The Baird Sisters

Kristen Marie

Bethany Lynn

Ellissa Mershon

I was born on January 7th, 1987 and raised in the beautiful (more importantly, awesome) city of San Antonio, Texas where I am still living. I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord when I was six years old. I am the second oldest of nine children - four boys and five girls. If you haven’t figured it out by now, we are all super (extremely) tall! I’m just under 6 ft 2 in. and all my brothers look down on me. Having eight siblings doesn’t exactly make me a typical, average girl, but I wouldn’t trade my life for anybody else's life on earth!

I love playing sports, writing, working in ministries, playing the piano, and spending time with my family and friends. I developed a passion for the ministry of mentoring young girls while I was in high school and began working with young girls in my church and also in the Awana Ministry. My heart went out to young girls who were hurting and struggling with things like depression, insecurities, loneliness, and many other very personal issues. When I was eighteen, I felt God calling me to write a book that offered hope and direction to the younger female generation.

I pray that our book, Models Wanted, has a life changing impact on the way you think, the decisions you make, and ultimately draws you closer to our incredible Creator who loves you like crazy!

Kristen

I’m Bethany, the third oldest of nine kids. One random fact about me is that I hate cockroaches - to the extreme! Well, beside that, I also had the amazing privilege of being born in the great state of Texas on September 13th, 1988. I was the first to be born at home, which started the tradition of home births with all my younger siblings. As my dad helped the midwife deliver me he almost dropped me because of my rather large birth size of 10 pounds 4 oz. I entered the world in a big way....I guess I was just bound to be a big person :) topping out at 6.2.

I have survived and thrived in the awesome city of San Antonio all of my life. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at age 6. I was very much a stay at home girl, until the 6th grade, at which time I was introduced to competitive sports. Basketball became my main activity and took up most of my time through my senior year. During my last few years in high school I realized there was more to life than basketball and my love and desire to serve God grew and became a bigger passion for me.

When Kristen was 18 and I was 16, I knew God was calling us to write the book, Models Wanted. I pray this book can give you enormous encouragement and real practical help on how to become a truly beautiful, godly woman. I can’t wait to share this dream of mine with you!

Bethany

Well, being a shorty in my family, at 6 feet tall, I guess you could say, “things really are bigger in Texas.” I was also born and raised here in San Antonio like the rest of my siblings. I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior at the young age of 5. I have been involved with my church’s Awana program since I was in kindergarten.

At an elementary age I did a lot of church sports and then started playing competitive basketball in 6th grade. I really enjoy reading, studying Biblical history, archeology, and hope to travel to Egypt some day! Studying God’s word is a great joy of mine.

Having Kristen and Bethany as my “older examples” encouraged me to mature spiritually at a much younger age than most girls. I really enjoy spending time with my family and date nights with my Dad, with whom I love to sit and have deep discussions about the Bible. I call him "the answer man", because he is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. I love to stay up late at night and pick his brain.

My hope is to bring a younger point of view to our book showing you that I am facing many of the same challenges most of you are. I hope you will be able to relate to us as we share our honest, open and transparent lives with you.

Ellissa