The Finale!

110,000 miles traveled. 107,000 audience members spoken to. 37 states and 1 country visited. Over 110 flight segments. 507,763 members served.1 incredible experience.

It was just over a year ago when I embarked upon another great journey in the blue and gold. In October 2007 I was elected to serve as the National FFA Central Region Vice President. At that time I had very little idea what my year of service would actually look like. And now, its hard to believe an entire year has flown by.

I could literally spend days telling stories of incredible FFA members I met from all across the nation, my travels to Japan, bad airport food, our meeting with President Bush, the topics of speeches I delivered or workshops I presented. I could write on and on about my 5 other talented teammates from Kansas, Florida, Indiana, Oregon, and Missouri, the new foods I tried, the many cultural differences across the nation, peoples funny accents, or the number of emails that bombarded my inbox. However, if I did, it would fill the entire newspaper and more. To sum up life as a National FFA officer is difficult, but I’ll give it a shot.

My main duties over the year included spending time with FFA members, State FFA Officers and state staff, meeting with government officials, speaking, facilitating workshops, and representing Agriculture, FFA, and Agricultural Education. Never did I imagine that I would actually be on the road more than 330 days, and never did I imagine that such an experience could happen to a young guy like me. More than anything I will treasure the relationships I have created with people from all across the nation.

It is strange to me that some of my best friends live in states on the other side of our nation. Take JP for example. He is an FFA member from Alabama who is likely one of the most genuine persons I have ever met. His faith is a shining example for everyone to follow. Jessica from Indiana is likely the most energetic person I met along the way this year—there is nothing that gets her down. Brandon from Kansas is bar-none the most driven high school junior I’ve ever met, and a professor I met from New Mexico state cares more about his students than I could ever imagine.

Someone told me this year, “It must be a real ego-booster to serve as a student executive of a multi-million dollar nonprofit student organization!” My response was that in fact it was the opposite. My year has proven to be humbling and overwhelming. I consider myself the most blessed 21-year-old in the world and the many incredible people I met along the way showed me just how much growth I need to have in my own life.

More than ever before I am convinced that the future of American Agriculture is secure. The FFA members here in Limon, in Colorado and around that Nation are dynamic young people who are going to change the world! It has been such a privilege to be a part of such an organization, and will always treasure the experience.

To say the least, I would not have been able to get here with out the support of so many people. The community of Limon, FFA Advisors, School Administrators both in Limon and at Kansas State University, Colorado FFA state staff, friends, church family, and National FFA staff have been an incredible part in this great journey. But more than anyone my family has been my biggest support crowd. You likely know that I have the best family in the world, and how blessed it is to be a part of!

To everyone, thanks for a great year and for all the support along the way. Now that my term has come to an end, I’ll be home for several days and have a few weeks of travel. I will return to school in January at Kansas State University where I’m studying Ag Economics and Ag Communications and Journalism. My ultimate plan is to pursue a career in ministry. We’ll see where the road leads!

N.O. Convention Prep Video...

Soon. Very Soon!

Convention will be here!  I can't wait...can you?

We'll see you in a week and a half!  YAHOO!

What are you most excited about?  What booths at the career show are you going to attend?  What speakers do you want to see?  How many people from other states can you meet?

Step Up; Stand Out...

Ready or Not . . . Here it Comes!!!

So Great...

Quick thoughts for this wonderful Friday morning:

1.  One of my great friends sent me the brand new 33 Miles album.  If you like Rascal Flatts, you'll probably like this band.  I LOVE their sound...and the meaning behind their songs is pretty astounding.  Check out their website.  They've got some great stuff going on...and even a sample of their new hit song: www.33milesonline.com

2.  My time at K-State was pretty much amazing.  I've decided I have some of the best friends in the world.  My friend Daniel is working on getting his pilots license.  My buddies Andrew and Nathan shared stories and pictures of their trip to the Philippines this summer and they even cooked me dinner.  Cody and I listened to the new Hillsong CD (I admit it, I downloaded it too.)  My friend Caleb shared with me his desire to outreach and just be friends to the other guys he lives with.  I got to enjoy a "family dinner" at my friends Bethany, Julie, Lauren, and Andrea's house.  I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at this cool nook called the 4th Street Cafe with my buddy Katie, and spent 3 hours deciding what life will look like for my next 3 years with my friend Jackie.  To top it off, my fellow FarmHouse brothers Matt and Josh made a 2 hour trip to pick me up at the airport.  Seriously. I have the best friends in the whole wide world!

3. I just got done polishing my shoes.  Shiny shoes look so much better than dull ones.

4. Did I tell you that I'm reading the Encore Effect, by Mark Sandborn?  I am really enjoying it and taking my time.  Its chalk-full of great stuff!!

5. 17 days, 22 Hours, 23 Minutes and 13 seconds until Convention Day arrives!  GET STOKED!

More to come soon!

Blessings,

MCP <>< 

What a Wisconsin Week!!

This week proved to be one of the best yet for the entire year.  Earlier this year I traveled to Madison, WI for the Wisconsin FFA State Convention!  Getting to come back for the week made me feel so at home.

I was traveling this week with the State Officers to their Sectional Leadership Workshops (SLWs).  During the morning we would travel to the new location, participate in business tours, eat lunch, then go to a high school where the SLW was hosted.  We'd then set up, get everything ready and the SLW would begin.  The evening is filled with workshops, skits, speeches, and tons of energy.  Loved it!

Most notable things of the week:

• getting to see my friend Courtney Dering again.
• touring Berres Brothers Coffee Roasting facility, and enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee myself.  (imagine that, Morgan excited about coffee??? hmm...)
• seeing an Ethanol Plant in action
• touring a metal foundry.  That's where they melt down recycled metal and reform it into different metal parts, components, etc. 
• TEAM FEUD--that's right--it's the game show for you!
• eating lunch at the Blue Spoon Cafe (sister restaurant to Culver's) and meeting with one of the founders of Culvers.
• touring a vineyard.  cool stuff!
• seeing just how quickly a group of students can pass a hula hoop around a circle.
• "Rude," "Deal," "Whoop," and "Melted" (you'll have to ask the Wisconsin State Officers about this)
• The Harley Store
• Top 8 Pounds of (Knuckles, depending on what you call it.)
• twenty six acres of an indoor greenhouse
• Salms Meat Company--they package sausage for Hillshire Farms
• Presto...have you ever seen a plastic sandwich bag being made.  It was cool.
• Jessica hitting the man-hole cover.
• 11 Amazing State Officers

Oh the fun memories of this week!  Wisconsin, thanks for a great week!

As for this weekend.  I'm off to go to a K-State Football game!

Go WildCats!

MCP <><

Off to Wisconsin!!

Missouri ended with gusto and now I'm off to Wisconsin to travel with the state officers to travel around to Sectional Leadership Workshops around the state!

Yahoo!  Currently I'm in the Souk Prairie FFA Van with BJ, Tommy, Kim, and Erin...and we're starting off the evening a little bit behind schedule.  But thats how it goes.

Get ready...there will be more to come this week about my adventures.

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Other news headlines in the life of Morgan C. Parker:

• I got to visit my sister who lives in Kansas City this weekend.  It was really good to see her!
• I went on a trip to Barnes & Noble.  Got a new journal.  I'm really excited!
• My mom's cousin took me to the airport today.  She greeted me with a hot cup of cappuccino. Yep.  It made my day!
• 6 days till I get to go visit all my friends at K-State!  I can't wait.

Welp.  Thats all for now folks!

Peace, Love, FFA,

MCP <><

Missouri Part II

Hey friends!  Quick update on my trip to Missouri.

New favorite work used this week: 

"flusterate"

I heard someone use it in a combination of fluster and aggravate.  I thought it was pretty humorous.  

Wednesday morning started off with a crazy morning with the South Shelby FFA Chapter.  We literally sat around and talked for hours.  Good time!  Then I was off to Paris.  Mr. Bondy (Paris FFA Advisor) and Lauren Dye picked me up and we got to Paris just in time for the final hour of the day and to learn more about the cookie sales the chapter is embarking upon.

Then we were off once again to Mexico, MO for the Area IV leadership conference. We had a ton of fun there too. Students who I got to spend some time with in the band room created new, innovative products to sell to high school students and we talked about taking action. Earlier in the evening we also watched as this big clumsy guy (me) literally stepped through a 3x5 inch notecard. Yep...that just happened.  Wuh-Bham!

Today began with a couple of classes in Macon. Don't worry, I started the morning off right with a large cup of McDonald's iced coffee--Hazelnut.  (no, I'm not addicted if you're wondering)  After Macon I headed to Marceline to hang out with some students from this chapter who is just beginning their second year! They've got some great things happening!

And finally for today I was at North Shelby high school.  The students and I there discovered that flicking a ping pong ball can be very challenging...and how life is all about choices.  Later in the afternoon we also unpacked a TON of opportunities in FFA.

Welp...I think that sums up the trip so far.  I have enjoyed it thus far.  ONE more day of a great time here in Missouri!  

Peace Out Homeslice,

MCP <><