![A Life Changed: Jessie Patterson Anthony](https://www.bigoak.org/hubfs/Jessie%20Patterson%20Anthony%2c%20family%20picture%201.jpeg)
I remember one time when I was a little girl, I was at a friend’s house and we were out on a lake in a canoe. She told me if you make a wish and let a feather go floating across the water, it will come true. Now, I don’t believe in wishes coming true- but I like to think that day I was sending up a prayer. I’ve never told anyone this story, but that day I wished for a dad.
![Jessie Patterson, Placement Picture, February, 2006](https://www.bigoak.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Jessie%20Patterson%2c%20Placement%20Picture%2c%20February%2c%202006.jpg?width=160&height=224&name=Jessie%20Patterson%2c%20Placement%20Picture%2c%20February%2c%202006.jpg)
I longed for a dad but I did not realize until I came to the Ranch that I longed for much more. I did not just need a dad but a mom too. I needed a support system. I needed someone to hold me when I cried. I needed someone to cook me a meal everyday. I needed structure. I needed someone to pray over me. I needed a chance to simply be a kid.
![Your paragraph text (1)](https://www.bigoak.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Your%20paragraph%20text%20(1).jpeg?width=420&height=280&name=Your%20paragraph%20text%20(1).jpeg)
The Ranch gave me those things and so much more - it gave me my parents. My parents were always there for me and still are to this day. On the good days and the bad days, no matter what. The Ranch gave me a huge family — a super loud and sometimes annoying family, but I love every single one of them. As a result of the Ranch, I graduated from high school. I purchased my first car on my own. I made lifelong friendships. I was encouraged to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I was taught how to be a hard worker. I learned how to be humble. I learned how to be thankful always. I was taught how to be honest. I was taught how to be a loving parent, always putting my kids before myself and expressing love as a verb not just a noun. Growing up at the Ranch gave me a chance to rewrite my story.
![003, Jessie Patterson Anthony, Family 2023](https://www.bigoak.org/hs-fs/hubfs/003%2c%20Jessie%20Patterson%20Anthony%2c%20Family%202023.jpeg?width=251&height=407&name=003%2c%20Jessie%20Patterson%20Anthony%2c%20Family%202023.jpeg)
Because of the Ranch, my life was changed. I pray that Max and I take the things I learned from living at the Ranch and apply them to our everyday lives while we raise our kids. Without you and what you do for the Ranch, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Thank you for all that you do!
God Bless,
Jessie Anthony
Jessie Anthony
![Jessie Patterson Anthony, Max Anthony, Family Picture, Fall 2023](https://www.bigoak.org/hubfs/Jessie%20Patterson%20Anthony%2c%20Max%20Anthony%2c%20Family%20Picture%2c%20Fall%202023.jpeg)
![Jessie Anthonys Children, Harper, Lilah, Oliver, Charleigh](https://www.bigoak.org/hubfs/Jessie%20Anthonys%20Children%2c%20Harper%2c%20Lilah%2c%20Oliver%2c%20Charleigh.jpg)
![Harper, Oliver, Lilah, Jessie, Max, Charleigh Anthony](https://www.bigoak.org/hubfs/Harper%2c%20Oliver%2c%20Lilah%2c%20Jessie%2c%20Max%2c%20Charleigh%20Anthony.jpeg)
![Jessie Patterson Anthony and Family, 2021](https://www.bigoak.org/hubfs/Jessie%20Patterson%20Anthony%20and%20Family%2c%202021.jpeg)
![Jessie Anthony, Harper, Lilah, Joy Painting](https://www.bigoak.org/hubfs/Jessie%20Anthony%2c%20Harper%2c%20Lilah%2c%20Joy%20Painting.jpg)
![](https://www.bigoak.org/hubfs/Tony%20and%20Rhona%20Osborne%2c%20Jessie%20Anthonys%20Children.jpg)
Jessie and Max's children with grandparents, Tony and Rhona Osborne (their Babu and LeighLeigh)