Okay, I know what you're all thinking- great job with the current weekly blog updates this past month Michelle- and you're right, I was a little behind. I guess with the Miss Kansas pageant and a wedding, things got a little crazy!! Well things did come to an end on Saturday June 9, and I am officially a former! But the good news is that we have a great new Miss Kansas- Alyssa George. She such an accomplished and well prepared young woman, and I can promise that it will be exciting to watch her this year!! Congratulations again to all the contestants as well- you were a beautiful and talented group of young women and represent our state so well!!

This will be my last blog entry, and then you'll get to hear from Alyssa - which I know you will enjoy!! I want to send a huge thank you out to so many people. Thank you to all of you supporters and volunteers who read this blog and gave your encouragement, thank you to all of our sponsors who made this year possible, thank you to Tara Dawn Holland for all of your support and encouragement, thank you to Priscilla and Steve Stanley for everything, thank you to Doug, Lisa M, Lisa C, Deb, Misty, Matt, Staci Susan, Janet, Daryl and all of the others on the prep team and the MKO board for making this year such a success, thank you to my church, Freedom Bible Fellowship, for all of your support and for sticking with me even when times were really hard, thank you to the Beck family for being such an encouragement and support this year, thank you to Aunt Shawna, Uncle Sheldon Caris and Carson for always being there every step of the way- all the way to Miss America, thank you to Grandpa Norm and Grandma Marie for never hesitating to help with anything, and thank you to my family- Michael, Mark, Megan, Melissa, and Mom and Dad, for ALWAYS supporting me in the good times and bad and for making my year incredible.

The Lord has taught me so much this year, but if I were to sum it all up in just a few thoughts it would be this:

Our lives are so short; time passes so quickly and only what is done for the Lord will last. If you don't know the person of Jesus Christ as your Saviour, if everything I always type at the end of these blogs is intriguing, but a little too confusing or "preachy" for you, I encourage you to NOT leave it that way. Pick up your Bible and start in John, and open your heart to what the Lord says to you. Our lives are like vapors, and in the grand scheme of things, you don't miss out on what really matters in life. Know God- know peace.

Thank you again for all your support, and maybe someday I'll start another blog somewhere else- but until then- go with God and have fun following Alyssa this year!!! She's gonna be great!!!!

In Christ,
Michelle Walthers
Miss Kansas 2006

HI EVERYONE!!! I'm back!! I took a little break for a while, so thank you for your patience to everyone who keeps up with the blog- it should be back to normal for the next month that's left. Well as always things have been busy. I have kept up a pretty full schedule and when I'm not at appearances I'm getting ready for two very important things: 1) The Miss Kansas Pageant in June, and 2) MY WEDDING!!! That's right- I'm engaged! My boyfriend of five years, Caleb Loss, proposed at the end of March and I said yes : ) My parents were married on July 7, and since this year will be 7-7-07, we couldn't pass it up and they said we can share with them. Now we'll just pray that I can get everything done in time!!

This year has been such a wonderful experience. I have met so many new people and really have had the chance to embrace what the state of Kansas is all about- and I couldn't be prouder. The Lord has taught me so much this year as well. He's taught me more about what it means to truly wait on the Lord in everything, He's taught me that His ways are so much higher and better than mine, and I need to rest in that. I think I've talked about Jeremiah before, but it's really been such a blessing to me throughout this whole ordeal. I love chapter one, where Jeremiah is called, but is hesitant because he thinks he's not qualified. God says- I will send you to everyone I want you to talk to, and I will put the words in your mouth." Don't we serve an amazing God?! Not only has He promised to guide us, He's promised to never leave us.

Well, you can keep checking the blog again- I will do my best to keep everything fresh and updated. I'm heading out tomorrow bright and early to the Orientation for all of the new contestants. They're all great young women and I am so excited for the pageant!!

In Christ-

Michelle

Hello everyone- I'm back: ) Miss America aired live on CMT on January 29, and you're new Miss America is Lauren Nelson, Miss Oklahoma. It was really an amazing experience and I met some of the most accomplished and driven women from across our great country. Although I didn't end up making the top ten, I can honestly say that I did the best that I could do. I brought the best game I had, and I can look back with no regrets. I wasn’t supposed to be Miss America 2007, but I know that the Lord has another plan for me. I want to send out a VERY BIG thank you to all of the people that gave me so much support on the road to Miss America- my family, my friends, my directors, and really, the whole state of Kansas. I could not have stood on that stage were it not for the many people that stood behind me, gave me that extra piece of advice, or said those extra prayers when I needed them most. I count it such an honor to have represented our great state, and I am excited about the next three months that I have left to continue to. Please pray for Lauren as she has a fun, but very full year ahead of her. I know that she will represent all of us well.

I was thinking again these last few weeks about finding God’s will for your life. One of my judges asked me in interview if I believed that our lives were planned out for us by God, or if He gave us free will, or if I believed in a combination of the two. I told him I believed in a combination of the two; we serve a sovereign God, but in His sovereignty, He gives us free will. It’s so easy to say, but learning to live it is another thing. I guess that’s why Jesus never promised that being a Christian would be a walk in the park. This experience has taught me that ultimately, God has a bigger, better master plan than we’ll ever be able set up for ourselves, sometimes you learn the most from the road you wouldn’t have taken, and most importantly, God never leaves you- even when you feel liked you’ve failed. I’ve kind of been leaning on Deuteronomy 31:8 lately- “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

Well that’s about it for this week- oh yeah, I was going to tell you all one more thing: When I got home from Vegas, I found an article about me floating around on the web claiming that, “Miss Kansas Worships the Devil!” Although I’m pretty sure that it was a satirical article, just to put any fears to rest, I am NOT a card-carrying Satanist, nor a member of the occult in any way : )

Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch you later : )

Hello everyone! YES- I'm still alive, and thank you for your diligence in keeping up with this blog even during the break I've taken. The holidays and the New Year have been both relaxing and busy . . if that’s possible . . and I thank you all for your continued patience with me during this time. Since December, I've done a number of appearances. I had the opportunity to speak at Chetopa schools, and help emcee at the Miss Sunflower and Miss KC Metro pageant (your new title holders are Belinda Post and Felicia Fairly - Congrats ladies!! ) I spoke at Andover Middle School, Butler Community College, made two all day appearances at Towne East, helped to film a commercial for Boeing Wichita Credit Union and helped to shoot some advertisement photos for Grene Vision ( by the way they have been an excellent new sponsor and provided some VERY cool sunglasses for the trip to Vegas! Thank you guys Dr. Blackman of Grene Vision also gave me an eye check-up as part of our collaboration- and guess what I got some new reading glasses! Don’t worry though, they’re hip and chic : ) . Two local pageants also took place during this span- Miss Wheat Capitol and Miss Great Plains - congrats, to Laura Blasi and Hannah Hendricks! (respectively) and Miss Ulysses - Alexandria Blasi congrats!

My wardrobe is all ready and although I kind of have to keep it semi-underwraps I can tell you this: IT’S AMAZING!!! The Miss Kansas Preparation team has helped me tremendously! And make sure that you watch (Lord willing) very closely in evening gown. I’ll be wearing an original design by A. Renee! It’s stunning! She did such an amazing job and if you are interested in her work visit Crown Chic in Kansas City. A big thank you to Valerie Mack and family as well for all of your help with talent. You have been such an encouragement. Thank you also to Daryl Woods for all of your help. ( Just a little tip- if any of you need help with your image, Daryl is the man to contact. Check out my marching band “before picture” on missamerica.cmt.com, and the Miss America “after picture” on missamerica.org. I don’t need to write anything else here to convince you - “a picture’s worth a thousand words.”

Although the gowns and glamour are a lot of fun, I’m surprised lately at how many people really think that Miss America is “just a beauty pageant.” I was at an autograph signing the other day when a grandfather walked up with his little grand daughter, pointed to me and said, “You see that lady with the crown over there? Do you know what that means? That means that she’s the most beautiful girl in all of Kansas.” I just wanted to pull him aside and say, “Actually it means that I’ve worked incredibly hard to better myself, give back to my community, communicate the passion I have in my heart to others, learn how to survive in the business world, represent all of the other contestants in my state and this year, at a pageant that helps to further the education and betterment of young women, I was rewarded for my hard work.” He walked away before I could articulate my thoughts . . . . I just wish people would start to see this program for what it’s really about. At every level it promotes women. At every level it helps to turn young women into scholars, and at every level it gives women a voice. That’s the message that needs to go out to people.

This past month has really been such a wild range of emotions for me. There’s an excitement and anxiousness about the reality of it all, and at the same time this overwhelming calm that I know is a “peace that passes all understanding.” I’m ready for this journey to happen, and deep down – you know that gut feeling - I keep hearing, “Get ready.” The reassuring thing about it is this: before time began, before God put the sun in the sky, before man took the first breath of air on this world, God already knew who Miss America 2007 would be. What He expects from me is my best. After that, I know what’s supposed to happen will happen.

A couple weeks ago I went back to Jeremiah to start reading and the first chapter just spoke to me. Paraphrased: the Lord tells Jeremiah He planned for him to be a voice, a prophet for Him, before Jeremiah was formed in the womb. Jeremiah comes back with a ‘great’ excuse: “ Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth,” The Lord tells him- Don’t say ‘I am a youth.’ You’ll go to all that I send you to, and speak what I command you. Don’t be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.

The rest of the chapter is just straight comfort. God’s trying to remind Jeremiah who’s in charge. Sometimes it’s so easy to forget that God is sovereign IN EVERYTHING. He wants us to rest in that . . . even when it’s really, really hard. . . . especially when it’s really, really hard.

I believe that God has put me here for a reason, just like He has put you where you’re at for a reason: to Glorify Him. I don’t know if I’ll walk down that runway on the 29th as Miss America 2007, but if it’s God’s plan I will embrace it as the path He has given me to run my race well. I know that not everyone may like or agree with the things that I write or say, or even the cloths that I wear - but remember, God uses his vessels in different ways to accomplish His will. My path will not be the same as yours . . . and that’s okay. I think Solomon said it pretty well at the close of Ecclesiastes: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” I truly believe that if you remember and practice those two things, you will be used of God greatly.

Whatever happens in the next two weeks, I want to thank all of you for the crucial roles you have played. My family, my friends, my supporters- thank you for all that you have done to make this year a success. Lord willing, the next time I write an entry I’ll be able to sign it “Miss America 2007!” Until then- pray hard and don’t forget to watch!

-Michelle

(CMT 7:00 January 29)

Happy Wednesday everbody! 36 DAYS and counting!!! I'm just finishing up my last few schools on my Miss Kansas Speaks tour, and although I'm excited about being totally focused on MA for these last few days, I'll admit, I'll really miss the kids. Last week I spoke at the Dodge City elementary schools and they were a blast! I even got dogpiled by a kindergarten class! I was down on one knee talking with a little boy and suddenly, another little guy ran over and gave me a great big hug. That was the cue for the rest of the class, and before I knew it I was on the ground in a "dogpile of hugs!" It was great! I spoke yesterday at Independence High School, and today I'm headed to Norwich schools. I'll only have two left: Chetopa and Andover.

You should also go take a look at www.missamerica.cmt.com. All of our interviews and home town footage are up and you can get to know each of the contestants a little better. There's also a chance to vote in the "best smile contest" . . . . I mean, I'm not using this as a tool to try to get you to go and vote for me or anything . . . unless . . . you want to. ( just kidding : ) Also don't forget to order your signed copy of "Oh What I'd do Without You" before Christmas! They make a great stocking stuffer : )

This week we took a break from our "Cover to Cover" study, but I got to visit and speak at a really neat church this past weekend. I went to The Benton Church in Benton Kansas and it was such a blessing. I was reminded that the true "present" of Christmas, is the presence of Christ on earth, and our own presence with our loved ones. In Sunday school I was reminded of the real importance of personal testimony. Your testimony is one of your greatest tools in life. People will always be able to disagree with your logic, theology and even basic doctrine, but they can't disagree with a personal testimony - how you live your life everyday, and how God has changed you life. So, know your personal testimony, say it, walk it, live it.

Have a great week and catch you next week : )

-Michelle

Hello again : ) I hope everyone had a good weekend. This past week has been full - surprise, I know - but a lot of fun. Time is ticking away until Miss America, and I am spending all my free time in preparation. This past week I visited Fredonia, Altoona, Neodesha, Alma, Humboldt and Medicine Lodge Schools, and also, the Homewood Suites Grand Opening, the first Kansas Children's Serivce League Red Stocking Breakfast in Garden City, the Peabody Christmas Parade, a Greene Vision Group Photo Shoot, and the Towanda Lions Club Christmas Dinner. All of the events were wonderful and thank you to the many people who coordinated me coming to all of them.

This next week is full, but with much opportunity. I will be setting up some meetings with some possible BIG spoosors, so pray for me if you think about it. In our Bible study, "From Cover to Cover," we studied a little bit more about the history of the Bible. If you've never spent any time studying that- do. It's amazing how much controversy surrounds this one book , and how many people gave their lives so that they could read just a little bit of it. It's so interesting to me that not so long ago, people would die to have a copy of the Scriptures, and now the average American family has at least two full copies, and we don't value them as much as we should. Go and read a little of the history behind your Bible, and it might mean a little more to you the next time you pick it up.

Have a good week guys, and don't forget - BUY A BOOK! There's going to be a pretty good sale coming up soon, so keep your eyes open for it and get one before Christmas while we still have copies in stock. They make great Christmas presents!!

Talk to you next week!
-Michelle

Nope- I'm not dead, just REALLY busy. But, a very good REALLY busy. First off, everyone go take a look at the Miss Kansas Homepage- my book is avaliable on the website now! A portion of the proceeds will go to help build a scholarship fund for 2007 Miss Kansas Contestants, and the make great Christmas Gifts as well. Also, every copy you order will be signed : ) So get your copy while we still have some left!

The past couple weeks have been very full, but very profitable. I spent some time at quite a few great schools and I want to send them all a 'shout out' : ) Belle Plaine, Skyline, Southwest, Liberty, Haskins, Lenora, Philipsburg, Fredonia, Altoona, Neodesha and Alma. Thank you all for being such great audiences. You make my job so much fun! I also want to send some thank you's out to all of the organizations that let me be involved in such a variety of events the last few weeks: Preferred Health for the Trade Show, Pratt for the Holiday Parade, Miss Dodge City Board for the Miss Dodge Cuty Pageant ( by the way your new Miss Dodge City is Laura Voran, and your new Miss Boot Hill is Samantha Steckloff- Congrats! , Raytheon for the Holiday Fundraiser, the Prairie Rose for the Cow Town Concert, McConnell for the Holiday Party, and Genesis Health Club & Preferred Health for the Andy Roddick Tennis Match ( YES!! I did meet Andy Roddick! We got a picture : )

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving : ) Mine was very nice and very restful, and in our family Monopoly Tournament, I actually lasted almost an hour! My studies have been going very well, and also our "From Cover to Cover" study. This week we studied the accuracy of Scripture through the years. We studied a little bit about how the first copies of Scripture were made and the process that the Scribes went through to ensure accuracy down to the letter. This hand copying continued for centuries until the first real printer was created and copies could be made. What I found most interesting however, was when we started to talk about the Dead Sea Scrolls. In 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and for the first time we could take the copies of Scripture that we had today, handed down through hundreds of years of hand copying, and see if they matched one of the original copies. Finally we could see if human error had played a part in the message of the gospel. However, when compared, there were less 20 differences in the text- none of which compromised or changed the meaning of any of the messages. Good food for thought : )

Have a great week, and I'll catch you this weekend!

-Michelle

Hello everybody- Hope your week has gone well, mine has been busy : ) Monday, I had some great meetings with some potential sponsors all morning, and left that afternoon for Western Kansas. I spoke in St. Francis on tuesday at the Elementary/ Jr. High and HS. Wednesday, I spoke in Bird City and Atwood - and both were wonderful assemblies : ) Thursday I spoke in Haven - in the same theatre where I used to have band contest! It was pretty cool. Friday I helped out on a KPTS Kid's Club Membership drive, and got to be an emcee live all morning! After that, I went for a TV commercial Screening- and guess what, I'm going to be on a Spangles commercial! It should air soon, so keep a watch out : ) Saturday, I was in the Wichita Veterans Parade, and was featured in a concert that night. Sunday, I sang with the Prairie Rose in the "Save Cowtown Concert" at the Johnny Western Theatre.

My week was full, but I learned some interesting things in our cover to cover study. We talked about how the Bible we have today got into our hands. If you really study the historical path of how we have the Bible today, you have yet another proof that the Bible must be real. Luke 21:33 says "Heaven and Earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." God has peserved His word through His sovereignty so that we could read it today. Take advantage of the gift that you have if you have a Bible. Read it. There will be a test : )

-Michelle

SEVENTY FOUR DAYS!!!! That's all that's left until Miss America! Hard to believe that time has gone so fast. My days have been full but I feel like I'm making progress both for the Miss Kansas Organization and as a contestant for Miss America. My speaking tour has been going so well, and although free time is a rare commodity these days, I enjoy the fast pace. I keep track of every appearance I go to and how many people I speak/sing in front of and yesterday, I added up all the numbers. Since June, I have been in front of approximately 43,153 people! My thanks goes out to Marilyn, Doug, Lisa, Lisa, Mom and the many others who have put in so much work to help me get bookings - we are making a difference! These past two weeks I have spoken at Oil Hill Elementary, Towanda Elementary (my old school! Benton Elementary, Haysville MS, Minneha Magnet, First Mennonite Bretheren Fall Friendship Festival, Cantan-Galva schools, Inman Schools, Marquette schools, Moundridge schools, Whitewater MS, Douglass HS and MS, the Miss Northeast Kansas, Miss Kansas River Valley, and Miss Teen Kansas River Valley Pageant ( Your new winners are Danielle Coffman, Carol Toland and Leslie Carillo - following above mentioned order - Congrats ladies!! Herington MS, the KASFA Conference in Wichita, Chase Schools, Lacrosse Schools,Hyatt Airforce Ball and Celebration Baptist's Family Fest Day. I've also attended a few more events where I didn't speak or sing at - Sierra Scott interviewed me for her new talk show "It's ALL Good" and that show should air on PBS sometime in the next 3-4 weeks,I attended the John Grange Hamburger Feed, the Kidfest at Century II and Clicks for Kids with the Kansas Children's Service League. As you can tell, it's been a full two weeks, but I'm learning so much, and I really think that every time I appear somewhere, I'm more prepared for Miss America.
I did have a request from my audience this past week to put my platform speech outline on my blog so they could print it out, so here it is: ( Alvin - just ignore this part, it's an acronym: )

F - Forgive
A - Appreciate
M - Make Memories
I - Initiative
L - Love
Y - You

You'll have to come to a presentation to get the full explanation of every point, but this should give you the general idea. : )

These past two weeks there have been quite a few things I've learned while studying. In devotions I went back to Isaiah and found this passage - 49: 15-16 " Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me." God never forgets about us! Throughout our lives, people will disappoint us- even those close to us - but God never will. We are continually before Him. In our cover to cover study, we talked about the authenticity of the Bible and I have an interesting fact for you all:There are approximately 2,500 prophecies in the Bible. About 2,000 of them have already been fufilled to the letter. The probabilty of all of that happening by chance is less than 1 in 10^2000 ( that' s 1 with 2000 zero's behind it Here's a better picture to help you understand. Take the state of Texas and cover it three layers deep with Silver Dollars. Have someone mark one of those Silver Dollars with an X and place it somewhere in the state. Then in one and only one try, dip your hand in and pull out that one silver dollar - those are the same odds that all Biblical prophecies happened by chance! I know there are a lot of questions today about the Bible, but I think I'll stick to believing it . . . I like my odds. : )


Have a great week!

-Michelle

PS - Books will be available soon - so just keep checking!

Well this is it guys - we are down to 89 days until Miss America 2007!! The Home Stretch! This past weekend, Daryl ( my wonderful consultant ) came down and with the help of the excellent Miss Kansas Team - we made the final decisions on wardrobe! I know you all want to know what everything looks like, and believe you me, I'd like to tell you! But, we have to keep it a surprise - so you'll just have to watch! This past week has been full but fun. I spent a good amount of time rounding up all the final clothing options for our review this week, and had a few school presentations as well. I spoke at Leavenworth Middle School, Ottawa MS, Goddard MS and Baxter Springs MS. To all you "Jr. Highers" out there that I got to meet - thanks for being a great audience, I had so much fun meeting you all! Well, pray for me if you think about it this week, I have about three school assemblies/ presentiations a day, so it will be one of those weeks that you just want to fall down and sleep for 24 hours after! But a fun week I'm sure! Also, before I forget, if any of you are interested in coming to Miss America, and would like to get a discount on tickets, my Mom is putting together a "Kansas Group" but you can only get this special discount if you go through her. If any of you are interested, please email her at walthers7@pixius.net ASAP - We need to have all checks by Nov. 1 ( The dates are January 24 - 29 )

I started a new Bible Study this week called "From Cover to Cover" and I'm really excited about what we're going to learn. I guess you guys will get to learn some of it too : ) Our lesson this week was about how the Bible is inspired, and given to us by God Himself. Our teacher made an interesteing point about that. He asked us to just think for a moment about how much money governments across the globe spend on looking for extra-terrestrial life. We spend millions on putting out satellites that just listen - trying to find some sign of intelligence outside of this world. Can you imagine what the papers would say, how much attention would be stirred if one day on those "listening monitors" the word "Hello" came through? The World would go crazy!! It's almost ironic that the one message we do have - an entire book for that matter - from a true all powerful and intelligent "extra-terrestrial" we hardly even bother to pick up and read sometimes. So my challenge to myself and you guys is to read a little bit of your Bible this week. Yes, it does come from a galaxy far, far away- but I promise, it's better than Star Wars. : )

Talk to you next week
-Michelle

Hey everybody!! Thank you for being patient with me! I have to keep this short, but I didn't want to miss you completely ( again : ) This past week/weekend has been a little busy. The school tours are in full swing and I'm really enjoying my time meeting all the kids. Last week, I went to Manhattan Middle School and they were a really great group of kids. This next week, I have more school meetings and hopefully we will come to a final decision on ALL wardrobe for Miss America!!! Exciting!! I hope you've all had wonderful weeks as well, and thank you for your continued involvement and interest in the Miss Kansas program. It's always encouraging when someone tells me they read my blog : )

Well - the passage I recomend this week is a good read through Esther. I've probably recomended this before, but it's such a neat story to see how God used an ordinary woman to work out His Master plan. There's a new movie out about Esther ( One Night with the King ), I haven't seen it yet - but read the book first : ) Talk to you this weekend : )

-Michelle

Happy October everybody! I had such a great time in Western Kansas this past week. I've never really spent much time out there, and it's such a beautiful part of Kansas. Talk about open plains! Monday I spoke in Leoti (which is pronounced Leotah by the way- the Middle Schoolers were quick to correct my mistake and they were a great audience. From there, I drove to Lakin for a school assembly, then had the pleasure of eating lunch with all the girls there. Maybe I'm just kind of dorky, but I really miss school lunches- I always thought they were pretty good - so this was kind of a highlight in my day! Next I went to Tribune to speak , then drove to Goodland to spend the night. On the way to Goodland, I had a little extra time, so I drove to Mount Sunflower - the highest point in Kansas. It was a beautiful drive, and the view was awesome. I was so far out in the prairie that when I stepped out of the car it was QUIET . . . . I mean really QUIET!!! If you're ever out that way take the extra trip. Wednesday I spoke at Goodland and Brewster schools, then went to Ness City and Ellinwood schools on Thursday. I finished the week with Pretty Prairie schools and a really great meeting with AT&T on Friday. It's been a full week, but the kids I've gotten to meet have been worth it. One thing I did learn while out in western KS - plan your hotel stays carefully. Originally I was going to stay in the towns I was scheduled to speak in, but decided to stick with the bigger towns even though it meant I had to back track a little. I was glad that I did When I pulled into one of the towns I had planned on staying in, I passed the hotel I had planned on staying in, and the sign out front said : Now - " COLOR TV'S and PHONES!!! "

I've been reading a little in Isaiah this past week and one verse kind of hit home when I stood on top of mount Sunflower - "I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west that there is none else. . . ." Kansas has a beauty all it's own and it's all been placed by the master artist. When I stood out there, I kind of got a sense of how small and trivial we really are in the grand scheme of things - but even so - GOD knows who I am and who you are and cares about us . . that's pretty cool.

Have a great week guys and I'll catch you next Saturday

Yes that's right - you're not dreaming, I am actually posting a Saturday blog on Saturday! I hope everyone had a great weekend and week. My weeks just seem to be getting busier, but it's definitely a good busy. On Monday I met with Habitat for Humanity to start discussing a Christmas Project- but it's still in the makings (I'll keep you posted on that). Tuesday I spoke at the BCC Life Enrichment Program in the morning, and then went to the United Way of El Dorado Campaign Kick-off - both were a lot of fun : ) Wednesday was especially busy. I gave my first "Right Decisions, Right Now" speech at Rose Hill MS, then went to lunch with some representatives from AT&T (We discussed a possible new sponsorship!!! Pray about this one !!!, and finally went to an employee meeting at Sherwin Williams of Andover and gave a speech. Thursday I spent the day with Auto Craft and their annual Golf Tournament. Friday I spent some time mentoring at Minneha Elementary, and I got to emcee the first night of "Andover Idol" that evening. The competition in Andover was so much fun! It carried over to Saturday night as well and I just finished emceeing those finals. Congratulations to the four new Andover Idols! Earlier today I was honored to represent Heritage Funeral Home of Andover in the Greater Andover Days Parade ( the staff was such a pleasure to get to know : ) , and in the afternoon I had a chance to hold a book signing in the park. Next week is pretty full as well, but I'm looking forward to it. I head out for western Kansas tommorrow night, and I'll spend almost all of next week out there.

I've been reading in Proverbs some more this week and there's a verse that's really stuck with me. You may have heard it before - it's Proverbs 3:27 " Do not withold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." One thing I've always enjoyed is just being a servant - I love to voluteer and help however I can. But sometime service can become tiresome, and we're all tempted to give in and up. But God tells us that we are to keep at it - keep giving of ourselves to serve others. Well have a good week and I will catch you next Saturday . . . hopefully : )

Good Morning everybody! First of all I apologize for missing you last week, I just got so busy last weekend, and every time I planned to sit down and do it, something else came up! I hope you’ve all had a good past two week – as I said mine were kind of crazy. I had the chance to visit the State Fair and spend some time signing autographs. That was a lot of fun! Saturday I spent the morning at “Cruis’in for ROCKO,” a motorcycle and classic car fundraiser for ROCKO. I had such a fun time, and I even got to sit on some of the VERY cool motorcycles. From there I drove to Cheney Lake to attend and help emcee the Miss Cheney Lake Pageant. Your new Miss Cheney Lake is Jennifer Jones, and thanks to a very giving community and a dual title, your new Miss Sedgwick County is Alyssa George! Monday I had meetings most of the day, but I got to attend the “Sons of San Juan Keen” concert that night (sorry if I misspelled that). It was AWESOME!! I even got to meet the band before they went out, only to find out that one of the lead singers was a judge for Miss California this year! Tuesday I met Donniesha who I have the privilege of being a school based mentor to this next year. She is very cool, and we both love art. Wednesday I spoke at my first set of schools and it was so much fun! They seemed very responsive to the message, and time just flew by! I drove to Pittsburg after that and spoke at a BBBS dinner that night. Thursday I went to the Century II Business Expo with NCRI (National Catastrophe Restoration Inc.) and had the chance to visit with a lot of people- even my friends from Wild West World! Friday I was at WSU emceeing “Party on the Patio” for high school senior day. It was very cool and I even got to give away a $1000 scholarship to a student! Well, over all it was a pretty good (if busy) two weeks and Sunday was a much needed day of rest. We’ve been studying about the omniscience of God in church and it’s been really interesting. God knows EVERYTHING!! One of the questions that our pastor (my Dad) posed was this: If you come to a fork in the road and God already knows which way you will turn, can you turn the other way? That’ll make you think! We’ve learned that God has a perfect triad of attributes that makes Him completely omniscient : He is perfect in Knowledge, perfect in Wisdom, and perfect in Love. Without any one of these attributes, He would cease to be God. Well, have a blessed week, and I will catch you again next weekend ( hopefully : )

-In Christ,
Michelle

PS - A friend told me that I forgot to explain just what you would be able to see on TV the Saturday before Miss America when I told you all about LA last time. It will be a two hour "reality/documentary" entitled "Becoming Miss America," and it will be basically all the activities we did while in LA. : )

Hello everyone! And no I didn't forget about you! : D I just got back from LA and the weekend was just too full to sit down and write for you, so you get the Tuesday version of the blog. Well, I spent last week on Santa Monica Beach in California! It was a great experience but I gotta tell ya, there's "No place like Home!" I can't tell you everything. . . well actually I can't tell you most of what we did because it would ruin the suprise! But, tune in on the Saturday before January 29, and you can see it for yourself : ) It was very interesting to get to meet all of the other contestants this week, but I have good news - so far everyone seems very nice : ) I made some great friends this past week, and shot out to Iowa who was my roomie. I'm gonna miss that late night- order-in Dominos pizza : ) I can honestly tell you that we will have a great competition this year, and it will be one that you won't want to miss!

It's so neat how the Lord brings scripture to you at just the right time in your life. Before I flew out last Monday, my Grandpa reminded me of Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is the Lord's." I'll admit .. I spent the weeks leading up to this trip worrying about being completely prepared for everything and every circumstance possible (my overweight suitcases were testimony to the fact). But in the end, it was the Lord that got me through the week, and already had every step planned out. No matter how "prepared for the day of battle" that I was, ulitmately God knew every twist and turn. Sometimes I really wish God would let me look into the future . . it would sure make for lighter luggage.

Well hello again everybody : ) I hope your weekend has been enjoyable, and that your just about ready to spend a relaxing Labor Day tomorrow. I’ve had a good week so far- most of it just spent preparing for the trip this week. I did, however get to have my first round table discussion on Thursday. A big thanks to Shelly, Matt, Janet, Staci and Doug. IN MY OPINION – you guys are awesome!! We spent a good hour just talking and questioning about current events and my platform. A big thank you also goes out to Lan at Salon Knotty from my beautiful nails and toes : ) , De al for my cutting edge hair (pun intended: ) and Tan Lines for all of their support these past few months and this week. I couldn’t compete and perform at this level if it weren’t for you all and your kindness!

As I get ready to fly out this week to meet some amazing young women and learn more about the Miss America system , I’m reminded of a verse in Proverbs 31 that I think every woman should hide in her heart: Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord she shall be praised.” When it comes right down to it, it’s not so much about what dress I’m wearing, or if I have just the style of shoes, as it is about who I am on the inside. What we so often forget is that man looks on the outside appearance, but God looks on the heart. God wants to see a woman that lives her life in respect of Him, and when we do that, we truly are beautiful in every sense of the word.

Hey everybody I think I’m going to start calling this a Sunday blog instead of a Saturday one! Saturdays just seem to get away from me so quickly! From now on, just know I will try to get one up every weekend- whether that be Saturday or Sunday This past week has gone well. I had a great time today at the Heartsprings Pedalfest. I got to go out and welcome the bike riders in as they finished their trek! It was really a great event, and even though the sky was cloudy, that didn’t put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm! I also had the privilege of helping out with the Harvey County Safe House auction and benefit dinner on Tuesday. The auctioneer even let me come up and try my hand at auctioning! Thank you Harvey County for letting me spend the evening with you! This week at Toastmasters I gave my fourth speech entitled, “The Family: An Institute of Promise.” I think it went well, but you’d have to ask the rest of the group I guess! This Wednesday I will be Toastmaster of the evening! I’m REALLY excited!! I have it all planned out, I’m just praying it actually happens the way I’ve planned! Well, only a few more days until I leave for Hollywood! I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet all the other girls I’ve heard from a few of them, and if they’re all half as nice as they look in their pictures, Hollywood will be GREAT! Please pray for me as I head out this next week. It will be such a great opportunity!

In devotions this week, I studied a little bit about the story of the rich young ruler and his question to Christ about salvation (Luke 18 ) When this rich young guy came up and asked how he could be saved, the first thing Jesus questioned him about was the ten commandments and if he’d kept them. The ruler answered quickly with “Of course, I’ve done all that since I was little” (paraphrased). When Christ heard that, (which FYI is impossible for anybody) he got to the root of the problem. He told the ruler to sell all he had and give it to the poor. That seems a little harsh, but Christ could see that this man had a heart problem of covetousness. If we want a relationship with Christ, and if we want to be filled with His spirit, we can’t be filled with anything else. In this guys case it was covetousness, but in yours or mine, it could be pride, or self-righteousness. Whatever it is, God guarantees blessing and fulfillment when we just surrender! I won’t give away the end of the story, but go read it- you might be surprised at the ending! Have a great week, and I’ll catch you next Saturday . . . or Sunday.

-In Christ,
Michelle

Hey everybody First of all I apologize for missing you all Saturday, I was helping all day with the Miss Augusta local pageant and time just got away from me! But, I guess it’s kind of good that I waited because now I can tell you the very first contestant for Miss Kansas 2007: Miss Erin Harveth! Give her your congratulations! We also crowned the very first Miss Teen contestant who is none other than my sister, Melissa Walthers! All of the girls that competed were amazing and I had such a fun time getting to know you all! This week was pretty good- and great news, thanks to the wonderful generosity of Printing Inc., my book is ready for selling! As of now the book will only be available when I make appearances, but we’re hoping to set up some sort of link where you can order them online. Hopefully the book will help contribute some funding back to the organization this year, and help families in the process. A big thanks to the Butler Video and TV department who helped me film my hometown footage for Miss America this year. You guys were great! And to Towanda, I know we caused quite a stir going around with TV cameras all day, but don’t worry- it was just me Another big thanks to Butler Community College for letting me come and speak this past week. It was wonderful to meet so many new people and see so many of my past teachers. Well, that’s a little overview of this week, but things are going well. Send your congratulations to Erica as well, she represented our state extremely well this past weekend.
Well, I’ll keep it short and sweet this week. I hope you all’s week went well too, and a big thank you to everyone who came out to the Miss Augusta pageant on Saturday.

I’ve been studying a little in Proverbs this past week, after a good friend directed my attention there There’s a verse in chapter 22 that I really liked: (vs. 29) Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before the unknown.” I thought this verse was a good reminder that when we are diligent in our work God will see to it that we are rewarded. Sometimes it can feel like all your efforts go unnoticed, but it’s good to know that the one who sees everything doesn’t ignore you

Hey guys Well, I apologize, I missed our Saturday appointment. The day just kind of got away from me! This week was full, but I enjoyed the ride I met with Mickey ( my terrific Director of Development a few times early in the week and he introduced me to some really neat people. Thank you Mickey for setting up those appointments – I had such a great time! I had a few more workout sessions at Genesis this week. Once again, if you’re looking for a quality gym, Genesis is it! The trainers staff and management bend over backwards to make your time there a success and I recommend them with the highest praise Also another big thank you to Preston and Melissa for all of your help! You are experts in your field and I recommend you both as wonderful personal trainers! Toastmasters was also a lot of fun this week. I gave my first evaluation of someone else’s speech this past Wednesday. I was a little nervous, but Dean you gave such a great speech that my job was easy! Thanks everybody for being patient with me I also made a visit to Lann this week at Salon Knotty inside the Genesis health club. The ladies there are just wonderful, and Lann thank you for always being so sweet and making my nails look great! You are wonderful- and ladies if you need any help at all with your nails, Lann is the person to see! I had a neat opportunity as well this week working with one of our great sponsors. Dillard’s of Towne East Mall has just been wonderful! I made a few appearances there and even drew caricatures for awhile, and in exchange they’re going to help me get ready for Miss America! Thank you to Ken Cindy and Matt for everything! I had such a great time Friday and Saturday! In a way I’m kind of glad that I waited until tonight to write you all. Now I can tell you about the wonderful little church I just got back from. Community Bible Church in Harper county invited me to come and speak this evening. It was so much fun. Thank you to all of you who made me feel so at home and for the wonderful testimony you have as a church. I felt so welcome with you, and I can’t think of any place I would’ve rather been! Thank you for your love!

Well that about wraps up this week. I’m still finishing up Isaiah in my devotions, but I did a little study in I Corinthians 13 for my presentation at Harper this week. In verses 4-8a God gives us the true meaning of love: “Love suffereth long and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” I thought this was just a good reminder of what each of us should practice daily for one another- that’s right, even when it’s not so easy to do

Have a “lovely” week and I’ll talk to you next Saturday!

PS- Miss Augusta, the very first local for Miss Kansas 2007 is next Saturday (August 19) in Augusta! Come on out if you’re not busy! Also pray for Erica this week and Saturday especially as she will be competing for Miss Outstanding Teen!

Hey everybody- I haven't forgotten about you, but I'll have to post later this afternoon/evening. Catch you then

-Michelle

Good morning everybody! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week and are in the midst of a great weekend! My week was a little busy, but I feel like I’ve accomplished much. I spent Monday in Pratt with the Maechtlens (Steve, Vicky and Kyle- thanks for making me feel so much at home and spent a little time visiting with some of our great sponsors. On Tuesday, I’m happy to announce that Tan Lines became a new sponsor! That evening I also had the privilege of speaking at the Augusta Lions Club. Wednesday I met with Parvan of the Wichita Grand Opera about a possible fundraising event. Tuesday evening, I gave my third Toastmaster speech entitled “Miss America: The Woman Behind the Crown.” I think I may have scared the group a little whan I started the speech out by singing “There she is Miss America! . .” Thursday was a little busy, but I had a wonderful time meeting with Julie who coordinates Andover Idol. Thank you for your time Julie! I look forward to working with you this year! Friday I had the privilege of meeting with Ken and Cindy of Dillards, and I’m excitied to say that we’ll be working together this year! Also a big thanks goes out to Jean Plummer for the article in the Wichita Chronicle- Jean you made me sound better than I am! Overall it was a pretty good week

Well, in light of the fact that it’s exactly one month from today that I’m scheduled to be in LA and on a reality TV set, I’ve been studying Proverbs and Ecclesiastes to glean a little bit of wisdom for those situations before I go. I think Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 has some pretty good advice: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” I may be nervous about being under cameras so many hours a day on a reality TV show, but really, we should all live our lives like we’re under one giant camera. God gives us our whole duty in this verse: fear God and keep His commandments. When we do that, we can be sure that our own personal reality show, set to air on the judgment day, will be “viewer friendly.”

Have a great week everyone, and I’ll catch you next week!

-Michelle

Good morning everybody! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week and are in the midst of a great weekend! My week was a little busy, but I feel like I’ve accomplished much. I spent Monday in Pratt with the Maechtlens (Steve, Vicky and Kyle- thanks for making me feel so much at home and spent a little time visiting with some of our great sponsors. On Tuesday, I’m happy to announce that Tan Lines became a new sponsor! That evening I also had the privilege of speaking at the Augusta Lions Club. Wednesday I met with Parvan of the Wichita Grand Opera about a possible fundraising event. Tuesday evening, I gave my third Toastmaster speech entitled “Miss America: The Woman Behind the Crown.” I think I may have scared the group a little whan I started the speech out by singing “There she is Miss America! . .” Thursday was a little busy, but I had a wonderful time meeting with Julie who coordinates Andover Idol. Thank you for your time Julie! I look forward to working with you this year! Friday I had the privilege of meeting with Ken and Cindy of Dillards, and I’m excitied to say that we’ll be working together this year! Also a big thanks goes out to Jean Plummer for the article in the Wichita Chronicle- Jean you made me sound better than I am! Overall it was a pretty good week

Well, in light of the fact that it’s exactly one month from today that I’m scheduled to be in LA and on a reality TV set, I’ve been studying Proverbs and Ecclesiastes to glean a little bit of wisdom for those situations before I go. I think Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 has some pretty good advice: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” I may be nervous about being under cameras so many hours a day on a reality TV show, but really, we should all live our lives like we’re under one giant camera. God gives us our whole duty in this verse: fear God and keep His commandments. When we do that, we can be sure that our own personal reality show, set to air on the judgment day, will be “viewer friendly.” 

Have a great week everyone, and I’ll catch you next week!

-Michelle

Hey everybody: ) I hope you’ve all had a grrrreat week! Mine has been a little busy, but good. I’m going to have to make this blog a little shorter, because I’m actually running a bit behind schedule, so I’ll make it brief. I had some really good meetings this week. I met with Terry Newman of Papa John’s, Susie Edwards of none other than my home-away-from-home: Financial Aid, Ken from Dillards, Dawn from Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Molly from KPTS. Thanks goes out to all of you for meeting with me! I had a good time with each of you! Toastmasters was also so much fun this week. Our theme was “humor” and thank you to everyone for enduring my lame-o jokes : ) Shot out to Carol Toland as well who came as my guest! Speaking of which, starting this week, we’re having a new guest drive, and I’d love it if any of you would like to attend as my guests. The meeting starts at 4:45 and ends at 6:15. To get there, take the turnpike to K-15 exit. Once you come out of the toll booth, go right a short distance until you come to K-15. Turn left onto K-15 and go straight until you come to 47th st. Turn left onto 47th and go a short distance until you see the 4501 building on your left. It’s an education building for Cowley and Wichita State. When you come in the front door, go past the receptionists desk and down the hall all the way to the tiger eyes and take a left. Go up the stairs to the second floor and turn left. You’ll see the Toastmasters sign there. It’s a fun group, and I’m sure you’ll all enjoy it! Well, that’s my week in a nutshell. Sorry for the brevity, but duty calls!

In my devotions this past week, I’ve been studying Ephesians some more. In ch.6 Paul talks about putting on the whole armor of God. Again, I have to keep it short, but I really encourage you to go and look it up yourself. Each piece of armor is a metaphor for an attribute of a soldier for the Lord. I can’t stress enough that from the minute you decide to stand for truth and be counted for Christ, Satan slaps a big target on your back and would like nothing better than to see you flunk, fail and fizzle- so don’t give him the opportunity. Stand strong, stand sure- but most importantly- stand.

Have a great week, and I’d love to see you all at a Toastmasters meeting sometime- even if you can’t make it this Wednesday!

In Christ-
Michelle

Good Morning! Well, I pulled out my calendar to give you an account of everything I’ve done this week, and I gotta tell ya, it’s been a little busy! I am rejoicing this week though because of Monday. I had a chance to meet with Gena Ervay and Mark Woodman about getting involved with ROCKO, which is a respite care organization. It is a great organization, and although I’m still learning about it, I am really excited about getting involved. Mark is also the president of Printing Inc. and during our meeting I got to show him my children’s book. He liked it and decided to become our printer! God is good all the time! I’ve been working on getting the final revisions done and hopefully we can start earning a little money to help the Miss Kansas Organization with it. I also had a chance to visit with our friends and sponsors at CBIZ for a little while this week. Dick, sorry I missed you, but I’ll catch you soon! I also continued to work out at Genesis, and I know that I probably sound like a commercial by now, but it’s with good reason. They know what they’re doing, and I would really encourage you to give them a visit if you’re planning on joining a gym. I promise that you’ll feel right at home and really be challenged to get in shape. Jessica- Thanks for all you’re help on Tuesday at Genesis!

On Wednesday, I went to my Toastmasters Club and gave my second speech. It’s a really great club and I want anyone who reads this blog to come as my honored guest on August 2! We’re doing a visitors drive, and I’d love to introduce you all that Wednesday. (I’ll post directions next Saturday The speech I gave this week was entitled “Noah’s Ark: Forgotten Legend, or Buried Truth?” It was a fun speech to research for, and I would encourage all of you to do a little research on it yourselves. Here’s you challenging question for the week: What would it mean to you if next week we dug up the remains of Noah’s Ark from a frozen tundra in Turkey? Think about it! Anyway, the meeting was great, and I was honored to take home the trophy for “Best Speaker” that night! To finish out the week, I met with Susan Chapman from Big Brothers Big Sisters ( who was just a doll, attended a luncheon for the “Go Red for Women” campaign, (Thanks for the invite Susan) and made my first recording of the National Anthem with the Prairie Rose Recording Studio ( Thanks again Jim for all of your patience! It was so much fun working with you It was a full week, and I’m looking forward to a few days of rest this weekend.

I’ve been continuing on my quest through Isaiah this week, but took a break to read through Ephesians for a while, and it was like I was reading it for the first time. Paul writes this letter, while in prison, to the church at Ephesus. The part that really spoke to me was chapter 4. Paul urges believers strive for unity. He tells us to love one another with a love that is continuous and unconditional, because we are one in the body of Christ. Chapter 4 goes on to talk about ‘speaking the truth in love,’ and how we are to put off the old man “which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,” and put on the new man, “which was created according to God.” The chapter closes with a command to stop all bitterness, wrath, anger and evil speaking, and to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving instead- just as Christ has been to us. It was encouraging to me, and ‘surprise,surprise,’ once again the Bible told me exactly what I needed to hear


Well, have a great week everybody. Be sure to mark off August 2 from 4:45- 6:15 if you’re interested in coming to Toastmasters, and I will talk with you all next Saturday!

In Christ,
Michelle

Hey guys I hope everybody had a wonderful week, and thanks for tuning in to this week’s blog  This past Monday I watched “The Greatest Game Ever Played” for the first time, and I’m pretty sure I found a new favorite phrase: “Easy-peasy-lemon-squeasy.” I don’t know why but it just makes me smile to say it- I’m actually laughing right now. Okay . . . there’s your ‘random moment’ for the week. . .

As for my schedule this past week, it went very well. Monday, I took a personal day and tried to catch up on thank you notes- I’m almost there by the way! Tuesday, I made some business calls and met with Mickey and Doug during the afternoon. Wednesday was exciting! I spent some time at Butler Community College Showchoir Camp. I talked with the campers about the Miss K Organization and my pageant experience. They were such a great group of performers and made me feel right at home while I spoke! (Thanks guys if your reading this  ). After that, I went straight to my second Toastmasters class. I was scheduled to give my first speech that night, and I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous. The speech was just an introduction speech about my life, and I had it all written out, and I even put together a power point, but I was still a little uneasy. I got to the club meeting about a half hour early, and decided to rehearse my speech. At this point in the afternoon, I learned a valuable lesson- don’t rehearse a speech in front of a mirror in a public restroom that has a quiet or non-visible entry door. Half way through my speech, I learned that I was not as alone as I originally thought I was, and quickly excused myself. Whoever you are out there, if you heard half a speech about a ‘Michelle Walthers’ let me know and I’ll email you the end

Wednesday night and Thursday morning were a little hectic, but a lot of fun! Earlier in the week, Joe Stump with the Wichita Eagle Food section called me and asked if I liked to cook. I LOVE to cook, and so he asked me if I would be willing to make a couple recipes and be in the upcoming Food section of the paper. I said yes, and got to work. I made a Chocolate cheesecake with whip cream, kiwis and strawberries, and I also made a Fettuccine Alfredo dish. I finished my dishes literally right before I had to leave on Thursday, and a big thank you to Priscilla Stanley for helping me out with everything. I met with her at my house that morning to iron out a few details about Miss Augusta- she didn’t know she was walking into “Cooking with Michelle.” She helped me pack all my dishes into my car while I tried to make myself look presentable (side note on that ‘presentable’ thing: Joel would you be willing to move to Kansas? Maybe somewhere around 50th St. and Santa Fe? ) We met at Bonnie Bing’s House for the photo shoot, then ate my creations for lunch. It was a lot of fun- thanks for asking me Joe!

Later that day I spent some time at Genesis. Again, if you’re looking for a really great health club, this is a great choice! The people and trainers are just amazing and make you feel so welcome . . . even when you have turn in a two week food record that reads, “Taco Bell, cheeseburger, frozen pizza, Taco Bell, cheeseburger, frozen pizza” etc. Give them a visit if you have time- they’re good people.

Friday was a little hectic, but fun nonetheless I was at the gym by 8:00, and went from there to a meeting with Preferred Health. A big thank you to Preferred Health by the way; they have been such an encouragement and help to the organization. Thanks also to Raedina- you’re amazing! I made a few more stops, then spent some time in a few dress shops looking for some bargains. (Thanks Aunt Shawna and Grandma for the second opinions  ) I finished the day with a visit to Century II at a Franchisee and Entrepreneur event. It was a lot of fun! They let me sing the national anthem, and hang around with everybody backstage. Thanks Mickey, Jennifer and Bill for setting this up! I had a blast

That just about wraps my week up. One verse I found this week that I wanted to share with you:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26: 3a-4

In a world were stress an anxiety are old hat to most of us, it’s good to know that perfect peace does exist, and that anyone can find it. There are so many times that I’m tempted to give in to worrying about what the next week, day or hour will hold, but God tells us to be organized, and do our work well, but don’t waste energy worrying about it! Rest in Him, and draw on that ‘everlasting strength’ – there’s enough to go around for everybody

Have a great weekend and week, and talk to you all next Saturday!

In Christ-

Michelle