Molding Clay Multiplied...

The shelter will only house families for ninety days;therefore, I never know how many children I will have on a given Thursday. I also have no idea of their ages or interest. In the trunk of my car, I have a variety of craft materials and supplies. Often, I arrive with a plan but inevitability it changes once I discover who is in the building. This week, my plan was to make molding clay out of water, cornstarch and baking soda. I was pretty excited about all of the cool possibilities of creating molding clay. Once I arrived, I noticed that I not only had three times as many children as I normally have but their ages also ranged from two to thirteen years old. In an inner voice I said, "Ok God, I need you to make these supplies stretch and sure enough he did." Each child had an opportunity to help make the clay. Some poured water, some stirred and others helped to pass out lumps of clay. I have never seen them as excited about an activity. There were more boys than usual and they seemed to love the messy mixture of cornstarch, water and baking soda. I loved seeing their faces and knowing that all it took were a few items from the pantry and God's Grace!

Pouring the ingredients...

Mixing...

Molding...

Pizza anyone?

Create Now Talent Show

On August 11, 2012, Create Now & Westside Children's Center proudly presented...

 Show Off!

A showcase of talented young performers

I was fortunate enough to be the Master of Ceremonies.  Wow! These children blew my socks off with their talent and charisma! Create Now helps transform the lives of high-risk and at-risk youth through exposing them to art by mentoring, watching performances, and providing educational and vocational opportunities. 

                                         

                                              

                                                                                                     














                                                                                             
                                             




 

Create Now

I volunteer with Create Now which is an organization that offers art programs and mentorship for at risk youth. Each week I lead a creative arts workshop at the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. This week, we made thank you cards for the churches and organizations that provide dinner for the families. The children were excited to show their gratitude through art. Please follow as I share what we are creating each week.

Here are a couple photos...

Mrs. United States Pageant

Mrs. United States Pageant

 Evening Gown

 Swimsuit

Interview Photo
with hubby

 First Runner Up! 

A dream come true...

I remember as a little girl, I would sit in front of the television criss cross apple sauce and watch the Miss USA pageant. My grandmother would walk by and say, "You know, you could do that." She has always believed in me.  I began envisioning myself on stage with the crown on my head and flowers in my arms waving to the crowd. I would think to myself, "I want to be a pageant queen."

As a teen, I competed in pageants and I loved it. However, with the busyness of beginning college, my pageant dreams were put on the back burner. Ten years passed and that dream was still there. I became a newly wed and it was my husband, Ayinde, now saying, "You know, you could do that." With the encouragement of Ayinde, I began searching for pageants that celebrated married women. I found the Mrs. California United States  pageant. I submitted my application and began a new chapter in my life.

Leading up to the pageant, I was extremely nervous. Doubt, fear, and insecurity began to rear their ugly heads. "Do I straighten my hair?" "Am I too different?" Although, I had so many thoughts swirling around in my mind, I decided to relax and grasp onto my faith. My faith in God allowed me to keep pushing forward. I had nothing to fear!

The weekend of the pageant, I met beautiful, fun, outgoing, and wonderful women. They were smart and hardworking wives. I was honored to be standing amongst those lovely ladies. I decided to relax, have fun and be myself.  On March 25, I became the reigning Mrs. California United States 2012. A huge dream of mine had come true and in that moment, I knew that my life had changed forever...