Osceola State Mini Bulls Finals and IRCA Finals 2010

(Tallis entering the chute and mounting his bull. Stu is pulling the bull rope for him.)


(Here is the three age divisions all together who made finals.)


(Star Spangled Banner)



This weekend was IRCA finals in Osceola. They were gracious enough to allow the Tuff N Nuff Miniature Bucking Bulls to hold their finals there as well. Tallis entered finals 7th in points standings. He ride in Unionville had bumped him three places up. He was a ball of excited nerves over being there.

Two other miniature bull stock contractors joined up with Levi Hopkins to bring in bulls. This meant a lot of new stock that Tallis hadn't ridden before. He was unable to cover his mounts this weekend and felt a little deflated over that fact. I think he now realizes that there is a lot of skill and technique that he has yet to learn. He also had a hard time mentally focusing and just letting nerves subside.


(Here is Tallis with the stock contractor Levi Hopkins age 14. Levi is telling Tallis what he knows about how the bulls Tallis drew handle.)

On another note, he was presented with an envelope from his Unionville ride which had a nice bunch of money inside it! Yeah! The child all but ran to Staver's Store on grounds and bought himself a pair of real bull spurs. Oh how they clink when he walks. I threatened him not to lose those high dollar jabbers.

We also treated him to a nice new 20X cowboy shirt because Johnny Hopkins asked us to have him looking his best for awards and picture ceremony. We weren't sure what he could have won since he didn't cover over the weekend. Johnny just smiled and said to get him looking good.

Turns out our young man placed 5th in state over all for the entire season. This secured him a spot at World Finals in November. Topeka, Kansas will be hosting and Canada, Australia, and Mexico are definites to be in attendance. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the magazine article and pictures from the awards photo shoot.

What a wild ride this summer has been.

In a typical Stu way he bought a little 1976 camper with a couple beds, a HEATER (yahoo), fridge and stove to take along for our November camping. Tori and I have had such fun cleaning it up this week. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the magazine article and pictures from the awards photo shoot.

Cole was cornered by the stock contractor for the IRCA and was asked to ride mount out for the two nights he was there. That gives the rodeo some more show and gives Cole two FREE practice rides. A win win for everybody. He was blown off both horses. My nerves must have been calm because I just laughed and laughed at how he dismounted off his second horse. Cole hadn't been bucked off in quite a long time. These horses helped to keep him humble:)

Here is what Nevie and Zayne have to say about this rodeo stuff.






Maisi made good friends with one of the miniature bulls stock contractor's daughter. They played together all weekend.



We met up with our friend from highschool who I've mentioned in previous posts who is now an on fire Christian. We camped together over the weekend and had a great time sharing testimonies and Scripture with each other. The boys were encouraged by another real cowboy on fire for God and His Kingdom. I love how Christ is able to shine His light amongst the darkness through His people. It brings a smile to my face even as I type this.

I'm learning so much about who God is, how He views us, and who I am to Him through this adventure. It has stretched me beyond what I thought I could bear to be stretched. It has brought me to tears, fits of anger, astonished amazement, humbleness, my inadequacies, and to the deepest bewilderment of why God chooses to love us all like He does. I am more grateful for the Cross and the Blood of Christ than I think I ever have been.

Being in a secular job or in our case presently, a secular sport is not a waste when we choose to make much of Christ while we are there. There is a large majority of Christians who are meant to live in the world and work among unbelievers. This is their office, this is their calling. Jesus didn't choose to take us out of this world but instead has showed us at the root, how we should view the world and how we are to do our work in it.

We can make much of God through the fellowship we enjoy with Him throughout the day, through doing our work as His image bearers; doing our job in a conscious quest for God's pattern for excellence, by displaying high standards of excellence and integrity that point to the character of God and the Gospel. We make much of God when the circle of relationships that our lives create is viewed as a gift from God and we express love to each other, compassion, and esteem the value of others.

When God calls me to give an account of my ministry in the last days I want to be able to say, "Lord, I stayed where you had me because I believed I could be the most instrumental there in accomplishing Your purpose to make Your Name great among the people of the earth."--Amen