Thursday, February 21, 2013

Clark County Bound


Not only did my cry for help on Facebook get me an appearance at Awanas back in January, but thanks to my back-cracking friend from Ashland, I was provided with the opportunity to come and speak at the Ashland Civic Club.

Downtown Ashland
I took off work a little early and headed south on Highway 34 on January 24th, arriving at the Ranch House in Ashand a little before noon. I got all my display boards set up just in time as the Civic Club members starting filing in. Like most noon meetings, we ate first before the actual meeting began. After some business, I took “center stage” and began my presentation.

Like all of my presentations, I began with the story of my accident and what has brought me to where I am at in life today, which is my direct lead into Ms. Wheelchair Kansas. I then spoke about my platform and what I am trying to accomplish throughout my reign.  

My favorite part of every presentation is the Q&A portion. I pride myself on being an open book and welcome any questions that people may want to ask and the members of the Ashland Civic Club did not disappoint; they had some great questions ranging from community projects to make the town more wheelchair friendly, volleyball, my therapies, and of course my MWKS experience.

I am no stranger to Ashland as it is just 32 miles south of my hometown. During my high school years, I gained numerous friends from Ashland due to sports and other extracurricular activities.  I have always thought of it as a quaint little community and always enjoyed visiting and my thoughts are still the same today. However, after meeting with the Civic Club and seeing their passion to improve their community, I have so much more respect and appreciation for not only the town, but the townsfolk as well.  

I’ve never known a trip to Ashland to be dull, and this day way no different. I had a great time and I must thank Dustin and Pastor Rick for asking me to speak!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Awanas


At the beginning of January, I was in search of some MWKS appearances so I took it to Facebook, asking if anyone was in need of a public speaker or someone to look pretty in a crown at their event. To my surprise, I got quite a few responses and when I heard from Lori asking about Awanas, I was more than excited!

I have had the pleasure of speaking with the Awana’s Club a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it! Growing up Catholic, I never learned to quote a lot of scripture nor did I readily know as many bible stories as some of my friends, and so when I first went to Awanas, I was blown away. At each closing, a few names get drawn out of a hat, and those kids get up in front of their peers and quote a verse they learned that night or list books of the Bible.


This year was no different, the kids were still amazing and they still blew me out of the water. Thankful to Miss Betty and all of the volunteers who put on and help with Awanas, I had the chance to speak to each of the age groups – the Cubbies, Sparks, and T&T.

Most of the kids know who I am, or at least the fact that I’m Karlee’s aunt, so instead of my normal introduction of myself and how I was injured – I began my presentations with the verse 1 Peter 3:3-4, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”


My whole platform for MS. Wheelchair Kansas is defining who you are, not letting other people or any situation do it for you. This includes being judged and defined by what brand of clothes we wear, the type of shoes we have on, our hairstyles, body type, etc. What is important to God and what should be important to you, is what is inside – your thoughts, actions, love, morals and values. We should not be judged or judge others by the materialist things in life because life is about so much more.

Before opening the floor up for questions during each session, I reiterated my point that in the end when we are standing at the pearly gates of heaven, God will not let you in based on what type of boots you are wearing, but what is in your heart and how you have treated yourself and others during your lifetime.


I hope that the kids really got the message and learned that it was definitely their responsibility to define themselves. I’m a bit skeptical with the Cubbies, who are the preschoolers, once I mentioned boots at the end – all I got heard was, “William has boots on…I have boots on…he has boots on…look at my snow boots!” Nonetheless, Karlee  reassured me I did a great job!

I have to thank Miss Betty and all of the Awana volunteers who work together to help develop spiritually strong children who are not only disciplined in church and their faith, but in their communities as well. I can’t wait to go back!


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Just Call Me Aunt Em


Once again, I find myself behind on my blog…I haven’t written about my night at Awanas or my lunch at the Ashland Civic Club, and most importantly, I have not wrote that I have a new nephew!! Well, Awanas and Ashland will have to wait just a little longer as I tell you about the new guy in my life, Mr. Carson Scott Evans.

After a weekend full of the Super Bowl and the stomach flu, I found myself still in bed Monday morning at 8:30am when my mom and my nephew Eli walked into my room with some big news – Eli’s little brother had been born. Carson Scott Evans graced us with his presence earlier in the morning at 7:45 and he was indeed healthy, weighing in at 8lbs, 6oz and stretching out to be 21 ½ inches long.


Although I couldn’t wait to make my way over to Pratt to see my little guy, I decided it would be best that I wait until Tuesday because I was still in recovery mode.

All day long, yesterday, I was counting down the hours until I would get to meet and hold my sweet little nephew and when we made it over there Tuesday evening and the nurse brought him in, my heart melted in a way that has only happened three other times. He is absolutely precious with his perfect little features, his long, skinny fingers, and a headful of light brown hair.


I am extremely blessed to have one niece and three nephews that live so close – I can see them whenever, be able to spend time and play with them, and best of all, I get to watch them grow. It just amazes me that just one year ago Eli was the size and age of Carson…two years ago, I was holding a swaddled Jake in my arms…and five years ago, I fell in love with my sweet Karlee.

Time sure does fly by, but a new baby brings life into perspective and for me –it’s all about family. Welcome to the family Carson Scott Evans – I cannot wait to watch you grow!