Why you felt or feel called to Crystal Peaks:
When I was thirteen, I was asking God what He wanted me to do with my life. I heard Him say “I want you to use horses to show My love to Children.” When I heard about the ranch, it was a perfect fit.

Though working at the ranch is almost always a stretching experience, I continue to know that I am called to this place because there is complete resolve in my heart about it.

Areas of Ministry on the Ranch (what you do on the ranch on a regular basis):
My official “titles” at the ranch are Staff Overseer and Volunteer Coordinator. However, titles don’t mean much at the ranch. We are a family; everyone fills in the gaps when we can. So, on any one day at the ranch, you will find me filling-in for an instructor with a child and horse, getting volunteers going on projects, coordinating staff meetings, organizing volunteer projects, fixing the ranch computers, training new staff, doing interviews, reminding staff where to be next, filling out paperwork, conducting tours, playing with kids, completing evaluations, having “mentorship” meetings with volunteers, answering emails, praying with visitors, feeding horses, fixing fences, cleaning the barns, etc. I love it all, and I love the diversity.

Favorite thing about CPYR or about being here:
My favorite thing about being at CPYR is that everything we do is Christ-centered. There is something so refreshing about being in a place where each leader knows they are not perfect, but daily seek to be closer to Christ, to know Him, and to follow in obedience to His voice.

My second favorite thing about the ranch is having the opportunity to be a part of that moment in a child/volunteer/staff’s life when they “get it,” when all of a sudden they understand the power of reaching out to someone else.  It is almost like they get addicted to it. That is exciting to me.

What do you do in your free time:
Well, I am a wife and mother first and foremost.  What do I do in the remaining few moments of my life after being a mom, wife and employee?  Well . . . I love to garden, Photoshop, run, hike, backpack, climb mountains, play with my two giant dogs, read instruction manuals, learn how to build things, take pictures, cook, and shower. =) Anything new is always a bonus.

Favorite Ice Cream: Rocky Road.

Likes (what do you like in life, food, movies, etc.):
My favorite thing in the world is light. My motto used to be, “anything can look beautiful if the light hits it right.” Sunsets, sunrises, they are amazing to make our sometimes bland world look extraordinary.  So, I like to get out and see the world under different “lighting.”  That is my entertainment.  I also like to get into people’s hearts.  It is fun to ask individuals about their passions and see them get all fired up just talking about it.  I get to view them through an entirely new perspective.  Often they are not actively pursing their passions, so my next favorite thing is to encourage them to chase after their vision. 

One unique/funny fact about yourself:
In Jr. high and high school I had a pet rooster named Gonzo.  When allowed out of his cage, Gonzo followed me everywhere.  He loved me and would roost on my shoulder and fall asleep.  Gonzo would cuddle.  Yeah, that IS weird.