Dear Friends,
As you read this letter it will be the end of an eventful 2005! And we here at the AATRC offices are expecting big things for the 2006 season. God has surely blessed the team roping (western) world with many great horses, trucks and trailers, teachers, and yes ropings to aid in the desire of the sport. I do believe God is using the tool of the competitive sport of rodeo to reach and touch hurting people. And once again this encourages us in being apart of his divine and awesome plan!
The AATRC produces several roping a year but there is one that is so very special to us and our families. No, it’s not the biggest roping or the fanciest. It is actually one of the smallest but the purpose and inspiration of it finds the favor in our hearts. The Levi Lusk Memorial is the roping I am speaking of. Levi was Buddy’s cousin whose life was taken at a early age by the hand of injustice. His girlfriend at the time took his life in rage. As this event of death was such a sad and tragic thing, the family has decided to leave the tragedy and sadness there, to move on to celebrating his life on earth, his new life in heaven and educate others not to stay in an abusive situation, no matter of your sex or age. This years roping was great! We had several numbered ropings for everyone! From high to low. On Saturday we had an Open, #15, #13 & #12 & #10 combined. This allowed some of the higher numbered guys to come compete. A high point bonus of $500 was given out for just that day and it went to Lan Sparlin of Madil Oklahoma. Lan had two first and a four to win the cash. Congratulations Lan. You check out the results from the ropings at the results pages of the Spin to Win or go to AATRCROPE.COM. I do want to highlight the winners of Sunday’s #10/#8 incentive drawpot. The winners were not only there to rope but to also celebrate Levi’s life! Rocky Bruce and Colby Norman (cousins to Levi) had an exceptional weekend. Especially with Colby taking on his first major heading debue at the tender age of 11! I might ad this young man showed up most of the veterans! These three great runs of 9.04, 7.91 and ending with a 9.92 totaled 26.87 for the win. Which was good enough for 2 Saddles, 2 Knives and $2700 (this includes the incentive win). I wondered if God might have said, “Levi why don’t you tell me who you want to win this roping!” Now this is not biblical or prophecy it is just Kelly’s imagination! Because I know how deep Levi’s love for kids went! They say dogs and kids just adored him, I think that says a lot for a fella! This was a fairy tale day that many will not soon forget!

“Walking in Victory”
As we close I ponder the fact of, as one dies then another is born. Life keeps going even when the pain of death of someone we love wants life to stop. Thank God for the comfort in his Word. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. And I will give you rest”. Hebrews 13:5 speaks, “I (God) will never leave you; nor will I forsake you.” Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” God is just waiting to come and restore, comfort and give us rest. But the key is found in John 15:4 “Remain in me and I will remain in you” the KJV says, abide. The greek is what the bible was originally wrote in, so sometimes it is interesting to go to the greek word and look up that meaning. Here the greek word is Meno. Which means continue, dwell, remain. The question then is how can we abide; remain in something we don’t know?…..We can’t. You must know Jesus for the promises of the bible to be true to you. This months reminds us of the many years ago when a virgin woman named Mary was visited by an angel and he said “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” Jesus came into the world through a virgin birth to save his people from satan’s darkness. Well, those He came to save crucified him on a cross, but thank God that was not the end!! He rose back to life three days later and ascended into heaven to one day come back for his people…. the bible says in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, he will come back and get us but first those who died will rise up and along with them we will receive a heavenly body. Do you want to make sure you are going to heaven and when that day comes? Roman 10:9 says, “That if you confess (declare, profess, speak) with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.” All it takes is a belief in your heart and a confession with your mouth that you believe of the things we just talked about. His virgin birth, death on the cross and most of all He was raised from the dead! After this you are considered His child and now can “walk in victory” on this earth. Now note, just because you are saved does not mean your life will be all trouble free. But He will abide in you if you abide in him and this will allow you to “walk in victory”. So many times I see someone get saved and then not grow in the Lord and struggle on this earth. Don’t let that be you. Abide, remain, continue, dwell in him so one day you can say what Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:14, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

If what you are doing is not working try God!

Kelly Norman