As the weeks go by, I wish more and more that they would slow down a bit. This year has flown by. Week 42 as Miss South Dakota was another busy one. Coming right off the Mr. USD competition, I drove to Rapid City with my mom for a school visit the following morning. Bright and early Monday morning I was at Creekside Christian School to talk with kindergarten through 6th graders. I shared the Mr. Money $heep story with them and talked about everything from saving to spending to budgeting. I love when the kids get the chance to act out the characters of Mr. Money $heep. I get to see the story come to life, firsthand. That was my vision when I created the book.
Immediately after my school visit to Creekside Christian, I headed over to Rapid Valley Elementary to have lunch with Billi, a kindergartener. Spending the lunch period with Billi was so much fun. She was spunky, sweet, kind, and full of spirit. The Lunch Dates with Miss SD have turned into some of my most cherished memories as Miss SD.
The next day I was back in Sioux Falls to promote Children’s Miracle Network at Augustana University with Hunter Widvey, Miss Wheel Jam. I even ran into the one and only, Karli Soyland! Karli’s mom, Linda, was the executive director when I was Miss SD Outstanding Teen in 2008. I have remained close to Linda and Karli and always love running into them.
I spent the next few days in Minneapolis to work on piano and prepare for Miss South Dakota. Kathryn and I are working on some fun things for the pageant this year. The week ended with a presentation at the FCCLA State Convention. I talked with the students about my involvement within the Miss SD Organization and the value of investing in yourself and knowing your worth. I also met and up-and-coming Miss South Dakota, Belle!
Miss South Dakota has allowed me to spend the year pouring into others. Learning about their hopes and their dreams. Connecting with people. My soul longs for more connection. My soul longs for everyone to feel the sense of belonging and purpose that this year has given me. That feeling is something that can only come from God.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably greater power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mightier strength he exerted when he raised Christ form the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20