Tag Archives: Rodeo

The Calling She Pursued: Bobbi LeAnn

The talented and inspirational Bobbi LeAnn is my first guest blogger.

I know you will find this blog as inspirational as I did!

As far back as I can remember, I have always had a performance personality. My love for music was passed down from many generations on my dad’s side. At the age of 5, I started tagging along with my dad to band practice every Wednesday night. Singing and playing everything from Glen Campbell, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and whole lot of Waylon and Willy. By eight o’clock, I would crash on the couch, but I was sure to be up by nine thirty for our weekly “after practice DQ run!” After years of practicing with the boys, I was excited to finally get to go on the road and perform! Dad and I would make our Tour Dates at local nursing homes, senior centers, jamborees, music contests, and where ever there was an open space to call our stage, we were there. The thrill and adrenaline of being on stage, in front of people, and showing off what I truly loved flowed through my body. My mom would often catch me singing in the living room while I would be working on my “entertainment” skills with her recorder and insisted on making CDs and DVDs to hand out to her family and friends. During my younger years of performance, my younger brother and sister and I would decorate our basement as the Grand Ole Opry. We put up a stage, unrolled an old cut out of old red carpet for our isle, set out chairs for our fans, and I will never forget sneaking the baby powder out of the bathroom to serve as our fog machine. We would pass out tickets to our parents and family friends to attend and enjoy the singing performance of Bobbi LeAnn, gymnastics routine by Brandi Walters, and serval magic tricks by Blake Walters. It is safe to say that no one came from our show without a few spots of “fog” on their clothes and faces.

Along with my passion for music, I could say that I was also blessed with a very creative and entrepreneurial mind. It was during the summer of my fifth grade year that I started my own in- home radio station. I set up a cd and tape player in my room and took music requests from my family. I would fill each commercial break with a wrap up on dad and I’s latest shows, relay the upcoming show dates, even fill in with made up ads for local business in my community, and a daily bible devotional. Although the listening area of my radio station was only our family home, that was were my love for story telling and broadcast media and journalism began.

Fast forward to my high school years. It was then that I participated in almost every extra curricular activity from the school musical to cheerleading, all seasonal sports, FCCLA, show choir to college credited courses. I can still remember the day that I went into my high school counselors office and asking if there was a chance that I could take summer school classes my junior year of high school to free up my senior year schedule to fill it with music classes. After weeks of talking, it was passed and my senior year schedule included choir, band, show choir, and music theory. You could say it was the greatest year of high school classes. My senior year went by very quickly and it wasn’t long before I was in a white gown and hat receiving my diploma.

It was only a few weeks after graduation that I loaded up my parents dodge pickup with my belongings and pointed our wheels south to Nashville, Tennessee. After a full day’s worth of driving, we unloaded at the very top of music row at Belmont University. The campus I would call home for the next three years!! The campus was arranged with beautiful flowers, architectural buildings, and best of all, music was everywhere! Heck I even lived on THE MUSIC ROW. How could life get any better? I could hardly stand the anticipation of waiting for classes to start and finally getting to meet my track and field team members. (Yes, I was a college track athlete, participating in pole vault and soon after recruited for throwing. Division 1 athlete to boot! I was so anxious to compete against the big dogs!) As my freshman year went on, I continued to feel lost. I hadn’t seen my family in months, my long distance relationship was struggling, and most importantly, I missed my small town, dirt roads, and isolation. It was then that I decided to transfer to a school in Nebraska.

The same day that I gave my notice and sent my transcripts to Doane University, my roommates and I sat in my room reading my journal. Over water and a box of Life cereal, we read through every entry and covered topics about school, boys, sports, music, and whatever other life event occurred in the past 5 years. At the end of the night, we came up on a journal entry that had a list of goals and dreams. As I read through the entry and read out the list, I quickly found myself in an emotional mess. Every bullet listed on that page, I had accomplished within the short few months of living in Nashville except two, starting a cowboy church ministry and my own tv show. That night when I laid down in bed, the wheels in my mind were spinning out of control. I woke up the next morning to one of the most amazing dreams ever. I ran to my track and field coach and told him to cancel the transfer because I was staying in Nashville. I needed to complete the next things on my goal list. Over the next two weeks, I went to class and practice but I couldn’t concentrate on what was happening around me. All I could thing about was the dream I had that night after reading my journal. Therefore without hesitation, I called a great friend of mine back home, Jim Wakefield, and told him every little detail. He was every bit of motivation and inspiration I needed. He encouraged me to come home and plan an event and get the ball rolling on this dream.

Over the next few weeks, I focused every ounce of extra time on planning my cowboy church concert and tv show ideas. A few weeks later, my extra time spent on planning my ideas would become part of my entrepreneur class work. I turned my planning process into a business model and creative piece for my project final. There was a week left of class when our professor told us that the individual with the best presentation would receive an A+ in the class as well as a scholarship for pursing their business over the summer. Over that next week, I woke up early in the morning and went to bed late at night as I polished up my final presentation. Presentation day quickly approached and I was the most excited student in the class. When my name was called to the front of the room, I confidently pulled up my powerpoint and discussed very detail in my plan. That next morning, I opened my email and found the greatest message! I had scored the highest on my presentation, received an A+ in the class AND a scholarship to purse my business over the summer. It was during my project planning, I came into contact with two great ladies in Texas who encouraged me beyond belief! They began to talk with me about moving to Texas over the summer and to purse my passions there. After getting the scholarship opportunity, I couldn’t say no! As soon as finals wrapped up, I packed my car full of my belongings and headed to Texas to purse my cowboy church ministries.

Texas was full of opportunity! I was blessed with the friendship of some of the most humble human beings LeAnn Hart, Lenzi Holmes, April Bach-Patterson, and several others. I spent days working with April and her magazine Rodeo Fame, traveling to PBR events with LeAnn, scheduling Sunday cowboy church services and hanging out with my Mary Kay girls! At the end of the summer, I was given with the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the College National Finals Rodeo, sing on the midway at Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, and even put out my first EP. To say the dream that I couldn’t get out of my head was life changing is an understatement!

After my summer in Texas came to an end, I headed back to Nashville to finish up my college education. My last semester, I filled out job application after job application. I researched everything from rodeo, agriculture, and cowboy churches in the Nashville area however nothing was coming up. Quite frankly, I thought my run in Nashville was over. However, a month before graduation, I ran across a press release that mentioned that the RFD-TV Studios would be moving to Music Row. WHAT! I couldn’t believe what I had just read. I had found my saving grace! I applied and interviewed for any available position. This was my chance to stay in Nashville and enjoy the agriculture and western lifestyle. A month later, I got confirmation that I had received the position with RFD-TV.

While at RFD I helped with everything from answering the phones, programming, writing feature stories for the magazine, helping with events, RFD-TVs the American and everything in between. My love for entertainment and broadcast journalism just grew 10 fold. However, the time I spent being a gypsy, traveling between Tennessee and Texas wore on me. I missed my family more than anything.

I packed my belongings and headed back to Nebraska to begin my career at a local news station, News Channel Nebraska. Working as an account executive, I serviced advertising accounts for several clients and companies and got to know my new community very well. I very much enjoyed the client interaction, yet I still craved being in front of the camera. Each night after work, I went home, and added new ideas and concepts to my tv show idea that I had dreamt about my freshman year of college.

My show idea was Nebraska oriented and there was no better timing then now show my boss my idea. Over lunch and coffee, I presented the station’s owner my tv show idea and business plan of highlighting rodeo across Nebraska. Although he wasn’t familiar with the western sports industry he jumped on board and gave me a shot! In fact, he wanted the show to air a week after my presentation. SAY WHAT!? I knew exactly where I would be the next 7 days after work… at my computer editing the interviews, story footage, rodeo updates that I had just filmed that weekend. This could be my only chance to showcase my love for Nebraska and rodeo that I had dreamed up for the past 5 years, Good Life Western Sports.

The next 7 days were brutal! Editing, finding sponsorships and filling commercial space, to continuing my full time job as an account executive and planning the company’s first big LIVE community forum broadcasted over all their channels and online. To say I was busy and exhausted is a complete understatement, but I made it through. By the show’s first first air time, everything for the show was complete and the first episode was a success! After the first airing, I started receiving messages from fan spilling out their hearts. They were so excited to finally see their grandchildren, children, nieces, nephews, and friends on tv being interviewed and updating on their last competed rodeo. I even received messages from people who tuned in or saw me around at their rodeo catching footage or doing interviews. And a few angry messages from fans when the show was preempted or when it didn’t start right at 6:30pm. But the best were from messages that Good Life Western Sports was the best show on the station. About 6 weeks in, the station owner sat down with me to discuss pulling the show. He didn’t agree that the show was catching speed, in fact he could only name a handful of people he knew who actually watched it. With a great deal of convincing, and showing him the messages that I received, I was able to keep the show on through the entirety of the sponsorships, August 31, 2017.

As time went on, situations within the office began to grow and left me feeling unappreciated. There were nights that I had pulled back to back all nighters, drove dang near across the state for station events, my work week hours bled into my personal weekends (months in a row), and more importantly I hadn’t seen my own family in months. Being closer to my family was my main reason for moving back to Nebraska, and the one time I saw them, I slept all day because I was exhausted!

Over many nights of tears and frustration, I decided to quit my job at the tv station, however, the Good Life Western Sports would continue through the end of August as agreed upon. June 25, 2017 will forever be the game changer I needed! After my final day of work, I headed to the Greeley Days Rodeo. There I helped my boyfriend, rodeo announcer Jared Slagle, with music. While I was there, I was able to catch a few minutes of footage of the Sam Foltz’s family receiving a award on his behalf from the Greeley Rodeo Committee. The few minutes I was able to catch I put on the internet. I woke up the next morning to several social media notifications and messages. The video received over 100,000 views and over 10,000 shares. For a poke like me with only 1,000 Facebook followers, the video went viral! SAY WHAT! The same day I quit my job, I had a viral video! I couldn’t be more proud! The next day while waiting for the rodeo to start, the stock contractors and I got together to film a funny story regarding one of the contractor’s help. By rodeo time, Good Life Western Sports had hit another milestone. We had a second viral video! I couldn’t wait to put together the show for the next week and for the station to finally see that we had two viral videos! After a few nights and several long hours, the show was ready to be sent off! When Wednesday rolled around, my phone started pinging non stop with messages like “Where is this week’s show?, Why is is not on again!? What the heck is going on?” I called the station and to my disbelief, they had preempted the show AGAIN! I was so fed up! I couldn’t wait for August 31st to be here!

Ultimately, I wanted my show to end on an internet platform and be online and available to anyone at anytime. So in the meantime of waiting for August 31st to get here. I put my thoughts down on paper on how to grow after. September 1st, I executed. In the months following, Good Life Western Sports has more than tripled its reach and I started my own media company. Today, Good Life Western Sports is seen on multiple platforms across the United States and is the premier source of everything rodeo Nebraska. Right now, all I can say is, GET READY because there is more to come!

Bobbi LeAnn all I can say is WOW! Actually what I can say is as I was putting this on my blog I did so with tears rolling down my face!

This blog has inspired me in so many ways!! I hope to all of you who have read this amazing inspirational blog of Bobbi LeAnn’s life; you will be encouraged as well.

To learn more about Bobbi LeAnn and follow her dreams like and follow her at the following links.

http://facebook.com/bobbileann

http://facebook.com/goodlifewesternsports

http://goodlifewesternsports.tv

@goodlifewesternsports – Instagram

@glwesternsports – Twitter

Good Life Western Sports – Podcast

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie Nations

The Myers Family and Sky Ranch

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The Myers Family

 

 The Myers Family and Sky Ranch

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I have always loved watching Rope Myers compete in Rodeos.  I was talking with Carol and Hannah Hogner one day about my blog and they mentioned to me that Rope and his wife Candice work with Sky Ranch.  I went and looked up Sky Ranch and fell in love with what they do and what they are all about.

 

Sky Ranch is one of North America’s premiere Christian Camps, as well as a Recognized School Programs Provider, and Retreat/Conference Center. Sky Ranch exists to provide people with a  positive, recreational, fun, and memorable experience, while being exposed to the truths of the Word of God. About Sky Ranch

 

INTERVIEW WITH ROPE AND CANDICE MYERS

What led y’all to link up with Sky Ranch? In 2004, I was singing and speaking at a regional FCA banquet in Tyler, Texas.  At that time, we had lived in a Van for nine years, but neither Rope nor I knew much about Sky Ranch – – so much of our time had been spent on the road.  As part of our rodeo and ministry schedule, we were doing several rodeo camps across the country each year.  After the banquet, a woman introduced herself to me, gave me her card (she worked at Sky), and told me that she thought the Lord was telling her that I was supposed to be connected to Sky Ranch somehow.  A few visits, a tour, and one long meeting later, and we decided she was right.  Rope came on in 2004 as a consultant for their horse program, recognizing that at some point, what he really wanted to do was build a rodeo training program that would build champions in and out of the arena.  During the 2005 rodeo season, he decided he had been missing too much of our own kids “stuff”, and came home, to a semi-retirement from rodeo.  He began plans for building a program called “Champions Rodeo” and the facilities to support it.  I continued to travel some in ministry, but also came on staff to help with the marketing and communication of the new rodeo program.  My role at Sky Ranch has continued to increase over the years, and I currently serve on the Leadership Team as Director of Marketing.  I manage the marketing strategy and team for all Sky Ranch locations – in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

 

Can you tell our readers what your program is that you offer at the ranch?  Sky Ranch is celebrating 60 years of “impacting lives forever”.  The program Rope is most closely connected to is the one he established – Champions Rodeo.

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This program consists of a variety of camps – Young Riders- for the beginner – – this is for kiddos just beginning their rodeo career – some are just learning how to ride, and some have a little experience.  They are 7-12 years old, and learn the basics of timed event rodeo – horsemanship, barrels, poles, goat tying, and roping.  We have three sessions each summer, which are a week long.  In addition to several hours in the arena, campers enjoy all of the fun activities at Sky Ranch – the Blob, swimming pools and water slides, ropes courses, ziplines, and more!  Sky Fillies is a new program this year, and was birthed out of the need to have a session for early teenaged girls who just love horses, but may not ever compete in rodeo.  We are offering it for one full week session in June. Champions Rodeo Clinic is for the more advanced competitor – generally kids who are already competing in rodeo.  We bring in world class rodeo athletes like David Key, Lynn McKenzie, Janet Stover, Blair Burk, Jacky Stephenson, Chad Masters, and others, to instruct kids in their chosen area of rodeo.  They also have opportunities to share their faith and testimonies with the campers.  Over the years, we have been blessed to have so many incredible rodeo role models come through this program and share what they have with these kids.  This clinic takes place in August, toward the end of the summer camp season.  Elite Rodeo Clinic is for our most advanced competitors – high school and college aged.  It is an invitational program that is held over the Christmas/New Year break, and includes event instruction as well as classroom time that covers subjects such as “Marketing Yourself”, “Finances for Rodeo and Beyond”, “Health and Fitness”, “Rodeo 101 – How to Enter, Practice, and Get Down the Road”, as a few examples.  We also invite several college rodeo coaches who use this time for recruiting future athletes.

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YOUNG RIDERS

 

 

How many children a year are you able to touch through this program? Current capacity for all of these programs is about 350 kids per year.  As we continue to fund raise, one of the items on our “wish list” is a “bunkhouse”.  We currently share cabin space with traditional Sky Ranch camp, which is topping out at capacity each session – this limits the numbers of sessions that we can do each summer.  Rope puts a limit on how many campers he will take each session, to ensure the integrity of the program, and individual attention to every camper.

What would you say has been the most heart touching experience for y’all while working with these children in your Champions program? Over the years, we have had the opportunity to get to know so many kids and their families.  They all have a story.  Of course there is no greater joy for us than to witness a camper (or their parent) come to know the Lord for the first time.  But lives are impacted in so many ways during these camp sessions.  Here are a couple of quotes for you to use:  . “My daughter said she came home feeling closer to the Lord. May God bless what each of you guys do there and continue to touch the lives of so many youth!” – Champions Rodeo camper mom   “I just wanted to take a moment and thank you and all of the staff which participated in the Elite Rodeo Clinic.   (My son) came back with such enthusiasm about everything the camp offered.   He immediately said for me to budget for the camp in 2015.   The entire experience sounds like exactly what he needed after having such a difficult year in 2014 with his injury.   If possible I hope you will let each of the staff members involved know how much our family appreciated them taking the time to instruct and encourage (my son) in rodeo and in life events.”  Mom of an Elite Rodeo Clinic student.

What’s the greatest need you see at Sky Ranch that we can let our readers know about for support?  We have an annual fundraising event called “Cowboys & Cowboys”.  The Gala raises money for the scholarship program and to support all of the ministries of Sky Ranch.  This is one way that we are able to send many rodeo kids to camp, who might not otherwise be able to afford to go.  Legends of the rodeo arena, along with former and current Dallas Cowboys, show up for the evening to help raise the funds necessary through a dinner and auction.  Beyond that, there are always ways that people could help support the rodeo programs specifically – first, with their faithful prayers.  Second, with in-kind donations.  We serve a very creative God, and have watched Him bring the coolest things across our path – – from big fans for the arena, to outdoor lighting, to dirt work for the driveway and parking area.  We do our best to not limit God by the things we think we need.  He knows what we need – usually before we do! – and He knows how He wants to provide.

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Champions Rodeo Clinic

The perfect blend of summer camp and rodeo training school is offered at Sky Ranch Champions Rodeo Clinic. This camp is recommended for young people who already have some rodeo experience.  Campers  entering grades 4 through 12 get the chance to learn from the nation’s top rodeo experts in Sky Ranch’s two competition-sized rodeo arenas.

ABOUT CHAMPIONS RODEO CLINIC

The Heart Behind STS Ranchwear

 

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THE SMITH FAMILY

 

For those of you that know me at all, you know I spend a lot of time on Facebook.  I have  been introduced to a lot of wonderful friends, ministries and businesses.  I was scrolling through my page one day and found STS Ranchwear on my Facebook  The first thing that caught my eye was the cross.  I believe in supporting Christian Businesses with all my heart so when you mix the Cowboy Lifestyle and that together you have won my heart over for sure!!

 

I started following STS Ranchwear and I realized they are way more than a clothing line.  STS is about sharing Stran and Jennifer Smith’s Faith with others through their own lives.  You will find Ranchwear, Fashion tips, Recipes, Fitness tips and Testimonies of God’s love on their website and Social Media.  We all need encouragement from one another and I sure know I need help with fitness and fashion.  LOL…..

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I am all about Dreams and encouraging others in theirs.  This is one of my favorite things about STS and the heart of Stran and Jennifer Smith.

 

THE HEART BEHIND STS RANCHWEAR

Jennifer and Stran Smith are best known for their long standing careers in professional rodeo. Stran has 11 Wrangler National Finals Qualifications and was the 2008 World Champion Tie-Down Roper. He is best known for overcoming hardships in and out of the arena.

Jennifer was Miss Rodeo America and worked as a television correspondent in the western & equine industry for 15 years for networks such as ESPN, CBS Sports, and Outdoor Channel. Jennifer also spends time as a designer and consultant in the Western fashion industry.

What is not highly publicized is their background in ranching. Stran and Jennifer strive to carry on Stran’s 4th generation ranch in Tell, Texas. When not on the road, Stran, Jennifer, and 3 children, Stone, Scout, and Selah raise Black Angus cattle on the family ranch.

 

I am very honored to share with you a few questions and answers  with Stran and Jennifer.  A look into their heart and Dreams.

What inspired you to begin STS Ranchwear?

The combination of growing up on a 4th Generation ranch and spending the last 20 years in the rodeo and western fashion industry, we have an idea about what we want in Ranchwear. When we went looking for it, there was nothing on the market quite like what STS Ranchwear is today.  Our partner, Chad Fairchild with Carroll Original Wear has spent years perfecting the quality of outwear and sourcing quality leathers that fit the true western buyer’s standards.

The handbags were a vision of passion as well.  I wanted to create a line of bags that not only utilized luxurious leathers and western design, but also had all the organizational needs of today’s western woman.

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What is your vision and targeted audience for each of your blogs? 

We love EVERYTHING about the western life that we are so blessed to have been raised in. We feel it’s important to honor a legacy of the true working cowboy and family life, educating on skills, equipment, livestock, and wildlife. We, more importantly, strive to emphasize the principals that this country was built on:  HONOR and INTEGRITY while being TRUE to your faith, your family and yourself.   Anyone that is or just wants to be cowboy can find great stuff on STSRanch.com.

http://stsranch.com/strans-blog/

http://stsranch.com/jens-blog/

 

How has faith played a role in your family, being on the road rodeoing and running a business?  

In every way, Faith is the center of our life.  In every venture in our life, whether it’s rodeo, ranch, and especially our family we want to be in God’s will.  We wouldn’t attempt to do anything with out His confirmation… not just in our business, but in every part of our life.

 

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What three tips could you offer to tell us how to stay focused Spiritually, Mentally and Physically?

A goal without a plan is just a wish.  It is very important to have a plan so you know what direction to go.  Write down your goals and look at them often. Be consistent and stay the /coarse.  It is a marathon, not a sprint.  It is so important for us to have a Purpose in our goals beyond “us.” Like we’ve said, if God is at the center of everything you do, you have a bigger purpose and responsibility in obtaining your goals.  You never know who is looking up to you or who you will inspire in the meantime.  Stran said it best in his interview when he won the World Championship.  If your heart is still beating than God’s has a plan for your life.

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Thank you STS Ranchwear (Stran and Jennifer)  for this great interview.

 

To learn more about STS Ranchwear and Stran and Jennifer Smith please check out their website below and be sure to follow them on Facebook.

 

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CLICK HERE TO ENTER STS RANCHWEAR

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie Gilman

 

 

 

http://getsalty513.com/

Get Salty!

One of my favorite things in life is to promote others dreams, purposes, ministries and businesses.  I was looking through my feed on Facebook and saw a page called Get Salty!  I stopped and decided to take a look.  I had once done a teaching on being the salt of the earth and the different uses of salt.  God tells us to be the Salt of the Earth in Matthew 5:13.  As I read the about section for Get Salty I realized this was their founding scripture.

I entered a contest on Facebook and won a t shirt with Get Salty’s logo and was so excited.  I asked them to change the size of the shirt so I could give it as a gift to a special friend.  When I received their reply they said they would just send me two.  When I opened my box they blessed me with 4 t shirts.  I was able to bless two other people and get their brand and their vision out there for others to see.

I am so excited to share their vision with you.

GET SALTY!

As a team roper and coming from a ranching family I have heard the slang “Salty” from my granddad down to my dad as describing someone that is good at something. As I was competing at a roping a pro team roper JOJO Lemond ran a super fast time and out of my mouth comes …”that cat is salty”. As I get home I tell my wife that I want to start a rodeo apparel, GET SALTY.  As my wife is a very devout Christian she says sure, but only if it glorifies God. Keep in mind that before I met my wife 13 years ago my life was black and white. I thought life was grand chasing the hwy and hitting all the rodeos I could… Boy was I wrong. She showed me what life was like in color as she introduced me to truly knowing the Lord. As she stated there are several verses in the bible referring to SALT she was reading the bible and came across MATT 5:13 ” Ye Are The SALT of The Earth…” We both thought that was very fitting to our clothing line. As we sell and explain our product we let them know both meanings of GET SALTY…describing ones God given talent and Biblical Reference MATT 5:13 ye are the Salt of the earth… We do not put the entire verse as we hope people will have the curiosity to open the Bible and read further than the remainder of Matt 5:13.
Our vision for Get Salty is to produce a trendy clothing line that will help spread the message of the Lord and praying it leads people to Christ.
Thank you all so much for sharing your vision with me.
Y’all be sure to check out their website and go like their Facebook page.  Order your Get Salty apparel today.
Click on the Photo below to go directly to their website.
http://getsalty513.com/Thank You all so much for sharing your vision with me.
Dream Catcher 3:20
Cassie Gilman