Psalm 139... Week 49

This week, I was somewhat under the weather.  Needless to say, I am glad this week is over and I can get excited about next week… Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen!!  I will pick up two of our judges at the airport on Tuesday and head to Hot Springs!  Pageant preliminaries start on Thursday night, and we will crown a new Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen on Saturday!  
Ashton's crowning moment! One year ago!  

Before I get ahead of myself, I will tell you what happened this week.  Monday.... I met with Trey Ashcraft from Ashven Photography in Pine Bluff for an awesome photo shoot!  I really enjoyed working with him because he is professional, relaxed, and gives great direction.  Also, from the pictures I have seen… he takes breathtaking photos!



Wednesday, I traveled to Marion to speak to the girls in the children’s ministry at First Baptist Church.  We played “Name That Tune” princess style, and then I talked to the girls about being a princess of God.  I shared Psalm 139:14-15.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

The girls listened intently and asked great questions!  One girl asked if she could give a compliment instead of a question.  “I can see why they chose you as Miss Arkansas!”  Coming from a 10-year old, that was huge praise!  I appreciated those girls so much!

 This is what happens when someone asks, "How does the crown stay on your head?"

Saturday, I drove to Diamond Head Country Club to celebrate a golf tournament fundraiser for Susan G. Komen.  I guess my business manager wanted to surprise me because I didn’t know until I walked through the door that two Razorback football stars would be joining us!  After dinner, as they were handing out golf tournament awards and auctioning off an autographed football, former Razorback quarterback Ryan Mallett, a 2011 New England Patriots draft pick, and Razorback running back  Knile Davis walked in the door and signed the football!  They were both incredibly nice and graciously took photos and signed autographs.  When they were finished with autographs, they went outside to play football with the kids.  Ryan motioned for the kids to go long, or move left, or move right and then he passed to one of them.  It was really fun!

Knile Davis, me, and Ryan Mallett

Everyone was drawn to Ryan and Knile in a nervous, excited frenzy. Everyone… except for Emma.  Emma was a 6-year-old girl who could care less about those boys.  But when it came to Miss Arkansas, she was seriously star-struck!  She treasured her autographed photo and listened to every word that I said.  Miss Hot Springs Samantha Hudon offered to let Emma wear her crown, and you should have seen her eyes light up!  Even with Razorback superstars in the room, Emma was living a dream, thrilled to spend the evening with Miss Arkansas! 



As we get closer and closer to the Miss Arkansas Pageant week, I was thinking about what I was doing this time last year.  Honestly… I was having a melt-down.  I wanted the job so badly and was putting pressure on myself to perform perfectly.  Wednesday before Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen, I finally had someone tell me to “just snap out of it.”  I don’t know why that was monumental at the time, but it was all I needed to overcome my mental funk.  At that time, I was ready for the Miss Arkansas competition.  I didn’t practice interview or kill myself in the gym during the last two weeks leading up to the pageant.  I was prepared, and there was no sense in doubting that.  So, to the contestants putting pressure on themselves, “Just snap out of it!”

2 comments:

Unknown said...
June 25, 2012 at 6:10 AM

My statement all week long is ...Please eat! I worry so much about you girls during the week of Miss Arkansas! The first day at breakfast the dining room is full. THe last day at breakfast 3 girls at best. You have to have fuel to perform and that fuel comes in the form of food! Please please eat!

Anonymous said...
June 26, 2012 at 3:45 PM

Thank you for making my daughter emma's night..that was a memory makin kinda night..one she wont soon forget :)

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