I practiced for hours everyday. Giving my speech to anyone who had about 15 minutes of time to spare. My plan was to arrive at State FFA Convention completely prepared and confident in my speech.
I was devastated. Second place and just a few points away from winning the Minnesota FFA Prepared Public Speaking contest and missing my trip to National Convention. I was questioning my every move for about a month following, asking myself what I could have and should have done differently. When I got the call in July, I realized God had a different plan for me. I was going to attend my very first National FFA Convention representing Minnesota FFA, serving as a delegate. I was ecstatic and extremely grateful for the opportunity, little did I know the experience itself was going to change my life. Spending a week in Indianapolis in October with some of the most incredible people representing my favorite organization, is a week I will never forget. Meeting individuals from all over our amazing country, and hearing them share their ag story, reenergized my drive to ensure the future FFA members and agriculturalists are given the same opportunities I am/was as an FFA member and youth in agriculture. I truly felt as though I had found my place and discovered my purpose of serving and representing the greatest youth organization in the world during my time in Indy. If I would have won the State Prepared Public Speaking contest in April, I would never have had the opportunity to serve with the talented and inspirational individuals I met and became friends with. God had a plan when I didn’t win, and I had questioned that plan with a troubled heart. But he set me on the path for His plan, and I accepted with a grateful and blessed heart. You can make plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. -Proverbs 19:21
4 Comments
In my family, I’m the oldest child. I take charge of situations regularly. I take the responsibility for most things that occur in our household. I am a control freak and want things done just right. (In other words, my way.) I’ve always known I need to set an example for my little brother so that he can become a better person than I am. I have strived to be a leader for my brother first and foremost.
This summer I wasn’t really home very much and he stepped up to the plate, and instead of him making my summer more complicated, like normal, he made my life easier this summer and I thank him immensely for taking that step up in life. That wasn’t the only big step up in life Tanner made this summer though. Tanner took on the responsibility of mentoring a Cloverbud 4-Her in the sheep project. Orrin is a neighbor boy who had never worked with sheep before this summer, and I can proudly tell you that not only did Orrin have fun showing his lamb Snickers this year, but can NOT wait until next summer arrives to start the process over again with Tanner and continue the sheep project. Tanner took on an air of confidence when Orrin was around and before my eyes I watched my little brother’s leadership skills blossom and grow. I saw a future FFA member, in both Tanner and Orrin. Even though Tanner might prefer athletics in the end, I saw the makings of a future leader; whether that be on the football field or in the show ring, the potential is there. As I had the opportunity this summer to witness growth in current FFA members at Greenhand camp, I realized we all started somewhere; and that somewhere is different for everyone, but the end goal of becoming an influential leader in agriculture is the same. I came across goals of becoming a chapter officer, a region officer, and even a state officer someday. But more importantly, I witnessed FFA members setting goals for themselves that were attainable. I saw the passion for FFA and agriculture that each possessed. I saw the potential that they had. I knew that the future of Minnesota FFA was in good hands because they are “developing those qualities of leadership which FFA members should possess.” This morning, I sat up in bed to a sunrise streaming through my window, and as I looked out into the dewy grass, next to the towering silos was our cow herd happily grazing. I took the moment to thank the Lord for allowing me to relish the moment, commit it to memory, and for giving me the opportunity to remember the simple joys of agriculture we encounter on a daily basis but don’t always recognize. I headed outside to start chores and was reminded again of my responsibility to agriculture as my steer, Spaghetti, ran up to the gate to greet me. Most days, for me, the daily chores and work I do on the farm are not only responsibilities, but opportunities. This past summer has been one to remember. As I look back on the last two and a half months, I’ve realized that not only I have honored agricultural opportunities and responsibilities this summer. Each FFA member that I encountered and developed a friendship with also took the chance to leave the comfort of their home to expand their horizons. In Washington DC, I was surrounded with 400 other FFA members who followed their passions for agriculture and took the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone in our nation’s capital. At SGLC, most of the Greenhands I met were “forced” to come, but their experience at camp ended up being one, if not their favorite FFA experience thus far. I continued to honor my agricultural passions by attending not one, but two Junior Nationals with the Salers and Simmental breeds. Friendships were started and reignited with individuals who honor their responsibilities in agriculture today, sharing their role in the cattle business. The people I spent four weeks of my summer with made me realize again why I do what I do…honoring agricultural opportunities and responsibilities. Those of us in agriculture realize how crucial our role in today’s society is, but taking pride in what we do is so much more important. County fairs are coming and going faster than we can blink an eye and school is just around the corner, but as agriculturalists, our job to continue honoring agricultural opportunities and responsibilities is never done. |
AuthorKylee Kohls - #passionateAGvocate Archives
July 2018
Categories |