I had the opportunity to speak this weekend in my home state –
Iowa! We nearly had to take a boat ride to get to the campgrounds, but we made it and it was worth the effort!

I spoke at the Iowa Girls Ministries Powette. There were about 300 girls there ranging from third- to twelfth-grade.

Despite the floods and torrential rain falling in other parts of the state, we were thankful to have blue skies and fair weather throughout the event.

In a lot of ways, it was like coming home. I can mark a lot of my own spiritual growth around the altars at this campground. I was crowned on that very stage in 1996. Coincidentally, that crowning marks the half-way marker in my life so far. (I was crowned 12 years ago and I was 12 when I was crowned.) I had the opportunity to make new friends, and it was good to see many familiar faces there, too. I got to see my own Stars sponsor and children’s pastor.

Me with my sponsor Ginger.

Me with Pastor Laurie.

I am so thankful for these women who invested in my spiritual development in such a crucial time in my life.