Let It Be!

I have to apologize for being absent from my little blog world for almost a year! It has been a whirlwind of a year! I don't even know where to start. They say a picture is worth a thousand words... so be prepared for a lot of them!

Last January I was able to participate in the Gasparilla parade as Miss Tampa! It was a blast! But I have to say my bead throwing arm hurt for days after! It was all worth it!

                                                                               

Then shortly after that, in February I competed for the title of Miss St. Petersburg. 

This was my third time competing for this title... It is a very prestigious pageant, most of the top competitors in Florida come to compete in this pageant.  I had no idea what was going to happen, but I prepared to win. (and prayed that I would have favor in the sight of God and man!)

I am blessed to say I was able to walk away with the title of Miss St. Petersburg, and overall interview winner! and boy has it been an amazing year!

Laura Mckeeman, Miss Pinellas County 2012 and our new Miss Florida 2012 and Kristina Janolo Miss Florida 2011!

My first appearance as Miss St. Pete was with the Southeastern Guide Dogs! And St. Petersburgs honorary puppie, Peety, at the Guide dog walkathon.

Southeastern Guide Dog's mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating lifes journey with mobility, independence and dignity. 

And they do an amazing job at it!

With Peety!

Then at the end of February It was time to give up my title of Miss Tampa. Bitter sweet, but I was incredibly excited to invite another young lady into the sisterhood of Miss Tampa! The Miss Tampa Board puts on the best show, every year! It's a wonderful organization to be a part of!

Bob Clark taught me a lot through my year as Miss Tampa, and about a week before I had to crown our new Miss Tampa... He looked at me and said "Sweetheart, 50 years from now you will still be our 65th Miss Tampa... But 50 years from now no one will know who I was." and I replied "are you kidding me?! You will always and forever be our Mr. Tampa!" SO of course I had to supply him with a sash of his own ;)

Crowning our New Miss Tampa, Olivia Stacey!
She is beautiful inside, and out!

Back to the other side of the bay! I  was off to another appearance as Miss St. Petersburg! 

The Honda Grand Prix! It was incredible to be a part of such a HUGE event! St. Petersburg is an amazing host for different events, they do a fantastic job at bringing the city together to embrace our guests!

Festivals of speed parade! with Miss Florida, Kristina Janolo!

With My sunshine Princess, Kiersten Herman and Miss St. Petersburg's Outstanding Teen, Savannah Gribbins.

From the moment I won Miss St. Petersburg I started preparing for Miss Florida. Along the way I was able to have an AMAZING photo shoot with the one and only Deb Knoske, Met with S.A.F.E. (Stay Alive From Education), and worked with the talented Jennifer Mckenna.

The beautiful Katie Buttson Shearer 

The Paramedics of S.A.F.E

The one and only Jennifer Mckenna!

In the middle of preparing for one of the most intense weeks of my life... my dad decided to take my family on a trip to Italy for my parents 25th anniversary! I have to say, his timing couldn't have been more perfect!

I was just lucky enough to land in Rome on my 21st birthday!

Once we landed in Rome, we stayed there for a few nights then traveled down to the Amalfi coast, and Sorrento. Then up to Venice and Florence and then back to Rome. 

I have to say it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!

Heres just a little glimpse of what I was able to lay my eyes on....

In front of the Colosseum!

Inside!

Colosseum at night!

The Vatican!

Fontana Di Trevi! 

Amalfi Coast!

Sorrento!

Stuck on a gondola in the rain!

Venizia!

The Duomo!

Okay! Back to real time here! Once I got back from Italy, I had a week to pack and finish preparations for Miss Florida! After a week of eating everything in sight... I cant explain to you how much pizza and gelato I ate... I never thought winning a swimsuit prelim was possible.

Little did I know, that would be the first Miss Florida preliminary award I would ever win!

If you don't know me, I hide my emotions very well sometimes... you may be thinking to yourself "Wow I wish I could do that." No... I have to disagree with you, It is so hard... because when it comes down to a time that I do let my emotions out, its like everything that I have kept bottled up comes out even more intense than it would have if I just let it out in the first place!

This is what happened when it came down to a few days before I left for Miss Florida. I was on a emotional roller coaster! It was pretty funny. I was just SO excited! 

 This was my 4th trip to Miss Florida, so I was there to have fun! It truly is a life changing experience and every year I have met some of my best friends through this pageant. Pageant girls understand other pageant girls. My dad teases me now saying that one day when I get married my whole bridal party is going to be Incredibly beautiful, and full of Miss America Girls :)!

Sunday was move in day: My AMAZING roomie was Sarah York this year, we waited around for hours before our room was ready... but all of our luggage took up almost the whole hallway... I guess I should say, all of MY luggage took up almost the whole hallway. haha! I never know what to expect, I am an over packer. But I can blame that on Mary Sullivan, The Executive Director of the Miss Florida pageant... My first year at Miss Florida she said "As Miss Florida you should be prepared for anything, and be ready at all times!" So I took this to heart... and made sure I was ready for truly Anything!

After finally getting into our room, we attended the Rays game, and then straight to rehearsals!

Monday consisted of more Rehearsals for myself!

Tuesday I had my Interview with the judges, and then continued with rehearsals.

Wednesday was our day off! We were aloud to sleep in, then joined Ann Marie Griffin, and Lavoyce Porter for our annual luncheon. At this luncheon I was announced one of the 7 Quality of Life finalists!

This is the first year the Miss Florida Organization has given the Quality of Life award. 

Sponsored by Kylie Williams, the Q.O.L. award is an award that they give at Miss America and it is platform based. Once the Q.O.L. finalists are chosen they have another interview with a separate panel of judges. (This interview was Friday Morning.)

Thursday was the first day of Preliminary competition! I competed in Swim Suit and Evening wear this night. I won Prelim Swim Suit that night! WOOOHHOOO!!!! That was an Amazing feeling!

Friday was the second night of prelims, and I had my Quality of life interview! That night was my onstage question and Talent night!

Then!

Saturday was finals night!

I cant even begin to explain this night to you! Remember how I said I was on an emotional roller coaster before Miss Florida... well, I was back on that Saturday night!

I was called into the top 11! Then was rushed back stage to start competition once again!

after re competing, I was called into top 5! If I wasn't in a beautiful gown, from Regalia, I would have been jumping up and down when this happened!

I walked away that night with the Fourth runner up spot, Preliminary Swimsuit winner, Preliminary Evening gown winner, and the Quality of Life winner!

Although I did not win, I couldn't be disappointed with my performance! I was so incredibly proud to represent St. Petersburg and I had a wonderful time!

Im just plotting and planning for next year now!

Proud Parents!

My beautiful momma and I at the teen pageant!

Samantha Janolo, Orlando's OT.

Getting called into top 11!

Top 5!

Thank you Kylie Williams for sponsoring the Quality of Life Award!

Top five after crowning!

Congratulations to our new Miss Florida, Laura Mckeeman!

All in all it has been one life changing year! 

I will without a doubt be back to compete for Miss Florida next year, but one thing I have learned through this experience is...

You can make many plans, but the Lord purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21

...

and that sometimes all you can do, is Let It Be!

I promise I wont leave you hangin for another year! Thanks for reading!

Make sure to check out my website at:

www.chloelupo.com

You decide every moment of every day: Who you are and what you believe in. You get A second chance, every second. Don't waste it.

  

Life. Being. Back.

Wow its been too long! I felt like I needed to fill you guys in on a few things since Ive been back from my trip to Honduras!
Right when I got home my schedule picked up! Making up work that I had missed while I was gone, trying to get back into the swing of things and of course getting back out in the community as Miss Tampa!

Even though I was only gone for a week....It has changed my lifestyle...
Living here in America there is a fast food restaurant on every other corner of the street. Going to Starbucks is nothing unusual, and if you need something... we drive up to Publix, or CVS and get it.
This is not the case in a third world country.
I have found myself driving home from school thinking about what food I could pick up on my way to work... or where the closest Starbucks is... and I cant bring myself to go buy that food that my stomach so desperately wants. Instead I decide that going home and getting whatever we have in the pantry would be best.
Through this whole thought process I can only picture one thing.... those little kids in Honduras that stole my heart. I think about how happy they were to have just a little bit of rice and mashed up beans.
I cant bring myself to go buy something that I truly dont need.

I was sitting on the couch with my mom and dad talking a few weeks ago... and they were talking about their plans for that Saturday, and how they were going to go to the mall and then lunch. I looked at them and said "I cant bring myself to spend my money on anything... because I just dont need any of it."
I know this conviction is from God. And I dont want it to go away.

...

A few weeks before I left in September, I went to the Miss Americas Outstanding Teen Pageant to support Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen, Elizabeth Fechtel! This young woman is one of the most amazing people I have ever met! She is poised, well rounded, and amazing speaker, and beautiful!
That night she won Miss Americas Outstanding Teen!!!! It was such a surreal feeling for all of us who went to support her... I cant even imagine how it must have felt for her!

Elizabeth and I!

It is tradition that when a state title holder wins a national title, that the state throws a welcome home celebration for the winner! I went with Miss Orange County, Brittany Hagan to celebrate Elizabeth's new crown! At this homecoming we also crowned the new Miss Florida's Outstanding teen, Rachel Strever! I am so excited for her, and cant wait to see how she uses the crown to open doors for herself and the state of Florida!

Brittany and I!

...

When I got back from Honduras I went with a few friends to Atlanta to see Coldplay, one of my favorite bands! On this trip we stoped at Andy Stanley's Church, Northpoint, on Sunday!

Coldplay!

....Back to Northpoint....
In Andy's lesson he started talking about how us as Americans feel so entitled... and we feel like we are entitled to all of this stuff!... When we arent really entitled to it.
He used the verse John 13:12-17 when Jesus washed his disciples feet...

"Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life."


Right there in the middle of service... I started crying... Flashbacks of Washing dirty little feet came to the forefront of my mind.... it was then that I knew God would never let me forget the journey that I had just taken.
I understood and saw what Andy was speaking about... but I truly understood that lesson in more than one way that sunday morning. It was such an overwhelming feeling!


...

Last weekend we had  Honduras get together, and I got to see some of the team that we went with!
I missed them so much! It is so cool to see that even though we haven't seen each other in over a month... our hearts are all still on the same page! We took sometime to Facetime the boys from MikesChair so we could include them some how! (they are all still in Nashville, working hard!)

On GREAT news from the trip, Carmen from the Joy fm has one of the babies out of the government orphanage, and Hopefully on her way to America to be Adopted!!!!! Carmen met this little baby on our trip, and was taken back by her... she knew something was special! Right before we left she asked what the babies name was.... and the lady responded "Se llama Carmen".... This little babies name is Carmen too!!!! Right then she knew it was meant to be, that, that baby had something special!
I am so excited to see this little modern day miracle come true!
Our whole team is praying for this baby, her health, and Gods plans for her life! Please be praying for her too!

Carmen and Baby Carmen

Here is a link so you can go see a video of this beautiful baby! She is precious!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150366828449844&fb_source=message

Needless to say... I am jealous. I want the little ones that I met to be out of the government orphanages.... I want them to be taken care of.. I want Elsa to have a safe home, and a great family who she can trust!...
That just means I cant give up... I have to keep praying, and I have to remember that God has a time and a place for everything!

I am so humbled, Coming back home to everything I could ever want... or need. It just makes me very proud to be an American, and it makes me want to share the joy and the things that I have in my life.

This Month has been fantastic being able to share what God has done, and what he is doing! I love it!


Thats all for now!
Thank you for reading!
Keep praying, anything is possible!

Ill see you later...

After a long, emotionally draining week, fellowship is a must! Today was our shopping day!

We slept in, had a big breakfast, and then left for the market! Had lots of success, and had a Coke in a bag!

or as they called it "Coka en una bolsita" Coke in a little bag! I felt like a little kid! It was so much fun!

Then we got back to the hotel, we sat around and talked then got ready for our farewell dinner!

We got to the restaurant for dinner and had some amazing local food! As we sat around we shared stories about our week, little inside jokes, and as we did the tie that binds our hearts grew stronger. The boys got up and gave us a little mini concert, and we were able to spend our last night worshiping together. 

All of the high school students whom translated for us all week joined us. We took the rest of the night to thank them and love on them! They bonded with us just as much as the rest of the group, The dynamics of these amazing people were, are, and forever will be, unforgettable!

With lots of pictures taken and love shared we had to say our goodbyes. But as the youngest member of our group, John, so wisely shared... This isnt a goodbye... it is an Ill see you later!

So I am sticking with that, Ill see you later =)

Amazing food!

Our great translators!

Mini Concert by MikesChair! <3 Love em boys!

The amazing Carmen, with out her I truly wouldn't have been here!

Miss Tampa and MikesChair!

One of the most amazing women, Darlene... She taught me how to salsa, I love her!

Escape.

Have you ever pictured something in your mind, and started freaking out about it even though you have no idea what it really is... and you've never truly experienced it?! It is all in your head.

Well, this happened to me today. I woke up, and went to devotion today... and something was said to the effect of..."Are you okay? because the girls that we encounter might not be receptive to you... You are everything that they will never be." Honest and true, I am not THAT girl. And I don't want to be THAT girl! I don't want people to see my exterior and think that I have a different attitude.... it stays true to the saying, don't judge a book by its cover. I want my inner beauty to shine brighter than my outer beauty ever will.

This may have sounded like a backwards compliment, but the only reason that this truly effected me, is because I had been praying that God would break down all the walls and barriers that would keep us from truly making connections to the girls in the orphanage we were preparing to meet today. Praying that a little blonde haired blue eyed American girl could get on their level, feel their pain and be a shoulder to lean on, and share the word, and love of Jesus.

So right off the batt Satan was trying to slap me around.

I got on the bus, and truly felt like crying... I let a few little sentences get to my heart real quick. For some reason I felt like I needed to share with someone, so I looked over at Carmen with tears in my eyes and told her. With out the blink of an eye she said "Don't you dare let that get to you, that is satan trying to get you to end your last experience on this trip, on a sour note. He is trying to steal your joy. Don't let that happen!" These few words, made a world of difference, and I started praying for strength, and wisdom!

We finally got to the Girls orphanage, keep in mind... we were told that this group of girls had gone through horrendous things, and they were the worst of the worst. We pulled up to the metal gate, and got out. As we waited in front of the gate, waiting for it to be opened... something else was said, to the effect of.... "Oh you better be careful! These girls are going to try to beat you up, just because you are so beautiful! They are going to be jealous..." and I thought to myself "seriously?!?! are you kidding me." Not cool. So I said, no! I can do this! Im not going to let satan steal my last chance to love on these people! So I started praying. As the tears ran down my face I tried to just suck it up but it wasn't working. Our group started walking in, and right when I took my first step into the court yard past the gate, I had that huge weight lifted... I wasn't crying anymore, and I knew God had wrapped his arms around me to reassure me that it would be okay!

As I walked into the prison like facility the only odor I could smell was feces. It immediately brought back memories of Tuesday. As I walked in I was greeted with hugs!.... Wait... what?... Yeah you read that right... HUGS!!!!

I was ready for these girls to not even want us to be there... I was ready for them to hate me! But I knew God would show up somehow! and In God showing up, I mean he went there to pre-set, and we followed. God was there moments before us to soften their hearts and comfort them! In shock, I started walking around meeting the girls, some giving me compliments and others snickering at me. But thankfully it didn't even phase me!

We listened to some music by MikesChair, then split up into our groups! my group had about 15 girls. One little girl Estephany was the social butterfly, but she still came back to sit with me. I drew her name on a book mark and gave it to her, she sat and talked as I painted her nails pink, then her toe nails purple! He told me she loved me multiple times, and she asked if I was coming back tomorrow. I didn't want to say no. So I told her I wish I could, but I cant... =/ She understood, and continued on.

Estephany!

Then there was another girl that I connected with, her name is Fanny. She was beautiful, 16 years old and an amazing artist! She drew me a picture that said Princesa on it, and T.K.M. Te quiero mucho, and she spelt my name as : Clowy, amazingly they still haven't heard my name down here in Honduras.

I got to hang on to a few of the girls babies, and spread the love.

Fanny, the beautiful artist!

We finished everything, and we were going back into the large gathering room to finish with music! I had a few extra supplies, so I took them to the bus, and as I walked back in, another little girl came up to me, her name was also Fanny. She looked me dead in the eyes and asked, "so when are We leaving?" Implying that she wanted me to get her out of here! I said we are going to just listen to some music for now, she grabbed my hard, and wouldn't let go. She hugged me and told me she loved me. She continued to tell me in spanish how hard it is to stay there, and she wants to escape. I held her tight and prayed that she would change her mind, I didn't want her to get hurt... even thought the living conditions were terrible, and the girls were not nice to each other, i told her I will never forget her, and I will pray for her when I get home! Another trip member, Audrey, saw me rocking with her while we waited for the last few songs, She came up to me and gave me a little brush and hair ties to give to this little girl! I gave it to Fanny and she was so incredibly thankful! The last song the boys played was Mighty to Save... It was one of the most beautiful things... I have ever heard! Fanny and I sang together, then it was time to go. She hugged me and held on tight. She said she wanted to escape this prison, and run away multiple times. Begging me to get her out, my heart cried out for her. I told her, "listen, even thought I have to leave, That doesn't mean God isn't here. God IS here! and he loves you dearly! God will never leave you, he will always be here in your heart!" She gave me a fake smile.... and once more I said "Seriously, There will be good and bad in life, but you have to choose. God is here, he loves you, and I love you! Never lose faith! This may not be fun now, but it will be one day!" I had to leave as quickly as I could, I couldn't hold it together... I had to let the tears out.

Girls at this age... are my thing. I always remember when I was around 13 and prayed for a mentor that was a little older than me, and I never got one... and so I strive to be that person in the lives of all of the girls that I know. A.K.A. my heart was left at this one orphanage. I wanted them to learn more, I wanted to love more, and I wanted them to be happy.

Fanny, Still praying that she finds some joy in her everyday!

Ive never hugged anyone this close, and wanted to take their pain away so badly.....

Nicole! An Adorable, very happy little girl!

Astrid! Lovin her new shoes!

The worlds heaviest baby... Im not kidding... It was my workout for the day!

It was a hard day, but after the tears, followed smiles and laughter and fellowship. Praying for every single one of those girls right now. I hope, that maybe because you are able to see a face in these pictures, that you will choose one and pray for them, because I sure know... that if I were in their position I would want you to do the same for me!

Broken and poured out I come to you lord.

XOXO

Chloe

p.s. I hope all of that made sense, I am SO tired, it is 12:45 over here and 2:45 at home... I just knew if I didn't get exactly how i felt today out... then it wouldn't be the same tomorrow! Grace please! =)