TESTIMONIES |
By SELAH Gutierrez |
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LLMX August, my family
LAST and I returned from our annual trip to the Loretta Lynn’ s National Amateur Motocross Championship. It was our fifth year going, and it’ s become a regular part of our CMA calendar. I’ m 17, and I’ ve been to 17 Seasons of Refreshing( SOR) and 17 state Rallies. These events come and go, but this past week was both challenging and rewarding as I served with my CMA family. The work feels natural now. Growing up in CMA taught me how to talk to people, shake hands, introduce myself, and understand the value of hard work and serving others. It also helped me learn to speak in public, which led to my high school speech and debate career. The skills I picked up as a kid— like leading my state in the Pledge of Allegiance and making announcements at SOR and our state rally— helped me earn five state medals and compete three |
times at the National Speech and Debate Tournament.
Every time I wear my CMA back patch, I know I need to be ready to hand out water, give out rag tracts, or pray for someone and their bike. I didn’ t realize how much people notice CMA until this year at LLMX. At Loretta’ s, I joined the On Track School Apprenticeship program, where I improved my videography and photography skills and learned from people in the moto media world. It was an amazing experience, and I feel like God opened new doors for me. I’ m excited to see what comes next.
Seeing LLMX from a new angle also changed how I see CMA. People from all over the country and even other countries come to race at Loretta’ s, and many recognize CMA from past years. Working at LLMX can be tough— this year, the heat index was over 100 degrees, not even counting the humidity— but it’ s worth it. The week is packed with exciting
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motocross, great memories, and friendships that last. After five years, I sometimes wonder if people notice CMA helping at registration, opening gates, or handing out water. It can feel like we’ re just another face in the crowd.
This year, God showed me that people do notice us. When people asked why I was at Loretta’ s, I shared that my family serves with CMA, and I was surprised by how many already knew about us. Many told me how much they appreciate having us at the ranch, and some even recognized our patch from Mini O’ s. Our work with CMA isn’ t just about serving at one rally each year, it’ s about showing up, wearing our back patch, and setting an example for other CMA members we may never meet. People are watching, and if you ever wonder whether your back patch or your work is noticed, God showed me that it is. CMA
Selah Gutierrez is a Youth Movement member in Washington.
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