Over the last few months we have had to bid goodbye to about 15 kids for various reasons. Some because they could no longer be here, others went back to family, and others to a new family. We’ve also had a few interns and staff end their service with us and moved on to a new phase in their lives. It would seem we are constantly having to part from people, that one would think it would get easier but it doesn’t. After only being at the Ranch a few months, we had a teenager leave. I remember one morning as I prayed for him, God made me realize something…

We are officially open again, yet still with a few precautions/restrictions.  We are still not allowing the kids to venture out, like going to the little store nearby, which I know is hard on them.  As far as the adults, we are now being able to go out a little more.  I try to do the minimum and usually just go to Juarez to get groceries and come back.  Although, I did get the chance to take some time off and go on a vacation, for which I am so grateful. When the pandemic started hitting our region hard, we assumed it would end in a couple of months.  Unfortunately,…

Life has been a whirlwind lately. The world has been interrupted by a virus and as everyone seemed to come to a sudden halt, life here stayed about the same…if just for a second. For it was not long after we also had to stop and reevaluate our response to what had developed into a pandemic. Even though we live in a little town farther for the cities near us, we had to make tough decisions as to how to protect our kids. When things started coming to a halt in the city north of the border, we also took it upon us to prepare for a quarantine. We stopped…

We often hear about living like it was our last day, like if living in a broken sin-full (couldn’t help a play on words) world is the best there is. I am so grateful that it is not. The truth that there is an eternity and a life that will truly be how it was really meant to be is such an encouragement. This truth, comforts when saints close the chapter in this life and we no longer have them with us. But it also awakens us to let loose of things that are insignificant in light of eternity. As I ironically shared on my previous post, we often have…

Christmas came so quickly and was gone even faster! I stayed in the Ranch and got to be with the girls on Christmas Eve. Almost half of the kids get to go and visit family for the season. So only the kids who are under the state’s custody stayed. I was looking forward to Christmas, but was not really ready for how tiring it would be. Those who know me, know I do enjoy cooking and baking. So I was excited to do some cooking and therefore I volunteered to help out with making a few meals during the holidays. On Christmas Eve, I decided to fill in and make…

As mentioned on my previous post, the week Little E transitioned to a new home, was a very busy week. Not going to say it was easy sailing. The first evening when entering my apartment it felt cold, empty, and lonely. But needing to get the house in order and start preparing a birthday cake I got busy with no time to linger in those feelings. The following evening, I had a birthday girl and her sisters join me for dinner and cake. Right after our time together I had to bake another cake for another birthday boy. Thank goodness I had lots of leftovers, so I only had to…

I have to admit I was kind of stubborn in wanting to continue with making the apartment my home. And I’m happy to report I have made some advancements. Being a big believer of killing two birds with one stone it occurred to me to have the older boys help me, paint a few things/wall around the house and at the same time learn/teach them how to do these types of things. Needless to say these have been good times spent with the kiddos. On one of the first times they came to help, we were not able to do much in the house, so they ended up helping me…

I was still “nesting”, like my Savhtah Louis calls it, (which is basically making a place your home) and happy just making dinners or breakfast for the kids as I was getting to know them, when God made an interruption. In late August we began to start receiving babies. Two newborn babies were sent to us and it seemed we might get more. Unfortunately, as it is common in ministry, there always seems to be lack of workers or resources. We didn’t have enough caregivers to receive anymore babies, so in a moment of courage I offered to take care of a baby if need be. A week later a…

After a few weeks of being at the Ranch, I had an 8 year old ask me when I would be leaving. She did mention that it was not that she wanted me to go, but was just curious. We often have groups come and are here for a week or two and interns that stay for the summer, so it is understandable to see why she was asking. My response, “I’m here to stay, until God tells me to go”. On another occasion, another 8 year old girl wanted to make a deal with me to give her a necklace I was wearing when I left . She was…