By Kylene Scott
July means county fair season in Kansas. By the time this column comes out, the Ford County Fair will be over, and I’m hoping my family survived another one.
This one will be my oldest’s eighth year, and to be honest, it’s everyone’s eighth year. We’ve done most of these fairs as a family, with the exception of the years my husband went rodeoing. Although he’s not nearly as involved with the projects as I am, he still provides support behind the scenes.
I ran across something on social media about how it’s not necessarily the kid’s projects, but instead the entire family’s. Early on when my oldest wanted to be in 4-H, we kept his projects small and manageable. We didn’t necessarily jump in over our heads. Two goats, two pigs, some photos, and food projects. No way I was going to turn a 7-year-old loose with his projects and let him be in charge of feeding, grooming, training, and showing. More than once I took the lead and did the chores, but he did his fair share too.
A series of photos I found on social media from Triple G Boer Goats talked about family and how it’s involved in the projects an exhibitor has. It recognized the show parents and how they make it happen.
“I hope you know, you’re not alone in the hard work, the financial planning, and the sacrifice. The unseen work is for God’s glory, not for the applause of man,” the first slide stated.
Lord knows we’ve made sacrifices this year. The money I’d saved for a new mirrorless camera instead bought two wether goats, so the boys would have a second market animal for the fair. My husband and I paid for a second market steer after our oldest’s first purchase bloated and died in February.
The slides also included relevant Bible verses. The one that hit closest to home for me was, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” —Proverbs 22:6
As I’m writing this column, we’re about a week from fair check in. I’ve been “encouraging” my kids for the last month to tie the calves up and work with them. I’ve been making sure the goats get exercised and bathed. I have a million lists on my desk with varying levels of completion. Plus, I have a never-ending list of work stuff that needs done in the middle of it all.
I needed all the encouraging words the other night and have been trying to be a little bit more positive in the talk that goes on in my head. One slide hit particularly deep, “Yes, you’re tired but you’re also happy and glad to do whatever it takes to get your kids to the ring.” The Bible verse had, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9
I have to continually remind myself and the boys that they GET to do this. It’s something that’s important to me as a parent that they get to experience. They may not bring home all the buckles and banners, but they’re learning how to raise an animal that is competitive and will help them reach their goals. They’re learning how to manage their time with other wants and requirements from other areas of their life. They’re learning to compromise and find the best routes for problems. Even if mom is “ruining their evening” by making them walk goats again.
The remaining slides have definitely helped me survive the weeks leading up to the fair.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…” —Colossians 3:23
One slide read, “I hope you know there are others who understand your willing exhaustion. While another reminded me, “I hope you know that this isn’t in vain.” One struck me particularly hard since the oldest wasn’t putting forth his best effort, and I reminded him he’s basically got four more years left before he can’t show again. “These are character shaping years. These are the memories and moments that will be remembered and cherished forever.”
I know I remember fondly my years in 4-H and the county fair. I remember my senior year when they had a petting zoo beside the horse arena, and my old bay gelding shied away from the fenceline and cost us placing in a class. I absolutely lost my mind that day and felt my fair was ruined. It wasn’t. But it taught me to get my horse in the arena early and let him see the sights and just go with the flow when there’s a problem.
And the last slide, which read, “Most of all, I hope you know that God sees you. He has you, and He will sustain you.”
I sure hope he sees me and can give me the stamina to make it through the week with more than two brain cells intact!
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” —Psalm 55:22.
What’s your favorite thing about the county fair? Mine has to be seeing my kids run around without a care in the world playing football or hanging out with their buddies at the stall. That is until they steal my chair and eat all the snacks!
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
Related Articles
