Moving Home
Donation protected
" 'The Lord had said to Abram, Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.' (Genesis 12:1)".
Growing up I always dreamed of moving away from home and living on my own. In 2007 God blessed me with that desire when I packed up a suitcase, boarded a plane and moved to Oregon. Having never been to Oregon God took me to a ‘good and spacious land’, the Washington Family Ranch. The Ranch is a Young Life camp where kids get to go and experience ‘The Best Week of Their Lives’ all the while learning about Jesus. I had gotten a job with Mark 2 Ministries helping ‘friends’ with developmental disabilities that worked at the Ranch.
When I first started working for Mark 2 it was full time but it soon became apparent that my body could not keep up with the demands of a 40 hr. workweek. My cerebral palsy makes it increasingly difficult to do even the smallest tasks and it was physically exhausting. In 2013 God blessed me again when I was able to transfer to a part-time position and got approved for SSDI.
My time at the Washington Family Ranch changed my life. Jesus took a broken and wounded young woman, and made her into a child of God. I became a butterfly and found my wings through Jesus. I found comfort knowing that He understands me, loves me, and has great things for me. I was blessed in many ways while living at the Ranch; it became my home. Being away from my family was very difficult but the community at the Ranch became my second family and supported me while my family was so far away.
" 'They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were being done through the apostles.' (Acts 2:42-43)".
In October of 2017 I moved to Newberg, a suburb outside of Portland, to help Mark 2 set up the Friendship House. The Friendship House is a place where ‘friends’ are able to live along side college kids and become part of the community. When I first got here I was extremely nervous, I had a great support system at the Ranch and I wasn’t sure what it would be like to live in such a big city. After the first few months my depression and anxiety started to build. In March I got my own apartment, I had never really had a place I could call my own and I thought it would be a new beginning. I told myself to give it a year, that things would get better but the truth is, it never did. Depression and anxiety have consumed my life and God is making it very clear that it is time for me to move back home where I will be closer to family. I have a hard time doing daily tasks because of my disability and I have been struggling financially due to my limited income. I am still growing with God but I have come to realize that that living on my own, far away from family, is very hard.
I have been hearing this new song on the radio, Well Done by the Afters. It really resonates to me because I feel I have run the race, I have done what I set out to do, and now it is time to go to the place where I belong…home.
"Well Done, Well Done, My good and faithful one. Welcome to the place where you belong. Well Done, Well Done! My beloved Child, you have run the race and now you're home. Welcome to the place you belong."
At the end of November I will be making the 1800-mile trek across the country to move back home. I have been longing to be closer to family, especially my nieces and nephews, and am very excited for the next chapter of my life. Over the past 12 years I have accumulated a lot more than just a suitcase and my hope is to be able to take it all with me.
Knowing how expensive this move will be, I am humbling asking if you could join in helping with my moving expenses. God has truly blessed me in Oregon and I believe He will continue to do so.
" 'I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3:14)"
Growing up I always dreamed of moving away from home and living on my own. In 2007 God blessed me with that desire when I packed up a suitcase, boarded a plane and moved to Oregon. Having never been to Oregon God took me to a ‘good and spacious land’, the Washington Family Ranch. The Ranch is a Young Life camp where kids get to go and experience ‘The Best Week of Their Lives’ all the while learning about Jesus. I had gotten a job with Mark 2 Ministries helping ‘friends’ with developmental disabilities that worked at the Ranch.
When I first started working for Mark 2 it was full time but it soon became apparent that my body could not keep up with the demands of a 40 hr. workweek. My cerebral palsy makes it increasingly difficult to do even the smallest tasks and it was physically exhausting. In 2013 God blessed me again when I was able to transfer to a part-time position and got approved for SSDI.
My time at the Washington Family Ranch changed my life. Jesus took a broken and wounded young woman, and made her into a child of God. I became a butterfly and found my wings through Jesus. I found comfort knowing that He understands me, loves me, and has great things for me. I was blessed in many ways while living at the Ranch; it became my home. Being away from my family was very difficult but the community at the Ranch became my second family and supported me while my family was so far away.
" 'They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were being done through the apostles.' (Acts 2:42-43)".
In October of 2017 I moved to Newberg, a suburb outside of Portland, to help Mark 2 set up the Friendship House. The Friendship House is a place where ‘friends’ are able to live along side college kids and become part of the community. When I first got here I was extremely nervous, I had a great support system at the Ranch and I wasn’t sure what it would be like to live in such a big city. After the first few months my depression and anxiety started to build. In March I got my own apartment, I had never really had a place I could call my own and I thought it would be a new beginning. I told myself to give it a year, that things would get better but the truth is, it never did. Depression and anxiety have consumed my life and God is making it very clear that it is time for me to move back home where I will be closer to family. I have a hard time doing daily tasks because of my disability and I have been struggling financially due to my limited income. I am still growing with God but I have come to realize that that living on my own, far away from family, is very hard.
I have been hearing this new song on the radio, Well Done by the Afters. It really resonates to me because I feel I have run the race, I have done what I set out to do, and now it is time to go to the place where I belong…home.
"Well Done, Well Done, My good and faithful one. Welcome to the place where you belong. Well Done, Well Done! My beloved Child, you have run the race and now you're home. Welcome to the place you belong."
At the end of November I will be making the 1800-mile trek across the country to move back home. I have been longing to be closer to family, especially my nieces and nephews, and am very excited for the next chapter of my life. Over the past 12 years I have accumulated a lot more than just a suitcase and my hope is to be able to take it all with me.
Knowing how expensive this move will be, I am humbling asking if you could join in helping with my moving expenses. God has truly blessed me in Oregon and I believe He will continue to do so.
" 'I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3:14)"
Organizer and beneficiary
Brianne Alley
Organizer
Newberg, OR
Brooke Maddox
Beneficiary