Next steps

Stories January 21, 2022January 21, 2022

It was 24 degrees with a strong wind chill, dormant Bermuda grass and bare pecan trees, but standing on the land that would soon be the site of 4:13 Ranch gave us all a joy that even January couldn’t take away. Knowing that we would completely uproot our lives in New Braunfels, Texas (population 108k) to move to Dublin, Texas (population 3696) in less than a month was both exciting and filled with many uncertainties. Our trust in God to lead the way requires us to follow by putting one boot in front of the other in faith.

As we look out onto the 106 acre property, we see so much potential. We see where the reclaimed wood chapel will stand on the highest point overlooking the scene and be the place many guests will dedicate their lives to our savior. We determine where the cabins will fit perfectly just beyond the line of Live Oaks and hear the whispers of late night conversations between campers. We step off the best place for the covered arena, where hours upon hours of riding, roping and relating rodeo lessons to life will take place.

Next week, we launch our website as the first step in our fundraising efforts to build all that is needed to function as a rodeo camp and retreat on this site. Next week, we begin packing our belongings in boxes for the move. We’ll leave behind our home church, wonderful friends and a community that have all shaped my children with cherished experiences and tradition. Three generations of our family will be living on this land to build a ministry that will provide cherished experiences for others. That’s a lot of walking back and forth to the barn…each step in gratitude for this calling.