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Join us for the
Miracles in the Smokies
dinner on November 18
Our Miracles in the Smokies dinner is drawing near, but it's not too late to join. The dinner will be held at Calhoun's in Gatlinburg and will feature entertainment by world class pianist David Carnes and channel 10 anchor Russ Biven.
This year's event is a friendraiser. We hope that dinner guests will enjoy an evening of stories as we celebrate what God has done in the lives of Ranch students through the years-- and that they will tell others. Our goal is to make 500 new friends in Sevier County - friends who will pray, volunteer, or give to support the Ranch in the future.
At the dinner, we will hold a drawing for A Day at the Ranch. The winner and friends will be invited for a complete tour of the Ranch, catered lunch, horseback rides, and the chance to experience our zip line, giant swing, and 54 foot climbing wall. The more people you introduce us to, the greater your chance of winning!
We are seeking table sponsors to underwrite the costs and invite their friends. You can sponsor a table for eight for only $275.
To sponsor a table or RSVP for this wonderful evening, contact Marybeth Tynik at 865-429-5437, or email us at friendraiser@wvr.org.
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Autumn Snapshots
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Greetings!
 The proof is in the pudding. That's what I heard as a child. People may describe things in glowing terms, but when you experience the reality it may not be as advertised. Is Wears Valley Ranch making a difference in the lives of children? Jackie Grafton, featured in the story below, is certainly a wonderful example of what God can do in this place. Ultimately, we know well that it is the gospel that changes lives. Wears Valley Ranch simply provides an atmosphere where the gospel is made believable by the loving lives of our staff and volunteers. The children who come to us share one thing in common, "a problem in the home which they did not create." It may be a parent's health or addiction. Sometimes one or both parents have died. Often, there is someone in the child's family who cares about them but no one who is able to adequately care for them. That's where you come in! Our supporters, with gifts large and small, provide the funds to feed, house, counsel and educate these children. Since 1992 we have never turned away a child because of financial limitations. Our insurance, utilities and all those other unromantic necessities have been paid through the generosity of extraordinary, ordinary people. No, that's not a contradiction. It is regular folk who do what most aren't willing to do and sacrifice themselves to provide what these children need. Please help us to keep saying yes to the children who need our help. If you are able to help, you can give online at our website www.wvr.org or mail your gift to us at the address below. 
Jim Wood
Wears Valley Ranch
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Full Circle
First female student returns as mentor.
In 1994, Jackie Grafton came as the first girl to Wears Valley Ranch to the delight of her older brothers, David and Jason. They both prayed at nightly devotions at Christopher House since their admission a year earlier, "God, please let Jackie come." Jackie graduated from St. Andrew's School in 2006. We are so proud of Jackie's stellar record at Maryville College where she graduated in May with a double major in English and Spanish.
On August 5th Jackie returned to the Ranch as a Mentor. "Miss Jackie's" first day back at the Ranch was memorable for all. At the retirement party for her first houseparents, John and Elayne Bair, Jackie spoke and made us aware that their retirement party was on the sixteenth anniversary of Jackie's arrival as the Bairs' first student at Laurel Ridge. Having been mentored herself by "Papa and Mama Bair," Jackie has assumed the mentoring role. God loves to show His hand in the way He brought Jackie back on her anniversary and the Bairs' retirement day. We didn't plan that: He did!
 " I am so blessed to have benefited from the ministry of the Ranch that I cannot think of any better reward than getting to serve the place that served me so much. God has given me the ability to teach, and I am excited to be using my gifts here at the Ranch. I am excited for the lessons in both life and spirit that God is teaching me from my experience here. I continue to look forward to His work in my life every day!" - Jackie Grafton, October 2010
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Harvesting and Preserving
For centuries, our ancestors preserved their own foods. Meats were preserved by smoking or by curing and vegetables were preserved by canning or using root cellars dug by hand. For our forebearers, this was not just a hobby- it was a necessity of life.
Times have changed, but thankfully, some folks remember how to preserve foods the old fashioned way. Two of them, Don and Cece Webster, visited and toured the Ranch. When they saw the apples and tomatoes ready for harvest, they were ready not just to observe but to roll up thieir sleeves and pitch in!
The next day, the Websters shared their time-tested skills with staff and students as they canned apples and tomatoes. The apples they preserved were the first to be harvested from the Ranch's apple orchard, planted by Ranch students five years ago. "One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase." We thank God for the opportunity not just to plant, but to harvest. We hope this will become an annual tradition for many years to come. .
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About Us
Wears Valley Ranch provides Christian homes, education, and counseling to children from families in crisis. Our vision is to see every child inspired to follow Christ, healed from the past, and equipped to reach their full potential. Learn more at our website, www.wvr.org or call us at 865-429-KIDS. |
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