Wow what a week and a half it has been! We have been having so much fun and meeting some amazing people! It is always such a blessing to do what you love while encouraging others. But you know what ends up happening in the process? I get encouraged from those who I meet along this journey and they don't even realize how big of a blessing they are to me! This truly is the best job ever!
Last weekend we drove to Noble, America for the Rose Rock Boot Camp. Each year Noble hosts a pageant for the Rose Rock Festival. My nieces compete every year so we have been going as long as I can remember. The last few years they started a boot camp to help girls prepare for the pageant. I think this is an amazing idea since some girls haven't competed before and it gives them that little boost of confidence they need to get out there and do their thing! I had so much fun at this years clinic it's crazy.
My twin and International Pageant Sister Shelly Warren (former Mrs. Oklahoma Int 2004) made the early trip with me along with my niece Cassi Clark (former Miss Rose Rock). I was so excited to get to share this day with my family and to get to know all the beautiful little girls we were going to have the honor of spending the morning with. I've been a part of many queen clinics but this one I believe was one of my favorites!! The girls were so amazing! They listened really well, asked great questions and did their best at every task we threw their way. That makes my heart smile. I believe you should do your best in all that you do no matter how big or how small and they ALL did just that! My other sister Milissa along with her other two daughters Maddie and Justice (both former Rose Rock title holders) were also at the camp so it was a great family outing! Thank you so much Kim and the Rose Rock Pageant Staff for having Shelly and I come be a part of your Boot Camp! It was a BLAST!!!!
We had to leave the boot camp right a noon so I could get home to get ready for the American Heart Association's Heart Ball. This is a great event where they raise money for research, recognize the new Sweethearts and have a great time celebrating the accomplishments of AHA, their staff, volunteers and the survivors and their families. It was such an amazing night. This marked the 33rd annual Heart Ball for AHA and it was held at the beautiful National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. If you have never toured the museum, I highly recommend it! It was a great backdrop for this event. I was blessed to work with some familiar AHA and Go Red faces and make new friends as well. Thank you Debbie, Jennifer and Terry for allowing me to a part of this amazing event. Also thank you to my new friend Allie for being my partner in crime for the evening! You were a blessing to get to know and I'm looking forward to many more AHA events together!
Yesterday was Go Red Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Shelly and I joined Jennifer Seal and Naomi Amaha along with other Go Red Advocates to support HB 1378 CPR In Schools. CPR in school is super important because it gives students 7th-12th grade the opportunity to learn a life saving skill. Here's a few reasons why:
* Because many of those who suffer cardiac arrest don't receive timely CPR ONLY 11 PERCENT of the 383,000 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year survive.
* Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim's chance of survival.
* Five minutes is the difference between life and death. If no CPR is provided or no defibrillation occurs within 3 to 5 minutes, the chances of survival drop.
WHY SCHOOLS?
* Schools present an opportunity to teach young people how to respond to cardiac arrest and begin to introduce such efforts as part of a normal bystander response.
* Several studies have demonstrated that trainees, including schoolchildren, can achieve acceptable levels of skills proficiency in a adult CPR in 30 Minutes or less through a self-directed video-based program.
* Schools are intended to prepare students to contribute to their communities and learning CPR is an essential contribution.
I learned CPR in high school and college. It's a rewarding feeling knowing that you have the tools to save a persons life.
Attending the event at the Oklahoma State Capitol also allowed me the opportunity to speak with those who were just visiting the capitol that day. There was a group of students from France that were so excited to meet a "queen". They have never met one before in person and they made my day with their excitement and enthusiasm. We took many individual pictures to say the least. It was so much fun.
Heart Health month is coming to an end but March brings many opportunities for us all to make life saving changes in our lives. I'm looking forward to the warm Spring weather so we can have those long evening walks that are both heart healthy and enjoyable. Thank You February - Heart Health Month for bringing awareness to so many! Let's carry that momentum on into the following months! :-)
Reviewing the Trinkets of God's Love and Purpose for our lives!
During my devotional this morning a reached the end of the study book I was using and there was a review in the back of the book to recap all that was covered through out the book. I loved it and really wanted to share it with you!
"Every chapter has added a new trinket to your treasure trove of memories. Let's remind ourselves of the lessons they hold for us!"
1. Clay Pot - God's will equals God's will! Compared to our great God, we are humble little pots, made from clay. Yet, He has chosen to pour His riches and glory into our lives.
2. Ring - God's will is for a relationship with us, and the band we slip onto our fingers reminds us of the One who loves us more than words can possibly tell.
3. Golden Arrow - A reminder of the direction we should be choosing, even in the smallest decisions of our everyday lives.
4. Garbage Can - It's "garbage in, garbage out." While God is at work, transforming our lives, there can be a real clash of the wills. For our minds to be renewed, we must fill them with things that are pure, lovely, and true.
5. Heart Magnet - In the midst of all the things we could pursue, choose to chase after God whole-heartedly. Let your heart be drawn to God just like the magnet clings to the fridge.
6. Body Mist - Our lives are like a fleeting mist, but by planning for God's will in our days, the sweet fragrance of our lives will linger on, even to future generations.
7. Toy Soldier - God's will for our lives includes prayer. Our little "prayer warrior" reminds us that not only is Jesus praying for you right now, but we can be supporting one another in prayer as well.
8. Bubbles - God's will is a grateful heart. Fill the air with shimmering bubbles, and make each one a song of praise and a prayer of thanks for the blessings God has given you.
9. Soap - God is washing you, cleansing your heart, and making you holy. This cleanup is His preparation process for all the good things He has planned for us to do.
10. "Satisfaction Guaranteed" - Stick this label anywhere you need a reminder. God wants us to find satisfaction in our daily tasks, and joy in the work laid before us. Work is a gift from God, and we can discover contentment in our daily situations.
11. Candle - With the tune "This Little Light of Mine" running through our minds, we recall that God has called us to shine forth with integrity. You never know who is watching you! By doing good, those around us will be drawn to God.
12. Pack of Gum - As we run the race set before us, we depend on God for the stick-to-itiveness to hang in there. Then, we look to the fellow believers who are running alongside us, and offer them a piece as well. We run in a pack, we help one another along the way, and we finish together!
I love each and everyone of these trinkets reminding how there are little things that can help us in our daily walk with Christ! Finding God's Will for your life doesn't have to be frustrating but sometimes the process is longer for some than others. There are lessons to be learned along this journey to be cherished as it builds our character and molds us into what God created us to be. Each situation and lesson learned I believe equips us to help those that are confronted with the same obstacles that we too have faced at one time or another! Listen to what God is saying and apply it! That sometimes is easier said that done. I know it has taken me years to quit trying to do things on my own and let God do His thing! Oh such a long road to travel! ;-) It is so much easier to be humble and to be willing to be molded instead of being hard hearted or even hard headed thinking we have all the answers when in reality we don't! PRAISE GOD that He never gave up on me! Each day is a new day and I'm thankful for each one He blesses me with! Live God Loud! Listen and He will show you the way!!!!
(The book I was studying is Women of Faith Study Guide Series "God's Will)
"Every chapter has added a new trinket to your treasure trove of memories. Let's remind ourselves of the lessons they hold for us!"
1. Clay Pot - God's will equals God's will! Compared to our great God, we are humble little pots, made from clay. Yet, He has chosen to pour His riches and glory into our lives.
2. Ring - God's will is for a relationship with us, and the band we slip onto our fingers reminds us of the One who loves us more than words can possibly tell.
3. Golden Arrow - A reminder of the direction we should be choosing, even in the smallest decisions of our everyday lives.
4. Garbage Can - It's "garbage in, garbage out." While God is at work, transforming our lives, there can be a real clash of the wills. For our minds to be renewed, we must fill them with things that are pure, lovely, and true.
5. Heart Magnet - In the midst of all the things we could pursue, choose to chase after God whole-heartedly. Let your heart be drawn to God just like the magnet clings to the fridge.
6. Body Mist - Our lives are like a fleeting mist, but by planning for God's will in our days, the sweet fragrance of our lives will linger on, even to future generations.
7. Toy Soldier - God's will for our lives includes prayer. Our little "prayer warrior" reminds us that not only is Jesus praying for you right now, but we can be supporting one another in prayer as well.
8. Bubbles - God's will is a grateful heart. Fill the air with shimmering bubbles, and make each one a song of praise and a prayer of thanks for the blessings God has given you.
9. Soap - God is washing you, cleansing your heart, and making you holy. This cleanup is His preparation process for all the good things He has planned for us to do.
10. "Satisfaction Guaranteed" - Stick this label anywhere you need a reminder. God wants us to find satisfaction in our daily tasks, and joy in the work laid before us. Work is a gift from God, and we can discover contentment in our daily situations.
11. Candle - With the tune "This Little Light of Mine" running through our minds, we recall that God has called us to shine forth with integrity. You never know who is watching you! By doing good, those around us will be drawn to God.
12. Pack of Gum - As we run the race set before us, we depend on God for the stick-to-itiveness to hang in there. Then, we look to the fellow believers who are running alongside us, and offer them a piece as well. We run in a pack, we help one another along the way, and we finish together!
**************
I love each and everyone of these trinkets reminding how there are little things that can help us in our daily walk with Christ! Finding God's Will for your life doesn't have to be frustrating but sometimes the process is longer for some than others. There are lessons to be learned along this journey to be cherished as it builds our character and molds us into what God created us to be. Each situation and lesson learned I believe equips us to help those that are confronted with the same obstacles that we too have faced at one time or another! Listen to what God is saying and apply it! That sometimes is easier said that done. I know it has taken me years to quit trying to do things on my own and let God do His thing! Oh such a long road to travel! ;-) It is so much easier to be humble and to be willing to be molded instead of being hard hearted or even hard headed thinking we have all the answers when in reality we don't! PRAISE GOD that He never gave up on me! Each day is a new day and I'm thankful for each one He blesses me with! Live God Loud! Listen and He will show you the way!!!!
(The book I was studying is Women of Faith Study Guide Series "God's Will)
It's A New Year which brings New Opportunities!
Yay! It's 2014 and I'm so super excited to see what all we can accomplish together this year in the name of Heart Health! It is NEVER too late to start living heart healthy and I hope that you make that very important choice to get healthy this year! Not just for yourself but for your family and friends as well!
Did you know what we do affects those around us? Whether it be our actions, our words or our habits! So when you decide to start eating healthy and exercising guess what, your friends and family may finally have the courage to do the same! Lead by example! It's not always easy to stick to the new plan since bad habits take time to break but never give up. If you fail your diet by eating something not part of the meal plan, don't just think you have ruined your plans and quit trying, just make a better choice at your next meal. Giving up should never be an option! Get a partner that you can be accountable to and encourage one another to keep up the good work!
Now, starting an exercise plan can also be hard to know where to begin. I would say start with your health care professional. Go to your doctor and get a physical. Share with him/her your health goals and together you can put a game plan in place. You never should jump in this alone. There is always someone that can help you get started on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.
Keep a journal! It is super helpful to write down what you eat and when you exercise. You can even find an app on your smart phone where you can log in your meals, track your weight and the calories you have taken in for that day. It is so much easier to keep track of your progress when you can see it.
Changing your eating habits and cooking healthy was probably the most challenging part for me when we made the choice to live heart healthy. I grew up where we ate just about anything and more than likely it was fried. While fried food can be very yummy, find ways to make your favorite meals with a little modification in your ingredients and the way you cook it. It can be done! Bake, Grill or Roast it! Those are the healthiest ways to cook your food! Go to www.goredforwomen.org and you can find all kinds of healthy recipes and you can shop in the online store for cookbooks as well!
I believe in you and I know that if we all work together we can make the changes we need to keep our heart and body healthy! Just Never Ever Give Up! With a positive and determined attitude You Can And Will accomplish YOUR GOALS! Go For It!!!!
Did you know what we do affects those around us? Whether it be our actions, our words or our habits! So when you decide to start eating healthy and exercising guess what, your friends and family may finally have the courage to do the same! Lead by example! It's not always easy to stick to the new plan since bad habits take time to break but never give up. If you fail your diet by eating something not part of the meal plan, don't just think you have ruined your plans and quit trying, just make a better choice at your next meal. Giving up should never be an option! Get a partner that you can be accountable to and encourage one another to keep up the good work!
Now, starting an exercise plan can also be hard to know where to begin. I would say start with your health care professional. Go to your doctor and get a physical. Share with him/her your health goals and together you can put a game plan in place. You never should jump in this alone. There is always someone that can help you get started on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.
Keep a journal! It is super helpful to write down what you eat and when you exercise. You can even find an app on your smart phone where you can log in your meals, track your weight and the calories you have taken in for that day. It is so much easier to keep track of your progress when you can see it.
Changing your eating habits and cooking healthy was probably the most challenging part for me when we made the choice to live heart healthy. I grew up where we ate just about anything and more than likely it was fried. While fried food can be very yummy, find ways to make your favorite meals with a little modification in your ingredients and the way you cook it. It can be done! Bake, Grill or Roast it! Those are the healthiest ways to cook your food! Go to www.goredforwomen.org and you can find all kinds of healthy recipes and you can shop in the online store for cookbooks as well!
I believe in you and I know that if we all work together we can make the changes we need to keep our heart and body healthy! Just Never Ever Give Up! With a positive and determined attitude You Can And Will accomplish YOUR GOALS! Go For It!!!!
Here We Go!!!!!!
I am so excited and honor to represent my community and state as Mrs. Oklahoma International for the year 2014! I am blessed to have the opportunity to promote my platform Advocating Heart Health and sharing our family's story of Victory over Stroke and Congestive Heart Failure. My dad had a stroke in 1999 and as resent as 2011 my husband was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. It was a huge surprise to us since Chuck is a very active and healthy young man but it is something that we are prepared to fight and overcome through healthy life choices and an amazing cardiologist and staff. Please visit my blog page often to see our journey unfold. Thank you so much for believing in us and supporting us! This year is going to be a blessed one!
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