Thank you is all I can say...

What an amazing experience! As you know this small country girl, who hasn't done a pageant since she was in high school went and did the Mrs. North Carolina United States Pageant...and who would have thought 3RD RUNNER UP!! WOW, God has already blessed me so much and with him this was possible.  I made some amazing friends this past weekend, and Mrs. Debbie Miller was well deserving of the title of Mrs. North Carolina United states.  I can not wait to see what amazing things are in store for her.
I went on this journey making several promises to myself:
#1- Know you are doing this to bring glory to God-  Throughout this competition I was ready to represent God in my actions.  I was not going to let this pageant bring my focus off the person who gave me this opportunity.  I praised him through the whole event and thank him for all he has given me. I know that he is proud of his daughter.

#2- Stay true to myself- I was not going to change myself to give a better impression.  With me, what you see is what you get.  The answers to my questions, my attitude on stage and behind, is who I am.  This was the real Lindsay Merritt! I am a wife, mother, teacher, Christian, and advocate for children. These factors went into every aspect of the pageant.  From my one piece swimsuit, to my red dress, to interview, I was going to reflect who I was as a person. Some of my decisions cost me points, but in the end I am so proud that I stayed true to myself, I was genuine, and I made the people I love the most proud. 

#3- You are doing this to make a difference in NC, for the children-  It was such an honor to have about 10 little girls (not related) come up to me after the pageant and tell me they were pulling for me! How amazing is that.  Even now as I type I am crying because of the positive example I was setting for these young girls.  My mission was accomplished :) I was doing this not to prove anything to myself, but to make a difference in children's lives.  I made it a point, each opportunity I had to make my platform "Giving Every Child a Chance" front and center.  This will not be the end.  As long as our children are not having every opportunity to live a successful life, then I will continue working to make that difference.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me through this.  It is not the end. I will continue making your proud, and working hard for each and every organization and group that has backed me this whole time! Thank you so much and I love you all.  Until next time....

6th Runner Up Michelle Duncan, 4th Runner Up Candice Farnie, 2nd Runner up Autumn Booth, Winner Debbie Miller, 1st Runner up Amanda Furr, 3rd Runner up ME, 5th runner up Catherine Bersch