It's Showtime

Let's start at the beginning. As a homeschool mom, I am always searching for opportunities for my kids that will enhance their social and community involvement as well as provide a chance for spiritual, mental, and academic growth. We joined 4-H this year and have enjoyed and learned from their opportunities. Several months ago I talked my family into going to their livestock day to learn more about 4-H's livestock programs. I was thinking chickens...we could do the chicken project. Well, my son was interested in the chickens, but my daughter and my husband came home talking about the steer project. Really! A cow! Have I mentioned I'm a little scared of cows. Yes, they intrigue me, but hose big animals are a little scary to me!

In June we brought home a 700 pound steer that K named Red. Within 5 minutes of being home, he broke through 2 fences which resulted in a 6 hour stand off in the field until experts arrived to help us get him home and reinforce the fences. Red finally decided that his new home wasn't so bad and within 3 weeks was beginning to learn to lead.

My girl researched and worked to figure out the right food, what supplies were needed, how to train this large animal, how to work with his hair, and show stances. Over the past 2 months she has spent hours upon hours training Red and working with his hair. Everything she has done, she has learned on her own and by talking to a friend who has some experience.

On Friday, we headed off to the Jr. Beef Round Up which was to start the steer project. I was a nervous wreck. This was a whole new show for all of us. The only things we knew about showing cattle was from what we had read and what we had watched on you-tube.

We arrived in Clemson, overcame some confusion in checking in, and got a very nervous Red unloaded (did I mentions he has not seen another cow in 2 months), got him weighed, and headed to the "stall" space which ended up being a tie out space with shavings in an open building with fans, radios, blowers, and cows everywhere. Yes, Red freaked out a little, my girl was anxious, and my stomach was in knots. Instead of help, all we got were stares. We finally got Red settled down, and we headed to set up our living space for the weekend. So thankful our trailer has living quarters which allowed us to stay at the arena.

Friday evening we sat with Red in the barn (apparently that is what you do at cattle shows) and Kristen took him for a walk. Red did better but of course was still nervous.

Saturday morning came. We headed out to the barn to feed, wash, and groom Red and prepare for the showmanship contest. Keep in mind this whole time, we haven't made any friends in the barn, everyone is doing their own things with no respect for other people's space or feelings. We were first-timers learning as we went. So thankful for the positive encouragement from a friend and my sister's reminder that growth comes from the uncomfortable places.

Finally, it was show time. Red was nervous and so was my girl. It would be their first time in the ring, and K had no training other than her own research. It started out OK, but Red quickly acted up and K just tried to maintain her composure. As her mom, my heart sank as she struggled to control her animal and combat disappointment and frustration. I knew their were tears as we quickly got out of the stands to go encourage her. So thankful my sister and brother-in-law were there for her.

Saturday evening we decide to leave for a while and go out to eat. We all needed a break from the cattle world. We came back, checked on Red, and K took him for a walk. He was acting up and she was tired, overwhelmed, frustrated, and just completely raw. We had a mother-daughter heart to heart complete with tears while her daddy worked with Red. I headed back to the trailer while K and her daddy finished with Red.

Sunday morning came, and we all had a new resolve. As I took my Victory Sports shirt out with I Cor. 15:57 on the back, I told K we were taking a little Victory Sports and Jesus up in that barn. Red was calm when we got there, and we actually had someone speak to us. We fed and washed Red and headed to the worship service. I was so thankful they had one because I desperately needed that encouragement. After the service, we needed to speak to one of the staff. Apparently a conversation I had with an assistant the day before (I had mentioned that we were struggling first-timers) had made it to this man. He immediately introduced us to a God send! This man took us under his wing for the rest of the day. He talked with Kristen, introduced us to kind people, explained how things work, helped K with Red, and gave lots of advice. Apparently we had set up on the wrong side of the barn with the cut throats from out of state. Anyway, everyone was more at ease. Red was still acting up a little before the steer show, but my girl had a different attitude. She lined up and walked in that ring with confidence. Red did better too. The highlight of the weekend was the smile on her face as she and Red walked out of that ring.

So, yes, the experience was painful.There were smiles and frowns, laughter and tears, struggles and triumphs. But, in the end, there was the joy of overcoming adversity and a family that stuck together relying on God for help and strength.