Home, home on the ranch...............

Billy and I are home from Chicago and the Mrs. International 2012 Pageant.  We had a great time, and because I took a boat tour, I learned a little of the history of Chicago.  I wanted to see more historic sites, but there was no time!  Preparing for a large production pageant is hard work, but Billy was able to kick back and get some rest.  I am planning on blogging a little about each day of the pageant, but I have a few things to catch up on at home first.  The new Mrs. International 2012 is Sarah Bazey.  She was Mrs. Minnesota and a burn survivor.  I met many people and made new friends and even did some life coaching in Chicago!  Most of all, I want to say thank you to all the folks who supported and prayed for me.  Hearts of Love's message is spreading.  Maybe a little slower than I have hoped, but I will reach as many people as I can.  When someone is overwelmed by a traumatic event, they often do not know what to do or where to turn.  I am working to see they know to turn to Hearts of Love.

All roads lead to Chicago!

For the next few days, all roads will lead to Chicago for the contestants competing for the title of Mrs. International 2012.  It has been challenging and fun trip thus far, and the upcoming week will be filled with more hard work and loads of excitement!  Finding out this past week that Hearts of Love's new retreat facility, Cornerstone Lodge, will soon be opening its doors to offer help and healing for the hurting is a gift beyond compare.  Please support and pray for me as I give 100%+ while competing in Chicago to capture the crown and use my voice to proclaim my platform "Changing the World, One Life at a Time"!

Vickie Hines
Mrs. Indiana International 2012

What a way to finish off dinner........

Billy and I stopped at one of our favorite restaurants last night and had a delicious dinner.  When the waitress brought our bill, she informed us the restaurant's owner was a local heart surgeon and would we be interested in donating one dollar to the American Heart Association.  We both said "Yes!" at the same time!  I smiled all the way home.

The future is now!

While traveling yesterday, I received a call from Rodney Love, one of the founders of Hearts of Love.  The new emotional trauma recovery center near Dallas, Texas is now ready to begin offering services.  Cornerstone Lodge is the result of much hard work and prayer.  If you or anyone you know is having trouble moving ahead in life because of a traumatic life event, please get in touch with http://www.holministry.org/.  They offer proven study programs and counseling to turn fear and self-doubt into courage and empowerment.

Team International

My Team International is composed of many people, beginning with my director and going all the way to my family doctor who is trying her best to get me over the bronchitis that has hindered me since February.  My pageant coach, clothier, phototographer and art technition have been professional and thorough.  Although I do not have years and years of experience as a pageant contestant, I have been associated with the pageant world for many years.  In all that time, I have never witnessed the level of talent and creativity my Team International brings to my corner.  I will be better prepared for my future because of them.

All that is pageantry..............

My mom purchased a set of Child Craft books when I was ten years old.  Included in the set was a book of famous fairy tales.  I read the book through, countless times.  I love fairy tales.  The stories are alive with characters, beautiful places, magnificent castles and happy endings.  Consequently, I have always loved pageantry.  Make no mistake, the princesses aka contestants, work to earn the right to compete and have a heart to serve others rather than be served, but during the pageant itself, for those few hours, a great fairy tale unfolds, complete with the crowning of a new queen.  To write a great fairy tale, the writer must be an artist who can create with words a beautiful and thought provoking story that will appeal to the heart of the reader, and so it is with pageantry.  The art and beauty of the Mrs. International Pageant and its queens appeal to my heart.  I applaud them.

Because he loves me..............

I do not know where to begin to thank my husband, Billy, for his unconditional support of me.  When I made the decision to become a volunteer for Hearts of Love, he volunteered to be my helper, and he is doing a great job!  Being a life coach is not without its challenges, and when I need to vent, Billy listens and encourages me.  He is also my biggest fan as I continue my hope of becoming Mrs. International 2012.  The pageant world is no place for the faint of heart, and while many men would have headed for higher ground long ago, Billy is riding the wave with me, and we are having fun together.  Thank you, Billy, for staying with me for the "long haul".  I love you.

Don't Stop Believing................

My friend, Arnel Pineda (lead singer for Journey), will arrive in Los Angeles July16 to begin Journey's upcoming tour.  His rise to success is truly a Cinderella story, and he is the most humble and sweet person I have ever met.  Even though I have met with him twice, and we stay in touch by phone and Facebook, I have not taken a picture with him, so I was hoping I could get a photo to post on my blog before the pageant.  Not going to happen.  Guess where I will be July 16?  I will see Arnel and Journey in Dallas, Texas later this year, and I promise to make and post pictures.  I work with Arnel for the Arnel Pineda Foundation for Street Kids, the program he began a few years ago to offer education and healthcare for the children living in the streets of the Philippines.  Isn't it wonderful that the first thing Arnel did when he reached success was to immediately start giving to those in need?  You see, Arnel was once a child living on the streets.  Truly a remarkable human being.

American Heart Association Heart Walk

As of today's date, the International Pageant team is in 2nd place out of the top 100 teams for over all funds raised, and for overall funds raised by an individual for the entire Heart Walk, I am in 1st place!  My fund raising efforts are in honor of  my husband's and my family members who have passed away or are survivors of heart disease.  Billy lost his dad due to a massive heart attack, and my daddy, mother and brother are survivors.  Five years ago, I under went tests and was placed on heart medication.  I am happy to report that due to answered prayers, a change in my diet and more exercise, I no longer have to take any heart medication, and just one month ago, I was given another clean bill of health from my heart doctor.  Thank goodness for the American Heart Association and all the wonderful employees and volunteers who are helping advance the detection and treatment of heart disease.

Upcoming event........

This September, I will be traveling to Kaluga, Russia with the Hearts of Love International team to volunteer at our orphanage there.  Three years ago, I spent 16 days in Israel which was an experience I will long cherish.  I am looking forward to meeting the wonderful children of Russia and learning about a new place.

Hearts of Love

The month of May has been a busy one!  I traveled to the Minirth Ranch twice this month to life coach.  I met separately with several clients and listened as they shared with me their life events, struggles and wishes.  I hope something showed or told to them during their stay at the ranch will strengthen and guide them toward bright tomorrows!  It is a blessing and a privilege to be of service to our clients and to be part of the Hearts of Love life coaching program. 

Sweet Home Alabama

April was a fun month because it included a trip to The Competitive Image in Dothan, Alabama.  Talk about a pageant contestant's dream store, The Competitive Image is it!  Anything and everything a contestant needs, from photos, to makeup, to clothes, to jewelry, can be found in this fine store.  Not only is the store beautiful, the staff is top notch.  Joey helped me pick out the clothes I needed based on what styles and colors compliment me.  Clay is a makeup and hair artist, and his ability to put me at ease helped me relax and be myself while he took my pictures.  He is a magnificent photographer.  Terri takes care of all the details and is a joy to work with.  While there, I had the honor of meeting Mary Richardson, our national director, and Sherri Hill, fashion designer and clothier of entertainment stars and pageant queens.  Meeting them was just plain wonderful!

Heart Walk Survivors Reception

The month of March 2012 was highlighted by the Heart Walk Survivors Reception held at the Governor's Mansion.  As the survivors and their guests arrived, I assisted them signing in and inquired if each one might be interested in leading a team for the upcoming Heart Walk.  After the welcoming events were complete, several survivors had their unique stories presented, including a young woman who is a heart transplant receipient.  Since three members of my family have heart disease, the powerful testmonies of the heart disease survivors struck home for me.  Thanks to the American Heart Association, there will continue to be research and advancement in helping treat and possibly cure heart disease.

Veterans Hospitals visits

February 2012 was an enlightening month for me.  I visited two veterans hospitals and enjoyed meeting and visiting with our service men and women.  What an honor to be given the opportunity to listen to the veterans and their spouses talk of being in service for our country and what is going on in their lives today.  When I realize the sacrifices they have made, I am humbled and thankful.

Women's education research........

During my senior year at Henderson State University, upon the recommendation of my professor, I was given the opportunity to write a history research paper for which I would receive three credit hours.  By far, it was one of the most difficult and rewarding undertakings of my college career.  The hours spent in libraries, court houses, museums, personal interviews and sitting at a computer consumed my time and left me wondering if my paper would actually come to exist.  By the end of the first semester of my senior year, my paper, "Spring Hill Female Academy:  Aristocracy, Education, and Culture in Southwest Arkansas, 1836-1845", was complete.  My work chronicled the rise and fall of an all women's college complete with history of the township of Spring Hill and its sometimes colorful residents and happenings.  I received an "A" for my writing efforts, and the university published the paper.  Over the years, I have presented the paper orally as a guest speaker for various groups.