First, I have to say a thank you to everyone for all of your prayers and words of encouragment. It is because of the support I've recieved that I've been able to get through this week.
Yesterday, I enjoyed a day of pampering! The Miss Brainerd Lakes Scholarship Program has some incredible sponsors, and they have made me feel beautiful and ready for what next week will bring me. The day started with a manicure and pedicure at Panache Salon and Spa in Baxter. Monica and the staff graciously donated their services to my sister queen and I to make sure our nails looked Miss Minnesota ready. I'm beyond grateful for their generous donation! Then I was off to my mom's salon for a hair cut and color. Any woman can vouch for me when I say that getting your hair done is one of the most fantastic things because it makes you feel so empowered and ready to take on the world! Many thanks to my mom for always making my hair look fantastic. Finally, my day of pampering ended with a trip to The Red Umrella for a perfect tan. Thanks to PJ and her skills in making sure I always look natural and flawless. I seriously have the best team behind me! Thank you so much!!
Today, as many of you know, I had my Tracie Joy McBride Quality of Life interview and platform presentation. There is no better honor than being a finalist for this award, and I put forth everything I could and everything I had. Ultimately, I know it's in the Lord's Hands and I'm grateful that it is. No matter the outcome, I'm proud to be a finalist and would be happy for any one of the other four finalist. They are incredible individuals and I've been blessed to have the chance to get to know them through the years that I've been competing! Thanks for your prayers I've patiently waited through the application process and thank you to the McBride family and the committee they have formed to keep Tracie's legacy alive. Tracie will never be forgetten because of the efforts put forth by these incredble individuals.
Tomorrow, I check in for Miss Minnesota week. I am about to embark on one crazy journey and could not be more excited! It will be one busy week but I am feeling more than prepared for what lay ahead of me.
Truthfully, when I first started competing, Miss Minnesota seemed so far out of reach. I never thought I would make it to the Miss stage. The Miss contestants were always the ones I looked up to the most but never imaged myself in their shoes. Now here I am, preparing to leave for Miss Minnesota week and compete on that prestigous stage! I am now that girl I always looked up to and it has become so surreal.
I didn't know my pageant journey would bring me to where I am today. The Miss America Program has truly shaped me into the person I am today. I started competing in this program as a shy fourteen year old who refused to order her own food at a restaurant. Now, though still a bit of an introvert, I have been given the skills to speak to any audience with ease and can now confidently order my own food at a restaurant (are you proud?!). This program as motivated me to be healthy - in mind, body, and spirit. I have learned to always put my mental health before anything and pride myself in knowing that I am in the right place mentally. I've also been motivated to eat healthier and get active because I want to treat my body right, not because I feel pressure to be thin. Plus, I've grown stronger in my faith and fully understand and believe in my heart that God is the Great I Am and Ultimate Planner.
Miss Minnesota 2014 is crowned in one week and I wanted to let you all into my heart to see how I've been doing.
Mentally, I feel fantastic. I am so excited to spend the week with such an elite group of women and to represent my beautiful community. That has been my focus going into this. I want to walk away knowing the week was a blast. While making Top 11 would be great, I know that God's plans are greater than any plan I could formulate on my own. This has given me great peace.
Physically, I feel great. I'm very comfortable in my own skin and I know who I am. I am a daughter of the Most High and no matter how much I weigh (or how little I weigh), Christ's love for me will never change. My worth in grounded in The Lord, not in the score the judges give me in swimsuit.
Spirtitually, I've been feeling God's presence more and more as I get closer to check in. It really started today as I began my Quality of Life interview. I've never felt closer to God than I do right now and I know this closeness will continue through pageant week. I'm thankful for good friends who will be leading a Bible study during the week to keep me and others in the right mindset,
So again, thank you for all of the prayers! They are much appreciated. I'm surrounded my some pretty great people and couldn't feel more blessed! Thank you all!
Your Sister in Christ,
Bailey Wachholz
Miss Brainerd Lakes 2013
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