Wednesday, July 22, 2015

County Fair Week

It's county fair week for the Stewart family. Calvin and Paige show at the Boone County Fair today and Payton shows sheep for 4-H at the Polk County Fair on Sunday. Calvin is showing sheep for FFA and Paige is showing horses for 4-H. It's the culmination of hours of working with their animals, getting them ready to show.

It is where the hard work pays off in performance and hopefully the judge notices all the right things, too. I am thankful for the value of 4-H and FFA for our children and grandchildren. The experiences they have are invaluable in giving them confidence and training, often before quite a crowd. I'm so proud of the work the children have done to prepare for the county shows and of how professionally they present themselves in the show ring. Paige and Calvin have been showing in open shows for more than 10 years.

When they started out they had so much to learn and now they are the experts, mentoring younger 4-H-ers and FFA-ers, as well as their cousins. This year Calvin has been shearing his own sheep and knows the drill for all the preparation processes. Yet he still listens to his grandfather and father.

The sheep show and horse show are scheduled at the same time so I want to be in both places at once. Instead I'll try to catch some of both shows to snap photos and times of pride as well. I'm so proud of their character and personalities. Their time with animals has made their character blossom.

"Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." (Proverbs 4:10-13 NIV).

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