but it is

shocked, and went home to consider and pray. God spoke clearly to both of us and we headed to adoption."

"If we'd been given a map of the next four years, "Steinberg said, "I'd have said no. I can't. But life isn't like that. You do life day by day. One of the wonderful things that has turned out is that we're in touch with the kid's biological grandparents. We celebrate birthdays together and holidays. Grandpa told me, 'We were afraid we'd lose three grandkids but instead we gained a daughter-in-law and her family.'"

As a very busy young mother, Steinberg did not need to add activities into her life. But Allison Yohe Harmon, director of the ND Pageants, encouraged her to try out for the Mrs. ND International title. "When I talked to Keith about it he said, 'Why wouldn't you? You're beautiful. You're funny. You never do anything for yourself.'"

Steinberg signed up and did not place in the 2013 contest. But she fell in love with the pageant. "I loved it! I met beautiful women. It was supportive and warm. My friend and stylist Cindy Mauritson, from Blonde Ambition, helps with my hair and makeup. With spray tans, rhinestones, and gorgeous clothes, what's not to love?"

Steinberg ran in 2013 and won, making her the reigning Mrs. ND International 2014.

"The pageant system wants to strengthen and showcase the American woman," Steinberg said. "It is platform based and I chose adoption from foster care to run on. This is what God has called me to this year, something greater than myself. I wear a crown, speak at events and activities, and people listen to me."

Steinberg said there are approximately 900 children in foster care, waiting to be adopted, in North Dakota. "If ever city in ND adopted one child they would all be adopted. Of the children who are not adopted and age out of foster care, 70% are in jail or dead within nine months. If we don't take care of the problems when a child is young, it will become a larger society problem. And if you adopt from foster care in ND, your expenses are 100% reimbursed. Yes, the system is cumbersome with legal hoops, but all the people involved in it wanted my kids to heal and be healthy. I can work with that."

"Adoption isn't easy but it is good. It's good for me, it's good for my children, and it's good for the adopted child. They have changed our destiny and we have changed theirs. We are all a family now, with just enough grace for each day. " [AWM]