I Gave Away $30,000

Well, if you know me, you're already thinking, "Fat chance anybody is going to peal five bucks out of James' pocket." And you're right ;)

But today I got some first hand knowledge of why there are so many hard working folks behind programs like the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo.

I got a call right after church from one of the members of the Ranch Rodeo committee that I'm on asking me to help hand out a couple of scholarships up at the Stockshow. Sure, I got one when I went through and we work real hard to generate proceeds for our scholarship fund through Ranch Rodeo, so I loaded up and went to town.

Long story short, I didn't get a scholarship like this. We gave three, $10,000 scholarships away. One of the young men told me that his parents were so proud, and thankful, when he got his $500 scholarship through Bexar County. He told me he was about to call his dad and that this one, "...was gonna put him over the top."

Well I'd say so. Congrats to all the kids working hard to learn the ways of Agriculture. And thanks to all those who make it possible to reward them when they do.

American Farmer

A fella by the name of Paul Mobley came by the ranch not too long ago wanting to take some pictures. My grandfather is definitely not the picture taking kind, but he's not the kind to run somebody off his place either. Well, not if they didn't deserve it anyway. ;)

Well, they had a vague idea of what the pictures were going to be used for, but weren't entirely sure. I wasn't down that day and have been curious ever since.

Today I found out. A photography book was published about the heartland of America. It's available at Amazon.com or any Barnes & Noble. Here's a link if you want to get it now: American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country

John Morgan O'Brien, my Grandfather, appears on pages 130 - 133. Dad, Morgan, and my uncles, Mick and Dick are in there as well. I know it's not that big of a deal, but I was very excited about it. These guys work so hard and it's kind of nice when they get a little bit of recognition.

The entire book is very impressive. Paul is a great photographer.

Man is More Careful with Money than Principles

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles."

Why is that? People don't set out to compromise their principles.

I was thinking about faith recently because of the Fear and Faith post from Tuesday. Well, I had an invigorating conversation with my bride, Tonni, on the way to the ranch yesterday about how I think people should think of their faith just as they think of their money. Most people that I know who feel as though they have a weak faith, or need to work on their faith, or have no faith are missing the boat.

Team Roping Thursday

Today was one of those days I love. Work, then play. I guess there is a certain amount of work involved in the play since most of the time I'm roping on colts. I love bringing them along so much though that it just couldn't count for work.

My lovely bride accompanied me to the ranch this morning so I didn't plunge through the darkness to get there at 8:00am like I usually do. We pulled in around 10:30 and had a nice visit with Mom before lunch. After lunch, the crew headed to the Dick Shelton. Jesse reported that one of the bull calves that hit the fence last time we were there was in the water trap. He's probably 18 or so months and so if your familiar with cattle you know it's time for this guy to head to the auction barn.

When we arrived there were probably ~40 head of Brahman cattle in the trap. And there he stood. He wasn't alone though. There ended up being five shippers in the bunch and three or four replacement heifers as well. We had already worked this place this year, so there weren't many left. More than we thought though. So there he was. Probably 650 - 700 lbs. Short-horned, 6 inch or so, and straight out. Good to rope. Bad for you or your horse. High headed and ready to roll. Blessed by the large herd, it looked like he might stick around. If he had been alone, he'd already be gone.

Things went our way though and we penned the whole bunch save a few cows with babies. We loaded the shipper bulls and replacement heifers and headed for the house. Wow. That went way quicker than any of us thought. So guess what. We roped.

Horses and Pepper Steaks in Hondo

This morning found us in Hondo attending our first work meeting with Stan Sigman.

He has named the equine division of the ranch, Namgis Quarter Horses and we are so excited to be involved. It's not often you get to talk tech, marketing and horses with the same individual. This will definitely be one of those lasting fruitful relationships.

It was windy, overcast at times, and hasn't rained in almost a year. Not exactly a photographers dream circumstance. However, we did get some good material to use while designing the site and developing the Business Image for Namgis Quarter Horses. A few of the pics are shown below:









On the way back, Tonni and I had to stop into Hermann and Sons Steakhouse. She had the fried catfish. WHAT!? I know, what was she thinking. She said it was good though. I had their specialty. Pepper steak. Ground Steak stuffed with cheese and jalapenos. Nice!

Fantastic Conversation with Stan. Beautiful Horse to Photograph. Impressive New Breeding/Training Facility. And Great Food. What a blessed day!

Don't Be Afraid, Have Faith

Today's message revolved around Chapter 5 in Mark's Gospel. Verses 21-43

The reading's mostly about having faith, but mastering your fear has so much to do with having faith. It seems that things like fear, pride, arrogance, self loathing, low esteem and MANY more come from us. Confidence, purpose, humility and peace within come from Him.

Our Lord doesn't expect us to rid ourselves of fear and these other selfish notions. He does, though expect us to Live despite it. I capitalize Live because there is a difference between Living and simply existing. Don't let yourself just react through life. Vicitim of circumstance. LIVE. Get off of your ass and go do something to better your world.

Then faith shall be granted you. Then you will find that confidence you've been looking for. For it isn't confidence in yourself, but confidence in His ability to work through you.

Present Yourself and Get Noticed for Christ

Boy it was a windy son of a gun this morning. Headed over to the church house and got a good message though. The gospel was the same reading we heard a couple of months ago about Josech and Mary taking Our Lord, the then baby Jesus, to be presented in the Temple. This was the custom back then. People came in and out of temple all the time presenting new-borns. For all we know, Joseph and Mary could have had to stand in line and wait their turn.

Anyway, after presenting their baby, Simeon approached them. Then Anna. They were awe strickin. Here was a complete stranger, but known to be wholesome man, telling them that he could now die since he had seen the savior of the world. And Anna. Most women didn't even speak their mind back then, much less say all the things she had to say.

The point is, stick your neck out for Christ. How many times have we done something right even though we knew it would make everyone around us think we were crazy. Well, good for you if you're a regular at this. If not, take comfort in knowing that Simeon and Anna could do it and it gave Joseph and Mary so much encouragement. Remember, at this time in their lives, they're going on what they were told in a dream.

It would be kind of nice to have some real folks show some encouragement in what you believe wouldn't it?