2011 Proceedings - National FFA Organization

lAndAn scHAffErt continuEd
advantages. There are just some things
that are so ugly, no one wants to see
them, and I don’t have to. For example,
when I look at a hairless cat, this is what
I see.
(Photo of blurred out cat is displayed)
When you look at a hairless cat, here’s
what you see.
(Photo of hairless cat is displayed)
Uhhh. Lucky me!
If you were looking out into the crowd
from where I’m standing on this stage
right now, here’s what you’d see.
(Camera pans audience)
This is the way I see it.
(Filtered footage is displayed)
There are thousands of people here
in this arena this evening, and I don’t see
any of you, but I know you’re there. Each
time I step forward, I don’t see what’s
in front of me. Every step that I take on
this stage, every step that I take in life is
a step taken with uncertainty, but a step
taken with faith.
Similarly, when we step forward in life
to reach our dreams, we are literally blind
to what’s coming next. We can never
be certain what our next step will bring.
Throughout my walk in life, I have come
to believe in what my dad always says:
“Everything will work out.” From the time I
was born, my parents have always raised
me with that mindset, that confidence
that no matter where I go, in whatever
situation I face as I pursue my dreams,
there will always be something or someone
there to help guide me. As I walk, not
knowing what’s ahead, I have to rely on
the things and people around me to show
me where I am and help me get where I
need to go.
Yes, stepping forward not knowing
what to expect is sometimes a bit frightening,
but having faith is what allows me
to press on. Whether it’s holding onto
a hand rail above stairs, feeling my way
along the wall of a building, holding onto
someone’s shoulder or listening to someone’s
voice, there’s always something
there to help me find my way. It doesn’t
always work perfectly. Sometimes I fall,
but I always get up. When you’re blind,
you can’t be afraid of falling. Fear never
led me to the right gate in an airport.
Faith did. I have faith that I’ll reach my
destination even if I have to get back
up and try again. I take it step by step. I
step… with faith.
But what if I didn’t believe that someone
would be there to volunteer a guiding
shoulder or a voice of direction? What if I
didn’t have faith that a handrail would be
there to guide me up and down stairs?
What if I didn’t get back up when I fall? I
wouldn’t be here tonight, and I wouldn’t
be following my dreams. We must ask
ourselves the same questions. What
dream am I ignoring because I’m unsure
the handrail will be there? What goal am
I not pursuing because I’m worried that
no one will be there to offer a voice of
wisdom or encouragement? Stop second
guessing. Start believing in yourself, and
step with faith.
Step with faith by taking risks and
venturing into the unknown. Run for a
chapter office. Apply for that scholarship.
Take a challenging course. Try out for
band, choir or a sports team. Sing in front
of a large group of people.
imagine the things that
we could accomplish if
we always stepped with
diligence.
Step with faith by having confidence
in yourself. Know that you have what
it takes to become extraordinary and
accomplish remarkable things. Don’t let
anyone ever tell you that your dream is
too big or that you can’t.
Step with faith by believing that no
matter where you are or what you’re
doing, you can always find others to help
guide you along the way. Be there to
provide direction for those around you as
they walk.
Step with faith.
“Farming takes a lot of faith. You
34 Believe Proceedings 2011
never know if you’re gonna have a good
crop or if you’re gonna get hailed out.
You have to have faith that everything
will work out somehow.” These words,
spoken by my father, constantly remind
me of just how risky the business of
farming really is. Well-grounded in his
heavy duty work boots, jeans, plaid shirt,
cap and the plyer scabber that never
leaves his belt, my dad has not only
taught me the value of stepping with
faith but also the importance of stepping
with diligence.
This year, I’ve had the privilege of
being stationed by the ear of corn. But
all my life, I’ve grown up by my father’s
side raising corn on our farm in eastern
Colorado. I can still remember getting
up at the crack of dawn with dad in the
summers as a little boy to enjoy Pop Tarts
and milk with him before heading out to
work on the farm.
When he was a child, my dad
dreamed of one day becoming a farmer.
A cultivator operator at age seven, full
time combine and tractor driver at nine,
semi driver at 13 and land renter at 16,
my dad had a pretty amazing jump on his
dream. Today, not only is my dad living
out his dream by helping feed the world
as the farmer of several thousand acres,
he is also an insurance agent, broker,
grain company owner, father, husband
and my role model.
Some of the best lessons that I’ve
learned have been shared with me while
in the seat of a tractor with my dad at the
wheel. Dad has always encouraged me
and believed in me by telling me “Son,
you can do anything you set your mind
to if you work hard.” My dad has found
great success because of his willingness
to step with diligence.
During the planting and harvest seasons,
it’s unlikely for him to get more
than four hours of sleep a night. He rises
early and goes to bed when the job is
done right. He never hesitates to dive in
and work with his hands. Every moment
is valuable to him. Dad is living out his
dreams not because he does something
that we cannot, but because he takes full