Fog covers the sky like a sheer curtain overlaying the Rockies this morning. The sky is ominous and unpredictable, looking like it should rain, but has opportunity not to. I’m sitting from the high-top table of my local mechanic, just for a routine oil change, thank goodness. So far, I’m not breaking my bi-weekly oil change dates. 

August has been a long month, which I’m ok with. It’s felt like September is a week away for a while now, and winter is just around the corner. When I think it will slow down, all of a sudden, it’s just like the heat of the season again, somewhat of a scramble, but able to make it all happen just in time. It’s wild to think Cash’s summer vacation is over, and it’s time to get geared up for team roping in Arizona. I just picked him up from the swimming pool. After four weeks of conditioning, he looks and feels incredible. So thankful to have my main mount love his job as much as I do.

Summer vacation is ending for so many of you all, too. I’ve seen the traffic change here in Colorado with kids going back to school, and the college campus back to fall semester. I remember what both of those days in my life were like. For as much as I was ready to leave high school, I was certainly nervous navigating a college campus. I think the only day I was more nervous was my first day at the “big high school,” with a whopping 200 kids between the high school and jr. high.

The change of seasons physically, mentally, and spiritually is welcomed. What am I going to take with me from the last season? And what needs to stay? August historically is the month these questions get really real and head on. I briefly mentioned this last week and thought I’d revisit the shift from the heat of summer to the harvest of fall.

One thing I’ll definitely be taking with me is my Hart trailer. Gosh, I am loving living in it. Everything has a place, and it really feels like home. Dutchy thinks so, too, with her grand pull out couch. When I build my home that doesn’t have wheels under it, I don’t think I’ll convince Dutchy she needs a smaller dog bed. Last night, I was walking up to the door after feeding Cash, and I felt an impression I never had before.

The dialogue in my head said, “It’s time to go back home. Wait there is no back. This is home.” For some reason, it felt like I should be moving, yet, I’m always on the move. There’s only “so permanent” this house on wheels could be. But it made me think, “would I rather be going back to a house right now?” Right now? No. But one day, sure. So for now I’ll be taking the Signature Quarter’s home with me to the next season.

There wouldn’t have been this living situation without the job situation I have now, not to mention the most supportive team I could ask for. Yes, the office commonly jokes about where I get my mail (I have several addresses all endorsed by my accountant). I know that being in the field and not afraid to get my hands dirty and put on the miles has made a difference, both for them and for my customers. That grit and work ethic, I’m taking with me. Will it look the same that it did this year? Will the intensity increase? Not sure yet, but what I do know is it’s not time to let off steam.

July was a pretty pivotal month in my career, enough to celebrate, but also one of the reasons I was MIA from the blog. As we were out to dinner, my boss told me, “You can celebrate the wins.” It did feel like a celebration for the first time, but mentally it wasn’t. Mentally, I’m reminded of the 10^th round of the NFR. That’s what it all comes down to for crowning champions. And then it starts all over again. And next year doesn’t care what you did last year. It expects you to pay rent on how you win this year.

I don’t think I’ve had any other life experiences like this one. Literally, on top of the world, greatest win in my career I’ve ever had. But I didn’t really let it permeate my mind or my heart. It stayed out where it was in plain sight. Humility is something I strive for, but don’t always encompass well. I don’t want to say this win meant nothing, but it didn’t mean everything.

So, one thing I won’t take with me? The wins from last year. Now, they are going to shape some of my decisions, habits and behaviors, but they aren’t going to be part of the framework. This year has been phenomenal, and it isn’t done yet. But when it is, it’s going to stay in the previous year.

In relation to wins and successes, the part of them I will take into the next season is faith. I don’t know about you, but sometimes after a “big win” the mind can take some weird turns. Has something tremendously great happened to you and then all of a sudden you think, “ok, this was it. This was the big thing.” I’ve had to stop myself on several occasions. Whether it’s rodeo, business, athletics, whatever it is, the thought after a big win is “Can we do it again?” The big question is, “Can God do it again?” Who am I to question Him. Of course He can. He wouldn’t lead me this far to leave me.

Remember King David? Success after success after battle won and enemy defeated. He had an undisputed winning streak. And He gave glory to God for each one. Even when it looked as the odds were stacked against him, God found a way, and he gave God the glory.

I am God, the only God there is, the one and only. I promise in my own name: Every word out of my mouth does what it says. I never take back what I say. Isaiah 45:19

God spoke, and it was done. And it was good. When He created, it wasn’t a hard day for Him. The promises He has fulfilled fuel the faith to ask Him to do it again. He is faithful, and our faith must meet Him, put Him in remembrance, and say, “Lord I thank you for what you’ve done. You get all the glory, but I know you’re a big God. You’re a mighty God. And you can do it again!”

So whatever big thing did or didn’t happen this season, know it’s not over. Take faith with you, and know, you’re not limited but what God has done now. He’s just getting started. Fall is harvest time. Be ready and be blessed. See you next week!