Weekend Fun and Church under a tent!

Over this weekend was a Boss Cowman Rodeo and Celebration, another words our town of Lemmon's 125th Birthday! There was a lot of fun things going on that we would have liked to do, but what we did do was fun and we enjoyed ourselves.
We went out on Saturday and was there in plenty of time before the parade started, we got a good spot, next to the people announcing the floats and people in the parade! What was really cool was that every year (since they started this, 1971) they honor someone in the community and they are driven in the parade and at the beginning of each rodeo during the event! Some of the past honorees even are part of the parade.  There was a lot of cool cars in the parade, some really old ones too!!

The honorees for this year!

Jacqueline liked the lion on top of the car (part of the Lion's Club)

All these carts were pulled by the tractor above! Nathaniel was interested in this one

Old firetrucks!! (Large fire department in this town, 9 trucks a 1 rescue team)

The parade lasted an hour and in time for lunch in the park! We left after lunch and headed home as Kevin's help was needed for a little bit and then we headed back in time for the rodeo. 

The rodeo was fun.  A bareback rider got 2 re-rides.  His first ride I dont remember seeing just know that he had the option for a re-ride and took it.  His second ride, as he came out of the chute the horse did his jump and fell on his side and everyone in the arena came and in a matter of seconds to hold the horse so he didnt move so they could get the riders hand unstuck. Rider and horse were both fine and they gave him another re-ride.  Never saw something like that before.  His 3rd ride of the night he made it!! Everyone was clapping and cheering him on during his ride!

The one event that we wanted to go to was the Christian Wrestling (CWF). It was going on after the rodeo was over. (left before the rodeo was over, kids were tired from a fun day)

The Church that we have been going to put on a lot of family friendly activities during the event and got the Christian Wrestling to come. They held the Church service under the big tent on Main Street, and the wrestling team was there for the service and a few gave their testimonies.  There wasnt much of a sermon, the guys giving the testimonies was the sermon, and the things that they said was good.  Between songs, the guy that started CWF told us how it came to be. He was a wrestler and traveled and did it for a year and decided that, that was not what he wanted to do.  A friend of his told him that he should do Christian wrestling, he laughed at the idea. After pondering the idea him and his wife prayed about it for some time, and that is how it was formed.  The vision for the CWF: "To be a Christian outreach ministry that shares the love of Jesus Christ, through wrestling events around the world "  (taken from their website)

Another wrestler came up and told us how they use the wrestling to minister to people. Since wrestling is popular, they are using that as a tool to relate to people.  One of the things that he said was that we all have a wrestling opponent in our lives, the devil, and our 'tag team' partner is Jesus! When we 'tag' Jesus in, our 'match' is won. As long as Jesus is 'partner' our 'match' is already won! 

The third one that came up to speak, was our story but with different events! It was almost like hearing our story of how God works in such a wonderful way and has everything planned our for us that it was beautiful and I could have cried. It was such a wonderful reminder that He is Wonderful and has everything in control!! His story, the short version: He got arrested for drug trafficking of cocaine and was in jail until court or he came up with the bail.  (he did come from a Christian home but turned away and into drugs) In his jail cell, everything that his mom said to him came flooding in and he finally turned to God for the first time in his life.  Gave everything to God and let Him in his heart.  He was released on bail, and spent the time praying to God asking for forgiveness and for the best outcome of his proposed 14 yr jail sentence.  He prayed with his lawyer before court and he said that he felt the presents of God in the court room. The judge (holds the record for sending the most people to jail in the US) didnt want to hear what the DA had to say nor his lawyer.  He was about to give the sentence and was looking through the paper work and said that he has 90 days probation.  The wrestler said that 3 days after he was arrested the law changed and he didnt know about it.  He said that he was is total awe that God worked things out way ahead of time. 

Just hearing another story of the wonderful, mysterious, and awesome way God works and being reminded of your own is just (not sure how to but it in words) beautiful, you could cry. Well, I am as I'm writing this, because the way God works is beautiful. That tears of awe, thankfulness, and joy, just come!! Not sure how else to put it, but God is just wonderful and awesome!!

This is the wrestling team (middle couple, Pastor and wife of the Church) after the Church service under the tent.

Have a wonderful day, I know that I sure will!