Unapologetic

Yesterday I came to my senses. I completely came to my selfish, and unreasonable, senses. This is my favorite time of year. The holiday love that seems to infect everyone, the music, the hot chocolate, the shopping, the cooking, the decorations being put up through the small town I live in, and simply the feeling in the air. It all makes me SO overwhelmed with happiness, but yesterday I had a moment of weakness that brought tears to my eyes and a sick feeling sat in my stomach. Every year I have family and friends asking me, "What do you want for Christmas?" and "Write me a Christmas List Emma." The last few years I've found myself struggling to write out a Christmas List when it was the time to, because I couldn't find anything I want enough for someone to spend money on me. So I go LOOKING, and I go SEARCHING, for gifts for people to give me. I am a selfish person. I am such a selfish person when there are children and people within probably less than ...

In the last year I've dealt with some personal experiences, regarding the people I considered friends, that have helped me have better judgement when choosing the people I spend my time with. I suppose everyone comes to a time in their life when they have this realization. Well...I've come to mine. This is for anyone and everyone from children, preteens, teenagers, to adults, or even if you're 99, this pertains to you.  I recently read a quote by Booker T. Washington that said, "Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company". Reading that was like getting punched square in the face, and this is why. I've made it a personal goal to work as hard as I can every day to better myself as a young woman. To not be judgmental in any way, to be gracious and understanding, to try my very best to not worry (the biggest obstacle for me), to show love even in the most frustrating situations, and to stay focused on the path ...

I'm reading the book of Job in the Bible right now (I'm not big on reading, but I do love reading the bible). I think I came across my new favorite verse this morning while I was reading. It's Job 37:14 and it says, "Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!". So now, set aside all of your problems. Forget where you are, forget all of the mess you may be dealing with. Take the next 10 - 15 minutes and put all of your focus on the good, the blessings, and the miracles. Put all of your attention on dwelling on the positive and chunking everything negative out the window. You have the power to train your thoughts to be good, and you will always see the bright side! Start using that power. Bottom line: each of us could be doing much worse than we are and God wants us to acknowledge that we're blessed even when we reach our lowest of lows. He will always see us through. Never, ever, doubt His ability. 

Okay, I know I know, a lot of my recent blogs have been super serious. So today to lighten it up a little I want to share one of my all-time-favorite quotes with you!  When I was young I read a quote that said "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor". Those words have stuck with me ever since I read them! The older I've gotten and the more I've thought about it the more sense it has made to me. For me it means a lot of things, but the most important thing it means to me is that it can help you bring light and positivity to any situation. It doesn't matter how rough life gets, the struggles make you stronger. The best part is that it's so very true.  Remember...anything you go through makes you a stronger, better person. Give Hebrews 6:19 a read today! :)  xoxo - Emma 

I've tried to write a blog for the last 2 weeks. I've tried and tried, but nothing I would write made much sense. There's something that's weighed so very heavy on my heart and mind for a while now, so I thought I'd take that inspiration and write about it. Here goes nothing... Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." This Bible verse has been my rock and place that I turn to when I struggle with what I thought was the plans and direction for my life. The last month of my life has been one of great realization and a huge lesson of putting all of my trust in God. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way, I suppose. Nevertheless, no matter who you are, or what your situation is, the most comforting thing to know is that The Creator of the universe has a plan for you. There's a purpose for you. His knowledge is far better than ours. So, even though it's incredibly difficult to trust what...

The crown does not define you. You define the crown. You are what people remember when they see a crown. You represent. That is why your attitude, the way you react, speak, and carry yourself are incredibly important. Don't take it for granted, being a representative. There are people who would give anything to be in your shoes. Act effortlessly, give your time passionately, try hard, love yourself, know your beauty inside and out. Take each opportunity and run with it. When it's all said and done and the crown isn't yours anymore you'll be left with a happy heart, a better you, and life lessons you'll cherish forever. I am who I am because of those four sparkly points. And people ask me why I love the Miss America Organization...

I want to share with you something I wrote in my phone last summer around the middle of July about an experience I had on that day and a lady who's impacted my life tremendously. (I don't have the exact date I wrote it). I found it to be an appropriate time to finally share this story that I hold so close to my heart since we sang at her church today, and I check in at Miss NC this week.  So here it goes... "So today we went to visit a really special lady to me in the hospital. She's battling cancer. She's pretty much on her death bed cause she wasn't expected to live past last summer but after today I'm convinced she's not dying any time soon. I was really hesitant and not looking forward to going to see her. Not because I didn't wanna see her, but because I was truly unsure if I could handle seeing her so sick. She's so special to me because she's one of the main reasons I started competing at Miss NC. 3 years ago she was a complete strang...