Deirdre Gomez

Equine Coordinator & Session Instructor

HOMETOWN: Bend, OR

I first heard of CPYR about fifteen years ago. Kim Meeder was the guest speaker at a women’s conference at our church. I loved her first book, Hope Rising, and subsequently started visiting the Ranch. In 2015, my husband, daughter, and I moved back to Bend after raising our four children in Portland, OR. The first thing I did when we moved back to Bend was volunteer at CPYR. I then did an internship at CPYR, which was a life-changing experience. The life-changing lessons the Lord was teaching me at that time was how to “be still” and wait on Him with patient endurance: 2 Thessalonians 3:5, “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” With God’s timing I joined the team three years after my internship. I am beyond excited to walk this adventure out with Jesus.

What I enjoy most about my job at the Ranch is simply being there. To serve Him with an extraordinary group of individuals in a beautiful place is a gift and privilege. Each day is a blessing, and to wake up and ask Jesus, “What adventures do you have in store for today? Lead on!” Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”   What do you like to do in your free time?  

What do you do in your free time?

Outside of working at the Ranch, one of my most favorite things to do is to spend time with my family. My husband (Lance) and I are empty nesters. We enjoy hiking with our two blood hounds, Fella and Gertrude. I also cherish the time I get to spend with our four children and their spouses.

What is your most memorable moment at the Ranch?

My most memorable moment at the Ranch was when I was an intern. I had the privilege to work with a little girl that was blind and physically disabled. I scooped her up into my arms and took her hand and we started petting the horse at the tip of its nose, went down its back, and all the way to its tail. All the while I was describing to her what she was touching and feeling. John 18:16 says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Her expression was one of pure joy and something I will never forget.