Keynote Training in Magnet, IN

If I had to explain this weekend in just a few words, I would say that it was life changing.

The team and I had Keynote Training in Magnet, Indiana with Tyler Tenbarge, past Indiana FFA State Officer and past National Officer! Tyler did a magnificent job and the team and I learned so much about how to better ourselves as speakers! We stayed in an adorable cabin along the Ohio River. This weekend was a weekend of development, of growth, and of fellowship with my teammates. 

After developing myself as a speaker, I believe that I also grew as an individual and even within my faith. 

Today was our last day of training with Tyler. One of the last things we did was decide how our individual speeches would have an impact on the members at the chapter banquets that we will travel to this spring. We evaluated what people would think of when they hear our message. We also discussed whether or not our messages would properly and effectively get to our audience. We did this my jotting down our thoughts on flip chart paper. We figured up that we will each reach roughly a little over 2,000 people by the time we are complete with banquet season. 

Its hard to explain, but state office is definitely a process. You learn as you go. It almost feels unreal. The experiences we are having, the people we are meeting, and the life long lessons we are learning are ALL once in a lifetime opportunities.

Once I read what we came up with on these pieces of flip chart paper, it hit me how much of an impact we are capable of making just by sharing OUR stories. It also reminded me that we only have a little over 5 months to make our mark and to truly and passionately GO ALL OUT for Indiana FFA. Needless to say, it was an emotional morning but it was a morning of growth and my eyes were opened up to what we will be experiencing at these chapter banquets. 

We left the cabin that we stayed in over the weekend only to find this beautiful spot up the hill from where we were that had a view of the Ohio River that literally could take your breath away. We decided to practice our speeches along the ridge. After a few minutes of each of us practicing, an older gentlemen began walking toward us with his dog. The guy had come from a beautiful log cabin home directly behind us that we had stared at in awe. At first we thought we were getting kicked off of the property but the gentlemen was an absolute sweetheart. After asking what we were doing and who we are, he informed us that he had been an FFA member back in his prime. He made a bet with us and he said if we would practice our speech in front of him then we could continue practicing along the hill. Lindsey quickly volunteered for the challenge and after just a few minutes of her speech, he cut her off and said she was doing a fantastic job. It was then that he truly turned into a grandfather figure. He went on to tell us a few stories about his family and his life in general. Lindsey asked, "If you could give any advice to an FFA member what would it be?" Without even a pause, he answered, "Work hard and never give up." He started to get choked up when he continued to tell us about how hard him and his wife worked in order to raise their family and to build the beautiful house that we had been staring at. It was obvious this gentlemen had a heart of gold and he was passionate about working hard to earn what you want in life.

He went on to tell us about when him and his wife were in the process of building their home, he had seen a Bald Eagle flying overhead. When he went to church that Sunday, the preacher brought up Isaiah 40:31- "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Talk about a message from God- it could not have been more clear! This story also brought tears to the gentlemen's eyes. 

Whether Mr. Wilson realized it or not, he had given our team such an excellent lesson. Just like his story about seeing the eagle and then going to church and hearing about Isaiah 40:31- it was such a God thing. I truly believe that God brought us to training this weekend knowing that we would run into this gentlemen to have a life lesson. Although  this was unplanned for us, it was literally the icing on the cake of a perfect weekend for our team. 

It's funny how God's plans work out. I am so thankful to be a part of Indiana FFA and to be experiencing what I have so far with my team. It is moments like these that remind us why we love what we do! I am also thankful for new friends and wisdom from strangers in this case. I hope you find time sometime this week to hear a life lesson from maybe a friend, a grandparent, or even a stranger at the store. Sometimes the best advice comes when you least expect it! 

Have a great week!

Serving with a grateful heart,

Brittany Young

Indiana FFA

State President

Goodbye 2014- Hello 2015!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We made it to 2015! It almost feels like 2014 did not even happen it flew by so fast. When I woke up this morning I was thinking about this past year and all of the things that I was able to experience in 2014.

January: Busy with cheerleading! We cheered at all boy's games and girl's home games.
February: Still busy with cheerleading!
March: Went on my first mission trip to the Dominican Republic which I absolutely loved and I celebrated my 18th birthday!
April: My last high school prom and the State Officer Open House!
May: I completed my final year of Track & Field.
June: Graduated from high school and was chosen as the State President for Indiana FFA.
July: Completed 10 years in 4-H.
August: Survived the Great Indiana State Fair! (All 17 days- plus some for set-up.)
September: Traveled the state for three weeks doing chapter visits and district kickoffs and I met a ton of pretty amazing FFA members from all over Indiana!
October: Was honored to serve as a National Delegate for the 87th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky!
November: We had two conferences at the Leadership Center in Trafalgar and many different chapter vistis!
December: The team and I were busy with Business and Industry Visits and we celebrated our half way mark and Christmas before we all left for Christmas Break.

All I can say about 2014 is WOW. It is all because of God, my family, and friends that ALL of this was possible! At the beginning of 2014 I did not have a clue as to what direction my life was headed. In June as I was graduating high school, I still didn't know what was going to happen with my life! I remember while I was in the process for running for state office a verse that always came to mind was Proverbs 16:9. "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

This verse could not be any more true for my situation back in June and my life in general. I finally had to come to the realization that everything was going to work out how it needed to because it's God's plan and not mine. A few weeks ago at church, our pastor was talking about how sometimes we have to be accepting of the fact that our plans will get wrecked and things won't go how we want them to. But in the end it is all for a much greater cause because God has far better things planned for our lives than what we do for ourselves. It's crazy to think about, but it is so true!

For me personally I have a blue corduroy jacket that has my name, Brittany Young, my position, State President, and two dates and a dash, 2014-2015. I want to make the most of the time that I have left with Indiana FFA. 2014 is already over and the experiences that I have had within the past six months will never happen again. They were all amazing once in a lifetime opportunities. I learned from those experiences and a lot of memories were made! That's the funny thing about time, it comes and goes and within a blink of an eye, a moment in time just becomes a memory. A lot of times those once in a lifetime opportunities are the ones that help you grow as an individual and they help make you a better YOU!

I am so thankful for the steps that God has had me take so far and I am excited about the direction that I am going in! Make the best of 2015, I know I will! God Bless!

Serving with a grateful heart,

Brittany Young
Indiana FFA
State President