Family

I've been preparing for this pageant so much latley that I've forgotten to blog! I'm so ready for August 8th to get here and I am so lucky to have such a great support group rooting for me.

My platform Operation: Save A Smile will be donating 264 toothbrushes next week to various organization. God is so good and has a way of providing when it seems there is little to be-had. I truly believe that putting the faith in Christ with your ambitions, your dreams, your fears... ANYTHING... will result in nothing but good. I thank him so much for his undying grace for me.

My dad just celebrated his 58th birthday last weekend. It's hard to believe that 60 is that close for him! But I enjoyed celebrating his brithday and getting the whole family together. I have enjoyed staying with my parents this summer. Isn't it funny how you want nothing but to get out of the house... but when you do.. you realize there is no place like home and you long to be there sometimes. I'm so blessed to have that feeling now... and a family that I love coming home to. Gathering for my dad's birthday with myself, my dad, mom, sister and my brother-in-law (happy one year to them BTW!). It made me realize how my family has grown with the addition of Patrick, but also the bonds between my parents and my sister and I. As time goes on, these bonds strengthen in ways I can't explain. I always used to call my sister my friend. She is my best friend. She can always give me the honest truth about any situation... but she always knows how to put in such a perspective that it is exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. You can't put a price tag on the value of Family and the love you have for them.

My senior year of college (OMG) is just a couple weeks away. I can't explain what I'm thinking when I say those words... it doesn't seem possible. It will be a year of a lot of things! Growth, Happiness, Stress of boards, Savoring the last moments before I enter into the "big girl world", goodbyes, hellos and life. I look back on my college journey and think wow... What a road has God carried me on! But I'm here... I'm right where my heart wanted to be... and now I know it is where it should be. It is beautiful when your life catches up with your soul :). Amber and I will be adding a roomate on: Alex! And we are moving to a three bedroom apartment! I can't to see all the girls from school again and hopefully see more old friends this fall!

I have so many "families" in my life right now and I'm grateful! My immediate family, my friend family, my school family and my pageant family. God has blessed me in so many ways through every relationship... I have a family in Christ through him. Isn't it nice when you realize this... you are never alone, no matter how much you think you are... the Lord is always right there and provides you will some great back up. It's amazing what "being still" will do for your concious.

Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa