If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I fell in love with the high desert in Bend, Oregon. It’s a place I call home my second home. It’s a ranch called Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. It’s my happy place. In fact when I step off the plane I feel surreal peace. I have many good friends that live here and the ranch soothes my soul. The high desert is a place like no other. I live down by sea level this place is higher up and sometimes it takes me a bit to get used to the altitude.
I love seeing the scenery. The three Sisters mountains loom in the distance. They are covered in snow and they are magnificent. Driving through the country there are sage bushes and dusty trails. On the ranch you see these mountains often. It’s a place where healing begins and as soon as I step in the land and walk up the driveway. My world changes and it’s the most amazing feeling.
All that pain one feels seems to disappear. The ranch has many rescued horses that they use to match children with them who come from far and wide. All free of charge. You feel the Lord’s presence here and in each person who works there.
I love to sit in the chairs and listen to the children laughing the families who come and volunteer and the healing that begins here. My heart has been healed here in fact I’ve been addiction free now for 9 years. I wrote a piece on forgiveness. It’s a good read.
This year the ranch celebrated 30 years of ministry. Jesus is in every inch of this ranch. That’s what you feel when you walk up that hill. You see it in the people and the animals. I love the people here and I love watching and hearing the stories. My favorite place in the entire world. I know I will be back.
https://crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/
Come and check it out.
Beauty from Ashes. 