Do dreams have age limits?

I have been asked soooooo many times "Aren't you a little old to do pageants?" This has become one of my biggest pet peeves!! I want to say "Aren't you a little old to still be playing with cars?" Some people just don't get it. For me it's a challenge unto myself. I want to have a healthy happy life and hopefully make someone else's valuable too. I lost 30 pounds in preparation for a pageant. I have focused (and have been convicted) on my attitude. I dove head first into listening to the path my Heavenly Father has asked me to go on. Pageants aren't just about being pretty! We have platforms and focus on very important topics. We have an obligation, as Queens, to serve!! Our King of Kings said to go out and make disciples of men, be a servant above all things. I am passionate about our teenagers and keeping them safe, from bullies and from their own demons. Teenage suicide is at an all time high and we as adults need to be aware of whats going on!! With the wonderful world of internet our children are being bullied beyond how we were as kids! Our TV shows and media put so much pressure on what perfection is, how to be accepted and what is just plain weird. That girl sitting by herself may seem weird to you but in her mind is beauty. She may hold the key to the most amazing invention our world could imagine, BUT because she is different she will kill herself because she doesn't fit in. THIS IS WHY I DO PAGEANTS!! To bring awareness that EVERY life is valuable. It may take one act of kindness to save a life. That one smile or simple word. So NO I AM NOT TO OLD TO DO PAGEANTS! I am at the age where I can make a difference and I intend on doing just that! Don't EVER put an age limit on your dream. God gave it to you so why would it not be relevant? May God bless you and DREAM BIG!!!!!

My highest calling.....

So much has happened since my last post! Unfortunately I was unable to compete at Mrs. Ohio. Fortunately it was because I had a golf ball size tumor removed from my breast. PLEASE know your body!! I had many ultra sounds that showed this tumor to be a cyst. For 6 months I was told it was a cyst. NOT! So what have I learned in all this? It is God's will and I will be accept it. I was definitely bummed that I could not compete but had a peace about my decision as well. My family and health is WAY more important than a title. The best title I have is Mom and Wife. I take pride in this title above all others. Lesson: When one door closes look for the open one! God opened the door of health for me and I walked thru it. Because of this I am blessed with being able to serve another year as Mrs. Williams County and WILL compete in 2014!

As the day gets closer and closer to June 29 and I compete at Mrs. Ohio I look back on my own journey. I set a goal to be down 30 pounds (at least) and I am happy to say I am down 21 pounds!! I still have a ways to go but I am getting there. As you prepare for your pageant, new job or other change in life stay focused. Don't dwell on the "mistakes". It is more important to look at the milestones! Yes you may have eaten that cookie (or 2!), you may have answered the question not quite the way you think you should have BUT that's ok!! Pick yourself up and keep swimming!!! Don't concentrate so hard on what you should have done, focus on what you will do now! Don't beat yourself before you get started!! Your mindset will determine whether you win or lose! Don't flinch just keep going!!! Like they say "Don't let them see you sweat!" Commit to what you did or said. Be confident in yourself. If you have prepared, you are GREAT!!! Don't just wing it! It's then that you doubt yourself! So as I make a pizza for the little one I'm babysitting for I will eat it.... but I will also have a yogurt ;)

I woke up this morning grateful God gave me a new day!!! I pray you all realize He did the same for you! Make it a great day and be a blessing to everyone you meet today. How do I pertain this to pageant coaching? Well, you as a contestant or a Queen, need to realize the value placed in holding a title. You are held at a higher standard. YOU must stand for something. Make that something be blessing others. I coach you to be the best you can be. I don't stand for Diva's and selfish Queens. You were not given the title, you had to earn it. Be grateful!! Therefore, you need to show to everyone why you deserve the honor. What do you stand for? Why should you be in public with the crown? What can you do TODAY that proves you are worthy of being a Title Holder?? Go out and be a blessing!!!

Today I had a relaxing day with my co-director and dear friend! It was so nice to have a girls day even if it was spent stacking Little Caesar Pizzas Kits our pageant girls sold for a fundraiser! Find joy in the little things, right? I have struggled lately with just being happy. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and would change any of it for the world. I've just been struggling with feeling anger lately. I have been praying and asking my Heavenly Father to help me push Satan away and tell him to get behind me I have my eye on God and I WILL BE HAPPY!!! It is working! Trust in Him, trust He is there for you, Trust that he wants whats best for you, for me! So today I found happiness in being outside, spending time with my friend and loving that He gave me a new day. Go out and find your blessings today....Remember you are The Apple of His Eye! Rejoice and be glad in it!!

My name is Chris Snyder. I have been a pageant director for about 8 years now! Time sure flies!! Both of my daughters have competed in local pageants and this June I will be competing in my first pageant...Mrs. Ohio America!! Go big or go home!! I am here to boost your presence in the pageant and modeling world. I dive deep into who YOU are. WHY you want to be a Queen. Your pageant presence is all based on how much practice time you want to put into your training. You must remember, it is NOT the crown that makes you valuable, it is you that makes the crown valuable!