It was Jan. 12, 2019, and a giant snowstorm had covered almost the entire state of Missouri, shutting down most roads. We had just wrapped up 2019 Greenhand Motivational Conferences, and our state officer team was coming back from St. Joseph, Missouri when we became snowed in, bound for a hotel in Jefferson City, Missouri. We had been living out of suitcases for a whole week, sleeping in a different hotel every night, and meeting some amazing members in the northern part of the state. We were all so anxious to get home to our families and catch up on some sleep, but that wouldn’t be the case as we sought shelter in our state’s capital city for two days.

You see, that’s the funny thing about snowstorms or obstacles in your life — they come exactly when you need them without you knowing it. Just like this snowstorm had shut down our plans for going home, there will be times when obstacles will hinder what you are trying to accomplish. Instead of being upset, take a step back and try to find the positives of the situation. You see, in those two days my fellow officers and I didn’t let the snowstorm stop us from having fun. We were in awe of the beauty and the stillness the snow had brought us after a week of living out of our suitcases. The snowstorm brought us closer and allowed us to make some great memories.

FFA members, in those challenging times when it seems like you will never overcome the challenges, take a step back, take a new approach, have some positives thoughts, wait for the snow to melt, and then face that challenge head-on and overcome it.