FireStorm Faith Ranch

12/17/2024

Family and loved ones.

We spend time with them, we call, hug them, tell stories of past times. But what happens when tomorrow is different? Tomorrow their voice is silent.

Time is a scary element that no one holds the answers to. We often center our lives around a general “number” that we hope to experience many milestones from growing up, studying and securing a career, starting a family, loving our grandchildren, and finally checking off the last items on our bucket list. For some of us, we are fortunate enough to live through many if not all of these stages, while others lives are cut short.

Parents and grandparents hold deep, special places in our hearts. Sometimes we are unable to put into words our true feelings, because our minds can’t formulate words to describe the pure, deep love we have for these wonderful people in our lives. When the time comes that we are no longer able to hear their voice or see their face or hug them tight, we lose a delicate piece of our heart and soul. This sadness, loneliness, and emptiness never truly heal. But over time we grow love to nourish those missing pieces we were blessed to experience together. As the years pass, it never gets easier but remembering the funny times, the sentimental times, and the days were we blessed to share together bring tears of joy and happiness. To live in a place where there is no hurt, no worry or sorrow is a magical blessing that I pray we all may experience someday.

In times of grief, I pray that you may find comfort in God’s arms wrapped around you as He calls your family member, dear friend, spouse, etc home. We are not meant to know the reasons or ask why, but instead trust in Him that His timing has a true reason. May you and your family be warmed by Gods gentle hand and deep true love during this Christmas season. What once was a goodbye is soon to be a “see you again.”

Psalm 28:6-7

12/06/2024

Where are you?

Are you driving to work, dropping kids off at school, getting off a night shift? These are physical locations that inform someone of your immediate location. Have you stopped to deeply ponder where you truly are?

Are you lost? Are you drowning in your own anxiety, stress, or endless to do lists? Or are you confident in your next step along a journey that is routinely blocked by temptation and deceit? The first 2 options are most likely the common answer among many of you, your friends and family. We all tell ourselves we are fine, everything’s going well, but is it really?

If tomorrow you woke up jobless, would your faith be as strong as the day before? Would your confidence rise above all the fear in the previous question? Or would anxiety, confusion, fear, and sorrow set in? When we tell someone we are confident in something, others believe us to complete a task or meet a deadline with the required information. But if you look back at when you’ve told someone you’re confident in something do you really have zero concerns, fear, or doubts?

Yes, it is normal to feel slightly concerned or anxious when promising to complete a task, because we tend to focus on what will happen if we don’t finish on time, or if we experience setbacks or lose of time, money, product, etc. God NEVER has any fears about His confidence in You! After all He made every tiny part of you and all the billions of other people on this Earth.

So, if you feel lost, worry some, depressed, turn to God and ask Him to give you strength, courage, and confidence to overcome any obstacle and negative thoughts you may encounter. Don’t settle for feeling lost, and worry about what may happen next. Stand up proud for who you are, what you have and most importantly in what you believe in! Know that you are safe, loved, and supported by the absolute best, and strongest army you could ever dream of: God!

Where are you? You decide today is you WANT to be lost or if you will ALLOW God to find you and carry you through. Let your guard down, become vulnerable and trust in God to be there through good and bad and ALWAYS carry you through. It will always get better ❤️‍🩹 if you simply believe and trust God!

Where are you today…..?

12/05/2024

Be confident in yourself and know that you are worthy!

10/31/2024

Lost and busy.....

October has flown by, and life has truly taken on many different paths. Recently, I've been lost and unsure about where to go next and wondering why my spark has diminished. We all experience times when things don't line up the way we want, and then one bad moment leads to another causing us to be at a low point in life questioning what else could go wrong. Remember this......NEVER STOP PRAYING!

We often find ourselves offering smiles and good lucks to everyone when our lives are at a high point and things seem easy. When our lows show up, our stress soars off the charts, we panic, wonder if we can pay the bills each month, will there be enough money for food and gas, etc. You can't let your panic and fear shade you from God and His hand at work in your life. Fear should drive you closer to God, and not the enemy or questions about conquering this hurdle that is straining your comfort zone. If your panic and fear is due to losing your job, know that God is opening a more prosperous door for you; but patience is the key. If your fear is due to relationship turmoil, pray about it and seek guidance. If emotions are causing you to question your worth or purpose, listen to God's word. You are not alone, and this will not be the last hardest time in your life causing you to grow in your faith. How you handle today, tomorrow, and the days to come will determine the success in your journey.

Being lost and uncertain is ok. Feeling overwhelmed is normal as we are human after all. Life throws many challenges and hurdles throughout our paths, and we have to decide how to achieve success without losing ourselves. There is only one answer to all of life's successes and dreams: God! My heart resonates through songs and music as I connect with God. One song that has changed my thinking recently, and sparked my flame is "The Truth," by Megan Woods. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear this song, please listen to the words that she sings. This song will remind you of Who YOU ARE! All your imperfections are perfect to God. The lies you "hear" are convictions of a false life of happiness or brokenness that only evil can shape.

Deep down you KNOW who you truly are. We've heard the lies on repeat over and over again. When you hear a lie for so long you will believe what you're told. Why lose yourself in a life that defines insecurity, hate, and manipulation? You have the strongest army at your side IF you choose to empower them. However, you can't fight for something you don't want. So, before you wallow in your setbacks, think about how powerful prayer is, and how much God Loves You just as you are in your failures, successes, grief, joy, kindness, and dreams. Seek out your purpose, keep your head held high, and listen for God's answer to your prayer. Stay faithful to Him, and you will receive eternal Love!

The truth is:
I am my Father's child
I make Him proud and I make Him smile
I was made in the image of a perfect King
He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing

The truth is:
I am truly loved
By a God whose good when I'm not good enough
I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You
And that's the truth!

-"The Truth" by Megan Woods (an excerpt)

https://youtu.be/5fSVWVYkh2A?si=MbllVct8vXrK0uAg

Look in the mirror and know who you are! You are perfect in God's eyes. Don't live in the lies but live for Him. Find your passion and reignite it. Tomorrow is a new day, and a day that you will conquer whatever you experience. Share a smile with a stranger and laugh when things go wrong. Because you have a purpose! And that's the TRUTH!!

Send a message to learn more

09/24/2024

Carry the burdens of others, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2

We all go through hard times, setbacks, and question when will life turn around? When will things get better? ❤️‍🩹 Not every answer is a sigh of relief or a weight lifted. Sometimes the answer will challenge our hope for a better outcome and cause us to question our faith. Neither path removes God from the situation. Whether we receive good news today, or news that will affect our lives moving forward, God is carrying you through each emotion.

Never let someone carry a burden by themselves. We are social creatures, and God created us to Love one another (including our enemies), with every ounce of our heart 💜 and soul! There is power in prayer and strength in numbers. When you share your Love and support with those in need, you’re sharing Gods love and words so they can be healed.

Prayer is a powerful tool. However, we often lose sight of the meaning of prayer when God doesn’t answer our cry’s or leads us down a path we feel is far beyond where we are headed. Often times we ask “Why,” too much! “Why God did you not heal my brother/sister?” “Why God did you allow our family to become homeless after my husband lost his job?” “Why God……”

Your faith in God has to be stronger than anything on this Earth, to allow your whole heart and soul to trust Him and know that His timing is right no matter the outcome. He holds the answers to all the “Why’s” we bombard Him with daily. But there’s a saying,” we are not meant to know the reasons why.” Don’t focus on blaming God for “Why” things happened in your life or “Why” situations didn’t go as planned. Your faith journey should be centered around following Him daily and putting your entire trust in Him! Emotions are real and happiness, sadness, anger, and depression are not imagined. It’s ok to hurt, to laugh, to cherish every moment with our loved ones, but remember God gave His Son so you and I could have eternal life. That is the ultimate sacrifice!

Today, tomorrow, and all the days to come, don’t let someone bear the weight of their burdens alone. Show Love, and be there for them, for one day you will seek support and wisdom for others too. Troubled times are never easy, but I Thank God every day that my hope, faith, and Love are the strongest I can give to others.

Thank you God for Loving me and helping keep my Hope alive through all life’s journeys.

09/23/2024

Happy Monday!!!

We’ve been a little quiet lately, because we’ve been hard at work making improvements to the ranch!

This last weekend we opened up two main spaces to allow for family time as the weather cools off as well as peaceful spots to sit, listen, and reflect on nature. These new areas will receive a couple of wooden benches, a fire pit, and a remembrance spot for our family and friends to sit in silence to reminisce on the times we were blessed with some of the lost souls encountered at the ranch.

The horses ❤️ the new “track” they can run through and Batman enjoys jumping the creek.
Kimber is growing up so fast, and Salem (barn cat) is loving all the attention he receives daily.
We are so blessed with our ranch family!

Stay tuned for more updates as we put the finishing touches on our little ranch. God is good!

09/17/2024

What is tomorrow?
Tomorrow is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

What will happen tomorrow?
You will wake up, go to school or work, come home have dinner, maybe watch tv and go to bed. This is a “typical” day for most of us as we prepare tonight, and lay our heads down.

Some of you may be focusing on project deadlines, presentations to present, curriculum to teach, or daily errands to take care of yourself and those in your home. But what if I told you there’s a whole world you don’t see? What if every minute there’s a step, or a miracle waiting for you to uncover. Would you be searching for it? Would you ask for hints or inquire about where it may lead you?

Aside from “daily routines” that society is blinded to each and every day, God has a plan and a step for you to achieve at the beginning of each new day. We say we know what tomorrow holds or have feelings throughout the day of good or bad things to come, but only God knows what lies in your path.

God has an amazing plan for each and everyone of you that is unique to you and no one else in the entire world. When we stop following the line leader and blinding ourselves to only seeing the persons head in front of us as we monotonously copy step for step unsure of where this line is leading us, we will see Gods plan. Knowing that God has a plan for your future and has instilled love and hope for you, should light a 🔥 in your soul to seek out your purpose. If you think you know where the line is going, you’re wrong. The line you’re sure you know the end destination isn’t a line at all, it’s an unending circle. Don’t believe me, keep your blinders on and let me know how far you get without testing your faith and stepping outside the circle to follow Gods real plan for you.

Don’t be shaded by the enemy’s power to persuade false hope and have you believe the little wins are where you are to follow. Stop and get out of line. Search for the ☀️ and challenge your faith to ask God to put you in your next step. Get out of your comfort zone and LIVE!!! Read that line one more time OUTLOUD! That’s right, you’re not living right now. You’re existing, but you aren’t feeling the love God has for you. You are convinced that the path that seems “scary” is too risky to follow, but it may be the answer you’ve been searching for on the other side of the 🚪. Take a risk, get out of line and live!

God holds your future; no one else! Where do you see your next step as you navigate your day tomorrow and step out of line? Let the others continue in the unending circle and you focus your heart on God so you can start living.

Where does your path lead? Let me know. 😊

09/11/2024

09/06/2024

What was your joy today?

My joy was spending time with my family and watching our children light up with smiles and happiness.

Although my joy was great to capture, what most don’t know is my joy only lasted about 10 minutes out of the whole day. Today was rough for our youngest as he is navigating through emotions, behavior, and communication. Parenting is hard!! Your patience will be tested farther than the depths of the Earth. Overstimulation will seem like part of your daily routine and another meal to sit down and swallow whole. Tears will dry up, because honestly there is nothing left to cry when the well is dry.

Joy is a glorious thing when you’re able to experience it with a light heart, stillness, and love. But we often lose sight of joy when the tantrums explode, the anxiety snowballs, and chaos paints our home a masterpiece. Joy is still present through the ugly, the defeat, and the overwhelming entrapment of exhaustion.

I was tested today! I faced and achieved defeat! I was lost and confused. But I never gave up. My heart was broken for the reaction of my youngest toward me, but my love never failed. My energy, strength, and confidence were challenged and honestly didn’t succeed, but my love and fire in my soul never died.

What we experience in these type of situations seems so monumental compared to a “normal” day. When we tackle these days we are physically and mentally exhausted! We need a day to recharge and regroup. How do you think God feels? The crazy tantrums of a 2 year old, a heated fight/discussion with your spouse/significant other, failing a company on a huge project all seem like a catastrophe waiting to explode into a bigger explosion 💥 than we can handle. Once the explosion is complete, we now seek revenge or support from our friends and family to justify the reasoning behind our behavior/response.

What we see as monumental is merely a pin drop in the ocean to God. God doesn’t become flustered or angry when we react in these situations or follow the wrong path. God doesn’t put harm in your way to punish you for choosing the wrong door or following the enemy’s web of lies. God loves you unconditionally, and waits patiently for you to find your way back to Him. The cool thing about God is He never leave your side no matter what the circumstance.

Tomorrow focus on letting the “big” eruptions go, and enjoy the few minutes of joy. Some day you may not have any “joy” to share with others, and you don’t want your last day of joy to be focused on what you could’ve had instead of living in the present and embracing the chaos.

Love the joy of the chaos and you life will be complete!

08/21/2024

Who are you?

Do you know who you are? Deep down could you describe who you truly are as a person? I don’t mean a daughter, teacher, employee, husband, etc, but who you really are that makes up every cell of your body that God created?

Have you ever wished you had curly hair instead of straight hair? Or wished that you could lose 5 lbs in a week to pull off a slim outfit? Do you secretly watch commercials advertising products that will get rid of wrinkles, brown spots, etc, and are convinced you need that “miracle” cream?

WHY?????? What is so great about having something someone else has? Have you ever stopped to think about what an amazing individual YOU ARE? Did you realize that there’s someone out there wishing they could have what you have? What causes us to want what others have and convince ourselves we would be so much better if we just had……, or if we just ate…..etc.

God made YOU unique for who YOU ARE! There is NO ONE else like you and that’s the beauty of God’s wonderful artistic masterpiece! Be confident with who you are. “Beauty is only skin deep,” has a lot of truth behind it. Overweight people want to be skinny. Short people want to be tall. “Nerdy/smart” people want to be seen for who they are and not used for their intelligence. Everyone wants what someone else has. But what you have and who you are is so amazing, because there isn’t a soul on this planet who is exactly like you, has the same talents as you, or can do what you can do!

Love YOURSELF for who YOU ARE! God created you as a beautiful and unique individual. So dont get discouraged when someone makes fun of you, or society says you’re not the “right” body type. This has been a struggle for me personally as I’ve had to overcome deep emotional lies that have affected myself and my family. Regardless of how low you think you feel or that life can’t get any better so what’s the point? Remember YOU ARE LOVED! There is nothing or no one in this world who is better than you.

Dig deep and search for that flame that God planted when He personally created you, and show the world what an awesome person you are. Inspire others to love themselves and shy away from bullies. Bullies pick on others because deel down they are hurting. To hide/suppress the pain they take their emotions out on others thinking that it will make them seem stronger and more confident. However, this lack of confidence and strength only reveals their true weakness. Show these people love 💕 as well. They’re trying to figure out how to cope with their emotions too.

Be kind to everyone you meet. Quit trying to be someone you aren’t. And truly Love ❤️ yourself, because God made you perfect and that’s all that matters.

08/20/2024

Slow down, and breathe.

This time of year is stressful for many of us. Children are going back to school, jobs begin to push full speed ahead, sports/extracurricular activities begin, and let’s face it life gets jam packed with “things to do!”

Calm your mind, open your heart, and give yourself and others Grace!

Open your ears to listen to each other. Make time to have a couple of hours of true uninterrupted family time and support each other as you navigate this next season.

Slow down. Breathe. Calm your mind. Open your heart. Give yourself (and others) Grace!

08/15/2024

I’m SO PROUD of YOU!!!

Yes YOU, reading this at this very moment.

You are amazing!
You have conquered great goals!
You are loved!
You are enough!

Today make it a point to think of 5 things you’ve done that you make you proud or feel accomplished. Life is hard. Money can cause stress. Jobs and family can seem impossible to balance. Everyone ALWAYS wants your time and you have a hard time saying “no!” Everything will work out, I promise!

My 5 items I’m proud of:
1. God is present in our home, everyday life, and is always guiding us daily
2. My family is happy and healthy
3. I’m blessed to raise our children and experience life through their eyes
4. We are able to care for and raise animals whose life has been a rough path
5. I have the gift to write and share stories and experiences with others (a few books are in the making…..more to come later 😉)

I’ll be the first to tell you that “You’re doing a great job! I’m extremely proud of you and all you’ve accomplished!” It’s ok to feel lost and overwhelmed. We are not perfect. Dont dwell on the negative, and open your eyes to all the wonderful things you do daily. Observe all the family and friends who truly love and care about you. When you open your eyes first thing in the morning, you have already made it a great day!

Give yourself some grace and share your beautiful ❤️ with others. We here at FireStorm Faith Ranch love you and are so proud of you! God is working through you each day preparing you for the amazing road ahead. Trust the process, and know you are safe and He will guide you through each step. Keep the 🔥 burning in your soul and never give up on your dreams.

Here are some updates to all the daily love and chaos we embrace at the ranch……
A new story is crafted daily, so make sure you write yours down today!

07/26/2024

Faith, compassion, and hope. All of these things impact your soul in similar and different ways.

When life seems “ok” or too out of control we often seek peace and for things to slow down. When we are struggling and at our breaking point events happen in our lives to test our endurance and faith. Accept each challenge with an open mind and heart.

Times will come when our financially stability is tested and sometimes even broken. Have you worried about paying a bill on time, or having enough money to buy food for your family? Do you budget to prevent unnecessary spending but last minute items always pop up that push you over your limit? Don’t lose hope. Money is only a temporary materialistic item that has no eternal value. Make sure you aren’t wrapping yourself up in false joy that has an expiration date.

At the ranch we have been tested many times since we moved in last year. We often wonder what may happen next, and ask ourselves if we are truly prepared. When we get 1 step ahead the devil pushes us 3 steps backward and challenges our faith and determination to push forward. Firestorm Faith Ranch was founded on love and trust. Each day brings new challenges but our faith never wavers as we are strong in our belief that God will carry us through.

The newest rescue to the ranch was founded by one of our own blue heelers, Levi. This innocent soul was wedged in David’s grill scared motionless. A tiny kitten who is starving, lost, and scared now has the best home. Please welcome Kimber to FireStorm Faith Ranch. We are so blessed to nourish this baby back to health and add a new member to our family. Prayers for Kimber as we hope the first vet visit provides encouraging news.

Let this be a sign that no matter how far down you are, how much you fear you can’t keep going, God will always carry you through the storm. Never ever give up or lose hope. There is always a way to pursue any obstacle. Remember money is only temporary. Don’t build your life around something that can easily be washed away with no emotion or legacy attached. You are what’s important to God. Trust your heart and take that leap of faith.

07/18/2024

FAITH!

How deep is your faith? How would you describe your faith? Has your faith been tested lately?

My faith hasn’t always been the strength that it needs to be. Some days when life is going great we often forget to center ourselves with God and prioritize Him! However, when things are bad or we are pushed down, we seek God to help us through the struggle. But do you turn to God the ENTIRE time you are struggling? Do you blame God at any point during this hard time? Have you felt so low that even praying or talking to God didn’t seem possible and you shyed away from it?

Life is VERY HARD for me right now! The last few weeks have hit me and our family hard through sickness, equipment breaking, storm damage, and setbacks for my next adventure in sharing Gods word to others. I’ve thought the devil couldn’t possibly throw ANYTHING else my way, but he sure did today when I lost a piece I wrote 2 years ago that was over 40 pages long. When the next step in my faith journey was revealed to me in May, the devil has made every effort to bring me down, cause me heartache, throw every obstacle in my way to deter me from doing what God wants me to do.

The devil doesn’t realize that I’m a hardheaded, strong willed, determined child of God who will never back down from a fight. Don’t lose your faith when times are harder than you think you can handle. See the beauty in the pain, sorrow, and defeat. Remember the devil may win countless battles, but the children of God will always win the war! Keep your faith strong and your determination stronger. The devil knows your weakness and he will push you past your breaking point to steer you away from what God wants you to do and achieve.

“For we live by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corinthians 5:7. Faith is your heart and trust in God to carry you through everything. Sight is what the devil focuses on to steer you away from what you see in front of you when he brings you down. Follow your faith and don’t be blinded by the hard days and setbacks right in front of you. Chase your dream even when the world is against you telling you you will never succeed! You are strong and your faith is stronger!

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July! May your day be filled with family, and happy memories.

07/03/2024

What beauties have you seen lately? What joys have brightened your day? What miracles have warmed your heart?

Living a life centered around God doesn’t have to be stressful, or time consuming. Don’t fill your day with tasks to complete and try to pencil in prayer attempting to reach your quota for the day. Slow down and focus on what is right in front of you. Observe the art, life, and happiness that is present at your home.

Sometimes when we try to do the right thing such as reading our Bible, digging deeper into our devotionals, praying, and checking off our daily to-do lists we get lost in the repetition of motions that moves us from one day to the next. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and an unclear vision about what you’re doing or how to get everything done, then this is your sign to slow down and breathe. Reevaluate your current situation. Did you sign yourself up for more than you can handle comfortably? Do you worry how you will get everything done on time? Do you feel guilty about not volunteering for an event at school or a project at your job because you don’t want to be seen as mediocre? It’s ok! Sometimes when you remove the unneeded tasks from your life you’re able to breathe in the clear air, appreciate the yellow flower in your garden that bloomed despite everything else around it being a w**d, and truly see the intricate miracles created at the hand of God!

Don’t be afraid to remove a safe, comfortable task, item, or event from your life. You may convince yourself that no one can do the job as well as you. That may be true! But I’m here to confess that when these items are removed from your daily to-do lists, the reward is breathtaking. Your emotions become more stable, your health improves, and your relationship with your family, friends, and strangers deepens to connect with these people in a more calming, and supportive nature. My life has drastically improved by removing a very big part of my life that I was accustomed to for a long time. It is hard to walk away, but how my relationship has grown with my children and spouse is worth more than any monetary or time constraint this world could offer.

Take a leap of faith and challenge yourself to minimize your daily “have-to’s” and find yourself again through love and happiness!

06/23/2024

Challenges. Up’s and downs.

We all experience them, and sometimes they present themselves in the form of a rollercoaster. When times are great we feel unstoppable, and invincible! What about the down times, the hard times, the times when you feel like giving up because every effort you’ve pushed for has failed.

When life is good, we feel great! Our body is glowing with confidence and joy. We encourage others and inspire them to push forward, don’t give up, and remind them that good days will come and times will change for the better. Awesome advice! But…….. do you listen to your own preaching?

As soon as life blesses you with stress free agendas, positive moods, financial gifts, and pure bliss, it soon comes to an end. Bad days, overwhelming fear and stress take over, and defeat, frustration, and anxiety control your every move. So when the roller coaster hits rock bottom, what do YOU DO? Do you remember what you preached to others about not giving up, push through the hard times, and have faith? Well, did you listen to yourself? My guess is NO! Why not?

During your hard days when your car won’t start, your job just laid you off, your kids are testing your last nerve, everything breaks at home, and you just want to scream,” Why me?” These times are sensitive and reveal your true faith in God. If you only preach inspirational truths to others when you are having great days, but don’t listen to your own words when you are down, then what does that say about your faith? Are you saying empty words and false hope to others if you don’t follow God’s word and path for you when you need Him the most? It’s during your hardest, most vulnerable times that you need to trust your faith and reach out to God more than any other time. He’s not there to watch you fail. God wants You to ask Him for HELP! So stop being a Debby downer, stop feeling like life is out to get you, and stop playing the pity card hoping others will grovel in your depression. Get up, STOMP your foot, and claim,”Not Today Satan!”

As a child of God, you are more powerful than Satan, more Loved than anything on this Earth, and have a Father who DIED for YOU, so you could have everlasting life. If that’s not a testament to pushing through the hard times and proving He can conquer death, then I’m not sure what more proof you need my friend. STOP dwelling in the darkness when tough times arise. STOP worrying about the negative, and focus on the blessings you have, and most importantly stop running away from God thinking you can handle this yourself. God is ready to help you win this war. Put your faith that you share with others in Him and show Him your heart holds His Love ❤️!

You are Strong!
You are capable of far more than your brain can comprehend!
You are Awesome!