Aaron Alejandro

P senior year at Boys Ranch a mentor (Tom Maynard) gave me a copy of Zig Ziglar's book "See You at the Top." At that moment Zig became a mentor and encourager. I found hope in his words, encouragment, and ambition. As a result, I ran for Texas FFA President and even used two stories from the book to help get elected. It was great this past week to have my wife and son join me in Franklin, TN at the Dave Ramsey Event Center to particpate in the Ziglar100 Transformational Experience. A full day with an incredible a line up of speakers: - Tom Ziglar - Billy Cox - Dave Ramsey - Michelle Prince - Brian Buffini - Bryan Adams - Todd Duncan - Michael Chandler - Chris Patterson - Bob Beaudine - Howard Partridge - Dr. Robert Rohm - Krish Dhanan So many great testimonies and words of encouragement. Sucess story after successs story built on the encouraging words of Ziglar a simple principle that is Biblical and timeless (selfless service with a positive attitude) - “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” - Zig Ziglar. Many thanks to Alexandria, Tom, Cindy, and Julie .... you too are truly living a legacy by design. “Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name.” - Ernest Hemingway Tom Ziglar kicked off the day with an overview of Zig's life and impace and wrapped up the day sharing the story of the "Z" Cloud and the many God moments while laying Zig Ziglar to rest. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. As Zig would say, "You are going to be dead a lot longer than you are going to be alive, so it might be a good ideas to consider what is going to happen to you when you die." In addition to my family being able to join me, it was great to see so many ZLCrs and others connected with the Ziglar legacy. "Thank You" you Lord for bringing Zig Ziglar's encouragement into my life and affording me the opportunity to share the same over a career with the Texas FFA.

So glad that Rebecca and William got to travel with me to Franklin, TN. It gave us a day to enjoy Nashville. William got there in time to catch a Rod Wave concert. We started the day at Biscuit Love (Bonuts) followed by visits to the Ryman Auditorium, Johnny Cash Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame, various stops along Broadway and the side streets ... no doubt Kid Rock's place was the most happing place. Rebecca had several opportunities to enjoy the legacy of Dolly Parton. I got to enjoy some Waylon Jennings, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffet, and Clint Black memorabilia. We wrapped up the day at The Grand Ole Opry. Opry Celebrates '90s with: • Mae Estes – Rising country singer-songwriter performing on the classic stage. • Radney Foster – Acclaimed '90s country singer and hit songwriter. • The Gatlin Brothers – Legendary country music trio. • Lorrie Morgan – Iconic '90s country star and Opry member. • Clay Walker – Multi-platinum '90s country hitmaker. • Jo Dee Messina – Chart-topping country artist celebrated for her '90s and 2000s anthems. or her '90s and 2000s country artist celebrated for her '90s and 2000s anthems.

“You Can Have Everything In Life You Want, If You Will Just Help Enough Other People Get What They Want.” - Zig Ziglar We are underway at the Ziglar 100 celebration. Be the light.

Remembering Coach Mike Ditka In 1992, the Wichita Falls FCA group hosted Coach Ditka for a day in The Falls. It was an honor to spend the day with him and hear stories of his faith and coaching. Mike Ditka - October 18, 1939 – October 9, 2026 was an American professional football player, coach and commentator. During his playing career as a tight end, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year in 1961, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and a six-time All-Pro with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL); he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. Ditka was the first tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards receiving in his rookie season. Ditka was an NFL champion with the 1963 Bears and a three-time Super Bowl champion, playing on the Cowboys' Super Bowl VI team, winning as an assistant coach for the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII, and coaching the Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX. He has been named to the NFL's 75th- and 100th-Anniversary All-Time Teams. Godspeed to the Ditka family and all his friends ... "thank you" for sharing him with us. Honored.

So, I smoked a pork shoulder to make some pulled pork. Looked up best sides to go with pulled pork BBQ. It listed all the standards: cold slaw, beans, potato salad, potato chips, but I was looking for something different. Then I saw grilled pineapple. So I tried it. Not bad. Fresh pineapple, brown sugar, cinnamon, and Tajin Classico and grill about three minutes per side …. not bad. Sweet / salty and fresh pineapple taste paired with the pulled pork. I’ll make it again.

Ever been woken in the early morning hours by an erie sound?  Early Tuesday morning around 2:30 a.m., I heard trucks and noticed flashing lights.  I went to the front door and there was an ambulance and a fire truck.  My neighbor Joe and I met out on the curb wondering what was going on.  Later that morning, I learned that my neighbor Terry Madison had passed away.  I had just spoken with him days before.   Needless to say I was a bit shocked.  I knew he had been battling some health issues, but all las reports were things were better.  I got to go hunting with Terry spend time talking life and lots of politics.  My thoughts and prayers are with Nicole and Seth as they navigate this season of life.     Terry was, is, and will continue to be a "good man" to all of us who knew him.  Honored to call him a neighbor and friend.  Godspeed ... Nicole, Seth, Caius, and Candice.

National Day of the Cowboy Boot In addition to the FFA, Boys Ranch introduced me to boots. Been wearing boots since 1980 …

TSU Connections … come join us or Stop by and Say “Hello” if you’re in the area. TSU AgFest Tailgate Saturday, Oct 3 at 2:00 pm …. Game is at 6:00 pm P22 right in front of EECU directly across from the field house!! My wife, Rebecca, William and I will be there for the tailgate then to cheer on the Tarleton Texans vs the Chicago State Cougars.

Live Like Johnny 10th Living a Legacy get together to grow the future through our 4th Annual Clay Shoot. Join us for the competition or take your chance at a gun raffle help live a legacy. SCHOLARSHIP IMPACT SUMMARY 93 Students Awarded $277,000 Scholarship Value FFA JACKET IMPACT SUMMARY 1,106 Jackets Provided 766 Earned Jackets 69.3% Earned Through Saying the FFA Creed IT’SSSSS BACK, it’s BIGGER and we have the tickets you want! 🎉🎉🎉 Check out this year’s EXPANDED line up and secure your tickets asap! Winners will be announced at the 4th Annual Clay Shoot at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds on 10/2. (Soft launch there 😉) Message us here or at the email below to grab your raffle tickets! 💕

Encourage. Equip. Empower. So a friend of mine recently said, I should start putting quotes to memes and start sharing them. Good idea (Thanks, Justin). So, I'm creating a couple of Photo Albums where I can share inspirational and agricultural quotes. Enjoy. Feel free to share any and all of them. We all need encouragement. facebook.com/media/set/edit/…

God has a sense of humor and also answers prayers. Abraham God told them (Abraham [100 yrs old] and Sarah [90 yrs old]) they were going to have a child. Abraham laughed. Sarah laughed. Sarah gave birth to a boy and the named him Isaac. [The name Isaac means "he will laugh" or "laughter" in Hebrew.] Peter The disciple who stepped out of the boat and tried to walk on water. What’s funny about that is what his name means. Bold move but forgot what his name meant. The disciple Peter’s name means "rock" or "stone." Bold but not reasonable. Matthew 14:28–31 Aaron The name my mom gave me … she wanted me to have a Bible name. Aaron was Moses’s spokesperson. My mom also prayed faithfully for me to have an “opportunity.” The “opportunity” came through membership in the FFA. I worked hard, had good mentors and friends and became Texas FFA President. For the past 26 years, I’ve served the Texas FFA Foundation as the Executive Director I guess one could say once again in a “spokesperson” position. My mom’s prayer once again answered. So,God has a sense of humor and also answers prayers.

Encourage. Equip. Empower. So a friend of mine recently said, I should start putting quotes to memes and start sharing them. Good idea (Thanks, Justin). So, I'm creating a couple of Photo Albums where I can share inspirational and agricultural quotes. Enjoy. Feel free to share any and all of them. We all need encouragement. facebook.com/media/set/?set=…

National Cheeseburger Day youtu.be/Y4Jap2IXXkM?is=oq41…

Encourage. Equip. Empower. So a friend of mine recently said, I should start putting quotes to memes and start sharing them. Good idea (Thanks, Justin). So, I'm creating a couple of Photo Albums where I can share inspirational and agricultural quotes. Enjoy. Feel free to share any and all of them. We all need encouragement. facebook.com/media/set/?set=…

FFA Leadership (from former members) facebook.com/media/set/?set=…