Saturday, October 27, 2012

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

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Busyness at its finest...


“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