing it independently?” And I thought,” Well, no. I don’t want to do all that.” [laughter] But the shows I had done [as part of the summer program] had also toured Texas and surrounding states, so I had kind of gotten my feet wet with touring [programs for kids]. This tidbit, I later found out, is no small thing. In 2004, Dallas Children’s Theater rounded out Time Magazine’s list of the five best children’s theaters in the country. DCT is the only theater on the list with a national tour. Robyn’s early days at Dallas Theater Center are undoubtedly responsible for this unique asset. EM: In creating spaces for growth and artistic development, how do you teach students to be their own person and build their own legacies? RF: I think it’s just about doing it. We have very young kids that come into the classes. We start with three year olds. We tell a story to them and then we say, “Which character would you like to be?” And then they choose which character they would like to be. And sometimes all of them want to be the wolf. And sometimes all of them want to be … Sherry Ward: [immediately chiming in] Elsa! RF: [laughs] And that’s okay. We can have 15 of one character or 8 of another. And then the day they elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
17
show their parents they’ll say, “Well, no, I don’t want to be that character today.” The point is that child feels confident. He knows he did something. He knows that he walked on that stage and said his lines and he found out where the audience was and he spoke up. SW: You’ll [also] meet a lot of Dallas adult actors that started out at the DCT academy. I think that a lot of the educational components are structured in a way not just to teach future theater professionals but life skills. All of them are getting up on stage and they’ve been doing it since they were 4 or 5 years old. That’s a skill. In trying to get those basic communication and social interaction [skills], this is the greatest place to do it because they get to use their imagination. EM: Why do you think theater education is so important for children’s development? RF: In theater, you’re going through a process. … You’re going to discover a character. Each of these children brings part of themselves to these characters. Maybe no one has ever told them that the way they move across the stage is really elegant and beautiful or that they have a great sense of timing. We help them identify what the gifts are that they bring to the table.
to be part of a team. He found his place in the world. And we see this over and over again. The hyperactive kids learn how to focus. The very shy kids learn how to open up and share. Kids with learning difficulties learn how to [use other skills] to become as good as or better than other kids [on stage]. … It’s just kind of magical. This can’t be true that theater can really do all this for kids! EM: It can apparently! Here Robyn, Sherry and I go off on a tangent talking more in depth about theater, education and empathy. DCT has an outstanding educational program that includes live performances during the day for Dallas area schools, a performing arts academy for kids 3-18 after school and during summers, and the Curtains Up On Reading school enrichment program designed to enhance topics already being discussed in the regular curriculum.
SW: There’s also something philosophical about what we do in that there’s not really another industry that puts so much time and effort into something [that will be built and torn down within a specific time frame]. You put your efforts into moments. It may be transient, but it’s worth putting all your effort into. RF: It’s learning how to direct your energy. Are you willing to put enough energy into this project to make it happen? Maybe you’ve got to jettison a bunch of other things. Maybe you don’t get to go to all the parties. The interesting thing to me is ... these kids learn to focus. They get their homework done faster, quicker, better than kids who had the whole night to do it. I remember directing a production of Peter Pan and after we’d completed the show, the [adult pirate father of one of my junior pirates] came to me and said, “Robyn, I don’t know what happened, but my son was struggling to make C’s and now he’s an A student.” His son had learned to focus and to control his physicality and how
18
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
|| Miracle on 34th Street - Francis Fuselier, K. Doug Miller - DCT Winter 2014
EM: So, in all of these endeavors, what skills did you learn as a director and leader that continue to make all these programs possible? RF: Oh, gosh! I don’t know. I’m just kind of crazy! SW: Well, I think it’s fun to mention here, ya know, your family legacy of theater and how it’s always been part of your life. EM: Wait. Is she holdin’ out on me, Sherry?
RF: My father is Paul Baker who founded the Dallas Theater Center.
shelter will receive discounted tickets for DCT’s National Tour.
EM: [shocked] Oh, my gosh! That is amazing! … So, it’s genetic then.
SW: We’re trying to actively be good neighbors. We want to make every aspect of what we do inclusive, [and] we want all children to feel like they have a place here.
RF: I was warped in the crib. My father had a very nice singing voice, but instead of singing lullabies, he quoted Peer Gynt [the Henrik Ibsen play that originated the famous children’s song, “In the Hall of the Mountain King”]. SW: Nice! [We laughed and laughed. “Why compete with Dallas Theater Center?” Understatement of the century.] EM: Wow. Well, again, I’m so impressed with the work that you do, your enormous success and the reach that you have. Was that the goal? Did you want to be a “somebody”? RF: Yes, totally! We want to be a somebody to a lot of somebodies. I guess what I learned is that you want to always reach for the heights. Whatever resources you have, you put those on stage. Whatever contacts you have, you grab those people who are live wires. You work with the people who are going to help you tell your story.
RF: We’re here to serve. … Dallas needs an institution that really focuses on young people because they are our future. So, everything we do is focused on young people. The kids are king. They are primary. And I think families feel that when they walk through or doors. I just want more families to feel like this is their home too. Dallas Children’s Theater’s Skippyjon Jones is a book adaptation that tells the story of a rambunctious Siamese kitten with a big imagination. The brand new musical will premiere January 23 and run through February 22. This holiday season, I hope that you will make it part of your plans and your New Year’s resolutions to take your family to the Dallas Children’s Theater and get plugged in. DCT is truly a joy.
I also think it’s a bunch of bunk to say that theater people or artists can’t be business people. You get the right group of people and you trust them [to do what they do best, both onstage and in the office]. I’m very clear about what things are not my strengths. Yet still, with a wealth of programs and opportunities for child and adult actors alike, Robyn and DCT have quite a few strengths to offer the community. In 2014, DCT received funding from the Theatre Communications Group to create sensory friendly programming for special needs children. The modified shows have been a great success, and, with continued financial support from patrons and donors, the series will remain part of DCT’s annual schedule. They also feature productions that give back to the community. Proceeds from their January 2015 production of Skippyjon Jones will benefit Operation Kindness, a no kill shelter in Carrollton, TX, and patrons bringing a canned good for the local food
|| Mariachi Girl - Vanessa Deilvio, Aisha San Roman DCT Spring 2014
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
19
salon (It was a girl’s day. Josiah was overruled.), I opened the voice recorder app on my phone, and let the conversation take over. When most of us were learning to tie our shoes, Josiah Martin was holding an audience captive with a voice I can only imagine was as powerful then as it is now. “I started [singing] when I was four,” he tells me. “I have five brothers, so we were doing a little singing group. My mother was vocally training us, bringing us up in the church.” Josiah went on to record with the Colorado Mass Choir becoming one of its youngest members. In 2004, he met and toured with P.J. Morton Jr., son of prolific pastor and singer
A conve ||Cherish Robinson
with
Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr. That relationship paid off for Josiah, as he recently completed an album ecently, my best friend and I went with P.J. Morton. His latest single, “Temporary to visit our friend, Barbara in Atlanta Tears,” is set to drop in early 2015. for a weekend getaway. And Babs’ Josiah also shared some recent health concerns (we affectionately call her) nephew with us, and, honestly, you’d have thought I asked happens to also be my good friend, Grammy him about the weather. He’s in end-stage kidney and Stellar Award nominated singer/ failure on dialysis, yet not once did he bring on songwriter, Josiah “Jo-Jo” Martin. the “woe-is-me” song and dance or try to change the subject. Martin’s calm was truly beyond my In the midst of our singing, laughing, and understanding. He calls it faith. “Miracles are cackling at brunch, my best friend tells me that I still possible [and] there’s no obstacle too great should write my next article on Josiah. I thought that should tear you away from God. The more that was a brilliant idea. (That’s why she’s the things [that happened] to me, the closer to Him I bestie!) So, we left brunch, headed to the nail would draw. Not only does everything happen for
R 20
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
a reason, but sometimes God uses situations to take you from level to level. And so that’s what’s happened to me. After every sickness, death, and heartache, I’ve been greeted with a new level. … God rewards you for faithfulness in the time of trouble.”
But, [and here, out of nowhere, Josiah put on his best preacher voice] somebody said a set down is just a set up!”
Truer words have never been spoken. Josiah’s faith is not only defining and shaping his health and his day-to-day life. It’s also shaping his career. “I have the understanding that man plans his way, but it’s God that brings it to pass. So, my hope isn’t in a label. It’s not in getting records. It’s really in the plan of God. I mean, I ain’t gonna lie to you. Every no is a letdown.
My best friend and I died laughing, and in that moment I learned something. I had been sitting there in the nail salon talking to someone that I thought had the most immense hardship. But, he was taking it all in stride. It was as if through his story, God held a mirror up to me and said, “Talitha koum.” (That means “Little girl, arise!” from the Mark 5:41 story of Jesus raising a child from the dead. Ya, know. For those of you who may not have heard that one.) The one you’d think would be in need of encouraging became
the encourager. Wow. Still stunned by his humility and light spirit, I asked Josiah what keeps him motivated. “My kids. I have 3 little ones. They’re amazing. And despite what I’m going through, they’re always looking for me to be cheerful and happy. You know. Just Dad. [I’m also motivated by] my desire to honestly please God. As an artist my desire is to help people just be better. It’s nothing deep about it. You don’t have to be a Holy Ghost weirdo! [Josiah reprises the preacher voice] You don’t have to be wrapped up, tied up, and tangled up! You just need to have a DESIRE!” Oh my goodness, this guy.
I came back to Dallas reflecting on what Josiah had said. Right now, my artistic life is pretty quiet. There’s not a lot on my calendar, and I had been feeling a bit discouraged. But the upcoming New Year can’t be faced as just another day. It must be conquered. In Josiah’s own words, “When you think of Christmas and New Year’s, you always think of the final quarter and how to start the year off winning. It’s about a game plan.” And he’s right. We may not know what tomorrow brings but we do know who holds it. So, knowing who holds my future, I’m eager to see what 2015 has to offer, and I wish you peace and prosperity “in JE-sus name!”
ersation Jo s i a h M a r t i n
MOCHA M.O.B.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
FOR 2015
Manifesto I
love the New Year and the excitement it brings. It is an opportunity for me to start fresh, begin anew and see things from a different perspective. I love that the New Year makes people pause, even if only temporarily, and plan for how the next year will be better. So today, I am doing exactly that. I am taking a moment to reflect, reassess, and reconsider my priorities, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to share this time of reflection with you. Here goes.
|| Cheryl Skinner Rischer
22
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
I know that a New Year
I admit that I hesitate to
disorganization, pride,
brings a renewed sense of
share my plan because then
jealousy, worry, fear,
commitment to things that
I will be held accountable
hypocrisy, selfishness,
lost their importance in
for what I do not achieve.
depression, excess,
the old year. The New Year
I understand that the
anxiousness, confusion,
starts with good intentions
decisions I make will impact
discontent, debt,
but rarely does it end as
the life I live, and my life can
hopelessness, illness, an
intended. I hope that I can
and must positively bless
overwhelmed schedule or an
sustain the momentum that
others. I recognize what
underwhelmed soul.
is always a part of my New
I can actually accomplish
Year better than I sustain
versus what I want to
my annual diet. I believe the
accomplish. I do not set
upcoming year will be easier
goals. I plan for action.
than the previous years, because if I am older, I must be wiser. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned that the New Year is not a time to front load my life with unrealistic expectations. Instead, I will be clear about the things that really should be a part of my life throughout the year to come.
I passionately greet the New Year because I am excited about all of its possibilities. I position myself to
As I plan for the New
receive blessings, and I am
Year, I realize that there is
reminded of my purpose. I
work to be done. My plan
await Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direction and
of action requires that I
His instructions for things
rid myself of bad habits,
unseen, and I agree to not
unproductive ways, time
run myself ragged in the
wasting activities, negative
meantime.
thoughts, insignificant people and determine what I will leave behind and what I will allow to occupy
I imagine what it will take
space in my mind in the
for me to end the year as
New Year. I acknowledge
strongly as I start it, and I
that the New Year has no
confidently write a plan. If
room for delayed decision
I am honest with myself,
making, procrastination,
I will approach this New Year with a sense of wonder and discovery while I accept the challenge to try new things. I courageously welcome the future and I confidently embrace all that it has to offer. Happy New Year!
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
23
holiday HAUTNESS
|| Nikki Hurd 24
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
T
is the season of glitter,
stores are great places to shop to
sequins, sparkling belts and
get your holiday shine on.
rhinestones! If ever there
was a time to “Do it big,” I believe the holiday season, especially Christmas and New Years, is it!! I’m the ultimate girly girl, so as early as Halloween I’m pulling out all things shiny! This time of year you can go to any
department store and find shiny accessories to rock ALL season. Macy’s is my go to spot for holiday goodies. I’ve found that
Now, once you have all your sparkly winter wear in the closest, there are definitely a few things you need to keep in mind so that you don’t look like a string of lights. And of course I am going to share my wealth of knowledge with you gals! I can’t hold out on my good Judys! Here’s how to do holiday glam without going overboard:
they have gorgeous garments in
1.
ALL sizes. Sometimes these items
holiday bling at once. I always
can get a little pricey. I like to call
tell my clients you don’t have
those purchases “investment
to wear earrings, a necklace, a
pieces.” But for the most part,
bracelet and a ring. Pick 2 out of
Macy’s and other department
the 4 and go be great! Let’s leave
DON’T put on all your
Mr. T in the 80’s shall we?
2.
If your skirt is shiny, dull
down the top and add gorgeous accessories. Vice versa if you’re wearing a shiny top. If your holiday ensemble is brighter than the Christmas tree, you did it wrong. 3.
Let go of all the ribbed, polka
dotted, engraved, and hand stitched tights! Leave those girls for the office. They have no place on the body when you’re all dolled up for a holiday party! 4.
Lastly, PUT ON A COAT! It’s
cold outside, girl! Like my mom always said, “You’re not too cute to get a cold!” I know we want to show off our fancy rags but, ladies, seriously? It’s cold in the D! As this year comes to a close, my prayer is that when you enter 2015 an abundance of blessings meets you at the door. And when you open that door, make sure you have on the fiercest dress you can find! God Bless, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! “Fashion is what’s trending, Style is who YOU are.” - Nikki Hurd
2014 Christian Literary Awards Granville Arts Center, Texas
when
AUTHENTICITY RUNS
Authenticity
DEEP.
when an awards show filled with all the glitz and glam of a red carpet event penetrates the heart, you know you’ve created something special.
26
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
2014
WINNERS Top Line: Henri Award Second Line: Reader’s Choice
CHILDREN’S BOOKS God's Faith is Real Connaelia M. Moyston Tracks in The Snow Regina Stone Matthews Founders Joy Lewis, Rosemary Legrand with host Frankie Wilson
The Dallas Black Dance Theater Company II performed for the second time at this year’s CLAs.
For the past four years, the Christian Literary Awards (CLAs) have sparked a light of excitement among faith-based authors. Now, going into their fifth year of planning, event originators Joy Lewis and Rosemary Legrand are scouring ways to take their event to the next level. While I’ve attended the award ceremony in the past, this year I decided to brace the red carpet, not to show off my fabulous dress (though it was pretty amazing), but to grab hold to some of the essence of what makes this event what it is. What I heard was nothing short of amazing. From a husband and wife who bore a child with no
vocal chords, to an ESPN sports journalism veteran who abandoned it all for something new, stories of faith and courage graced my ears the entire night, proving to me that the CLAs are far more than just an event. It is a chance to honor those who share the stories that make us better. It encapsulated what I believe the human experience is all about - life to life, faith to faith. I encourage you to check out some of the winners from this past year’s event. Buy their books. Support their dreams. Hear their stories. They might just change you for the better, too.
their stories
“There are no poor people but only people who are unaware of the richness of their mind.” In Consciously Wealthy, author Richard Harper has placed the universal principles of attraction applied in his own life to help readers learn how to develop conscious awareness so that you can create the successful lifestyle you desire.
Growing up a fatherless child with a mentally ill mother could result in a life filled with unanswered questions. Television journalism veteran Lisa Burkhardt Worley recruited the skilled hands of author Catherine Weiskopf to co-author If I Only Had, a devotional guide that confronts the daily insecurities experienced by women beginning with the ones she’s experienced personally that began as a child.
While author TC TC Spelling wentwent on a on search to findto Whilewaiting waitingfor forMr. Mr.Right, Right, author Spelling a search the book to speak the single couldn’t one, so findperfect the perfect book to to speak to thewoman. single She woman. Shefind couldn’t findcreated one, soher sheown. created her own. TheisWaiting Room is a designed daily she The Waiting Room a daily devotional devotional is designed to teach single theto fundamentals to teach women the fundamentals that willwomen lead them the true art of that will lead them to the true art of living purposefully. living purposefully.
CHRISTIAN LIVING Consciously Wealthy Richard R. Harper Consciously Wealthy Richard R. Harper MOTIVATIONAL If I Only Had… Lisa Burkhardt Worley & Catherine Weiskopf Lemons to Lemonade Christopher L. Walker NON-FICTION Lady Preacher Brenda Carradine The Missing Peace Phillip E. L. Brown YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT House of Cars Shelia E. Bell The Princess Within for Teens Serita Ann Jakes DEVOTIONAL The Waiting Room T.C. Spellen Back on Track Brenda Ashley FICTION Penny Wise Dave & Neta Jackson Penny Wise Dave & Neta Jackson TESTIMONIAL Lost and Found Sarah Jakes Lost and Found Sarah Jakes elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
27
#WhatsYourStory 28
ELISIA | elisiamagazine.com
ELISIA STAFF FELECEIA BENTON: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ARIAN AUGUSTUS: SENIOR EDITOR SYDNEY CORNELIUS: GRAPHIC DESIGNER
elisiamagazine.com| ELISIA
29
@ELISIAMAGAZINE FACEBOOK.COM/ELISIAMAGAZINE ELISIAMAGAZINE.COM #EXPECTINGAMAZING
FELECEIA BENTON // editor-in-chief senior editor ARIAN AUGUSTUS // managing editor SYDNEY CORNELIUS // graphic designer ERICA EDWARDS // accounts manager