The Twins' Family Wish. Lois Richer

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      The twins returned with their hot dogs and Penny settled them at the table, insisting Rick retrieve his own dinner. When he returned, he found her talking to a couple whom she introduced as the camp nurse, Ellie, and her husband, veterinarian Wyatt Wright. Then he met Maddie and Jesse Parker. Jesse was one of the youth workers who took a personal interest in ensuring troubled kids had someone to talk to. Both the Wrights and the Parkers had children who would be attending the daycare Penny was organizing.

      There were more people, of course. Names blurred as people kept stopping by to welcome them. Rick was better with faces and figured he’d soon be able to identify every ranch employee. He particularly liked the way people who stopped by greeted the twins and was very proud of the polite way the two responded.

      The relaxed family-type atmosphere along with the sheer number of staff and volunteers surprised Rick, but what impressed him most was that everyone seemed comfortable rubbing shoulders with their coworkers. No wonder Penny wanted to work here. An amiable workplace made a world of difference to how you felt about your work.

      “Isn’t it great?” she murmured when the other adults had moved on.

      “What?” He took a bite of his hamburger and savored the succulent beef. “This? It’s delicious.”

      “Actually, I was talking about this place.” She waved a hand. “Wranglers Ranch. It’s like a little town. Everyone knows each other. Everyone has the same goal—to reach kids. The only difference is our parts in that goal.”

      A surge of satisfaction filled Rick at knowing he’d be part of it, too. For a little while, at least.

      He didn’t want to think about after, when he was finished with the work here. He especially didn’t want to think about not seeing Penny every day, not being able to bounce ideas about the twins off her or listen to that joyful burst of laughter whenever she found something new to appreciate about life.

      Rick had until September 1 when the last cabin needed to be complete. Maybe if he prayed hard enough God would work out a solution for him with the twins by then. Maybe He’d also find a way to erase his guilt over Gillian’s death and let him find the same joy Penny had.

      * * *

      Later that evening Penny sat on a log bench with her shoulder rubbing Rick’s as she soaked in the wonderful ambience of worship around the campfire. When Kyle couldn’t settle she gathered him onto her knee and hummed along with Tanner’s guitar-playing. Rick cuddled Katie the same way and by the end of the song the two were fast asleep.

      “Wranglers Ranch has been a life-changing experience for Sophie and me, and for our family.” Tanner’s voice was quietly reflective as he strummed a background accompaniment.

      “We’ve seen God touch lives in marvelous ways, ways we never dreamed possible,” Sophie agreed. “Very soon we’ll launch our daycare, which we see as another opportunity to minister to more kids, younger ones this time.”

      “We’ll start with your children, if you bring them. My hope and prayer is that God will use your kids to reach other kids, other parents and other people for Christ.” Tanner glanced around the group. “Reaching kids is our mission here at Wranglers Ranch, and Sophie and I are so glad and so thankful that you’re on board with us.”

      “Each of you is blessed with a special gift, a niche of service that God gave especially to you.” Sophie smiled at her husband. “I’m sure you’ve seen the sign over the barn that says, ‘Fan into flame the gift that is within you.’ Our ranch started with Burt Green and his faith in God’s plans for Wranglers Ranch. Burt strongly believed that Tanner could be the means to making his dream happen, but Tanner didn’t even believe he had a gift.” She smiled at her husband. “I doubt either of them in their wildest dreams could imagine what God has created here today. Perhaps you, too, are astonished at how He is using each of us as an integral part of His work at Wranglers. Don’t be. If we’re available and willing, God will use us.”

      Penny met Rick’s gaze, unashamed of the tears in her eyes.

      “Tears of joy,” she whispered when he frowned.

      She was startled when he reached out and brushed one off her silky cheek. “You’re such a softy,” he murmured.

      But she knew he was just as moved as she was by the sweet communion of these moments around the fire.

      “As we go through summer Sophie and I would like to challenge each of you to fan your own gift into flame. If you see an area where we’re missing something, a niche you could fill, a child whose heart burdens yours, tell us.” Tanner smiled. “Let’s work together to make this the best summer our Wranglers Ranch kids have ever had. Let’s make an impact for God. Let’s pray for that.”

      He led them in a prayer of dedication that had Penny’s heart singing with excitement at the prospect of joining this ministry.

      The Lord will work out His plan for your life.

      She’d adopted that verse from Psalms at the beginning of this year, hoping to finally erase the memory of her broken dreams. Yet the brutality of her former fiancé’s hurtful denunciation when she’d most needed him still haunted her. Damaged goods, he’d called her before making it clear that he wanted a wife who had more to give him than Penny ever could. His betrayal still hurt.

      Thanks to her friendship with Sophie, Penny had found solace and help when she joined a study of Biblical women, ladies who were also less than perfect and yet they were women whom God used. If God could use someone as imperfect as Mary Magdalene Penny figured He could use her, too. Maybe when she was fully engaged in doing His will the ache inside for a family would fade away.

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