Snow Globe Living:
I have always enjoyed snow globes. Miniature worlds, filled with little villages, that contain flakes of snow that swirl and drift each time the globe is shaken. Maybe I like the power of being in control, shaking that world just to watch the effect, as the flakes settle into new patterns over the scene. Yet, these past several months, we have been living a snow globe life and watching God, in His sovereignty, pick up our snow globe and shake it. The flakes swirl around us and begin to settle into a new pattern, and then, just when we thought we understood how the drifts were going to lay, we felt God pick up our snow globe again, and give it another shake. Constant change appeared to be on the horizon, some of it life and ministry changing, even to the point of God asking us to be willing to move from our ministry here, and we gained a new perspective of the word “patience” as God developed a deeper understanding of what it means to “wait on the Lord.” And yet, the truth of the snow globe is this: the miniature scene inside is permanent; no amount of shaking will change the foundation of what the designer has created. It is only the snow flakes - the circumstances around us - that change, according to His sovereign will. One of my favorite hymns is “How Firm a Foundation,” and for us, that is the picture of - and the truth behind - the snow globe. God has provided a firm foundation in His design for our lives, through the truth of His Word. He has the freedom to shake our world and cause circumstantial changes that we may not have the power to direct or control, but since He is the Designer, that is His to determine. Our’s is simply to trust in the truths of His Word and live accordingly. So what does “snow globe living” look like? Well, it is either a scene of constant beauty, watching God’s hand direct the events of our lives; or it is a scene of constant change and turmoil, waiting to see how the flakes settle so we can feel in control again. It all depends on your perspective. But we do know that any attempt to rush around and try to catch the flakes so that we can arrange them into the pattern that we feel is best is an exercise in futility. May each of you come to embrace the beauty of the world God has designed for you – and find the truths of His Word a foundation for your life. Consider the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity. To give you a future and a hope…” What an amazing reminder of the goodness of God, especially when you consider that those words were penned by Jeremiah for the Israelites who had recently been carried away into captivity to
SNOW GLOBE LIFE FOR MMR: The Ranch too has been experiencing a snow globe life in these past several months, as God has also been taking the Ranch and staff, both here in Pennyslvania and down in Mississippi, through many transitions and challenges. As the flakes have settled, there are many changes on the horizon for Miracle Mountain Ranch. Lew has recently resigned from the Executive Director’s position at MMR and made the decision to separate his Sermon on the Mount/Leader’s by HEART ministries from the ministry of Miracle Mountain Ranch, creating two independent and separate ministries. Ralph Magill has assumed the responsibility of Interim Executive Director while he and the Board of Directors determine new leadership. There were many different elements that contributed to the decision for this change, and for Dan and I, it has been an opportunity for us, to “practice what we preach,” as it pertains to trusting in the sovereignty of God. The circumstances have led to a deepening of our own faith as well as the development of character qualities like faith, patience, diligence, perseverance, and love in our lives. The concept of “Follow me as I follow Christ” has always been the foundation of the apprenticeship program. Our goal is to allow the apprentices to watch us, as staff, also seek to understand God’s hand and work in our own lives. This allows them to observe our actions/reactions to His sovereign and perfect will, as seen through the events that He allows to be a part our lives. As much as we, as creatures of habit, dislike leaving our “comfort zone,” where our security is founded on things in our lives remaining familiar and constant, we know that God, in His sovereignty, has a divine right arrange the elements of our lives into a new and different pattern of His choosing. We thank you for your many prayers for us in these past months – they have been a blessing to us. Please continue to pray for us all, both in
DAN’S BIG DRIFT:
It is with great excitement and much praise and glory to God that we can finally say that Dan is finished with his schooling! He has completed all the required elements of his practicum and his degree program. He has completed all final paperwork and has applied for graduation. So, in May, he will have the joy of officially coming to the end of his Master’s Degree program in Biblical Counseling. It has taken much longer to get to this point than he originally hoped, but we can honestly say we have both benefited greatly by all that we have learned and experienced from this challenge. And we can BOTH say, with much joy and enthusiasm, that we are very glad to be DONE! All that is left now is the PARTY!
AROUND THE RANCH: With the arrival of spring, activities are starting to pick up. The students have just left for their Spring Break, and upon their return, we will all begin to prepare for spring retreats and summer camp. Our apprentice girls have continued to grow and mature and we look forward to seeing how God will use them this summer. Sarah will be heading up the kitchen and Veronica will be serving with her; Kathy will be assisting with the Vaulting Program. Our prayer is that God will continue to work in their lives as they serve Him. Pray for all the students, that their hearts and minds will be prepared for this coming summer.
The Ranch has many retreats scheduled for this spring, including several Horse Lover’s Retreats and a Father/Son retreat. We also have a C.A.M.P. Alumni Reunion coming up on May 28-31st and are looking forward to seeing many past apprentices and their families. Our annual Open House will be on Memorial Day, with activities from
Our family is doing well and enjoying the arrival of spring very much. The kids are finishing up the homeschool year, and mom is just as excited as they are to see it coming to a close. Garrett is hoping to take his driving test (and pass?) and get his driver’s license in about two weeks and is very excited. Joe & Alana are just looking forward to summer and friends! And Connie is getting ready for another busy summer in the kitchen.
Please continue to pray for us all in the ministry here. Change is a constant, in lives and ministry. With the changing economy, we know that there are many people in need. And while we have enjoyed God’s faithfulness over the many years of our ministry here, and He has always provided for all our needs, we find ourselves facing the need to raise additional support, as some of our supporters have faced changes of their own. If God lays our ministry on your hearts, and you would like to be a part of our support team, the process is simple. All gifts are tax deductible and can be made out to MMR, designated for us on a separate piece of paper and sent to the Ranch at
May each of you enjoy the arrival of Spring and the celebration of this Easter season, as we remember the death and resurrection of Christ on our behalf.
Dan, Connie, Garrett, Joseph & Alana
We are thankful for:
- the completion of Dan’s schooling!!!!!!
- God’s faithfulness to us in these past months, as He has directed our steps.
- each of you and the blessing you bring to our lives!
- God’s mercy to us and our children, His faithfulness to all generations!
Please continue to pray for:
- the apprentices as they continue to seek after God, that they would be able to lead others to Him.
- our upcoming busy camping season, for health and strength.
- wisdom for the many decisions we have to make each day, in every aspect of our lives, that each one would honor & glorify God.
If God lays our ministry or the ministry of MMR on your hearts, and you would like to be a part of our support team, the process is simple. All gifts are tax deductible and can be made out to MMR, designated for us on a separate piece of paper and sent to the Ranch at