Janelle R. Steinberg
Director: North Dakota International Pageants
On December 7th, 2013, I was crowned Mrs. North Dakota
International. I competed for the title of Mrs. International on
July 25th and 26th, 2014.
I was hooked, I knew the International System should always be a part
of life. In the spring of 2015, My sister queen, Meg Pulkrabek and I
took over the Directorship of the North Dakota International Pageants.
This is exactly where God wants me to be. I am able to continue to
advocate for my own passion of seeing children find homes, I am able
to mentor women as they reach for their own dreams, and I get to continue to be a part of an organization I not only believe in, but that I love.
The Mrs. International System has been developed to celebrate today’s
married women, their accomplishments, and commitment to family and
marriage. It showcases the family, encourages work with charitable
organizations, and we promotes marriage.
The Mrs. International Pageant System is for married women ages 21 to 56, married at least 6 months and a resident of our state. Each contestant competes in Interview, which is valued at 50% of her overall score, Evening Gown, valued at 25% and Fitness Wear valued at 25%. Each contestant has the opportunity to select a platform of her choice that she spends the year promoting. Husbands are a direct part of the show, escorting their wives in the Evening Gown competition, and it is the husband who places the crown on his winning wife’s head.
My Passsion: For Every Child, a Place to Call Home
This year, I want to raise public awareness about the need of adoptive families for children in the foster care system. I want to direct perspective adoptive families to agencies that can walk them through the adoptive journey and I want to use my own story of adoption and foster care to encourage others that you don’t have to be perfect to fill these kids’ hearts.
More than 250,000 children in the U.S. enter the foster care system every year. While more than half of these children will return to their parents, unfortunately the remainder will stay in the foster care system. Nationally there are 104,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted. This is a HUGE, staggering number. But if only 1 in 500 people in the United States adopted, there would be no more children in foster care.
Who can adopt? We all can: any family, including singles, couples with or without children. We simply must have the ability to give a child unconditional love, patience, commitment and be willing to use the community services that children need to succeed.
Let’s look at the numbers on a more local scale. Currently in the state of North Dakota, there are 1,000 children whose sole desire is to have a family to call their own. There are 864 towns/cities in the state. That means that every city needs to adopt one child. One child.
250,000 children are too many kids for me or any single person to adopt. But as a nation, a people dedicated to seeing the lost and weary children crying out for homes around us to be given a new chance, we can make a difference. One child at a time, and for that one child that difference will be the world.
Pushing Back the Dark
By Josh Wilson
One million reasons why, you shouldn't even try.
After all you're just one heart, a single candle in the dark.
And there are shadows here, feeding on your fears,
That you don't have what it takes - who are you to make a change?
But oh, oh, don't underestimate the God you follow.
The North Dakota Heart Gallery is a non-profit
organization that was started in 2008 with a
mission to reach out to the public and encourage
the adoption of children waiting for forever
homes.
We begin the experience by enlisting the help of
professional photographers throughout North
Dakota. Through artistic photography, we
showcase the child’s personality and spirit,
showing potential families a glimpse inside
a child’s heart.
Every child deserves a chance for a family to call their own.The North Dakota Heart Gallery features children from throughout the state. The Heart Gallery will travel to events and exhibitions in communities across North Dakota to recruit forever families.
My Job: Children's Ministry Assistant - Triumph Lutheran Church
As a busy mom of six, I have only one thing on my mind: Sleep! But after that it’s kids, my own and everyone else's. I feel at home on the floor playing. I want everything I am, and everything I do, to point children to Jesus. He created me with the desire to play, laugh, and make friends. I am amazed that I get to hang out every week with both big and small people that I truly enjoy and admire.
My number one job at Triumph is as Coordinator of our Wednesday Night Children's Program; Club 3:16. Club 3:16 is an active camp-style program for ages three years old through fifth grade. We Learn every week that God is a fun God who loves us where we are at as He leads us closer to himself.
My best formal Children’s Ministry training came from my two years as a Camp Counselor at Inspiration Point Bible Camp, and of course I continue to learn and grow in the “hands-on” environment my children make for me.
I want you to know that I love serving you, the Church. But in order for you to get a real feel for who I am, you need to come hang out with us on Wednesday Nights at Club 3:16. Plan on wearing your comfy shoes, ‘cause I’m going to put you to work!
Foster Care and Adoption Ministry - Triumph Lutheran Church
I am privileged to lead a team of dedicated people who are seeking to change the lives of children one child at a time. We began as a ministry in 2014 and are continously working toward our ministries mission. Our mission is to help families in practical ways as they pursue the calling of God has on their lives for Foster Care and Adoption by activating the Heart of the Church:
- To become a foster or adoptive families.
- To encourage and come alongside families who are Foster
and Adoptive Families.
- To provide support for families who are considering making an
adoption plan or who have placed a child for adoption.
Until Every Child Finds a Forever Home.
And Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name
name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:5
PROJECTS
