Mutton Bustin'

    This week Cooper got to experience something new and exciting. He participated in the Mutton Bustin' at a local rodeo. We saw the ad for the competition in the paper and thought it would be fun for him, so we mentioned it to him and he said he wanted to do it.
     A week passed and we didn't talk about it again and then when Cooper overheard Dalton and I mentioning it to each other he spoke up and said "I want to ride a bucking sheep!" He was pretty set on the idea so we thought we'd give it a go. The tryouts for the rodeo were this Tuesday, so we practiced at home and at GG and Papa's to get ready. He would get onto Dalton and Garrett's back and hold on like a little monkey while they ran as fast as they could on their hands and knees around the room. It was very very entertaining!

     Tuesday dawned and we asked Cooper one more time if he wanted to ride the 'bucking sheep.' He said yes and so that evening we all loaded up and headed to Jacksboro, picking up Mere Mere and Popsey on the way. Jett was kind enough to lend Cooper his spurs for the big event and Cooper made sure to wear his belt and cowboy hat.

The cowboys waiting on the fence.

     We pulled in and signed him up. The tryouts were for anyone 6 years and under, with the top 15 coming back to the rodeo, top 5 Saturday, next 5 Friday, lowest 5 Thursday. We went in with the assumption that we wouldn't be coming back to the rodeo. He is only 3 after all.

Getting some tips from Daddy

     After he got signed up we waited and watched the others go. There only wound up being about 20 kids, but we were towards the end. Cooper watched intently with Dalton and Popsey as the other kids rode and Ace laughed and laughed each time a sheep ran by.

 Finally it was his turn. He put the vest and helmet on and Dalton helped him get on the sheep in the chute. I was a little nervous, hoping he'd do good and enjoy the ride. Camera ready I waited for him to come out of the chute.

Watching one last one go

     He did and rode the sheep a little ways before crashing down and doing a little sort of flip. He seemed a little stunned when he got up and wouldn't say much, but he also seemed happy. We gave him a big thumbs up and high 5 and headed back towards Mere Mere and Ace. He had a victory juice box while we waited to see if we were coming back.

 Go, go go!!

That was hard work!

     When the announcer started calling names we were surprised to hear "Cooper P" for Friday night! Woo hoo! That meant he made it into the top 10. His time was 2.7 seconds.

     We celebrated with some Mexican food and then headed home and waited for Friday to arrive, hoping that he didn't change his mind about wanting to ride another bucking sheep in the real rodeo.

      

      On Friday evening we loaded up and headed to Jacksboro. We were a little confused because the people told us to be there at 7:30 but the paper said the rodeo didn't start until 8. We figured that we just needed to be there early, but in reality the mutton busting was at 7:30. We got a hamburger in Graham and took our time getting to the rodeo grounds. We pulled in about 7:15 and were walking to the entry when we heard "Mutton Busters come to the chutes please." What?? We split up and Dalton and Cooper quickly headed to the front while Ace and I used the restroom and found our seats, with Popsey, Mere Mere and Nana.

     I barely got my camera out before they were suiting them up in vests and helmets, getting ready to ride. They called Cooper's name over the loudspeaker and it was so neat! Dalton got him fitted and he went second….not much time to prepare at all!

Suiting up for the big ride

     Unfortunately his sheep took a hard left out of the chute, making it really hard for him to hang on, so  he only lasted 2.1 seconds this time. (In his defense it was a bad draw ; ) He was a little shook up from not having time to prepare and the quick, wild ride, but he was fine once he got to Dalton.

"Alright, good job buddy!"

     We waved him over and he strutted up the stairs with his spurs a jangling on the metal bleachers. He was proud of his accomplishment but glad it was over I think. When we got to looking at him we found that he had some of the sheep wool in his spur! This was a hit with the guys….Cooper spurred that sheep all the way down.

  Shortly after, Cooper's friends showed up and so we had some more people to enjoy the rodeo with. It was a pretty good rodeo…Cooper's favorite event was still the bucking horses. Ace liked looking through the holes in the bleachers that he could fall through.

      About mid-way through came the calf scramble so Cooper and his friend went out to participate. When all the kids took off Cooper just stood there, confused. Finally he got the hang of it and ran around with the others. It was good practice for the Teague Rodeo July 4th.

Cooper's just now figuring out what to do

      Shortly after it was time to move the boys. They were getting restless and loud, so we walked down  the arena a bit and stood by the fence, letting the boys run around in the grass. I also found a frog and pointed him out to them, and that kept them busy for a while.

Watching the team roping

Frog in the hat!!   

     We finally left with only a couple of bulls still to buck. We loaded up our bucking sheep rider and his trusty sidekick and headed home, happy with the fun and new experience we got to have as a family. Now I'm, I mean Cooper's, looking forward to September when Cooper can ride again!

"For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25

Bones

     Last weekend we went to Mom and Dad's and had a little bovine adventure while we were there. During my last visit Dad had been waiting for one of his cows (an older one) to have her calf, but she never did. Well, it seems that she had the calf but when we saw it during our visit he looked horrible.

   Apparently he wasn't eating well and it showed. While we were out by the pool the old momma, Suki, brought up the little guys and kept mooing at us while she hung around outside the fence. When I saw the 'poor little guy' I was shocked at how skinny he was. He was just standing against the fence with his head drooping. Suki was still there mooing at me. I really believe she brought him to us because she knew he wasn't doing good and wanted help. It sounds silly, but it explains why she brought him right up to the fence and kept trying to get our attention.

    I had Dalton bring the calf in the yard and we decided to try and milk the momma and see if he would drink from a bottle. After lunch we set out. I had my camera and Cooper and the guys were in charge of the cows. Dalton grabbed the 'poor little guy' as Cooper took to calling him and hauled him to the barn over his shoulder. Dad was in charge of getting Suki into the pen.

    It all went pretty smoothly, really. They got the momma in the chute by dangling the calf in front of the opening and then it was milking time. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that there was no excitement, but it's probably a good thing that it was all easy and safe. They started milking her and quickly discovered why Bones (the name the guys gave the calf) wasn't growing or sucking. She had blood in her milk..I know, gross!

 Dalton and Dad pushing while Garrett entices her from the front.

 Cooper watched for a little while then was ready to go ride the 4-wheeler

     Then they attempted to milk another cow in the pasture. Didn't get any milk, but she didn't go crazy either. I went in to call feed stores to see who was open on a Saturday afternoon to sell us some milk replacer. While I was inside there was a little action. Apparently Suki was looking for a way out and Dalton was in her way so he got to run up the fence. Too bad I missed it.

     We got the milk replacer and Bones took to it pretty good. He's a slow eater, but got the general idea quickly, which was nice. I wanted to take him home and raise him up, but Dalton wasn't having it. I guess it would have been a tight squeeze in the back of the car. So now Mom and Dad have a new little friend to take care of.

 Baby calves and ice cream, what a combination

 I know the boys are a sticky mess but what a great shot of summer fun!

     The boys really liked him. Ace went right up and started petting him with one hand while he ate his ice cream cone with the other. Cooper even fed him a little milk. It was all pretty fun, love those little 'country' adventures.

 No ice cream for you, Bones!

 Come on little guy, drink some milk.

 Ace and Gus Gus have a special bond. Ignore the ice cream on his face and shirt please.

Cooper and Uncle Garrett got a bird's eye view from on top of the hay bales

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" John 6:35

The Word

"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1

    The Bible study group I've been leading has been studying through the book of Ephesians this semester. It's been a really great study and I've learned so much about living the victorious Christian life, being devoted to the body, and really and truly seeing and partaking in all that Christ has done for us and has for us. Last week we studied the armor of God from Ephesians chapter 6 and one thing stood out to me more than any other…The Word of God and it's role in believers' lives. I feel like this verse and others in the Bible about the Word have really brought home something to me that I've been feeling and wanting to express so much to others; the importance of the daily study of the Word of God.

"Your statues are wonderful, therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; 

it gives understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:129-130

     I believe that studying the Word daily is central and vital in a Christian's life, no matter where or who that Christian is. I can say this in all confidence because Christ should be at the center of our world, and as the verse above so aptly states it, Christ is the Word. It really makes it so simple to understand the connection when you look at John 1:1. If Christ is the one we love, desire and long to be with, and He is the Word, then we should also desire to long to be in the Word to know and love Him more.

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, 

somehow to attain to the resurrection of the dead." Philippians 3:10-11 

(one of my favorite verses right now…love the longing Paul has for Christ, I want that!)

      Each time we open the Bible we know Christ more intimately and understand His love for us more fully. Even if we've read the passage 1000 times, reading it that one extra time can unlock doors of desire and overflowing gratitude for our Savior that have never been opened before. Besides that, we will never know all that the Bible has to offer in this life, so there will never be a time in our lives that we are 'knowledgable' enough to stop studying.

     David Platt talks about desiring the Word in his book, Follow Me. "To those who are followers of Jesus, to men and women whose hearts have been transformed by the passionate pursuit and faithful love of Christ, His words are priceless. They are not merely read; they are reflected upon. They are not merely examined; they are enjoyed. They are not merely analyzed; they are applied. For the words of Jesus reflect the intimate relationship that disciples have with Him….The Bible is designed to be the disciples' daily bread. More important, more valuable, more treasured, and more desired than breakfast, lunch, or dinner."

     So that is the true and most basic reason to study the Word. We, as believers, desire to know Christ more and He's given us His Word to do so. But there are more 'practical' reasons to study the Word as well, and we talked about those at Bible study.

    "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." 

Ephesians 6:17

    In the imagery of the armor of God the only offensive weapon that we are given is the Word of God. In our spiritual battles on this earth the only thing we can do to offensively fight is use the Word of God. Every other piece of armor is a defensive piece so that we are protected, but when it comes to the Word, we can use it to wound the enemy. This is so powerful when we soak it in. We have a weapon against the devil. We have a weapon against the world. We have a weapon against our natural flesh that wants to sin. THE WORD.

"For the Word of God is living and active. Shaper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." 

Hebrews 4:15

      And yet we are slow to open the Bible and even slower to commit to daily reading and studying. This is a sad fact that I think has impacted our churches and culture so much. We treat studying God's Word as part of a checklist that may or may not get accomplished, as a discipline that we may or may not be able to do, or as a legalistic chore that we are afraid to commit to because it may mean we are working for grace. Discipling ourselves to study the Bible is not legalistic, it's Christian, it's Biblical and it's healthy. And saying that we just aren't disciplined so we can't get it done is just a poor excuse. When we look at the Word as Christ and say that we aren't disciplined enough to spend time with Him, it puts a whole new light on the matter and hopefully convicts us to get back to the Bible!

So why study the Bible, practically? Well, there are several reasons:
1. It is our offensive weapon. Ray Stedman, in our Joy of Living Bible study, says that the Word referred to in Ephesians 6 is the Greek word rhema, which "means a specific saying of God, a passage or a verse that has special application to an immediate situation." We aren't to throw the entire Bible at a situation when we are attacked spiritually. We are to choose a verse from our 'arsenal' that specifically counters satan's lies, shuts down our fleshly desires, or brings us back to a promise of God. Can we do this without studying the Bible daily? No! If we aren't in the Word, learning the Word and memorizing the Word we are going to have a poor arsenal when the devil comes knocking at our heart's door.

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees." Psalm 119:11-12

2. Being discerning as a learner and hearer. Our culture is full of deceit, lies, half-truths and twisted truths. The only way that we can discern what is God's biblical truth is by knowing the Truth ourselves. One member of Bible study put it this way (paraphrasing): if we hear something that we think isn't biblically sound or truthful but don't have enough knowledge of the Word ourselves to counter it, we stay silent just wondering, instead of speaking up and speaking truth into a situation. This can impact not only ourselves, but others around us. If we can't defend the truth, then they may be led astray while we sit there thinking 'I know it says something about this somewhere in the Bible.' I think this is a leading cause of un-biblical churches.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. Witnessing to Christ's power and truth in our daily life to others around us. Besides hypocritical behavior, not much is more off-putting to unbelievers than Christians who don't know what they believe, why they believe it, or who don't have answers to questions about their faith. If we don't know the Word, we won't be able to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15. By having verses to coincide with what Christ has done in your life and is doing in your life, you are validating your beliefs to others and possibly (through the Spirit) winning them over to join you in Christ.

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God." 

Colossians 3:16

4. Daily living: Another of the Bible study members brought up this great reason for studying. We study the Word because it speaks to us daily, right where we are, and right in the way we need it. Knowing this is true, why don't we eagerly open the Bible early and often in our daily struggles, instead of dwelling in our mind? I'm reading Bonhoeffer, a biography about a theologian/pastor in Nazi Germany, and he often wrote in his diary about how the scripture reading of that day settled his spirit, or urged him to action. Often he would get antsy if he wasn't in the scriptures enough because he knew, just like all believers do, that all answers are in the Bible. It's so exciting to see what Christ wants to teach us and bless us with each day, and we are sure to find it in His Word.

"You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 11:18-19

     I'm sure that there are many more reasons to study, but I'm not writing this to convince you to study the Bible. I'm writing to urge you to do it, regardless of excuses. I can tell you from experience that the richest times for me sometimes come at the most inconvenient times when I've choses to leave the house, ignore facebook and study the Word instead. On the flip side, some of the worst days have been when I've decided to check my email just one more time before opening my Bible, or get one more chore done and then never get to study.

"I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises." Psalm 119:147 

**In case you are wondering, I do not rise before dawn to study ; )

Some encouragement for studying:
1. Usually when you don't want to study the most is when you need to study the most! The devil knows when you are weak and will do anything to keep you from getting refreshed, including keeping you busy.

"Be self-controlled and alert. your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…."1 Peter 5:8-9a

2. Don't believe the lie that you have to be a Type A disciplined person to study the Bible daily. It's a poor excuse to give to our Savior who died for us to say that we didn't study because we just weren't wired to be disciplined. The whole point of the Christian life is that we are not wired to be successful at it! Rather the Holy Spirit is in us to do it all through us.

"But Christ said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:8

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

3. You don't have to be in an in-depth study to study the Bible. You can read on your own, do daily devotions and meditations or journal about verses each day. The point is to be in the Word. With that said, I find that a structured study is a great way to eliminate the temptation to put it off until tomorrow, because tomorrow there will be a new lesson. I also love getting others' commentary as I read which studies provide and I absolutely love group study! It's so rich to study with other believers.

"Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders." 

Psalm 119:27

4. It's a learning and growing process and we all have ups and downs. There have been times in my life when I've studied so hard and so much and couldn't help but do one more study or hear one more sermon and it's been so fruitful and I've felt more full of Christ than I could have imagined (like this winter/spring) but then there have been other times when I have to fight each day to study, I have to convince myself to love it, and I have to pray for the Holy Spirit extra hard for enlightenment (the past few weeks). So hang in there if you are in a dry spell and keep fighting. The more you study, the more you'll love it!

"Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, 

for I meditate on your statutes." Psalm 119:97-99

    I've probably said too much, as usual, but I just had to get this off of my heart and into the world in case anyone needs this encouragement like I do often times. I'm so honored that Christ chooses to reveal Himself to us any time we want to, all we have to do is seek Him. May we all seek Him more and more so that we can fall deeper in love with the one who gave it all so we can be His.

"Ask and it will be given to yo; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; everyone who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, 

the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Digger Birthday

    Cooper turned 3 yesterday and to celebrate we had a birthday bash for him on Sunday, with a construction theme. It was so much fun and turned out just like we'd hoped!

     I had looked on Pinterest for some ideas and found some great ones. Then it was time to copy copy copy. Fortunately they all turned out like the original ideas, for the most part! I've discovered that I'm a food-central party person. If the food fits the theme then the other decorations aren't as important to me. Interesting….thankfully Mom was there to fill in the more creative and decorative parts of the party.

 Digger man food!

    The star of the theme was the backhoe that we borrowed from the Echols. We parked it beside the house and all of the kids got to look around at it. Cooper was especially excited about this, although he misunderstood what turning 3 means. He thought it meant that he could now drive the backhoe, dump truck, skid steer, etc. He did settle for just riding in it though.

Bringing the backhoe to the party 

     Of course we had lots of people over for the party and lots of kids. The sandbox provided a lot of entertainment for the kiddos while the parents visited. After dinner we played pin the nail under the hammer, Mia won. Somehow I didn't get a single picture of that action.

All the kiddos after pin the nail

    Then we let the kids take turns swinging at the pinata. They had a blast and it actually made it through all of the kids before it busted, yay! Somehow I managed to get everyone's picture except Cooper's…oh well.

    After the pinata it was cake time! I attempted a cake that I had seen on Pinterest and I think it was a hit. The wind was blowing so all of the kids had to hold their hard hats on while we sang Happy Birthday. Then Cooper blew out the candle and we passed out cake. Cooper was more interested in playing with the excavator on the top of the cake than eating his piece.

 

All the kids had to hold their hats on because of the wind

    Finally the craziest part of the party ensued….gift opening. When you have lots of kids around it turns into a mayhem of flying paper and opened gifts. I managed to see who gave Cooper what, dodging tissue paper the entire time. He was excited about all of the gifts but when he opened a backhoe from Willa and a front loader from us he was ready to stop and head to the sand box. We had to hide them so he'd keep opening.

 A backhoe!!

Yay! A digital camera from Mere Mere and Popsey, so cool.

   As the party came to a close and everyone left we counted the party as a big success! Worth all of the work and cost in the end. I love hosting parties!!!

 In full work attire

 Dino-utensils from Aunt Kim

 Book from Hank and Ava!

   Monday was Cooper's actual birthday but he didn't really understand. I told him Happy Birthday and he said that his birthday was yesterday. So I didn't push the issue too much. That evening, though, we went to town and out to eat at his restaurant of choice, Dos Chiles. He wanted cheese quesadillas and all of the waitstaff came and sang to him. He stood there with the sombrero on and gave his little shy pursed lip expression. He enjoyed it though and so did we!

    Happy 3rd Birthday to Cooper Dalton, our sweet, very funny, hard headed, machine obsessed, great first born son! It's been a blessing to have him for these 3 years and we pray for many more blessed times.

Surprise! A trailer for his tractor from GG and Papa

"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewareded. You need to persevere so that when you he done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36