“For I am convinced that neither death nor
life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
–Romans 8:38-39
I cannot believe it has been 27 days since my last blog
post. I planned on updating it every
week, but this just goes to show I have been a bit busy. Not complaining by any
means, though. I have had some really fun appearances this past month and have
been on the road quite often. I sometimes laugh about what my traveling
experiences would be like if I still had my poor little VW bug. Good thing that
is no longer the case!
Some appearances I have recently made include:
·
The Suwanee Day Parade with Olympian Amanda
Weir: Suwanee is my hometown, and they have been so supportive of me being Miss
Georgia. It was the first time I was a Grand Marshall in a parade, and the
first time I met an Olympian. How neat!
University of Georgia football game in Athens
with my Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen “sister” Jameson Kenerly: Jameson was
given the opportunity to twirl at a UGA game, and with Athens only being an
hour from my home, obviously I wouldn’t miss it! We thankfully got to spend a
lot of time together and catch up on life. Her whole family was there (minus her
brother, John Lex), and whenever the Kenerlys are around, it’s bound to be a
good time!
·
Bucca Di Beppo restaurant opening in Augusta:
Have any of you putt putted frozen meat balls before? I have! This was such a
fun appearance, which included cutting the red ribbon, making spaghetti sauce
handprints on a canvas, counting down for the spaghetti eating competition, and
of course the putt putting. Because Augusta is world-famous for golf, most of
the men in attendance really knew their stuff about making a good putt. After I
surprised everyone by hitting four out of five meatballs into the can, I was
invited to attend the Augusta National and the Masters. If only they were
official invitations to play! Bucca Di Beppo also traditionally hosts the Miss
America contestants in Las Vegas, so now I can’t wait to go.
·
Judge at the Miss North Georgia State Fair
Pageant: It’s always nice spending time with the Miss Cobb County board. They
hosted this fair pageant as a fundraiser for the Miss Cobb County Scholarship Pageant
and invited me to judge the younger divisions. It was a fun and successful
night.
·
Hosted a Princess/Prince Party at Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta: I always volunteer at CHOA, but never have I planned and
hosted an event there. A big thanks to Carly Mathis (Miss Atlanta) and Mary
Ashley Tucker (Miss Cherokee Rose), who participated with me. The patients had a blast - as did we! I was
told it was the biggest event planned by a third party they’ve had in a long
time. I am in the middle of planning another event for November!
·
Tea Party Etiquette Class in Macon: This event
served as a fundraiser for the Miss Macon Scholarship Pageant. Little girls
came to learn basic etiquette, enjoy some little treats and punch, and spend
time with Miss Georgia. It’s so important to me to be a good role model for
young girls so I always love these opportunities.
·
Dave FM’s Big Show for Little Voices Radiothon
at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: 92.9 Dave FM hosted a really successful
radiothon to benefit CHOA. I visited with some of the patients, took lots of
pictures, and answered many phones!
Between all of these appearances I have made quite a few quick
trips to Columbus. I have visited my
Miss Georgia Princess Tori, seen sponsors and had dental appointments. The
people of Columbus and Miss Georgia sponsors there have embraced me so kindly,
it’s quickly become a happy “home away from home.”
I am also happy to say my talent music and choreography are
done! I have been going to the ballet studio when I can to rehearse, and of
course getting to the gym and Pilates studio when I can as well. I have quickly
learned this year is all about balance - finding a balance in being Miss
Georgia and attending various events, while working hard to prepare for Miss
America (which is now in three months!) I
have become a master at quickly packing in a small suitcase, enjoying long car
rides with my satellite radio, resting when I can, and going with the flow.
The next few weeks and months sure aren’t slowing down: This weekend, I headed to Bartow, Georgia for an Archery Tournament that
benefits my platform, the Sibling Support Project. I then booked it back to Atlanta to
sign, not sing, the National Anthem at the Atlanta Braves game Saturday
night (I could not be happier about this exciting opportunity!). After church on Sunday morning, I’m went to
Jesup Sunday night until Tuesday to work with Jameson on some surprises for the
Miss Capital City Pageant (the local title we both held this past year). I then went from Jesup to Columbus on Tuesday
afternoon to go White Water Rafting with Uptown Columbus, then home for two
days. I’ll be at Miss Capital City
rehearsal next Friday (Oct. 5) then drive up to Rome Friday night to appear at
the Coosa Valley Fair Pageant Saturday morning, then it’s back to Atlanta in
time for the Miss Capital City pageant Saturday night - and I will stop there J I will post another update after
Miss Capital City filling you all in on these appearances and what’s to come in
the near future.
I also
want to take a quick moment to thank those of you who have been praying for me
these past few months and will continue to do so; those of you who send me
sweet and encouraging Facebook messages; and those of you who have always been
so supportive. It truly means more than I can express in words. God has
certainly blessed me with an incredible job this year, fun yet meaningful
opportunities, and most importantly, people who care. So again, thank you!
I have
been reminding myself of this particular verse through all of the busyness. “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say ‘You are
my God.’ My times are in your hands.” –Psalm 31:14-15
Time to
go organize now….
- Love in
Christ,
Leighton
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