2023 In Review January of 2023 was the first time we have had five residents - and then we had six, our current maximum, and that suddenly became our new normal. Having more residents meant we had to grow in unexpected ways: - We needed a 10-passenger van to transport everyone, which we received through God’s grace this past summer.
- We needed larger kitchen appliances, such as a larger refrigerator and grill, which the grandparents of a deceased resident generously provided in her memory.
- We needed more partners, so we sought out churches to help support our mission.
- We added Caleb Ebersole to our Board of Directors.
- We added horses, including Wendell, Sterling and Jerry, while we lost our beloved Sundae.
- We made improvements on the ranch, both large and small, with the help of an army of dedicated volunteers from various churches, both near and far, and other local groups. Some of the improvements included better doors for our residents’ houses, a more secure gate into the ranch, a vegetable garden, and the beginnings of a workout facility.
- We grew our annual fundraiser, The Hootenanny for Hope. For this eighth year, we raised more money in the auction alone than we had raised in all of the first Hootenanny.
- We also had more to offer: We partnered with Her Song and other organizations to provide equine-assisted mentoring, and we participated in several events to raise awareness of human trafficking, including the Red Sand project.
- Through the grace of God and the generosity of donors, we continued our unbroken string of providing every graduating resident with a debt-free car.
- We added to our volunteer base, including a skilled social media director, Melanie Goggans, who helps keep you up to date through our Facebook and Instagram pages.
- We expanded Blazing Hope Ranch-branded merch to raise awareness in the community and the country.
- We began the hard work of updating our website to reflect all the growth we’ve seen in the past year.
- And most importantly, we leaned more heavily than ever on God’s grace and leading to guide us throughout the year.
2023 has not been without its challenges: Our son, Josiah, struggled through his first full year dealing with Type 1 diabetes. Our oldest, Jordyn, had operations on both of her feet to correct her arches, and I’ve started down the road to reconstructive surgery on my knees in the coming fall. David and I each lost a beloved grandmother. But David and I also celebrated 22 years of marriage and got to enjoy some wonderful family times. 2024 begins a new era. The growth and ranch improvements we saw in 2023 have laid the groundwork as we continue forward, our beds full, restoring more women to wholeness in Christ. We are so grateful and blessed for your partnership in this journey. |
