Yes...I know....I have pretty much sucked at updating this in May!

So I just realized that it had been since 5/13 since we posted anything on the blog.  It just goes to show how incredibly busy the month of May has been thus far and I do not see the point in continuously posting the same stuff day after day.  Between the start of the IJSC show pig circuit, clipping baby calves for pictures, getting cows moved to pasture and set up to breed and hauling manure,  it has been crazy.  Oh, let's not forget that I have been gone the last 2 weekends in both Michigan and Indiana with Stock Show University at the Grad programs.  I have been very fortunate to have been involved in 7 different SSU education opportunities since February and have met alot of awesome people, and heard some amazing stories on how folks got started showing cattle.  I can honestly say, that this past weekend in Tipton, In, I heard the most inspiring story about dedication, perserverence, honor, pride, whatever you want to call it that I have heard since I started.  I got to meet a young man by the name of Jason Bedwell.  Does the last name ring a bell?  Yes, you guessed it, he is a cousin to the late Jared and Justin Bedwell, of Bedwell Cattle Co.  I believe most people that follow this blog, probably know that Jared and Justin were from Oklahoma and were  both tragically killed in vehicle accidents approx. 3 months apart.  Jason had always enjoyed showing livestock, however his first love was sports.  As the Indiana SSU Grad program unfolded, I started learning more about Jason and his family.  I learned that the death of his 2 cousins really took a toll on him, and that in light of their death, he decided it was his responsibility to carry on the family name in the cattle business.  Jason is not much more than 15-16 years old, and for a young man to make a decision like that is almost unheard of.  I guess what makes this story so inspiring to me is that Jason unselfishly scaled back on the things he truly loved in order to carry on his cousins legacy.  Thank you Jason for such an inspiring story.  I would say that myself, and the other 87 people who liked this story on Facebook Sunday night wish you all the best.  Good luck and God Bless!

Left to Right: Dave Vansicke, Garret Lampe, Bruce Stertzbach, Amie Stertzbach, Jason Bedwell, Jason Farmer, Tim Shaeffer, Jared Jarck