I grew up in a very sheltered Christian home, so when I came to serve at The Father's Ranch I knew that I would be serving women who had lived lives completely different from my own. I was nervous about how I would be able to relate and help. All I knew was that the Lord had called me to this ministry and He could use me to help others know Him. While I was serving as an intern, I faced many situations that I did not expect or know how to respond to. These were major lessons for me. I easily got caught up in what I was doing to help these women and had to be reminded by others, and my Heavenly Father, that He is the only One who can truly change the heart. Once I learned to give it all to Him, I found a Peace in my role.

The relationships that were built at The Father's Ranch were grounded in accountability and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Saturation in the Word of God was a wonderful blessing. It has caused a lot of my own spiritual growth, and brought great joy during my year at TFR.

Although it has been a very challenging and stretching year, I would never trade it for anything in this earthly life. One particular passage that I have treasured and learned many lessons from throughout my year of service at the ranch has been Hebrews 12:1-6 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.'"

---Charleen