The Arkansas Taxidermy Association had a show in Fort Smith this past weekend.  I am glad I was able to go.  There was some good seminars held and I learned some new things at the show.  I entered my deer in the masters division and got a third place ribbon.  I bought me a new airbrush there as well and I am anxious to try it out.  Hats off to the ATA, you have a great show and you have some great people in the association.    

On January 27th a ice storm came through Mangum and did some destruction.  I have never seen ice like this.  Our place looked frozen.  My taxidermy shop, house and land was covered in ice.  I pulled a section of ice off of the shop and it was an inch thick.  Large old trees in town were destroyed.  We lost power quickly into this with highline poles breaking into and wires falling to the ground.  Our driveway was blocked off by a highline wire that dangled five feet above the ground.

We went without electricity for a little over two weeks.  I ran a generator in the shop for a while to keep my freezers working.  I was able to keep all my hides in good shape with no damage at all.  Amen to that. 

I want to say thank you to the electric crews who worked hard out here to restore power for people in this area.  I also want to thank my mother in law for letting us stay with her while we were without electricity.  When you have to go without electricity you sure do miss it. 

Well another deer season has come and gone.  It sure went fast.  There were lots of very nice deer killed in western Oklahoma.  I want to say thank you to those who are allowing me the opportunity to taxidermy your trophy.  I appreciate you.

The Oklahoma Taxidermist Association had a mounting contest and commercial whitetail contest this past weekend.  It was a fun event and there was a great turn out with several new members joining.  Congratulations to my friends who won at this event.  There was some sharp looking mounts mounted this weekend.

Time sure does fly by.  While fleshing hides today I got to thinking back on this year.  I sure enjoyed some blessings that occurred in my life this year.  I'll recap a few -

February gave us opportunity to laugh at funny school pics -

In March, my family got to go meet General Tommy Franks.  We delivered his buffalo that I mounted for him.  Meeting and spending time visiting with him was extremely special. 

Wes Webb took me turkey hunting in April, I hardly ever go!

In June, I was fortunate enough to win the best professional whitetail at the OKTA state show.  This was a goal I had for this year and it happened. 

In September, Amanda and I went on a mock refueling flight with the United States Air Force.  Flying in that KC-135 laying on your belly at 25,000 feet looking out a window at the crust of the earth was a site to see.  Also looking at a plane underneath you at 12 feet is something else as well. 

Also in September my Grandma celebrated her 90th birthday.  Almost all the family from California inward showed up for this special event.  She is one of my heroes. 

In October,  Brady killed his first deer.  He double lunged his eight point buck.  I was so proud of him.  He has went on to kill two does this year as well.  I love my Brady and I look forward to hunting in the years to come with him.  

November and December have been busy in the shop.  Christmas-time was wonderful.  We attended a beautiful Christmas Eve candlelight service with my mother-in-law, slip-sliding into town through the snow.  I am grateful to remember the time of Jesus' birth and why he came.

The biggest blessing I have to share is GOD.  Why GOD? - because he saved me when I was 10 years old.  My sin separated me from him.  Am I perfect today? Absolutely not and will never be.  But I will tell you that GOD's love is real, his salvation is real and heaven is real.  When my time on earth is done I will be in heaven because of GOD's love for me.  Therefore, I will talk about GOD because if he can save me he can save you too and you can know him as well.  Ask him to become real to you and he will show up.