Focus on the blessings and the rest will fall into place...

My sweet parents with me at the Arrival Ceremony

Good Morning!!!

It feels like afternoon right now because we had a 7:30 rehearsal this morning! This week is off to a great start and it's only Tuesday!! It is also INTERVIEW day! This is my favorite phase of competition for several reasons:

1. It reminds me of standing in front of my classroom
2. It gives me an opportunity to have a long-awaited conversation with the judges
3. I get to talk about my platform - which I'm super excited about this year!
4. I love my interview dress!! (Thanks Mom!!!) 

My interview will be sometime between 3:00 and 3:30 today, so if you have some extra time, send up positive thoughts and prayers today! If you're reading this after that time, go ahead and send up some positive thoughts and prayers for all of the girls this week - they are amazing! 

Speaking of the girls...I think that this is my favorite group of contestants so far! They are so supportive of one another and have really focused on enjoying themselves this week.  I know that every single girl has worked so hard to be here and I can't wait to cheer each girl on as she performs this week.  This is a special opportunity, we are actively creating a sisterhood that will last long beyond the week of Miss Arkansas.  Here are some of pictures of our time together so far, I think you will be able to see just how much fun we are having at Miss Arkansas: 

Me, Kathryn, and Rebecca having fun with some of the art in the Summit Arena

Group B at Arrival! 

Bethany Bell and I before Arrival
(We are roommates for the week!)

Sam and I making "shark" faces...too much fun! 

Love this girl! Sweet Natalie and me at arrival

With Rebecca, Sloane, and Sam during rehearsals on Monday

Rebecca and I will be interviewing together this year...just kidding!
(Look at the AWESOME Miss Arkansas Logo in the background) 

First look at the Miss Arkansas stage...check out the 44-foot runway!

 These are only a few of the memories I have made so far this week.  The production will be awesome this year.  The theme of the pageant is, "Miss Arkansas...75 and feeling good!" All of our songs have "feeling" in them and the production numbers are going to look amazing on the stage.  Miss Mikki is a great choreographer - she even helps the non-dancers (aka: Simone) look graceful, which is pretty spectacular.  Make sure and order your tickets on ticketmaster.com or watch it online at missarkansas.org.  I cannot wait for preliminaries to begin!

Before I sign off I want to share a little of what is on my heart today.  I was talking with my parents as we were driving to Hot Springs and we were discussing what my testimony has become since I have been involved in this organization, I know that without a doubt, my testimony is one of perseverance.  As I've said before, I never thought I would still be working on this dream at the age of 24.  But you know what? I am so glad that I am.  I have gained so many friendships and experiences because I have had the opportunity to come back year after year - and I am better because of this.  I would not trade my journey for anything.  In fact, everything is perfect in its season.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance [perseverance].  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:3

"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He will do it." - Psalm 37: 4-5

"Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." - Romans 4: 20-21

Everywhere I look this week I see blessings around me.  Blessings of friendship, hugs of encouragement, answered prayers, and the pure joy of the Lord at work in the lives of the people around me.  Whatever this week brings I know that my life will be changed for the better because of this experience.  I am trusting the process, I am trusting the plan.

My hope is that something has touched you today, whether you read it here or experienced it elsewhere, know that good things are headed your way.  You are not forgotten, you are not lost.  His timing is perfect.

See you on the other side of interview!!
~ Simone