Kathryn Morton

It is with this post, I am proud to announce my little brother has officially contracted with the U.S. Army, and will attempt to obtain a Special Forces position. As someone who has watched Cody these past 20 years, I could not be more proud that he would choose to give his life to serving our family and our country to “destroy all that is evil, so that which is good may flourish” (a quote from his facebook page).

However, as is big-older-wiser sister, it is difficult to realize that I can no longer protect this little guy from pain, or harm. Of course as I type that, it feels silly to think I had any ability to stop pain or harm from coming to another life, especially one who is so prone on finding it! But if you have younger siblings, I think you can understand the emotion I am expressing.

Cody has wanted to join the army since high school. Maybe since before then, but that’s when I remember it becoming a goal of his. He was enrolled in the ROTC program at Western Michigan University for a semester, and loved Ranger Challenge.

Cody is a strong, smart, motivated young man (and good looking too! ha!). He has developed a thick Morton shell, but I know inside he has a caring heart protected. I know Cody is going to be a wonderful addition to the military, I just know it.

Honestly, I’m really not worried about him! I am worried though about my mom. My mother could definitely be described as a passive person. She is an active volunteer with our church’s Jail Ministry, non-violence training, and is a member of the Michigan Peace Team. I can remember her story after 9/11 when discussion of a draft was circulating, that- if a draft were to be reinstated, our family would be moving to Canada! Needless to say, my brother’s choice to enlist was not something my mom could ever be ready for. She loves her children with so much passion and devotion, and has given everything she has so her children could grow up with no needs or strife.

The military is nothing new to my family. My Grandpa Morton served in WWII for the Air Force, I have another cousin who served Air Force on my mom’s side, and two cousins on my dad’s side, both Marine’s. One was deployed to Afghanistan roughly seven years ago, and the other one can be deployed at any time. I would guess anyone reading this has family or friends currently serving, and I commend them.

As I have said before, I truly believe everything has a purpose in our lives. It is how we grow along our journey. And so, I close with this prayer for my brother, and for all in our military:

O Prince of Peace, we humbly ask Your protection for all our men
and women in military service. Give them unflinching courage to
defend with honor, dignity and devotion the rights of all who are
imperiled by injustice and evil. Guard our churches, our homes,
our schools, our hospitals, our factories, our buildings, and all
those within from harm and peril. Protect our land and its people
from enemies within and without. Grant an early peace with victory
founded upon justice. Instill in the hearts and minds of me and
women everywhere a firm purpose to live forever in peace and
good will towards all. Amen.

Love you Cody!

A conversation between my Creator and me…

If you can’t enjoy this, what/when will you enjoy what I’ve given you?

Picture: South Haven, Michigan. “Just south of heaven”. Sitting on the river. Comfortable weather in the 70′s, slightly overcast, nice breeze; perfect. On the water; perfect. Birds chirping, neighbors chatting; perfect. All the time in the world to simply enjoy the Creation. Perfect

Me: Unhappy. Why? Because I don’t understand why God isn’t using this time to use me. But that statement isn’t 100% true because I know He is always using me, including now. This is my “sabbatical.” This is my time away from the hustle and bustle of life to observe and reflect. I keep trying to occupy the time.

Stop. Slow down. It’s okay to do nothing. It’s not like anything you do will get you any closer to earning what I’ve given you. Kathryn- you cannot earn this. You don’t earn life. Nothing- the things you have, the relationships you are a part of, the opportunities you will experience- nothing is yours. It’s all mine.

And He’s perfectly right.

So why do I keep fighting Him to prove to Him my worth? Is it because I am shameful of choices I made in the past and am trying to redeem myself?

Stop. You are who you are, and I love you.

God, I want more in my life. I want you to use me for Your purpose.

I will, but not today. This time is for rest. Stop. Enjoy.

Now if your time to get in anything you want to experience. Make lasting memories now because soon you will be all mine. When I say so, not you. Find happiness in the sun peeking out from behind the clouded sky. Watch how that brilliant butterfly navigates across an unseen path in the air. I’m trying so hard here to get you to be happy. I’ve given you family. You have friends. The fridge is full and the beds are comfy. You have all your needs met, yet you allow yourself to be unhappy.

When will you stop?

Sure, there are moments that you smile with your lips, but Kathryn, I’m waiting for you to smile in your heart. I’m waiting for you, and I will give you all the time you need to give in, stop fighting me, and be happy.

Life is full of seasons and one day you will have that family you so desperately crave. Your children will be beautiful. Your husband will love you. But that family is not today. You are still a part of your own family. Enjoy being their daughter. Let your mother mother. Stop fighting her for your independence. You all live together. Be happy. Be happy they are here. Make memories. I love you! They love you.

Enjoy. Simplify. Stop. Breathe. Smile.

Click Here for Link to Video- Be sure to watch the end for the unannounced cut back to us “models”! Hahahaha!

Haven’t blogged in two weeks. Just haven’t really felt like I’ve had anything important to share!

But I did happen to journal this last night after my devotional. I think I am making progress when I am writing like this:

Purpose:

My purpose is to show God to others. I will do this through my actions, my words, where I choose to be, and whom I choose to be with.

There is no greater purpose than this. We are all called to this purpose, but don’t all live it out. Some of us choose to seek out our own purpose. Some of us try to seek out a purpose that has worked for others. Or if you are me, then you have tried both of these, and all the other “purposes” out there. I’ve even tried multi-tasking “purposes”.

There is one purpose.

Everything I do- Every choice I make is based around my purpose.

Every opportunity presented, every challenge I accept: I will do my best to let Him know I am here for His purpose.

That’s all for now! Happy Weekend!

Alright already with the questions! Haha, just kidding I’m happy you want to know what I’m doing with my life! And I can happily tell you: I am taking an 8 week vacation in the beautiful South Haven, Michigan. See that picture on the top of this page? Yes… that is what I am talkin about.

My classes just finished up last week. I will be taking (and hopefully passing!) my basic skills and secondary english tests next Saturday for my teaching credential. Then, after that, classes don’t start up until September!

When I was living in California, I had three incredible jobs that I loved. However, it was still three jobs! There wasn’t a whole lot of time for friends and goofing off. When I moved back to Michigan, life slowed down a lot. I was still working, and I started classes in January, so then I was working and going to school, but I was not living the “California pace” of life.

I happen to love that pace. I work well at that pace and feel like my life has purpose when I am busy. Perhaps that is why I stayed busy- a fear of not feeling a purpose in my life if I weren’t doing something. That was when my faith started to grow, because I started to discover this:

Purpose in life isn’t defined by what you do. We all DO things. We gain our purpose from how we feel about our life’s choices. No matter how great we think our purpose is, we are nothing without God’s grace.

And, God’s grace has never been something we can earn.

Everything has a time and a place. Life is about choices. I am choosing to step out of the rat race and enjoy what God has created around me. My two words for the summer are “Relax” and “Enjoy”. When I was a kid, I used to always love Michigan summers in South Haven. They are the only kind of summer I knew until just a few years ago. Missing a few of them made me realize how important they are on me, mentally. Maybe that’s why being a teacher appeals to me

A 'South Haven Sunset' from the boat.

I just finished unpacking my Miss Michigan week wardrobe.

Three suitcases, a duffle bag of dirty clothes, and my hanging garments are out of my room. Their belongings have been tucked into the nooks in my closet, the washer, and my trophies from the past 18 months are temporarily on display on my bookshelf.
I know I have accomplished so much, and have a lot to be proud of, but there is a longing inside me today. Perhaps because while I was unpacking all of the beautiful gowns, I was reminded I won’t have anywhere to wear them to. Perhaps it was because unpacking my belongings and putting them away in my room reminded me I’m not in Muskegon right now, and I’m not preparing for Miss America.

One of my childhood dreams will never be reached.

I will never be Miss Michigan, or have the chance to compete at Miss America.

As I type those words, tears are coming to my eyes. It’s the first time I’ve cried sad tears since I heard the words “You are not going to be Miss Michigan” two weekends ago.

And in a few seconds, the moment has passed. Just because I will not be Miss Michigan or Miss America does not mean I will not accomplish the true meaning behind that childhood dream. To say I wanted to be Miss Michigan had nothing to do with glitz, or glamour. Believe me- those views of this program were taken away when I started to get involved in the program, especially when I attended the Miss America pageant last January. Miss Michigan is a job. A job I know I would have been really good at. And I know that because the true meaning behind the job is to lift other people up through the title. It has nothing to do with parades, or a crown, or wearing pretty dresses. It has to do with the relationships and conversations she has with people, that when they walk away from getting to know her, they feel better about themselves because of her smile, her kind words, a hug, or any number of things.

Just because I am not Miss Michigan does not mean I will never get to do those things. On the contrary. I had too many people praying for me these past few months for it not to be in God’s plan that I am not Miss Michigan.

My prayer over the past few months- God, if Your will can be done through me as Miss Michigan, then let it happen, but if you can use someone else in that position better, and me somewhere else, then let it happen.

I didn’t really know Katie LaRoche, our new Miss Michigan very well until this past week. I had heard all wonderful things about her and her personality, as well as her dedication to her platform. This week, I saw all those things I had heard to be true. Katie- you are dedicated, passionate, inspirational, and you know when to kick back and have a good time! You are everything I have envisioned a Miss Michigan to be. I know you will inspire so many people and touch so many other people’s lives during your year; I know you have touched mine.

So, am I sad I am not Miss Michigan? Today I am. But tomorrow is a new day. And I am proud to say I accomplished three major things (okay, four) during my Miss Michigan week:

1. I gave an incredible talent performance (this one actually isn’t me talking, it’s my coaches and E.D., and family. I personally walked off stage thinking that it didn’t feel that much different than my pre-lim night. haha!)

2. I got to tell 1600 people, including about 20 former Miss Michigan’s that I had been coming to the Frauenthal to watch Miss Michigan since before I was born.

3. In the words of Kelly Garver-Nieto, in her 25 years at Miss Michigan, she had never seen a girl “bring the house down” like I did in my final moments onstage!!!

4. I made some incredible friendships, some that will only last for a week, and some that are going to last a lifetime. To Kelly, Erinn, Casey, Ang, and Kaley, I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear so many of the “Naughty Room”s names called for top ten! I truly believe it was because of our carefree attitude all week. I was so happy to represent with you Saturday night. To the entire Naughty Room including it’s honorary members: You guys CRACK me up!!! You kept the entire week drama free, and full of inside jokes. I wish I could get ready every day with you girls. To my roomie Krista, and my other roomie Sherri: You two inspire me to be a better person. You remind me that it’s okay to stick up for your guns and your morals and values, regardless of what other people think about you. As much of a  tough shell I have built over these years, I do want others to like me, and when they don’t it hurts my feelings. Thanks for reminding me that true value comes from God and from inside ourselves, and nowhere else. To my Miss Michigan Class of 2010 Sisters: Can we please all buy a house together?! I had sooooo many good times with you this past week I am sad they are over. Can we all reunite at each other’s pageants, and have sleepovers? I’m not ready to move on yet!

(Tell me Whoooo’s in the Houuuuuuse?!)

I also want to thank those of you who were thinking and praying for me during these past months. Please know if is your positive support that kept me positive and reminded me the true purpose behind my journey to Miss Michigan: to lift up others. I hope I made you proud this week and on Saturday night! I certainly tried my best!

I will end by saying- I have NO idea what God has in mind for my life, this summer, or any time in the future, and I like it. It’s through this unknown that I know I am completely comfortable with the choice I made to give my life to God. Of course I am anxious to know what my life will enfold, but that is not going to stop me from enjoying in each moment and day He has given me. Sometimes we perfectionists get so caught up in what we feel we need to achieve that we forget to stop and smell the roses.
It’s good to have goals, but don’t forget to stop every once and a while. Pause. Look up at the moon, and reflect upon how tiny our existence is. You never know who’s life you may be lifting up in those moments.

God Bless,

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2113563&id=56900129&l=03d0e77b6b

Whew! I am so happy and so excited to announce our new Miss Michigan is Katie LaRoche, Miss Capital City!

She is phenomenal! And lived “next door” to me for the past week! I cannot wait to buy my airfare and tickets to Miss America 2011 to root on Katie! I know she will do such a great job representing Michigan this year

I really will write more in the next few days, I PROMISE! It’s just so late now and I’m just getting to bed!

Love love,

Kathryn

Miss Michigan 2010′s 2nd runner-up

and

Recipient of the Miss America Community Service Scholarship Award

I am so sad to say that I cannot believe this week is at the end! What a disappointment! As much as I love my family, I wish I could live in a hotel with the girls for a year. Perhaps this is what I missed out on by going to a school without sororities!

Anyways, I’ve got to get some rest after our very busy day today, and prepare for a super fun day tomorrow!

I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to the beautiful Camille Bridges, Miss Spirit of the State’s Outstanding Teen for being the 2nd Runner-Up to Miss Michigan’s Outstanding Teen 2010! Brooke Rowland! I’m so proud of all of the girls, for the amazing work they have put into their competition, especially the girls that I knew before this week, and got to know this week in Muskegon!

Also, if you would like to view some of the professional images from Tourcotte, the official photographer of Miss Michigan, please click on this LINK to their page and type in missmich2010 as the event code and password

That is all for now!
Lot’s happening around me, and inside me too

Will share soon!

Just getting to bed! Wish I could say more! So sorry! Just wanted to say I am SO happy Casey Crabtree won talent tonight! I even cried a bit! More later