Holiday Cheer

I cannot believe Christmas has come and gone already.  Time sure does fly by!  I went to 5 Christmas gatherings in three days.  I loved spending time with my family and close relatives and of course eating as much mashed potatoes and turkey as possible :-) I certainly had my fill.  I am so thankful for the blessings that God has given me and what a better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior than by coming together as a family.

Last week, I rang the bell for the Salvation Army at the Herbergers store in Baxter with my little sister queen, Bailey Wachholz, Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen.  Because of our fierce Minnesota weather this past month, the Salvation Army has not been raising enough money for their upcoming year.  This was the first year ever where they actually sent the volunteers home because of the terrible weather in the Twin Cities area.  I wanted to help the cause so I volunteered my time ringing the bell.  Our shift was from 9:00am-12:00pm and we took turns ringing the bell when our hands got tired.  It was nice to have company this year.  Last year I did it by myself up in Moorhead and having someone to talk to made time go by a bit faster :-)

Bailey and I

The next day Bailey and I performed at the Mall of America in the Best Buy Rotunda.  It was a blast!  The mall was so busy with last minute shoppers.  It took my Dad and I about 25 minutes to simply find a parking spot.  The rotunda was decorated so beautifully with the biggest Christmas trees I have ever seen !  I sang many Christmas songs trying to spread the Christmas spirit :-)  I sold some of my CMN silicone bracelets to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network while we were performing.  Thank you so much to my director Christina for selling my bracelets and my Dad and Pam Wachholz for taking photos.  We also got some video footage of us performing and I will try and post them as soon as possible :-)

Bailey and I

Looking up at the four floors of people above me

The Biggest Christmas Trees Ever

My Cousin Carly and I

This week I will be attending Kathryn's send-off party in Detroit Lakes.  I am very excited to see her again and her new wardrobe.  I'm even more excited to watch her compete in Vegas!  I will be going to Miss America for my first time ever this year!  I will be there for an entire week watching all of the prelim nights and of course the final night!  I am so excited for Kathryn, she has already made Minnesota proud and I can't wait for the rest of America to meet her :-)

I hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Always,
Bethany Beniek

Inspiring America Concert #6

On December 4th I attended my 6th "Inspiring America" concert.  This was Kathryn's last concert before she competes for Miss America in January.  It was yet again an evening filled with entertainment, laughter, and inspiring stories.  I realized that I sometimes underestimate the healing power of God.  John Leggate helped me see His power.  Here is part of his story from www.whohasinspiredyou.com  

          "Six years ago, John Leggate was diagnosed with cancer and given just months to live. 

          He sold his store in Minneapolis, planned his funeral and spent what he thought would

          be his last days with his family.  Here we are today... and John Leggate is still with us. 

          The doctors say that they have never seen anything like it and that he is truly a miracle. 

          John's attitude and amazing spirit and will to live should be an example for all of us to 

          follow."

The concert was a great success and I hope Kathryn will make her goal of raising $15,000 for the Children's Miracle Network before Miss America!  If you want to help the cause please buy one of Kathryn's CD's entitled "Blessed Beyond Measure" that contains 12 original compositions at www.whohasinspiredyou.com/cd.php 

We Love Our "Who Has Inspired You" T-Shirts!

I hope everyone is staying safe in this winter wonderland that I like to call Minnesota!  Yesterday alone I got stuck in the snow twice with my little Chevy Cavalier :-(  No need to go to the gym anymore, I have a driveway full of snow that needs to be shoveled every day! Not my favorite work out, but necessary.

I'm getting very excited to perform christmas carols at the Mall of America on December 23rd!  I have been rehearsing my christmas tunes ever since Thanksgiving!  I hope you can all make it!  I will be performing with Miss North Metro's Outstanding Teen, Bailey Wachholz,  between 3:00-4:00pm in the Best Buy Rotunda.  We will also be selling red and yellow silicone bracelets benefiting the Children's Miracle Network. Can't wait!

Always,

Bethany Beniek   

Fourpoints Magazine!

One of my crowning moments was featured in the Fourpoints Magazine this month! I scanned the page and you can see it below! How exciting!

Always,

Bethany Beniek