Gurnee Community Pageant

This past week was spent with some very lovely and accomplished young ladies of the Gurnee, IL community.  I was asked to be a part of the judges panel, starting with interview last Wednesday and the final pageant Saturday afternoon.

As hard as it is to chose someone who will be right for the job (this group is heavily involved in community service and very active during their reign ), it's exciting to hear about the things these girls do already for their town and surrounding areas and how they will use the title to serve.  I am proud of our area youth, and consider it an honor to have gotten to meet such driven young people.  I am also sending a big thank you to their parent's for instilling values and pride in themselves and where they live.

Special thanks also to Jenni Carlson, director and former Miss Gurnee, for asking me to be a part of this.  I look forward to working with your girls in the future! Thank you also to the rest of our judges who were delightful to meet!

I'm sad to say that I don't have many pictures.  This was a job for me to take care of and be thorough in, so the camera wasn't with me until it was time to leave.  :)  I hope you'll take the time to check out the website and blog!

Bowl for Hope

Sunday was the first annual Bowl for Hope in Vernon Hills, IL benefiting Women's Cancers.  We had a terrific team for raising money, bowling, silent auctions and raffle drawings all benefiting women's cancers.  It was a great afternoon shared with great friends, and reconnecting with some I'd made through my past years working with Walk for Hope.  I'm looking forward to working with this amazing group in the fall!

Thanks to Mary and Michelle, my awesome teammates (sad all our group pictures came out blurry...), and to Beth, and Karen Rolls for being coordinators and integral parts of my expanded work with Walk for Hope!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piD2qPBnA3M&feature=player_embedded#at=19

Yeah...that's one shameful beginning score and I'm afraid it didn't get much better...I am NOT a great bowler!!! I did like my very patriotic bowling kicks...very Mrs. United States, don't you think?!  ;)

Happy Fourth of July!

Monday morning was spent in Vernon Hills, IL for their Fourth of July parade (one of the largest in the state!).  The weather was clear and sunny and it was great to see so many people enjoying the floats, bands, entertainment, and of course all the candy!  Miss Elena was thrilled to get to be a part of the parade, and wore my local crown because she said she wanted to be "my princess".  LOVED IT!  She kept telling everyone - including their dogs - "Happy Fourth!  Enjoy the candy!!!" 

We were really good about applying the sunblock, so no sunburns, however I did get stung by a bee...one of the disadvantages to having sweets in the vehicle!

Special thanks to the Vernon Hills Parade Organization for inviting us out, and to Anthony Buick GMC for our parade car.  We really appreciate all the help!

http://www.anthonyautogroup.com/

We hope you all had a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith. ~Lyndon B. Johnson


(PS - do you love the "sensible shoes"?! I was making sure that no heels were going to get stuck in mud, dirt, or anything else!  ;) Safety first! HAHA!)

Congratulations!

Our Small Group Bible Study was kind in making our snack for the evening gathering into a "Congratulations Cookie and Ice Cream" treat.  Thank you to Kristin and Mark, Amanda and Ron, and Jenny and Dan for your love, support and prayers (Dave and Kathy, we missed you, and Kathy we are praying you feel better!).

Philippians 1:3

"I thank my God every time I remember you"

Meet My Sisters!

The Vanbros Family is a pretty good size considering all the states the directors take care of through Mrs. United States, Miss USA and Teen USA.  I've met a few already via email and in person and am very impressed with the quality and character already. 

I'm fortunate to get to go into this with friends, especially in a place where I've never been and in a system that is also very new to me.  I don't feel anxious or nervous...I'm ecstatic!  So I figured I should introduce my sister queens that are the Vanbros Girls so you can follow them as well!

Mrs. Arkansas, Karen Bartosh
http://www.ahealthiergeneration.org/bio.php

Mrs. Kansas, Christina Dreiling
http://www.vanbros.com/unitedstates/kansas.html

Mrs. Missouri, Carrie Hruza
http://www.vanbros.com/unitedstates/missouri.html

Mrs. Tennessee, Amanda Grantham Sekulow
http://mrstnus.blogspot.com/

and last but not least, Mrs. Texas, Melissa Pocza (she and I have a special history together - LOVE HER!!!)
 http://mrstxus.blogspot.com/

 If you are praying for me in this, I hope you'll add these ladies to your list.  They are very, very special!

"In It To End It!"

This past weekend was spent in Chicago volunteering for Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer 2011.  The first part of the event I was a "tent angel", meeting walkers as they came off the route, picking up their luggage for them, taking them to their designated spot and setting up their tent!  We had to work fast as two waves of thunderstorms came through...soaking us, but cooling us that was very welcome in the heat!  Afterward, I was set up in the Yoga tent encouraging walkers to come stretch their muscles and to take photos for the instructors. 

Much thanks to Anthony with Avon for coordinating everything, to the volunteers I worked with for making it "funny and fun", and most of all the walkers that gave their time and raised more money and awareness for breast cancer support!

Photos of the event are posted: Tents, first finish line, Anthony and I (can you see the clouds coming in? You can really see the darkness coming over the luggage lines...we rushed to get that all tarp-covered quick!) and of course the "ominous clouds"!

Welcome!

Hello!  I'm Anji Meidel, the new Mrs. Illinois United States, 2011.  I'm glad you've decided to read and/or follow my journey serving my community and state for the next year in this additional way. 

I am excited and honored to be called one of the "Vanbros Girls", so I open with my first entry of thanks to John Vannatta, the most amazing director and his family, Janet, Jason, Jennifer and more...each have been a blessing and joy to work with and work for...and I'm JUST GETTING STARTED!  There are not enough words adequate to fully show my gratitude for everything they are.

I never thought I would return to pageantry in this capacity...and I've learned that you "never say never"!  ;)  I am really glad for those that pursued and encouraged me to do this, and the unbelievable support I've received in such a short amount of time.  Yes, you all know who you are...so thank you with all my heart as well!

I'm looking forward to share more with you in the coming year! Many Blessings!


"When you make room for the possibility, the possibilities are endless"