Testimony of God's goodness

 

Since returning from our time in Arizona I have wanted to write this little testimony of our time there and God's goodness. 

As most of you know Gail loves to team rope.  He has only really started to compete in the last few years.  He has worked hard at improving and learning and he has had some great help along the way, for which we have been very grateful! 

This winter Gail sort of hit a slump.  He wasn't catching as many steers as he needed to.  Needless to say, he was disappointed to miss for his heelers and also to be putting money out for entries and not winning much back.  A time or two he 'thought' about packing up and heading back home to Colorado early.  But he didn't - he stayed in Arizona and practiced harder.  He asked for help and worked on what he learned. 

The NTR finals were the first week of March.  Gail roped in the ropings he was interested in early in the week and did well.  He did not win but he caught.  He came back in the short go and was able to rope well under the pressure.  We went back to our little 'home' there and gave God thanks that he caught and roped good even though he didn't win.  We felt like our prayers had been answered.

 A young man who had become a friend of Gail's asked Gail to rope with him on Saturday.  We had thought we'd be on our way home by then but stayed to rope one last time.  This was a pick one partner and draw a partner.  We had really hoped Gail and his young friend would do good.  Didn't end up that way but Gail and the draw partner ended up winning the roping.  They each won saddles and some entry fee money back.  

We really feel like God blessed Gail for his determination and hard work, for giving God the thanks regardless of not winning, and for staying to help his young friend out.  

All this to say:  WORK HARD, DON'T GIVE UP, BE HUMBLE, GET HELP, AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY!