ND Proud at Mrs. International in Jacksonville, FL!
Hello, everyone! I hope you’re all having a wonderful week!
Thank you for taking the time to check out my latest blog post! As it’s been a
couple of weeks since my time at the Mrs. International Pageant in
Jacksonville, Florida, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on the experience and
would love to share some of those memories with all of you!
What a week! This experience has made an impact on me that
will last forever, and I know without a doubt this journey was one of the moments
for which God created me! I don't know if I'll ever be able to adequately
express how BLESSED I feel to have had the opportunity to represent the great
state of North Dakota at the Mrs. International Pageant, and how GRATEFUL I am
to all of you who helped make that happen!
Throughout the entire experience, I always stayed true to
WHO I am, WHAT I stand for and WHY I was doing it! I allowed myself to take a
leap of faith, not knowing what the outcome was going to be, but I did it in an
effort to simply 'lead by example' for those around me and 'make a difference'
in the lives of others. Through the grace of God, I have been able to do that!
I can wholeheartedly say that I came home with no regrets!
I gave it everything I had, while staying true to me and my beliefs. I went to
Jacksonville with the intent to bring awareness to my platform, The Cope Well
Foundation, and to share our mission with the WORLD, and I did just
that! Now, I am over the moon to get back to ND to continue doing what I do
best...being the best version of ME I can be by leading by example and making a
difference. I've worked hard to become the Woman I am, and I am committed to
working even harder to become the Woman I'm meant to be.
Recently, I was reminded of this by 2 very special Ladies...it
has been roughly just 10-months since I decided to participate in my very first
pageant, and in the last 8 months, I not only became Mrs. North Dakota
International, but I placed Top 15 at an International Pageant where I was
joined by 60 other outstanding women from all around the WORLD. More
importantly, I was able to bring awareness to The Cope Well Foundation on an
INTERNATIONAL level; an organization that I've put my heart and soul into for
the past 7-years! How surreal is that?! And, I've accomplished those things by
just being ME! Throughout this experience, I haven't had any formal training or
coaching. I simply relied on God and the abilities and opportunities that He
has provided to me, and I stayed committed to making the most out of those
abilities and opportunities.
As expected, this was one of the most incredible
experiences of my life, and I have a whole lot of people to THANK for this
amazing opportunity!
First and foremost, to my Lord my Savior, for the plan You
have for me and for continuing to bless me with abilities and opportunities to
fulfill that plan. 'For I know the plans I have for you.' Jeremiah 29:11. I
trust in the plan You have for me, as it is far greater than any plan I could
ever have for myself, and with You by my side, I know that I will fulfill that
plan! 'I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me.' Philippians
4:13.
To my Family and Friends! From your thoughts and prayers
and words of encouragement when I need them, to your continued belief in my
mission and the difference I'm trying to make. Whether you were watching from
afar or sitting in the 5th row, I appreciate every single one of
you! ;) I truly could not do this as effectively without each of you.
Especially to my parents, Randy & Gail, for helping me become the Woman I
am today, and to my husband, Andrew, for loving and supporting that Woman.
Thank You, Andrew, for being YOU and for being on the journey of life with me!
To my Platform, The Cope Well
Foundation and the entire Cope Well Team; Brittany Dvorak, Sheena Helmstetler, Hattie Idalski and Cathie Schultz! I am humbled every day by those
who we represent through this organization. It is an Honor to be able to bring
awareness to the needs of the Cancer Community and a Blessing to have been able
to do that on an International level! I look forward to the future of this
organization and to bringing awareness to the needs of Survivors in ALL areas
of life! 'And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will
bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.' Philippians 1:6.
And a gigantic THANK YOU to all of you who showed your
support for The Cope Well
Foundation by posting and sharing your Cope Well Awareness pics
during my time in Florida! Your support of the difference that we're trying to
make within the Cancer Community is greatly appreciated! We can't do this
alone! Together we will Cope Well to Live Well!
To my Directors, Janelle Steinberg and Meg Pulkrabek, with the North Dakota
International Pageants system, as well as my Sister Queens, Miss Teen North Dakota International,
Meghanne Quam, and Miss North Dakota International, Taylor
Woodruff! Thank You 1) for introducing me to the International Pageant system,
and 2) for all of your support and encouragement throughout this entire
journey! I feel very lucky to be able to say that I am now an official member
of the North Dakota International Pageant family! 'Perhaps this is the moment
for which you have been Created.' Esther 4:14.
To Altru Health System, especially to the team
at EXOS through Altru Advanced
Orthopedics, and to the team at Truyu Aesthetic Center, for
helping me be Stage-Ready! I am so extremely fortunate to have all of you in my
corner! Because of your support, I had that extra boost of confidence every
time I stepped onto that stage because I felt and looked my absolute best!
To my Glam Squad: Cinderellahair - USA
Headquarters, Janelle Finseth withWest 13th Salon and her P.I.C for
the week, John Ward! THANK YOU for making me feel just as beautiful on the
outside as I do on the inside! Your talent amazes me, and I feel extremely
fortunate to have had you by my side in Jacksonville!
To Affairs by Brittany and
Formal Stitches for helping me create the perfect Evening Gown and Interview
Dress! Your ability to take my vision and turn it into reality was amazing! And
to Joey Retherford and his team at The Competitive Image for the beautiful
Opening Number Dress! Can't wait for a reason to wear all of them again! And
Thank You to Tip Top Tux - Grand
Forks for the rental of Andrew's tux! Man, you made him
look even more handsome than he already looks!
To Mary Richardson and
the entire Mrs., Miss &
Miss Teen International Pageants family for providing Women
and their families with the incredible opportunity to show who we are on the
inside and to 'make a difference' in the world! To Paula Preston for capturing
the fun memories throughout the week. You and your team were outstanding! Can't
wait to order some of the pics! And to all of the amazing Women who I had the
opportunity to meet from around the world! I feel incredibly honored to have
been able to spend time with all of you. Thank You for inspiring me to continue
being the best version of ME I can be! May you too continue to trust in God's
plan for you and make the most out of the abilities and opportunities He
blesses you with!
AND last but certainly not least, to ALL of my
Partners/Sponsors who are generously supporting my efforts throughout the year!
To MODE and
all of their North Dakota locations: MODE Grand Forks, MODE - Bismarck andMODE Fargo! To Brittany Caillier -
Thrivent Financial, Choice Financial,ICON Architectural
Group, Amy Shimek with the The Executive
Suite,Alerus, Performance
Chiropractic, West 13th Salon, Cinderellahair - USA Headquarters and
Affairs by Brittany! I could not do this as effectively without each and every
one of you! From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for your support and for
believing in the difference I'm trying to make!!! 'She is clothed with Strength
and Dignity and laughs without fear of the future.' Proverbs 31:25.
Until next time, continue to make a difference and lead by
example!
Ashley Rae Klinger
Mrs. North Dakota International 2016
“Making a difference in the lives of others, and leading by
example for those around me, isn’t by hobby; it’s my Purpose!” ~ Ashley Rae Klinger
