Week 10 - Cornerstone Ranch
This week we finished our work in Austin. A highlight for me was spending time with my brother Topher, his girlfriend Cara, and my aunt Auntie Andie. I am continually grateful for the opportunity to spend time with family along our journey. On Monday, we worked with Texas Reach Out Ministries (same organization we worked with the previous Friday) helping at their halfway houses. While working with William and Rosa (a married couple who works for Texas Reach Out) I learned they do everything together. They are constantly driving to different places while working for Texas Reach Out Ministries, and it is always TOGETHER. It didn’t hit me that Rosa and William actually went everywhere together until we were talking to Raymond. Raymond has lived in the halfway house for the past two years. When he was released from jail, Rosa and William picked him up from the bus station…at 3 a.m! Whatever time of day or night, they go together. This small detail struck me because it tells a great story about how committed they both are to this organization and to each other. Also, Rosa makes sure to always put the hazards on when William is backing out and reminds him to wear his seatbelt - they are a perfect combo.
On Tuesday we continued on to Dallas to work with Cornerstone Ranch, an organization which encourages adults with special needs to live an abundant life. Doug Schulte, the House Manager, is a family friend of mine. Doug and my parents became friends when Doug was a student at Friendswood High School, where my dad was on Young Life staff working with high schoolers. He also spent a summer with our family when we lived in Germany, so he and my 3-year-old self became great friends. I enjoyed reconnecting with Doug this week and loved working alongside him with this organization he has dedicated his time to.
Doug and Laura have been friends for over 20 years
Cornerstone has a residential program and a day program. The residential program consists of 6 ranchers (adults with special needs who are a part of the program), Doug’s family, and the Causey family who all live on the ranch. The day program includes over 40 adults with special needs (including the residential ranchers) who come to the ranch Monday through Thursday for work and service opportunities. We were excited to help with both the residential program and the day program, as well as work on different projects for Cornerstone on the beautiful property. Learn more about Cornerstone on their website and amazing stories on their youtube page.
During our second night at Cornerstone, we had the chance to join a birthday party with the residential ranchers, which was filled with incredible memories and the best people. The night started with everybody loading up in the van to head to the restaurant. David (residential rancher) did not get into the van until he confirmed that his 5 roommates were all out of the house, which took some time. Amanda (residential rancher) let everybody know the queso at this restaurant is the BEST. Jake asked me to order him his favorite meal of all time - the quesadilla. We visited Tripp’s (the Causey’s 8-year-old son) Christmas pageant at the Lutheran Church, showing up for the last 15 minutes but making sure everyone in the audience knew we were there by our beautiful and loud singing voices. We were celebrating Laura’s 41st birthday 16 days before her actual birthday, and every year she requests bowling pins and M&Ms on her birthday cake. Courtney Causey (Residential Program Staff) made sure Laura had bowling pins and M&Ms on her cake (as she does every year) while also ensuring Laney (her 2-year-old daughter) did not eat too much dessert. Lauren (residential rancher) was very healthy and generous, individually offering her own gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and all-natural dessert option to everybody in the room (she did not offer to Laney because she said Laney already had dessert and a 2-year-old shouldn’t have too much dessert). Larry Causey’s (Residential Program Staff) birthday was actually that day, and he spent it celebrating Laura’s birthday, focusing on Laura so she felt celebrated and loved. Sarah (Residential Rancher) did not forget about Larry on his birthday and gave him a coupon for them to go get Starbuck’s whenever he wants!
Sharing our beautiful voices
I briefly visited Cornerstone over 10 years ago and the one Rancher I remember is David. David is the man. He loves sports and loves whatever team the people around him support. When we were there, he was cheering for Clemson (Cain, Davis, and I’s Alma mater). He was so excited to show us the picture he has with Dabo Swinney, the Clemson football coach, as well as telling us about all the other coaches he has met and school stadiums he has visited. That is what is special about David - he will genuinely join along in what other people are excited for - which makes you feel so loved. He will also bring people into what he loves. For instance, David takes the trash out every day at the house and he is excited for it every day. I had the chance to help him take the trash out and it was more fun than any other trash run I had done. One night we watched Royal Rumble, which I know nothing about, and still don’t. But sitting next to David as he recited every wrestlers’ name and cheered for them didn’t necessarily make me realize how much I loved Royal Rumble, but more so, the effect one person’s presence can have on others.
People who have special needs have so much life to offer others. I have tried to understand why I feel more like myself when I am with them, and I am growing to learn why. People with special needs are genuinely themselves, not worried about what others think. Their presence and the example they set is contagious to everyone around them. For example, when Dallas (day program rancher who dresses as a cowboy each day) feels comfortable to dance next to me while we are eating lunch, I feel comfortable to dance after I take a big bite of my lunch. Or when David gets excited to watch Royal Rumble or take the trash out, I feel comfortable to share with him what I am excited about and not be worried about what he will think. This is how life should be lived – genuinely being ourselves and unashamed of who we are.
This time in Texas is bittersweet as my grandma from Dallas (Omi) passed away 2 weeks ago, at the age of 95. Spending time with my brother and Auntie Andie (Omi’s daughter) came at an important time as we were able to celebrate her life and reminisce on the great memories with Omi. While passing through Dallas, I had the opportunity to stop through and see Omi’s husband of 70 years, my beloved, 102-year-old grandpa, Opa. Omi and Opa have been constant in my life, and I already miss Omi’s presence dearly. Omi lived a remarkable life. I am grateful to have her and Opa as role models.
Visiting Omi and Opa in 2018
The bus is continuing onto Lubbock, TX where we will stop for a few days before we make our way to Colorado for - hopefully - a white Christmas.
