God's timing!

Oh.....oh......is it real?!? if I touch it will it disappear?? After almost three years of hard work, persistence has paid off: I have won a preliminary title and am going to the state stage!! Guys, my heart is very full right now. It is so humbling to have the title of Miss H.C. and a crown to go with it. I am, right now more than ever, a huge believer and advocate that you can have whatever you work hard for and put your mind to get. God is so good. So good. His timing is always perfect and over the past few weeks has pounded in my heart how HE was in control; how HIS will is already done; how HE has the perfect board for me to work with; in HIS timing.

My platform, Girl Talk: instilling confidence and integrity into HS and MS girls through mentoring, is very near and dear to my heart. I am a living testimony that mentoring works. Having gone from very little self esteem, and even going through a mild eating disorder because of that,  to becoming a woman of confidence, worth, and belief in my self, I can say that every girl out there has a purpose and plan for their life. Don't ever doubt it. Even when the going gets tough, DONT GIVE UP!!! My heart is leaping for joy and abounding in love for all the girls that I will now be able to reach through my title. Of course, it does not take a title to make a difference but it sure does help ;-)

I am so overwhelmed by the amount of support I have had. There is an enormous amount of people that have believed in me from the start. It is just incredible to know so many people have faith in me. And not necessarily me, but the gifts God has given me. They see Christ in me; THAT is the one goal I asked God to help me achieve... not to "get a crown" but to shine for Christ and to be a positive role model to everyone I come in contact with. Having a crown on my head and a title in my hand does not give me permission to get cocky, stuck up, or think I own the place. It gives me permission to be an even bigger example of what a role model is and to reach a far greater area. At the end of the day, I take the makeup off...I put my hair in a ponytail....I throw on norts and a t-shirt....I take off the crown and the sash....I become an normal girl. The question I ask myself then is "how are you a role model and example of Christ when its all said and done?"

I have a TON of work to do before I get to the state stage, but I have been very, very, very blessed with an amazing board who will help me prepare at my absolute best. God will provide all that I need and will give me strength to do whatever I need to. He has huge plans for my life, as I have already seen unfold. I am extremely motivated and excited about the next months ahead!!

A standing ovation for talent almost made me faint. So grateful God has given me a talent of tickling those ivories ;) Looking forward to the next few months preparing for the Miss Georgia stage and working with an INCREDIBLE board, as well as my new sister queen and our sweet teen!! To have the three people in the world that have pushed me and believe in me the most there to watch me own the night, my daddy, mommy, and first pageant coach, made the whole thing unbelievably perfect. My words of gratitude are not enough for all people have done for me. To each person that has had faith in me....my original pageant coach, my parents and family, my little sisters who knew I wanted a title so bad, judges from day #1, judges from #4368346, directors and boards who offered little bits of advice along the way, friends I have met through pageants, everyone....Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! ♥