Hi everyone!!

It’s your Miss Great Lakes 2018 here! I’m so excited to start blogging weekly about my journey to Miss Indiana in June. Although I have been busy with appearances and fulfilling my duties in the community, I felt like I wasn’t reaching you in all of the ways I would like to. So I decided to start blogging weekly about the way I’m serving through my platform, my appearances, etc. This has been such an exciting year so far!

I’ve also decided to improve my outreach on social media by posting Instagram Live videos, specifically sharing with you passages from a Christian devotional that I have fallen in love with. It’s called The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations by Joyce Meyer. If you know me well, you know that I am wholly devoted to my faith. I love serving the Lord and seeing how His grace works in such wonderful ways in my life and the lives of those I love. I haven’t yet decided if I am going to schedule these Instagram Live videos or just let them flow naturally and come when I feel the most inspiration. I’ll definitely keep you updated on that!

It’s Sunday night (or, Monday now… I am up WAY past my bedtime!) and I’m preparing for a busy week of finals at the University of Notre Dame. I can’t help but sit here and think about how blessed I am to attend such an incredible school in an amazingly supportive community. Just this weekend, I had the chance to make an appearance at the Downtown South Bend tree lighting event. What touched my heart the most was being approached by all of the little girls who looked at me in awe and thought I was a real “princess”. In those moments, I realize that is why I do this: I want to inspire young women to feel confident and strong and to grow to be role models for the next generation! It was the sweetest thing when their eyes lit up at the sight of Santa Claus’s arrival. It was also a pleasure to hear about the wonderful mission of the Toys for Tots Organization. This year in South Bend, they have a goal of collecting items that will help improve children’s literacy. I love that idea, and as a lifelong learner, I fully support that mission! Here are some photos of the event:

Before I go, I want to let you know about an opportunity to support Children’s Miracle Network! Now through December 19 you can vote for your favorite Children’s Miracle Network Hospital to help them earn a share of $100,000 being donated by several credit unions. Visit voteformiracles.org and select Indiana. Riley Hospital for Children will automatically appear. Right now Riley is in 24th place and I would love to get Riley in the Top 5!!! Please vote!

I wish you well in the coming week and I can’t wait to post again next week.

Your Miss Indiana Girl,

Madelyn… Miss Great Lakes 2018