68 days...

“I am deeply loved, divinely appointed, abundantly equipped, and profoundly cherished by God. No enemy plan, scheme, or obstacle can keep me from God's highest and best will for me. As I follow the voice of my Savior, I see the invisible, accomplish the impossible, and love the unlovable. I am a living-breathing miracle because Jesus Christ lives in me! Amen.” -Susie Larson

Here I am, 68 days away from flying to Las Vegas for Miss America 2013! When I say I have 68 days, it seems like it is coming SO quickly, but when I say I have two months, it seems like I have a little more time. Either way, it is right around the corner.

Here are some quick updates on my recent appearances:

The Archery Tournament fundraiser for my platform, the Sibling Support Project, in Bartow, Georgia, was such a treat! Thanks to Family Eye Care, I was able to stay in the most precious cabin ever. It was out in the middle of nowhere, and I mean nowhere. The evening I arrived, we had a wonderful dinner (during which I ate dove for the first time) and dessert. The whole next morning was full of laughter, driving the golf cart around the archery course, and meeting some great people.

Right after the Archery Tournament, I rushed back to Atlanta to sign the National Anthem at an Atlanta Braves game. Turner Stadium was truly packed because it was Chipper Jones’s last home series. I think it is safe to say this will be one of my most memorable appearances. My whole family is fluent in sign language, for my brother Robin, so it was amazing it was to share the gift of sign language with so many people. I might not be able to sing at events, but I sure can sign! Haha.

In the past four weeks, I have also:

·   - -Said farewell to my local title, Miss Capital City;

·    --Attended the Coosa Valley Fair, where I had an absolute blast helping with the special needs pageant (I made MANY new friends that day); met the drunk monkey from “Night at the Museum”; and kissed a camel on the lips;

  --Traveled to Sandersville, Georgia for a tea party hosted by a wonderful Miss Georgia Pageant Sponsor, Family Eye Care;

·   --Gone camping in Madison County, Georgia as a part of my ‘adventurous journey’ credit for the Duke of Edinburgh Award; out in the wilderness, I started my own fire and built my own tent in 2 minutes, 58 seconds;
--White Water Rafted with Uptown Columbus in Columbus, Ga where I got thrown out of the boat, stuck under the boat, and have never been more terrified for my life. It makes for a good story though!;

·    --Spoke and danced at the Miss Cherokee Rose Pageant;

·    --Attended and spoke at “Lily’s Run,” a 5K to raise money for Kingdom Kids and children battling cancer;

·    --Hosted workshops for siblings of special needs individuals, showing them the benefits of the Sibling Support Project;

·    --Been the subject of a front-page article in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, featuring my work with the Sibling Support Project and the siblings of Easter Seals children in Columbus (http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2012/10/17/2243368/support-group-helps-siblings-of.html) ;

·    --Been a special guest at the new KIA dealership’s grand opening in Columbus, Georgia; KIA is my fabulous car sponsor and my car has over 10,000 miles on it now;

·    --Spent the night in Adele, Georgia (about 4 hours south of Atlanta) with Mary and Ray Walker, then spoke at the “Day for Divas” event, promoting women’s health and breast cancer awareness; emceed a fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors; and signed hundreds of pictures; and

·    --Attended a Miss Georgia Board of Trustees meeting in Columbus to welcome new board members and bring the Board members up to date on everything I am doing.

Kirsten H, an amazing person and cherished friend

                                                

In addition to all those appearances, I have been working out with my trainer three times a week; working out on my own at Anytime Fitness in Suwanee two to four times a week; doing Pilates at Vitality Method Pilates once a week; and going to the ballet studio whenever I can fit it in (up to four times a week). Take it from me, it’s really true – you do have to be physically fit to do this job!

Now for some really exciting news: my gown choices for Miss America are starting to come in!!! I am so, so, so blessed and “lucky” that Miss Georgia has such supportive wardrobe sponsors. I had the opportunity to work directly with our sponsors to design my “dream gowns” for Miss America, and I could not be more humbled to say I will have four different custom evening gown options to choose from. I have no earthly idea how I will choose “the one!” It will definitely be a choice that is prayed over continually, and the one I just feel “right” about.   

Well…now that everyone is updated on my “life” so to speak, I wanted to share some thoughts with you all. I can guarantee that about 98% of you reading this are going through one struggle or another. Whether it is your finances, a relationship, family/friend troubles, weight issues, job pressures, etc., we are pretty much all going through something that we would prefer to not be facing. However, with faith, we can believe and trust that our heavenly Father is going to use our battles to glorify Him in His perfect timing. So know, while in the midst of your deepest thoughts and biggest worries, you are not alone. People who you think are “perfect” or “have everything going for them” usually did not just get there by being “lucky” in life. They got there from facing struggles and disappointments, let downs and battles. Also, some of those thought to be “perfect” people are currently going through something terrible... something that nobody would never know just by looking at the outside.

With the current struggles you are facing and the battles you are fighting, remember these things…

“Stay strong! Your test will become your test-imony, your mess will become your mess-age."

“When you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They're sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.”

“I have chosen you less for your strengths than for your weaknesses, which amplify your need for Me." -written as if Jesus is speaking

Also, please make sure that as you are praying for promotion, victory, healing, recovery, increase, justice, understanding, and/or comfort in your own life, pray these things for someone else’s life too. During Miss Georgia week, I had a “prayer buddy.” Before every phase of competition we would pray together, but for each other, not ourselves. She prayed for me out loud and I prayed out loud for her. We would send each other scripture each night and morning. And truth be told, in my quiet time during that week, I barely prayed for my performance or myself. I prayed for her, knowing that I was already covered in prayer by many, many people. It gave me such a great sense of what it truly means to be a “Christ follower” that I encourage anyone and everyone to try it.

I will continue to be busy the next few weeks with traveling and Miss America prep, but I am learning to find the balance in the middle of it all; balance between the job of Miss Georgia, Miss America preparation, and having Leighton time! Praise God!

-Love in Christ,

Leighton 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” --Romans 12: 1-2