Addie State Convention Officer Experience

Prior to convention I had an hour long listening conversation to a mom who's child had been a state officer a few years ago. This information filled time was key to being prepared for Addie's run for state office. The end result was not a surprise I knew she was prepared in every way possible, but it is still a bit of a surprise she is in fact a prestigious Oregon FFA state officer. 

PRior to convention I asked family and dear mentors for letters of encouragement. They happily wrote inspiring and uplifting messages for Addie. I was impressed and humbled as their visions of this daughter we have raised. Her sweet teacher/friend gave her this necklace for a good luck charm. She wore it throughout the experience. Aunt Rachel make-up lessons another step in the preparing for next level leadership. 
 

We watched her get the announcement she had made top ten. It was amazing and nerve wracking to wait. I'm thankful they stream-lined the process this year to ease some of the waiting tensions. 

After she was elected we met back stage all of us. This was such a reconciliation moment. After months of distrust, distance, hurt, and confusion these three were able to hug and take a moment to hopefully begin a next chapter of it's working out. Her two advisors the old who trained her so well, and the new who has also trained and taught new lessons. The one in the middle the glue and peace that steadied a very rough road this year at her high school. Not only in the Ag classes but the student body as a whole has looked to her as a constant source of happiness, calm, and confidence life is and can be good. She is going to be sorely missed and she is going to miss the daily mingling and caring about the student body. 

Chapter friends post Ag Issues presentation. Addie gave her spot to her brother Reed. They did well and participated which is the best part of FFA places for everyone to try new skills and activitities. 

Trying to loosen her up after a very long two days of interviews. This is after the top ten was announced. Mom can be silly. Addie is pretty serious. Mom being a goon. 

Addie is a no-touchy kind of kid not many hugs or physical contact so a kiss is a HUGE No. anyway we do love you Addie and accept you as you are. 

A frustrated Addie mom how could you invade my space!

The next day the final officer vote. They each gave speeches. Addie was by far the most energetic and engaging. She had the crowd play simon says after an moving "Good morning Oregon FFA quick intro." She stated she wanted to be their friend and that they do in fact belong in FFA. She moved up a spot from sentinel to reporter in teh official nominating committee placing. Most people from our side of the state serve as reporters. 

The installation ceremony on stage. 

Ending the session with the new team. 

Final photo finish with the last gavel tap until next year. And then we watched clean up met the officer parents, had a luncheon info session and finally drove home. It was a very long weekend with a lot of stress and uncertainty. It was nice to take a quick detour and partake of the sacrament after the election session. We went in jeans and left after the sacrament was passed. We attended that ward last year. The heavy uplifting feeling of the Spirit when we entered the chapel was unmistakable. 

As I stood and watched voting I knew she would be elected. The spirit whispered "it will be ok and all work out." I was thankful for this sure witness of divine attention to this big responsibility. While there are many aspects I am worried or wondering about I know she is a dynamic, prepared, hard working young lady with a unique drive and ability to connect with others. She is very innocent, but not silly or unwise. She is rising to the occasion with grace and poise. Another opportunity to learn and watch our kids become great. It is a humbling experience to parent these mighty spirits of God. Life is very good and we are blessed. 

FFA State Convention

We made our annual trek to Bend to watch and be present at the FFA state convention. This year we were purely support for our soon to be more famous daughter Addie. Reed was content to pal around with chapter members. He wasn't particularly keen to be seen or visit with his parents. His friend Bannock was a nice match. Greg was happy to see we now have a cattle flag to encourage cows to go where they are suppose to. Reed earned that by lifting the most at the army challenge booth. 

When we were helping Addie prepare her officer nomination speech I found this book on an end table. It looked familiar and I was happy to find the owner was my son. He's been expanding his reading preferences from strictly Louis Lamour to war biographies and a touch of farm theory. I heard rumor he was even debating grass grazing management techniques with kids on the bus? 

A tradition for the past few years at the convention our chapter has departing members sign something. This year it was the combine used in their Ag Issue presentation. I was proud of these young men interacting with so many peers. 

This year I really noticed more large group conversations and more visiting by members with each other. I think the swing back from all online is starting to happen. People need and enjoy real experiences and interactions. 

This was a first we stayed to help clean up convention. This was a fast organized process. There were hundreds of miles of cords that were also being collected. Everything came down the lights above included. Greg helped with chairs of course. 

Addie said goodbye to her dear friends who offered peace and normalcy in the midst of a stressful weekend. This lady Izzy has been Addies friend and classmate for 12 years. She is kind, gentle, and encouraging. There are not enough words in my control at this time to express the gratitude and gift such friends are as we seek to do hard things. Relationships like this are going to be missed, but also found again and again. High school is a time of making and moving on. This step has just been accelerated for Addie. 

Teagan a fellow 4-H er and FFA member, the vice president to Addie's president year. A dear family friend who is choosing to step away from FFA and focus on other experiences. Life is about decisions too. 

Sean who found a place to belong and make friends and is also moving in other directions. 

Cousin Michael with his state wrestling hair dye. We love seeing Michael at events throughout the year. 

And the lovely Mrs. Huss who took the picture. She is a supporter and inside voice on so many of these FFA things these days. I spent a lot of time encouraging and listening to advisors. They have a very demanding job. We appreciate the time they spend working with and for students. 

A once in a lifetime experience. We were thankful to have time together and with friends this year. We appreciate the many many steps that have been taken to make these moments happen. My primary take away was how life builds to big moments. There were losses, opportunities, key adults willing to teach, really hard situations that were weathered, endurance, and maybe even a touch of luck that leads to big awards or successes. And a lot of doing the work to develop skills to be ready to serve more. 

Life is good and we are very blessed.