This is the Day.

Each year, one of our family traditions includes attending Mass on Easter Sunday morning. As our family slides into a church pew, we can hear the sounds of the beautiful choir. Everyone is rejoicing and singing praise on such a magnificent day in the church.

At my hometown church, a common song we hear on Easter Sunday goes a little like this:

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.”

This is the day. What if we lived with that mentality? This is the day.

Throughout this year, I have been fortunate to receive countless valuable opportunities. Many of which I won’t ever recreate. Whether it was advocating for farmers on the hill of our nation’s capital, hopping on a plane to South Africa with 82 other leaders in agriculture, facilitating the State Greenhand Leadership Conference, serving as a delegate to our national organization, visiting several classrooms of enthusiastic students, or simply being part of each moment in between, I am unable to take these experiences for granted.

Too often, we take each day we are given for granted. We need to change that - there are far too many things to experience, far too many people to help, far too many lives to touch, and far too many laughs to be had. Let’s start today.

Each day, we are blessed with the opportunity to live out our purpose no matter what that purpose looks like. It’s time we start living each moment like it truly matters. We only get one chance to live each day. How can we simply let that pass us?

This is the day to bring joy to others. This is the day to make those around us feel valued. This is the day to let others know that they are loved. This is the day to rejoice and be glad.

Minnesota FFA, thank you for coming on this journey with me. It has been an honor to serve this organization.

For the Final Time,

Stationed by the Ear of Corn,

Laura Church