Those who know me know that I love this place so much. It’s my home away from home. I first heard about Crystal Peaks when I was given a book called Hope Rising written by Kim Meeder. I was at a cross roads in my life whether I wanted God in my life or I would just walk away. The book was so hard to read but I couldn’t put it down. I cried throughout it all. It touched my life so much and it gave me Hope. How could a woman lose both her parents in a tragic way and not give up? She found her hope in Jesus. He was with her every step of her life. She found love through a pony 🐴 that helped her growing up.
She met her husband Troy and they wanted a ranch with horses but all they could afford was a beaten down cinder mine property. It was 9 acres. They rescued a couple of horses and her husband was a landscaper and was able to get free tree’s and plants to put on their property. Even the trees that looked dead from a fire had life in them underneath the black. The book is well worth it’s read. I also read a Bridge called Hope the second book in the series. I love how Kim writes it’s like your there in the story. The stories are amazing but make sure you have a Kleenex handy .
After I read those two books I wanted to meet Kim and Troy and visit Crystal Peaks. I never lost hope that I would visit. In 2009 I was able to visit the ranch. I went with my husband and a good friend of ours. Crystal peaks put on information clinics that you could go for 3 days and learn how to set up your own ranch. The first time I stepped on the grounds of the ranch. I felt surreal peace. It was uncanny and I had no idea why. I met amazing people that I’m still friends with today. The staff were amazing and I learned so many great things. In the barn they had a sign that said ENTER AS STRANGERS, LEAVE AS FRIENDS. Some of my good friends two in particular we are friends still today.
I also had the privilege to be able to go in 2010 again with my husband. Again I met amazing people one of them touched my life in a very profound way. Her name was Jenni. Jenni had lymphoma cancer. She didn’t look sick. We bonded immediately and she loved the Lord more then anything. She talked about her children and how much she loved each of them. I kept in touch with her and prayed for her often. God took her home eventually. I was devastated. She was not just a staff member at the ranch but had so many other jobs as well. Before the cross you see there was put up when her family came to spread her ashes ,I had the privilege of spreading them up there. It’s the highest point in the ranch and when you stood up there you could see everything. I call it the little piece of heaven. It’s glorious. The mountains are breathtaking. It was Jenni’s favorite place. Her son helped build the cross that is a favorite for many to climb up and sit up on the bench. It reminds me of you Jenni everytime I see it.
When I first came to the ranch it was 9 acres and were lots of horses that they have rescued over the years. These horses had come from horrific situations and their lives have been transformed by them coming to the ranch. The reach matched children and horses together and it’s so powerful the healing that happens for both the horse and the child.
Every time I get off the plane in Redmond, I know I’m home. Bend Oregon is in the high desert so it’s cold and snowy in the winter and really hot in the summer. I have had the privilege of watching the ranch grow from 9 acres to 100 acres. To be able to have both of the properties across the street from the ranch donated to them in full is truly amazing. God has blessed this ranch more then anyone could ever imagine. Families and children come and once a month families come and have a meal and participate in worship and hear an amazing sermon.
It’s called refuge one of my favorite things to do on the ranch. That and scooping poop . You know that’s therapeutic. I love the sound of children laughing on the hill and enjoying themselves.
Another outreach that the ranch provides is food for the families that come with all their produce that they grow. They also teach families how to can. Not only do they help ranch families but their neighbors as well.
So many things about this ranch I love especially all the friendships I’ve made. I’m praying that I can go this summer. Lots more changes have gone on and it’s time to go back and volunteer. Young and old volunteer there’s always lots to do. It’s a place where there is hope, redemption and healing for all who come.❤️
Check out their website
https://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/
All the photos were taken by Emily Green except the last 3 were ones I had taken.
Beauty from Ashes. 