"BEAUTY'S ONLY SKIN DEEP! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!"

The Ms. Universe Pageant was tonight.  I'm not usually "into" beauty pageants but I was flipping channels and found this tonight.  It was probably about 1/2 over.  They were about to announce the Top 15.   Since I hadn't seen the Total  (have no clue how many contestants are in Ms. Universe!) I had no idea if the Top 15 were truly the Top 15....!  

Even though Robin left the room...I watched it until the winner was crowned.  My My My how Beauty Pageants have changed thru the years.  Ladies used to walk the runway with poise and grace.  Now most of the ladies walked like they were already professional models. You know that "Strike a Pose" look???  Some of the girls (the Top 15) were truly beautiful and some, well, let's just say they have seen a plastic surgeon a time or two!  I think there needs to be a "Ms. Natural Beauty".  Maybe there is and I just don't know about it.  Most of the dresses were gorgeous (and skin tight).  Of course they all looked amazing in their bathing suits!

I have been in 1 beauty pageant (I was about 10).  Guess my mother signed me up - I don't remember much about it.  All I remember is I had to have a black one piece bathing suit and I was pretty ticked to have to wear that ugly thing all summer.  We only got 1 swimsuit per summer when I was a kid.  (don't tell my kids...their kids have TONS).  Anyway... I remember I did not like anything about the beauty pageant.  I was totally embarrassed to walk down the runway.  After looking at all the other girls - I knew I was sunk cause they were sooooo sooooo pretty!  I think we even had a talent.  Can't remember what I did....maybe twirl a baton or something cause I certainly didn't have a talent but I had been in Candy Canes when I was in 2nd grade and I knew how to semi-twirl!!!  And I know you'll be surprised to know this ....I didn't win!

I've always been against beauty pageants for kids!  My 5 granddaughters all look COMPLETELY different from each other.  Even the sisters.  My son has my Neapolitan grandgirls.  One brunette, one blonde, and one red-head.  My daughter's girls probably look more alike - but they still are very different.  And ALL 5 of their precious bodies are built COMPLETELY different than each other.  And I think they are all beautiful.  Maybe that's just the Mammy in me but I could never pick out "1" that has "more" than the other's.  

**REFRESHER**  (Ashley told me she never asked to be in Miss Tomball and she's right - she never did!!!)  But if she had.....When Ashley was young, I wouldn't let her take part in the local popular Miss Tomball pageant.  However, we went to every pageant each year for many years.  It was fun to go to them.  We always knew most of the girls that were in them.  In fact, we're pretty good friends with some that have won.  And many were beautiful!!!!  But something in me did not want my daughter to go through the painful process and possibly be eliminated by the judges and walk away thinking, "I must be too fat", "I must be too plain", "I must not have good hair", or "I didn't smile right, walk straight, or look good"!  I know you must be saying about right now...."yeah, right Mammy.  You're just old school and trying to make everyone feel good about themselves.  

Well, I do know some of the most beautiful people I know are not what the world would consider "pretty people".  Certainly not beauty pageant worthy.  And while all my grandgirls are beautiful....I would never say one is "more beautiful" than the others.  

And I know you will say I'm just an old lady saying this:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.   Proverbs 31:30

But it's true.  The most beautiful people in the world eventually lose some of this outward appearance.  Just look at Robert Redford!! ha!  (or me!!!)  I told Robin I'm so glad we dated and married really young!  Cause at least he knew me when I was cute!! (Brandon told us he went for HOT when he got married - cause "cute don't get no cuter!!")


And another truth that Beth Moore taught an entire bible study series on:


"to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3


To receive the Crown of Beauty is so much more fulfilling than outward beauty.  


If my grandgirls are ever in a beauty pageant - then I will do everything I can to make sure she knows that whether she wins or loses that she is perfect.  No man (or woman) can tell her she's anything but beautiful.  I don't want her end up with an eating disorder just so she can stay thin.  I don't want her thinking that her boobs are too small or too large.  I don't want her thinking that her smile is from anywhere but heaven.  I want her to know that she is loved because she loves.

  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.   Psalm 119:14

I was just wondering what all those beautiful women were thinking when their country was not called out.  Do you think they thought - "I'm prettier than HER!!"  Or "Didn't they even notice my gorgeous gown?"  Or "my huge boobs, super-white smile, hair extensions, false eyelashes, butt glue, and botox treatment was guaranteed to get me in the Top 5!!"

Spoiler Alert!!!   Spoiler Alert!

So just in case you missed it.  The new Ms. Universe is.........(drum roll please)

Ms Mexico!

And she was beautiful indeed!
In fact, I think I need to be a judge next year!!  I picked out the Top 5 and I also picked out the EXACT order of winners from 4th place, 3rd place, 2nd place, 1st place -  to Ms Universe!!


**UPDATED**
I had to go back this morning and add this picture of all the "beauties" in my life!  Now it doesn't get much more beautiful than this!!!!

Just watched this super-funny "news" announcement about Ms. Universe!!  So true!!


http://primetime.tv.yahoo.com/