It's not about me, but all about Him!

Why do I care what others think, because it's not about me, but it's all about Him. It hurts when a troubled boy that we have learned to love living in our home, would want to end it all. Why after all we have tried to do for him, would he want to end it all? Last night, my husband and I sat up all night watching one of our boys, after returning from a home visit, because he voiced that he wanted to end it all. We, talked, sat quietly, listened, cried, and prayed. It hurts to watch a young man, struggling so much, running from God, ignoring all our words God is giving us to share, confused, and scared. The thing that really hurts is when this young man tells us the only reason we are doing this, is to get rich, live in a nice home, and have an easy job. Why does it hurt so much when I hear these words, because believe me, we are not getting rich doing this! Yes, we do live in a lovely home God has blessed us with after living in a single wide trailer house, that was beautifully decorated with rat and mouse droppings, brown polka dots on the ceiling, hanging tiles to give it a rustic look and no running hot water. By the way if this is an easy job, I definitely don't want a hard job, because I will definitely throw in the baton. Am I the only one that cares about what others think? I know that it's not right but why does it bother me so? I love these boys like they were my own, but it hurts, when they can't accept our love for them. As I'm writing this, I am in tears, knowing that Jesus has to hurt so much when he looks at our fallen world. He loved us so much that He gave his life for us, and there are so many in this world that won't accept His love.

Jesus,
I hurt because you hurt, for this lost soul, please help me to remember daily in this ministry that it's not about me, but it's all about YOU! You have put me in this race and you will continue to help me pass the baton of faith and perseverance over to you, to help me run this race. Thank you for loving me and choosing me as your faithful servant to serve you in this ministry. I love you!

In Jesus Name, AMEN

Photo Hunt ~ Architecture

hosted by TNChick

This barn and house was built with hands of troubled boys, my husband and I, our children, and volunteer help. When we look at these buildings we are amazed at God and what he can provide. The boys that live with us, come to the ranch, with very destructive hands. It is music to our ears when we hear one of the boys while giving a tour, I built this wall over here. They are so proud of what they have acomplished and begin to feel like they are being successful.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Front Door View!

Come on in! I'm having an Open Blog!

It's time for the big blog party, and I am looking forward to meeting some new blog friends. I don't know how many will find my blog, but if you have found it please feel free to come on into my blog of parenting, grandparenting, and ministry. I could probably write a lot more about my life and ministry but I just can't find the time somedays.

Please feel welcome and be snoopy and go into different post and try to get to know me a little.
I'm hoping to find time to visit some new sites this week. It is so encouraging to stumble along somebody's blog that is going through the same type of trial I may be going through, and read how they have jumped their hurdle or handed their baton over to Jesus, in their race of life. I continue to hand my baton over to Jesus, in my life of parenting, grandparenting and ministry. I pray that God will give me the strength to continue running in the race he has placed me in and that I may be able to encourage maybe one person, through this blog.

I want to thank 5 minutes for mom for hosting this big blog party and if you are interested in joining the party, just click on the button on my sidebar and it will take you to all the information needed. They are even giving away prizes if you join the party, so come join the fun.

Please leave a comment if you stop by, and take a cup of French Vanilla Coffee with you as you go onto the next party.

Photo Hunters ~ Salty

hosted by TNChick

Mark 9:50 "Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

These salty tears were seasoning to this Grandma that wants to fly 1000 miles everytime I look at this picture. I just want to pick him up and cuddle him.

Help each of us this week to have the qualities of salt that we might live in peace with each other.

Wordless Wednesday - Charlotte's Web

Prayer Request!

Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Readers Version) "The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He'll never desert you. So don't be afraid. Don't lose hope."

We just did a very hard thing here at the ranch, something we have only had to do 3 other times in the last 15 years of this ministry. We just had to let the #34th boy go from this program, he was only here 8 months and because of some choices he made, we decided we can't help a young man that doesn't want to help himself. Some of the last words we, Jim, Cathy and Curtis, said to him was:

• Curtis said, "You hurt me bad it really hurt me but...... I forgive you and I love ya, man"


• Cathy said, "I hated your actions but I love you and the only way you will ever make it in life is if you turn to Jesus, because HE is the only true one that can help you."


• Jim said, "I really don't feel like hugging you right now but I'm going to anyway, I'm giving up on you, but Jesus will never give up on you."

We learned to love this young man through Christ's love and it is very hard having him as a part of our life trying to teach him right from wrong, and then having to let him go, knowing that he was choosing to still go down the wrong path. We know though that our GOD is a GOD of MIRACLES and HE used US to plant the seeds and HE will send SOMEONE ELSE to water it and HE is the only one that can make it GROW!

I Corinthians 3:5-7 "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Lord, Jim and I, know we are nothing, you have just chose us as your servant to be your tool, to just touch a portion of this young man's life, but we know that you are EVERYTHING to us and we trust someday you will be EVERYTHING to this young man, because you are a God of MIRACLES. Please just watch over him as he leaves our home, and put you arms around him and give him that hug everynight that we are not able to do now. We thank you in advance for what you are going to do in this young man's life and we thank you for letting us be a part of his life for the 8 months he was here. In Jesus Name, Amen

Laborers for Christ,

Cathy (for Jim and Cathy)