Now that the pageant has come and gone, and I can finally eat more than just almonds, apples, and salads (bring on the chocolate!), I've had time to reflect on the whirlwind that was this past week.
I didn't win the crown, but I won Montana's Choice by a landslide. It meant more to me than I can put into words that my family and friends, those who actually know me and what I stand for, instead of a panel of 5 strangers, wanted me as their Miss Montana so much that they literally spent thousands of dollars to vote for me. For that, I thank each and every one of you for believing in me and supporting me.
While I can't say that the pageant itself promoted a lot of personal growth or development for me, it was a vehicle for a lot of amazing spiritual experiences. I had to rely on God completely to get me through that week. So much so that on the night of the pageant, as I stood back stage, getting ready to play piano, I was freaking out. I started praying, more like begging, my Father in Heaven to give me strength. In that moment, I heard the words in my head, "fear not, for I am with thee" and almost instantly an overwhelming calm came over me. I walked out on stage, played my piece almost perfectly, and walked off stage to wait. The second I was clear of the curtains, my legs gave out, and my body began to shake. It was as if someone had literally been walking with me, holding me up, and then was gone.
When I first made the decision to compete in Miss Montana, I made the statement that if I only reached one person in the audience, it would all be worth it, and I frequently prayed for opportunities to help those who needed to hear my message. I think that prayer was answered during the second night of preliminaries (thank you to my stealthy photographer)
The applause I heard, which didn't cease until after I exited the stage, told me my message resounded with many in the audience, and my first thought as I walked through the curtains was, "that was it, that was why I came here."
I'm not sure what my next adventure will be. I have ideas, but no definitive decisions. For now, I'm going to enjoy my summer and wait for God to unveil where my next journey will take me.
