Dancing, Bristol Style.

Sometimes in life we have to hold on tightly to the Lord’s hand and say, “Okay, God, we’re going through some turbulence right now, but pretty soon we’ll have smooth flying.”

Bristol Palin has determined not to let life's turbulant bumps cause her to stumble. Instead of making those bumps into stumbling blocks, the Alaska-born-and-raised Bristol turned them into stepping-stones and stepped higher and higher until she stood on top of her obstacles. Have you ever known a successful person who didn't have to overcome some turbulance and even a few roadblocks along the way?

Todd and Sarah Palin's eldest daughter has certainly had her share of challenges in her young life. At only 17 years old and entering her senior year at Wasilla High School, Bristol discovered that she was pregnant and with flowing tears shared the shocking news with her mom and dad. Like most parents, Todd and Sarah were not overjoyed upon learning that their unmarried teenage daughter was pregnant, but they were proud of her for having the courage to choose life for her unborn child and take responsibility for her actions. No one would disagree that Bristol's circumstances were less than ideal as she faced the reality of changing diapers and spending sleepless nights rocking a crying baby long before donning a Wasilla Warrior red graduation cap and gown.

A pregnant Bristol came under the microscope of scrutiny as she stood with her family on stage at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minnesota proudly supporting her mom--- Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and the 2008 Republican Vice Presidential nominee. Bristol held her head high and waved to the thousands of delegates cheering in the convention hall and to the millions of Americans watching by television. Recently she reminisced about the event and lamented to Harper's Bazaar, "It was kind of humiliating ... Great, I'm 17 years old, I'm 40 pounds overweight with a big belly on me, all my friends are at school watching this on the news. This kind of sucks."

Bristol on stage with her mom and brother Trig at the 2008 Republican National Convention

At times like this, it would have been easy for Bristol to contemplate giving up, but being the "strong, kind-hearted, independent daughter" her mother describes, she made up her mind to stick with the fight of faith regardless of circumstances. With the love and support of her family and her strong Christian faith, Bristol gave birth to Tripp, a beautiful healthy baby boy in December 2008.

Bristol and Tripp in a 2010 photo shoot for Harper's Bazaar

Possibly there were times after Tripp's birth when everything seemed dark and hopeless as Bristol worked to provide for her son while finishing high school. Time didn't stand still as Bristol's friends went on to enjoy their senior prom, graduation parties, team sports, and all the things kids look forward to standing on the precipice of high school graduation. Keeping her priorities in order, Bristol nurtured her son while diligently writing papers and studying for tests with the goal of graduating with her class. Her efforts were rewarded as she graduated right on time walking across the stage to receive her diploma with the rest of the Wasilla High School Class of 2009. She told People magazine that she was only "point zero-zero something" away from graduating with honors.

The mainstream media has not always been kind to Bristol offering much harsh and undue criticism of her decision to keep her baby while remaining a single parent. Not one to cower in the face of adversity, Bristol used the media spotlight to bring awareness to the consequences of teen pregnancy. She was appointed as a teen ambassador for the Candie's Foundation, an organization that works to shape the way American teens think about teen pregnancy and parenthood. In a May 2009 interview with "Good Morning America", Bristol explained that, "Regardless of what I did personally, I just think that abstinence is the only ... 100 percent foolproof way to prevent pregnancy."

Todd Palin joins his daughter and grandson on The Today Show in 2009

Aside from her ambassadorship with the Candie's Foundation, Bristol signed with Single Source Speakers and travels the country speaking about pregnancy prevention, abstinence, faith and life. This summer she made a cameo appearance on the ABC drama "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" and most recently spoke at a fundraiser for The Lifehouse in Louisville, Kentucky, a maternity home for women who had first sought abortion. She is also working on her first book.

Bristol and Tripp shooting a public service message as part of her ambassadorship for the Candie's Foundation

Multi-tasking is nothing new to women, especially not to young single moms like Bristol. Aside from her public speaking, advocacy, and acting appearances, she holds an 8-5 job as office manager for a dermatologist in Anchorage, an hour or more drive from her home in Wasilla. It was an ordinary workday in the doctor's office when she got the text message. ABC was asking if she would consider joining the cast of "Dancing with the Stars". Without hesitation, Bristol agreed and announced to her family that people were going to criticize her no matter what, so she might as well dance. Todd and Sarah were "over the moon" that Bristol was taking the opportunity to be a part of a positive, uplifting, family-oriented program. Stepping out of her comfort zone as she had never danced --- not even at a school dance --- and pushing any fear aside, Bristol packed her bags, jumped in her truck with Tripp and a couple of friends and family, and drove from Wasilla to Beverly Hills.

Bristol and her dance trainer/partner, Mark Ballas, worked hard in rehearsal and delivered a stunning Cha-Cha-Cha performance poking tongue-in-cheek fun at herself to the tune of "Mama Told Me (not to come)". Dubbed "Team Ballin", the duo was a hit with the judges, the studio audience, and millions of TV viewers making it to the second round where they will dance the Quickstep on Monday, September 27th at 7 p.m. Central.


Bristol and Mark dance the Cha-Cha-Cha		"Team Ballin" was the delight of the night

Refusing to let her past decisions become stumbling blocks to her future, Bristol Palin turned life's greatest challenges into life's greatest joy triumphing over many mammoth trials. Desiring to be the young woman and mother God created her to be, she climbed on those blocks, made them stepping-stones and danced right to the top of every mountain.

Dance, Bristol. Dance.

For more on Bristol Palin, please join her official Facebook page and Dance, Bristol, Dance, a Facebook page created by friends and family in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. Bristol will be giving a pro-life speech in Visalia, California on September 30th. Also, watch and vote for Bristol and Mark, "Team Ballin", on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" every Monday night this season.

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Dancing, Bristol Style

Dancing, Bristol Style.

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