Timbers Issue: 03 2022 - Big Oak Ranch

TIMBERS MAGAZINE

Great success for any individual or organization comes with a combination of motivation and discipline. Discipline, as an organizational root value at Big Oak, is vital to moving the needle forward, to increasing awareness of our mission and effectiveness of our daily work. Discipline is no less vital in our walk with Christ, in our marriages, in parenting our children.

I remember rivalry games where the emotions are heightened, the environment is tense, the racing thoughts and electricity on the field. It was in one of those rivalry games, a coach said to me, “Weather the storm, emotion won’t last for more than a quarter. The most prepared team will prevail.” You see, motivation gets us to a point where discipline must pick up. And, discipline is so important because one doesn’t rise to the level of their goals, but falls to the level of their habits.

There is something about discipline that is freeing. It creates structure, balance and healthy order. That is why it’s a vital practice in our faith, families and work if we want them to thrive.

But the enemy will do his most cunning work when we are least expecting it, and we must keep a close check on allowing discipline to trickle into control. We can’t allow discipline to equal control because control is what one has to exert because they are tethered to a current comfort with no destination in mind. This is why control-minded leaders are bound to their mission, lost in their direction and crippled by their decisions. In contrast, discipline is what one gets to do with a dedicated focus on a future they want to see. This is why disciplined leaders are sold out to their mission, confident in their direction and convicted of their decisions, while open to embracing the stretch into new approaches should God direct.

Often the enemy manipulates great strengths, such as discipline, so they become great weaknesses, such as control. In doing so, that control thwarts our trust in the promises of God, causing us to question His timing and plan. It stifles strong bonds within our marriages and creates resentment within the parent/child relationship. It heightens anxiety, leaving no room for joy. It hinders our growth and chokes out strong roots.

At Big Oak, we have chosen to make discipline the dedication to work with what we have until God provides what we cannot. As you see through each Timbers, we continue to position for increased strength and growth, with defined vision. Where God calls us to more, we will go. Where He calls us to slow down, we will. We will refrain from emphasizing structure to the point it removes the opportunity for a miracle. Just as we will refrain from sitting back, waiting and dreaming but not doing.

We will operate in disciplined dependence on God’s direction, knowing He is the God of the harvest and He will control when that harvest comes. We encourage you to adopt this same commitment in your own relationship with Christ, in your families and as you serve those around you.

Keep Planting,

Faith Mostella Morgan, a Former Resident, still overflows with gratitude for all of the academic opportunities she received while at Big Oak Ranch.

“Big Oak provided me countless opportunities through Westbrook Christian School – opportunities that enabled me to dive into my academics and achieve more than I ever expected to find within a school. I was offered the foundation of a Christian education and was connected to a community of teachers, tutors, administrators, classmates and more – all who helped equip me so that I could come out of high school fully prepared for continued education and motivated to pursue what God put me on earth to do.

The chance I received through academics while at Big Oak propelled me to Auburn University where I received my undergraduate degree and then went on to receive my Master’s in Social Work.

I spent the first part of my career as a child protective investigator. And today, I provide therapy services to adolescents, adults and couples who are struggling with mental health disorders and marital issues. I get to offer the same Hope I once received as a child.”

06. Family Beach Trip

Our Big Oak Family Beach Trip to Panama City was full of laughter and fun, as well as family bonding and time together. We are so thankful for Al Worthington, the staff and everyone at The Cottages Christian Retreat, who blessed us with a wonderful place to stay. Thanks also to the Haas Family who fed ALL of us dinner one evening. The Men’s Ministry at First Baptist Church Panama City also provided a BBQ dinner – what a wonderful treat! Thanks SO much to everyone who made this trip possible and helped create life-long memories and relationships for our children and staff! We appreciate you.

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Thirty years ago, I arrived at Big Oak Boys’ Ranch. I remember my very first week in the Osborne’s home, playing with baseball cards in my room. Another 8-year-old boy walked into the room and began to ask me questions – who are you, what do you like to do, why did you come to Big Oak Ranch? I answered by telling him that my dad was a famous baseball player, and that is why he couldn’t take care of me. He returned with, “Oh yeah? What team does he play for?” I frantically scrambled through my baseball cards and landed on one in particular, exclaiming,“Here he is!” Weeks later, I discovered that the boy I was talking to was Brodie Croyle.

There are millions of reasons for why we all come to Big Oak Ranch. In truth, I came to Big Oak because I was abandoned. At five or six years old, I sat at the top of the stairs and watched my father and mother fight over my siblings and me, as if it were the NFL draft. After their divorce, it didn’t take long before my father flipped through a phonebook and dialed random numbers, searching for anyone to care for his children. Bouncing from one place to another became the norm, and I felt unwanted. By age eight, I was so angry with God and consumed by questions of, “Why would God allow this to happen to me? Why do I feel unwanted?” Soon after, I was dropped off for the very last time – at a place called Big Oak Ranch.

My first set of houseparents were the Osbornes, as they became the first people who invested in building the foundation of the man I am today. After days, weeks and months of their love and discipline, I learned many moral and character values that I still hold today – values of humility, integrity, accountability and loyalty. As the Osbornes transitioned to serve at Westbrook and at the Girls’ Ranch, I received Mom and Pop Gilbert as my houseparents, and through them I experienced a compassion, love and devotedness that changed my life. They continue to be solid pillars in my family today, supporting every aspect of our life through still being present with us. They have taught and influenced me to be a better man, to do the right thing and to follow the right path. The difficult questions I had as a young child began to be answered with, “I love you. I’m preparing you. You are wanted.”

My houseparents sacrificed so much for us, specifically through their unconditional love, and their sacrifice – it marked me. It guides me as I serve our country.

After graduating high school, I felt that serving in the Military was my path. After talking with several recruiters, I was convinced that the Air Force was for me, especially after finding out that I could be the one to load fighter jets, ensuring they are up correctly and safely. At 20 years old, I joined the Air Force and I have continued to serve for the past 18 years. Being a weapons loader involves working on a flight line and loading munitions onto military aircraft. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to be a part of a team and a strong work ethic, all attributes which Big Oak instilled in me from a very young age.

I began my training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, and was later stationed in Italy for a while. Soon after, I learned I was being deployed to Iraq and panic ensued, followed by every emotion in the book from anxiety to zealousness. However, I can now wrap up my first Iraq deployment in two words, life-changing. Since then, I have been on seven more deployments, though, I still remember the first – the intensity of the heat, sweat and sand covering everything, the road stretching out to meet the horizon. I still see the faces of the Airmen from my unit when I close my eyes, I still feel the excitement and accomplishment when an aircraft returned to base safely and with a mission accomplished. Being able to serve a greater purpose is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.

In October 2019, I faced another difficult trial as I received a daunting diagnosis of Lymphoma, just as my wife, Courtney, was undergoing strenuous tests surrounding her own battle with cancer. Months of chemo ensued and there were some very difficult and frightening days. But, just like I learned at Big Oak, we persevered and fought for joy. Thankfully, my wife and I are both in remission. And, just like the days of my childhood at Big Oak, we felt the continued love and support of our Ranch family throughout our journey.

I will forever be grateful for the values I learned at Big Oak Ranch, and for the gift of family that a lost child had always longed for.

P21 is a nurturing ministry, restoring gentleness and trust in the places where fear was once instilled. Drew and Sissy Jackson, Big Oak Cattle Directors, get a front row seat to the transformations that take place. And, Sissy shares this story of how God used the majestic qualities of a horse to reveal His majesty, His loving presence in one girl’s life.

She began the 8-week initiative engulfed in fear anytime she got near the horses. She decided the very first week we began that she was firm in her decision not to do the Rodeo. However, during the first week she also learned how the fear of the Lord is a reverence towards the Lord. Together, she and others observed how the greatness, the might and the power of a horse symbolizes the greatness, the might and power of God. Further, how the healthy fear of horses translates to a healthy fear, a respect, of the Lord. Throughout the next few weeks, she wrestled between crippling fear and growing confidence. However, on the night of the Rodeo, she went from being crippled by fear to being a conqueror of fear. In her own words she explained, “The scariest parts were my favorite parts. The things I didn’t want to do and what seemed the scariest to do, were the most fun.” She learned that often God asks us to do things that we are scared of, things that we just don’t want to do. However, when we do what He has asked of us, we trust Him within new depths and receive His healing comfort like never before.

ASCEND

Continuing our promises.

“ASCEND has meant the world to me. It has helped me achieve my childhood dream of attending the University of Alabama and pursuing a degree in Sports Broadcasting. My time living on the Ranch changed the trajectory of my life. It prepared me for the life I want and need. ASCEND continued to prepare me as I learned to apply what Big Oak Ranch taught me. ASCEND has helped me reach milestones toward my goals, taught me skills such as time management, healthy relationships and how to live independently and responsibly. Most importantly, I have learned how to remain fixed in my faith and remember who I am in Christ no matter the circumstances of life.” – Adrian

Resource Parenting

Resource Parenting, a life-changing volunteer role.

Each month, our houseparents get one weekend away to rest and restore so they can best serve our children.

Volunteer Resource Parents are vital ministry partners — supporting our houseparents and offering our children extended family. One weekend each month (Friday – Sunday), each child has the opportunity to join their Resource Family – to simply be a part of their lives.

The relationships built and enjoyed through this valuable part of our mission are life-changing for our children and our resource families.

“We had been praying about what we could do, how we could be a part of the Big Oak ministry. Little did we know, God had been working on both of us individually, specifically speaking to us about Resource Parenting. Our prayers became, ‘Lord, show us who.’ He had a specific child in mind and it was cool that it ended up being a boy the same age as our son. We know it was ordained by the Lord that he would be a part of our family.”

– Greg & Tassy Townsel, Resource Parents

If you would like more information about becoming a Resource Family, please call Robin O’Leary at 205-467-6226, ext 1226, or roleary@bigoak.org.

End of Year Gift Dates

To receive a receipt dated in 2022, your gift must be in the mail and post-marked (US Post Office Postmark) by December 31, 2022.

If you wish to make an honorarium or memorial gift for Christmas and would like for the acknowledgement letter to arrive prior to Christmas Day, the donation and list of individuals you are paying tribute to must be received by our Business Office no later than December 9, 2022.

If you are sending an endowment contribution for 2022, please make your gift by December 9, 2022.

If you are planning a gift of marketable securities, please email Lauren Williams in our Business Office at LWilliams@bigoak.org for transfer instructions, and provide your name, address, quantity and description of securities you are contributing. Please make your gifts of securities by December 19, 2022.

If you are planning a non-cash gift, please phone our business office for IRS Rules. All non-cash gifts must be in our possession by December 19, 2022.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Many companies support their employees’ charitable giving by matching their donations. And yet, a recent story on CBS News says that as much as $7 billion goes unused each year.

If you give to Big Oak Ranch, check to see if your employer has a matching gift program by contacting your HR department. HR can usually inform you on whether or not your employer has a matching gift program and what steps will need to be taken to apply for the matching gift. In most instances, this is filling out an online request.

The request might require Big Oak Ranch’s tax ID number which is 23-7413017. Once you have completed the form, your submittal will be sent to Big Oak Ranch to verify that the gift was received. Once verified by Big Oak, your employer will process their matching donation.

Please join us by checking on corporate matching gift opportunities with your employer as your gifts could have double or triple the impact as we work together to relieve the suffering of abused, neglected and abandoned children.

If you have any questions, please contact Robert Duke at robert.duke@bigoak.org.

TIMBERS MAGAZINE

Issue: 03 2022

01. A Note from Brodie

02. Birthdays

03. Growing Oak

Francisco, 17

POLITE
FUN-LOVING
GRATEFUL

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Items Needed for the Boys' Ranch

04. Growing Oak

Haley, 18

LOVING
HARD WORKING
INDEPENDENT

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.”

Items Needed for the Girls' Ranch

05. Back to School

06. Family Beach Trip

07. A Life Changed

“I will forever be grateful for the values I learned at Big Oak Ranch.”

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

08. P21 Rodeo

09. Spotlights

Spiritual, professional and personal life preparation for the young adults of Big Oak Ranch.

A network of Christian homes for children needing a chance.

10. Note From the Business Office

11. Ways to Help

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

“For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.”

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TIMBERS MAGAZINE

Issue: 03 2022

01. A Note from Brodie

02. Birthdays

03. Growing Oak

Francisco, 17

POLITEFUN-LOVINGGRATEFUL

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Items Needed for the Boys' Ranch

04. Growing Oak

Haley, 18

LOVINGHARD WORKINGINDEPENDENT

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.”

Items Needed for the Girls' Ranch

05. Back to School

06. Family Beach Trip

07. A Life Changed

“I will forever be grateful for the values I learned at Big Oak Ranch.”

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

08. P21 Rodeo

09. Spotlights

Spiritual, professional and personal life preparation for the young adults of Big Oak Ranch.

A network of Christian homes for children needing a chance.

10. Note From the Business Office

11. Ways to Help

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

“For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.”

POLITE
FUN-LOVING
GRATEFUL

LOVING
HARD WORKING
INDEPENDENT