One Year: Branding

 I have been set apart as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for exactly one year. Neat.


This last week was branding week. It was one of the busiest weeks of my life. We did lots of breeding stuff on the side, which really stacked up.

I mostly did ear clipping and wrestling calves. I was much better at the first job than the other, but I was really lucky that I didn't get my teeth kicked out.

I got to meet a lot of really cool and nice people during branding. I also got to work with my uncle Tabor, which was very nice.

Today was probably one of the hardest days for me on the ranch. We had to start working on breeding at 5:30 am and we kept working until 5:20 pm with only a 20 minute lunch break. I was in charge of loading the cows into the chute and had my foot stepped on 3 times and got kicked in the knee (although it only grazed me and didn't even hurt). One cow managed to go all the way back through the chute 3 times after it had gotten to be first in line. Another cow from the purebred group we did after lunch escaped before we could put it in the chute; it took forever for me to get it. After all that at 5:20, Cade asked me to use a shovel and scoop out the thick layer of pure liquid diarrhetic manure and urine that the cows had left in the chute. Then I moved my handline, which felt like forever, and I finished at 6:40.

Is it worth it? Yes. I know in Whom I trust, and I know Who I'm serving. Even though not all of my prayers aren't yet answered, I know they will be. I know Who I am dedicating my life to.

Sincerely, Elder Cobian

Pictures are:

Placing the lasso around the legs of the calf



My uncle Tabor and me. I love working with him.


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