~An Inspiring Read~

One of my goals for this year was to read more. I have already read more than I did last year! I have been reading 20 minutes each afternoon when I have the boys do their quiet reading. I am also reading a different book for about 15 minutes before I go to bed. It is amazing how such a little amount of time adds up to a whole book! I have also learned if it is not scheduled, it is not going to happen. (My night time reading is a little less consistent!)

One of my favorite book sellers recently had a huge sale. I bought a number of books that were 50-70% off! This one immediately caught my eye...They usually sell books that were written 100 or more years ago. This book takes place in the mountain of Kentucky from about 1947 to 1979. Most of their books are fictional stories with lots of character training built it. This book is a true to life story! Love those! I wondered why they would offer a book so different from their "normal" selection. I figured it had to be good:0)

This is a story of a couple with a grown daughter that decide to leave their comfortable life and move to the mountains of Kentucky to open a Children's Home. This Children's Home would be different... they would never turn anyone away. The author is the "mother" of the home. She wanted to record what happened to share it with the 200+ children that walked through their door. As far as I could tell they always had 30 or more children. Many people came to volunteer their time. They had teachers and cooks. They had helpers arrives that were skilled in the very skill that was needed. They lived in very cramped housing for a number of years before being able to build a beautiful home.

Some quick thoughts...

• I was amazed with the way God provided and His perfect timing.

• I was inspired by their reaction to the rough things that life threw at them.

• I loved the creative organization and the making do attitude.

• I saw a great example of a submissive wife.

• I was saddened by the way unwanted children were treated.
  

Since this story didn't take place very long ago, I searched the net to see if the home is still in use. The only thing I found was a facebook page that was started to share memories of the family. They had many pictures uploaded and the story became even more real to me.

This couple was, I believe, in their 50's when taking on this job. What an incredible testimony to what God can do through you if you are willing to be used. They didn't think their child rearing days were over... now it is time to think about themselves. They just kept giving. Not even a thought of retirement. Mrs Ragsdale was very honest with some of her times of struggling. That was helpful to read that too.

A great read!