When times are tough

I spent my night doing my usual activities. I hung out with my mom, got ready for bingo, and headed over to Katie O' Leary's. I was a card seller, so while games were being played, I had time to scroll through my Facebook newsfeed. I came across this article. I am angry. I am sad. I am absolutely sickened. 

Ever since hearing about Caleb, I have been praying and asking why. This makes me want to scream "WHY" even louder at God. All night I have been trying to comprehend the position these people are supporting. I sat at my best friend's kitchen table staring at the website that said "God hates fags". This post is not to discuss my political view on same sex marriage. It is to discuss respect.

 Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I am thankful I live in a country where I am able to speak freely about what I believe. I am thankful for men and women like Caleb, my brother, and my best friend who are willing to give up everything in order to protect my ability to speak freely. I also understand that the people of the Westboro Baptist Church also have this right. 

All over their website they have pictures of upside down flags, signs talking about how much God hates America, and how soldiers die because America allows homosexuality. The most disheartening thing I found was a quote the said "Thank God for 8 more dead troops. We are praying for 8000 more." Those troops are people's loved ones. It is so extremely hurtful to hear these things. I cannot understand there reasoning. Yet again, I understand their right to an opinion. I just do not understand why they express it in such a disrespectful way. 

This is not the first time I have heard of the WBC, and sadly, it probably will not be the last. It is because of young men and women like Caleb that they are able to continue with their protesting. I hope and pray that God can change their hearts. 

As for now, I pray that our community can grieve together and support each other. It is a difficult situation that has just gotten harder. 

I love my community.

As a titleholder, I am often asked what I love most about the community. The answer is simple: I love the way the community pulls together and supports each other during a time of tragedy. I think back to seventh grade when Alec was killed, sophomore year with Jacob, junior year with Steven, and senior year with Abby, the entire community came together and did everything they can to support the suffering families. In our community, it doesn't matter who you are, you are affected. 

Last Friday, tragedy struck our small town yet again. Lance Cpl. Caleb Erickson of the United States Marines was killed in action on a combat mission. I was driving home from school when I got the news and the first thing I thought was "why?" He had so much life ahead of him. He had so many people who loved him back home. Why does God always have to take the good ones? 

 Caleb and I went to ECFE together. I have pictures of us hanging out with Sparky the Waseca Fire mascot, reading books at the library club, and so much more. So many people have posted on Facebook about how Caleb was known for making them smile. Although our exchanges were limited to youth group and quick hellos in the hallway during high school, he really did always make me smile. 

I will never understand God's plan. I have come to peace with that. Right now, I am able to appreciate the sacrifice that Caleb made to protect our freedom and a loving, supportive community. I believe that Catie DeBates said it the best, "Bluejays are known for their calls that carry for long distances. Remember to call upon one another during difficult times, and be there for one another." I am so beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to grow up in such an amazing community and so many bluejays to call upon. 

And the 1st ever Mr. Waseca is….

A few months back, I casually mentioned the idea of a Mr. Waseca pageant to Sadie as a way of fundraising money for our CMN accounts. We both agreed it would be a great idea! We talked it up with our directors and put it in motion right away! They were all so great with helping us along the way because they are the ones who know how to run a pageant! As Sadie and I were crazily running around getting sponsors, contestants, and advertising, Molly, Jen, and Christy were writing scripts, printing programs, and collecting silent auction baskets! 

About a month before the event, I was getting pretty nervous about how the turn out was going to be. We only had 3 locked in contestants (one being Joey, so actually 2) and little talk about it. Out of the blue I received an email from the Mankato Free Press asking about the event and if I could be interviewed (WHAT?!). After the Free Press, the Pioneer Press wrote an article and many other newspapers followed. Just a few days after, Jen called me and said the WCCO wanted to interview us (Okay, crazy right?). I was so excited! I set a date for us to meet up with Frank (yes, Frank Vascellaro) and Chris Shaffer! They were a hoot! Sadie and I taught them the fitness routine, witnessed their talents, taught them how to walk, and asked them on-stage questions. If you missed it on WCCO ,you can watch us here! Just a few days before, Molly said she heard about us on the radio! But even with the publicity, I was still nervous (just ask Sadie)! Thankfully, we had 10 contestants in no time! 

I don't remember which director said it, but one of them said that with big events, something always goes wrong. Honestly, I was not a fan of that statement. But they were right, we had a contestant drop out last minute…and the night went on :) JUST LIKE THEY SAID! 

Our contestants were such good sports (even though they all complained about the fitness routine (: ) They all got pretty creative up on stage whether it was interpretive poem reading, singing, or ripping their shirts off during the fitness routine…

Larry cooked us up a DELICIOUS Italian dish for his talent. #nomnomnom Cooking was a great talent for him to perform! Lauren and I sure enjoyed eating it (: 

My lovely sister queen, Miss South Central, Lauren, helped in the deciding factor of who would be crowned! The beautiful Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen, Corinna Swiggum, helped us judge and impressed the audience with her sweet ka-rah-tay moves. Ken was, of course, such a hoot. I sat right next to him and he was cracking up the entire time which made my night 100x better. Our emcee was HILARIOUS. Shout out to Ann Fitch for being so great. Our event would not have been as successful without you! 

Congratulations again to Mr. Waseca 2014, Larry Johnson! Thank you for allowing us to use the American Legion and everything you do for our program! 

At the end of the night, we ended up raising $900! It was way past anything that I expected! Sadie and I could not have been more excited about it! It was such a great way to get the community involved in our program! 

Thank you to everyone who helped put this event on! Sadie and I are so grateful to all of you! 

xoxo,

Katie