Wood Shavings, by Clayton Wood, Executive Director – May/June 2023
“Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.”
There are many moments at the Ranch I would love for all of you who faithfully pray for and support us to see. There is so much good happening that you would be deeply encouraged by if you were here to see it. We are excited to work on increasing our capacity to host friends and supporters, because it is such a delight to have more witnesses step into the joy of seeing what God is doing at Wears Valley Ranch.
A recent moment that we captured on video that you can find on our website is the graduation of 3 more Ranch students. The ceremony itself weaved together such a rich tapestry of the lives of students at the Ranch and how they are loved and cared for. A trusted counselor who has played an instrumental part of the growth of a teenage girl into a young woman spoke over one graduate. A father who has served at the Ranch faithfully for decades shared his dreams for his daughter who has grown up and even worked at the Ranch. Houseparents shared their love and care for the third graduate. While listening to caring adults speak over people they have laughed and cried with was beautiful, it wasn’t nearly as important as hearing from the graduates.
In a graduating class of 3, all spoke. Coming out of this season of graduation, I expect many of you just witnessed talks with the precocious high achiever sharing borrowed words of wisdom with their graduating class. This was different. This was testimony. These were vibrant and articulate young women who are ready to make a difference in the world. All three graduates shared about their love of Christ, and their commitment to follow Him down the narrow road. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4
As we consider spiritual children, those we are pouring our lives into as we obey the command of Christ to make disciples, we rejoice to see Ranch students whose identity is in Him, prepared to walk not the easy and popular path, but to climb upward on the narrow and hard path that leads to life. I love hiking. I plan to hike today in celebration of my birthday with my wonderful wife and all 5 of my children. When they were younger and they complained about their legs hurting, I would often stop with them, or pick them up and carry them. Now my oldest children have participated in cross country. They no longer complain about their legs hurting on short hikes. In a world where so many children have atrophied muscles because parents, teachers, and others deprived them of the gift of discomfort, of suffering, of challenge, the students at the Ranch have grown strong. They have leaders who have taught them why it is important to have grit, to persevere and to view themselves not as victims stuck in the amber of resentment, but as victors, transformed by the power of Christ. Thank you for enabling that work! I hope you will be encouraged as you witness it.
Matthew 7:13-14 “The way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Quotes from Graduates
Emma (at Wears Valley Ranch for 7 years)
“I’m so grateful for the privilege of growing up here. It’s really a special place. “ To students about being thankful: “We get three meals a day and don’t even have to think about where it comes from. That’s a security that a lot of us didn’t have before we came here. We have teachers that are dedicated to teaching us the things that really matter, like communication skills, time and management skills, and even housekeeping skills. Recently Miss Hannah has been teaching us in math class things like how to budget for a car – very practical stuff. We went from being kids who needed so much love, care, and guidance to being some of the most fortunate people. We get so many opportunities and blessings that we never would have dreamed of before.” About her family: “Our mom celebrated 5 years of sobriety on May 2nd this year. I see all the time my mom and dad’s love for the Lord who saved them out of their desperation. I love seeing how excited my dad gets now when he learns something new out of the Bible.“
Angelina (at the Ranch for 6 years)
“The thing that I will cherish the most about my time at the Ranch is the people that I got to spend it with. My entire life I have not had a solid set of parents that have been able to take care of me and give me the discipline that I needed. This caused a lot of trust to be broken and my life to fall apart.” About living with Houseparents at the Ranch….”For the first time I felt that I had a family. They loved me and cared for me.”
Hannah (at the Ranch for 18 years as the child of staff members)
“Throughout my time at the Ranch I have interacted with many, many, students, and staff who have helped shape the way I perceive the world. A lot of times I took living here for granted. But looking back I see the impact this place has had on the community, the kingdom and everyone else who has come in contact, including me.” About not being afraid to face the moment with joy….. “No matter what we go through, we have a Shepherd who will guide us. (referencing Psalm 23).
