Sunshine, Mountains, and Goodwill in the Gallatin Valley

The view out of my kitchen window.

Well, it is official! I think Spring has finally arrived in Bozeman. I went out yesterday to ride my horse in a t-shirt and could actually feel the warmth seeping into my bones. This has NOT been the case the last couple of weeks. I saw a bumper sticker on Wednesday that said, "It's 'Sprinter' in Bozeman"! This has been so true. Thankfully, it is even warmer today. I'm sure all of the baby calves in the Gallatin Valley are leaping around in utter joy, for I know I am!

I was visiting with a friend of mine this morning and we were discussing how we feel the most at home on the back of a horse. Then he blurts out, "If I could rip the seat out of my truck and replace it with a saddle, I would be so content. The right stirrup could be the gas and the left the brake!" There you have it folks, this truly is how exuberant horse people think. Can you relate? However as much as I enjoyed this goofy idea, I think I'll stick with my truck seat and just ride my horses as much as I can.

Speaking of creative western ideas, I held my first, what I'm referring to as "Concrete Kiddie Rodeo" this last Wednesday at a fundraiser here in Bozeman. The toughest sport on asphalt for this group of little cowboys and cowgirls. The benefit, held at Bobcat Mattress was for Jim Janhunen, a member of the Bozeman business community who has inoperable brain cancer. My prayers are with Jim and his family.

Not really sure where I was going to be setting up shop for my kiddie rodeo at Bobcat Mattress, I hauled it along and hoped for the best. To let you all in on a secret, when you have excited groups of young'uns on stick horses, it does not really matter where you set up shop, just that you set it up in a hurry and get that rodeo going with lots of room for them to run around. The imaginations of little kids just tickle me pink. I love to put on kiddie rodeos. It blessed my heart to bring some lighthearted energy to this benefit. Thank you to Bobcat Mattress for hosting and for everyone who came out to support Jim.

Would you join me in praying for Jim and his family? Let's also pray for all of the future cowboys and cowgirls I had the pleasure of entertaining this last Wednesday. I always think to myself, how many of those little ones are going to go on and become the next World Champion bull fighter or barrel racer? I hope I inspired a dream in their hearts in some way, shape, or form to become interested in rodeo...even if we had to settle for concrete this one time. :)

Dancing Joyfully

" I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out and dance with the joyful." -Jeremiah 31:3-4

Together, we can!

TOGETHER, WE CAN!

 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.” –Eccl. 4:9-10

Alaini and I with
 the beautiful Sheena!

Ever wonder what life would be like if you were completely alone? No one there to hold your hand when it’s cold, the absence of anyone to hold your heart when it’s breaking? It is my greatest desire that no one would ever have to experience being alone. God created us to serve and love one another, to help each other up when we fall down, cheer each other on in our struggles and celebrate with each other in our triumphs. No one should ever have to stand alone in this race we call life.

I was a little surprised
on my way to Whitefish to find
 this giant hereford
 in the middle of what I would not
 think is hereford country! What a cool dude.

This last weekend in Whitefish, MT I had the privilege of attending the 2013 State Winter Games for the Montana Special Olympics.  My heart came back filled to overflowing. I wish every day that I could receive so many hugs filled with such love. There was a parade down the main street of Whitefish. Before the parade, I spent some time getting to know many of the athletes and signing autographs for them. Alaini and I got to ride in some beautiful brand new vehicles for the parade and then we had a joyful dance party during the opening ceremonies. Spirits were running high. I am so proud of each and every one of the athletes and I can't wait to see my new friends again at the Summer games in Billings! 

Pretty in pink!
 Lynnette and I
on the slopes!

After the opening ceremonies, Alaini, her dad, Mike, and I all went out to a lovely dinner with my gracious host family, Jon and Lynnette. Jon and Lynnette made me feel so welcome and it was a treat to stay in their beautiful Whitefish home! Thank you Jon and Lynnette for making my journey one of treasured memories and new relationships! I will admit I could have stayed in Whitefish for a week browsing through the shops and skiing in that great powder they had…I did, however, get to sneak off to Glacier for a short hike before heading home. Lake MacDonald looked like the land of Narnia!

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” –Jeremiah 29:11

Could there be a better place to pose?
I think Trevor's prize saddle collection  will suffice! :)

Let me begin catching you up on the last few months. This past December I had the opportunity to attend the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV as the very first Miss Rodeo Montana “Lady in Waiting”.  What a trip! In Vegas, I got to attend the majority of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant events. I’m sure it goes without saying that I LEARNED A LOT!  I have a big year of preparation ahead of me and came home very motivated. Congratulations to the gorgeous Chenae’ Shiner on attaining the Miss Rodeo America crown. One of the highlights of my time in Vegas was getting to meet and visit with the one and only Jennifer Douglas Smith. She was sensational on her “Rodeo’s Rich and Famous: Million Dollar Cowboy Club” talk show at the MGM Grand.  Jennifer is one sharp, classy woman and her enthusiasm is SO contagious! It is surreal to think that in 9 months I will be competing in Vegas for the Miss Rodeo America crown.

Howdy, folks!

Welcome to my official Miss Rodeo Montana 2013 blog.

I am excited to have a place to share all of my experiences on this grand trail as Miss Rodeo Montana with you all. Wearing this beautiful crown is truly a dream coming true, and something I have been working toward since I was a very little girl. It is my heartfelt and passionate desire that this blog will inspire you to go after your dreams with everything you have, because with God’s grace, dreams do come true. I am living proof of that! There are opportunities around every corner to meet people that will touch your life in ways you could have never once before imagined.  

So let’s fill our hearts with faith, put our work boots on, and get busy cashin’ in our dreams!