30 Days of Thanks

"The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." -1 Peter 5:10

In honor of our recent Season of Thanksgiving, I wanted to use this blog post as "Leighton’s 30 Days of Thanks."

I am thankful for:

1) My life. Yes, my whole life. Everything it encompasses: the good, the bad, the successes, the trials, the laughter, the tears, etc. Through it all, I am growing into the Leighton I hope to be. Am I the ultimate Leighton I see myself becoming? Not even close. However, I believe we’re on a lifelong journey of self-discovery and lessons learned, which shape a person into their best self. With that, I love my life.

2) Tori, a/k/a “Mini Miss Georgia.” I got to spend a whole night with her on November 2nd at the Rally Foundation Benefit Bash (which raised over $515,000 dollars for childhood cancer research), and I am truly so, so thankful for each minute I get to spend with her. Tori continues to be a reminder that we are never promised tomorrow, so make today a good day.

 3) The Miss America Organization. On November 3rd, I got to spend all day with siblings of special needs individuals at a Sibling Support Project “Sibshop” in Rome, Georgia. Through the MAO, I have not only been given a bigger platform to make a difference, but I have gained the opportunity to have a bigger voice for the millions of "Sibs" like me.

 4) Children like my brother, Robin - Children who have a harder time getting through life, yet seem to enjoy it so much more than those of us who are deemed "perfectly healthy." On November 4th, I attended the FOCUS Fashion Show, which featured special needs children and their siblings on the runway. Not only was it a delight to sit back and watch the show, it was a blessing to interact with the "models" and learn from them. Not only do you learn how to laugh; how to take things lightly; and how to truly have fun, you are reminded what love is. You witness the truth that love does not judge, it is not biased or prejudiced, it doesn't care how you look or the noises you make, it doesn't pay attention to how much money you have or the title after your name, and it could not care less about your education level or your accomplishments. Love is the ability to look at someone and fully accept them with all their flaws, with all their weird habits, with all their troubles, and still embrace them to the fullest. Spending a whole afternoon with these remarkable children was a solid reminder to me of what love really looks like.

 5) My best friend since 5th grade, Breana. November 5th was my birthday, and I spent the whole day with her. It was really relaxing because we know each other so well. We don't have to put any effort into having a conversation, and we surely don't have to work on laughing! I am thankful for friendships that continue to grow even after ten years.

6) My trainer, Stephen. As hard as it is getting to the gym sometimes, Stephen is always there waiting on me!

7) Sleep! Yes, I am thankful for sleep, my bed, my pillow, and my sound machine.

8) People who "get it." I had dinner on November 8th with a good friend of mine whom I met through the Miss America Organization. She served as one of my mock interview judges before Miss Georgia, and now I am blessed to call her friend. We are so similar on so many different levels, it's really nice to just sit and chat with someone who can probably predict what you are going to say next.

9) Dance. While my ballet-filled life has included many battles and challenges, it has provided me with a constant outlet. It has given me the ability to touch others without speaking, and it has given me a unique way to praise God.

10) Earrings. As small as it may seem, I love earrings! They make any outfit/hair style look a little better.

11) Our Veterans. November 11th was Veterans Day and it’s important to me to thank all of those who have served and currently serve our great nation through the military.

12) The Miss Georgia Board. It obviously goes without saying that I would not be here today without them, their support and encouragement, and the work they do year-round to make opportunities and scholarships available to women in Georgia.

13) All of the Miss Georgia Sponsors. Every day since I won the Miss Georgia title, my life has been blessed by the generosity of those who support the Miss Georgia program. As I drive the state in my beautiful Kia, and prepare for Miss America with wardrobe, services and gifts provided by the Miss Georgia sponsors, I am very much aware that I could not do this without them.

14) The ability to write. As you can tell, I love writing my thoughts, dreams, realizations, and more.

15) Pilates - such a great and relaxing form of exercise in the midst of life.

16) That Pageants are So Much More than Competition. I went to a pageant the weekend of November 16th, where it really hit me that I only have one more pageant left in my life... Miss America! I enjoy competing, but I love even more what you get to do after the actual competition.

17) Support. Life is not always easy, for any of us. I am thankful for the constant love and support I receive from so many.

18) Amy Haney, Erin Haney and Kellie Appel from the Miss Capital City board, my local organization before winning Miss Georgia. Amy has easily become my second mom, Erin has been deemed my older sister, and Kellie is my "go-to" superwoman. Times are always fun when they're around!

19) The Men of the Miss Capital City Board. With their encouraging hand-made cards in the mail, shoe shopping, or funny texts, they always seem to put a smile on my face.

20) My faith. I would be one lost little soul without it! I know with all of my being that when we are in the depths of our worries, anxieties, and fears, He is calling on us. Personally, I feel closest to Him when something is a "little off" in my life. God uses trials to remind us of the constant reliance we need to have on Him.

21) My Family. The sense of unity between us, the love that doesn't need description, and the understanding that goes without being explained.

22) Choices. We are presented with a multitude of choices each and every day to better ourselves, to serve others, and to grow. We also have choices that are more detrimental than they are beneficial. Be smart in the daily choices you make.

23) Thanksgiving Day! The month of November always comes with a sense of renewal. Maybe it's the leaves changing colors, the weather changing, or the arrival of the holiday season. Whatever it may be, I am thankful that we have a day/month to count and celebrate our blessings.

24) Healing, in all forms. Medically, mentally, spiritually, and physically.

25) Beautiful Outdoor Scenery. I had a photo shoot on November 24th outside at Stone Mountain Park. Even though it was freezing cold, the scenery could not have been prettier. When was the last time you stepped outside just to look around? Try it :-)

 26) God's Word. Through His word, we find His promises, His teachings, and His answers to so many questions.

27) Education. Yet another privilege that is taken for granted by so many. I am thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom to choose what kind of education I receive, and the career field I choose to study.

28) Memories. Sometimes, I love nothing more than to be alone and look back on the past twenty years. Wow - God surely has walked with me through a lot, and provided the gift of memories so I can continue to look back and smile on all that has come my way.

29) Sign language. This is the only way I am able to communicate with my brother. On November 29^th, I was blessed with the opportunity to sign the National Anthem at the Atlanta Falcons football game (when they played the New Orleans Saints, from the state where my brother and I were born). It was definitely one of those moments when I said to myself "Goodness, I might never get this opportunity again." The stadium was packed, and there I stood in the middle of it all, with all the Falcons coaches getting ready to walk out onto the field, with all the players nearby, as I signed our country's Anthem. God is good...

30) The Honor of Being Miss Georgia. If only I could write about every single appearance I have been to; every life story I have heard; every encouraging Facebook message I have received; every smile that has looked back at me; every time I wonder how I deserved this; and every time I have been able to cross something off my "Miss Georgia To-Do List." Maybe then you all would truly realize how much this job has meant to me. If I do not get the job of Miss America (we will know just 6 weeks from now!), I am so, so thrilled I will still have six more months to serve as Miss Georgia.

-Love in Christ,

Leighton Jordan

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." -Philippians 2:3