Elijah's Retreat

How Was Your Stay?

2009-08-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

Now that we've been open for several months, and many families have come to visit the retreat and stay in our cozy little cabin, we thought this would be a good time to open it up and hear from some of you.

So if you have spent some time here at Elijah's Retreat, please take a moment to share a little about your experience. We'd love to hear from you and I know it will be helpful to others who may be contemplating a trip here.

Thank you and God bless you!

Beautiful Poem Written for Us by One of our Guests

2009-07-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Generosity from Afar

I remember hearing this single mother of five say,

“This summer I want to do something with my little ones, take a trip and go away.”

But after paying the bills and paying on other somewhat outstanding debt

It seemed impossible and caused her to doubt as she silently wept.

Not giving up on the thought completely as distant as it seemed,

To do something anyway would put everything to the extreme.

The time, the effort, the money, gas, room & board with this so say recession,

put everything at an unreachable cost,

And once again it would all appear to be, the going away, a total lost.

Then I remember her calling and saying, out of nowhere her phone rang with news that eased her feeling of despair.

News of real generosity from afar that with an inquiry online, a phone call would answer her prayer.

To a husband and wife with property and hope to share,

The child, the little one that to others seemed different and strange,

Had a special connection with the hearts of others whom she never met or even knew by name.

Their story was amazing or rather is amazing how they’ve chosen to reach out to others,

But what’s truly amazing is how much it really means to struggling fathers and mothers.

I’m not sure if the children will ever know how much it really means.

To them it’s just a get away, a time to play at a place they’ve never seen.

I can’t speak for everyone but I know for sure

That for this single mother, it was truly a blessing to be able to come here.

Working hard from day to day

Just trying to provide food for the little ones and a place to stay

Waking up early and staying up late nights,

Making sure that clothes are clean, homework’s done, and all the children are tucked in tight.

And Taylor with her special needs sometimes wakes and walks

Sometimes wouldn’t even be heard if she didn’t also talk.

It is much more than just a get away

It is proof that God does hear us when we pray

What you all are doing is just another showing of God’s love

As He has blessed you all from above.

I know that there can never be words in my heart to truly express

What you’ve given to this mother, whose faith is constantly being put through the test.

One day in her shoes would give most people the blues but I’ve seen her time after time go and go and go.

So what you have given to her, especially Taylor, you will never fully know.

But I can tell you that it’s not just to get away, a summer trip taken via car,

But rather the largest showing of generosity from afar.

God bless you in all you’re doings and whatever your heart’s desire,

For your story, caring and generosity is truly inspiring.

And I know that your wish is to have 6 cabins on this property,

But there are much, much bigger plans in your future I see.

And you can rest assure that these three little ones, especially Taylor, will someday

Know what they really experienced, far beyond a “trip away”.

Hopefully to inspire them to do the same for someone else in your name someday

God bless you both from a friend of a friend

Whose life you have just sincerely added great joy and hope to.

Sherilyn V. Crow

July 18, 2009

Praise God! He's done it again!

2009-05-12T04:54:00.001-07:00

Isn't God's timing amazing? He's always just in time! Right when we've decided it's not going to happen, He comes through and wows us. Whoever said the Christian life was not exciting???

We are praising God for the granting of 501(c)(3) non-profit status from the IRS yesterday. Many of you know the struggle we've gone through over these many months trying to attain 501(c)(3) status (which means we are tax exempt & donations are tax deductible). After a very disturbing phone call from the IRS a few weeks ago, it seemed doubtful that they would grant us 501(c)(3) status. But once again Mercy Ships stepped in, got their attorneys involved, and the issue was resolved in fairly short time. Thank you, Mercy Ships! We love you guys!

So, with our first family arriving at the retreat this Friday, God's timing could not be more perfect. The first family cabin is completed and ready for guests. Now we can look forward to building the other 5 cabins and the recreation center. We have a feeling that God's plans for Elijah's Retreat are much bigger than ours! It's all yours, Jesus - your will be done!

So now all donations are tax deductible and 100% go to building Elijah's Retreat. There are no paid staff or board members. But there are many who have donated their time, energy and resources to help build the cabin, put up fences, clear trails, etc.. Thank you so very much. God bless you.

Open for Reservations!!!

2009-03-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

Praise God! We are now ready to take reservations for the retreat, so if you have a child with autism, let us know when you'd like to come, beginning the first week of June and we'll get you on the calendar.

We only have one cabin completed at this point, so reservations will be on a first come, first serve basis for our one beautiful little two-bedroom cabin. We are requesting a donation of $30.00 per night for a stay in the cabin. It has a full kitchen, including refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, coffee-maker, and a full size washer and dryer. There's an adorable living room and dining area, and a front porch complete with a relaxing porch swing and even a ceiling fan to make sitting out there more enjoyable.

The playground includes a swingset, slide, fort, rock climbing wall, a large sandbox and a hammock. We're still adding to the playground, and have many great ideas to make it really fun, but it all takes money, so we're in a holding pattern at the moment.

The opening of this cabin is just the first step in the vision for Elijah's Retreat. Please continue to lift us up in your prayers as we move on to phase 2. We have great dreams for Elijah's Retreat. Seeing God bring this portion to reality only gives us greater faith that He will provide for the rest.

To make a reservation, please email us at info@elijahsretreat.com or call us at 903-589-0145.

God bless you! Thank you for your support of this ministry!

Praise God for His Provisions!

2009-03-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

We are praising God for his abundant blessing over Elijah's Retreat. In the past couple of weeks He has directly answered our prayers by providing the funds we needed to finish up the first cabin and complete the fences around the fishing pond and playground. He has also provided the manpower to complete the tasks.

Our beloved team of dear friends from the Denton area will be returning this month for the fourth time this year to spend a weekend working at the retreat. These folks were here when the first wall was raised on the cabin last spring, and they have committed to see us through until we are prepared for our first family. These wonderful, godly friends have not only supported us with their time and labor, but with consistent prayer and encouragement, and with their gifts and offerings. They have collected furniture, appliances, bedding and toys, as well as donations of funds for Elijah's Retreat. Amazing, amazing people who have become like family to us. We love them dearly.

Other good friends from Jacksonville have been determined to see this project through, as well, and have supported us financially and with their labor. We thank them for their love, support and great encouragement over the past year. We could not have done this without them. What a blessing they have been!

With these new provisions, it looks as though we will be able to open for guests by late April or early May. We will be announcing our grand opening/open house celebration in the near future. We hope you will be able to join us for a day of entertainment, great barbeque and joyous celebration and praise for all God has done to take Elijah's Retreat from dream to reality.

Generation Rescue

2009-01-28T08:11:00.000-08:00

Generation Rescue is a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids with autism improve and even recover. In their own words "Empowering Parents with the Truth to Help Our Children Heal". If you've never been to their website, take the time to peruse it. It is a world of information on autism and bio-medical treatments for autism. The following is taken from their brochure.

"Generation Rescue is a parent-founded, parent-funded, and parent-led organization focused on biomedical treatment for autism. Since our founding in 2005, our volunteer families, more than 400 strong, have helped over 15,000 children begin biomedical treatment.

Our children are experiencing epidemics of ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s, PDD-NOS, and Autism. We believe these neurological disorders (“NDs”) are environmental illnesses caused by an overload of heavy metals, live viruses, and bacteria. Proper treatment of our children, known as “biomedical intervention,” is leading to recovery for thousands. The cause of this epidemic of NDs is extremely controversial. We believe the primary causes include the tripling of vaccines given to children in the last 15 years (mercury, aluminum and live viruses); maternal toxic load and prenatal vaccines; heavy metals like mercury in our air, water, and food; and the overuse of antibiotics.

Because of the inherent conflict mainstream health authorities have in confronting autism, parents are left to fend for themselves, prompting the need for organizations like Generation Rescue to be created. Despite hundreds of parental reports of recovery and thousands of parental reports of improvement, biomedical intervention is not receiving the attention of mainstream health authorities. Today, we think all resources should be devoted to finding the best possible biomedical treatments to help as many children as possible recover."

Autism is a huge epidemic in this nation. There has to be an environmental reason for it. One out of every 150 kids is now being diagnosed with Autism. That is too big a number to be attributed to genetics, as our government would like us to believe. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest government cover ups in history. The fact that the CDC will not take ANY steps to change their immunization schedule for our babies, in light of this epidemic, still infuriates me. In third world countries where there are no, or very little immunizations of children, there is NO autism to be found. Coincidence?

My grandson is paying for our nation's negligence. How many more of our children will have to pay? Please support organizations such as Generation Rescue. We need them. Thank you, Generation Rescue for all your good work in educating us and in being bold enough to take on the media in this country.

Elijah's Retreat Set to Open Spring 2009

2008-11-14T17:46:00.000-08:00

Elijah’s Retreat will at last open its doors for guests this Spring! We will be giving the first cabin its final touches over the winter, as well as completing the playground and additional fencing around the property. Spring is all about new life and new beginnings. We can’t imagine a more perfect time for our grand opening.

Researching autism on the internet this morning I came across a staggering statistic. The divorce rate for couples who have a child with autism is now over 80%! Life is hard for these families – every day – and marriages are falling apart in the midst of the stress, fatigue and turmoil.

That is why we are so passionate about what we are doing here at Elijah’s Retreat. These families desperately need support. We want Elijah’s Retreat to be a sanctuary, a refuge for these precious folks for many years to come.

(Elijah’s Retreat is a non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.)

A Beautiful Story of a Boy and His Dog

2008-09-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

My husband and I recently came across a story on youtube that touched our hearts. I want to share it with all of you. If you have a child with autism you will relate to these parents and share their joy as this sweet dog greatly enhances their son's life. The video is just under 5 minutes long, but well worth every minute. Enjoy A Friend Like Henry.

Dreaming Big

2008-08-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

Our God is a big God and He has given us big dreams for Elijah’s Retreat. What started out as a goal to build a few cabins that families could use to vacation with their special needs kids, has grown in both vision and scope. Let me give you just a peek at some of our hopes and dreams.

First of all, we will build six two-bedroom cabins, each nestled in the woods with plenty of privacy, peace and quiet. Each cabin will have a full kitchen and washer and dryer.

Second, we will build a great playground (we’ve only just begun), so the kids have a great outdoor place to play.

Third, we will build a large recreational building and fill it with sensory toys and equipment, so the kids have a great indoor place to play.

Fourth, we will build a small water park, so that on hot summer days the kids can enjoy playing in the water, without the fear and liability of having a swimming pool. Faulkner Park in Tyler has one that we will try to model after in some ways. It’s only 50 or 60 feet in diameter, but the kids just love it. We are really excited about this addition to our vision for Elijah’s Retreat!

We envision Saturday night chuck wagon dinners, eating marshmallows around a campfire, and occasional hay rides. Of course there will always be pony rides for the kids.

Are you starting to see it? It’s becoming clearer and clearer to us all the time. As this first cabin nears completion, we are filled with excitement in anticipation of finally having guests here at the ranch. We long to meet all of your wonderful families and watch your kids enjoy the great outdoors.

Yes, our God is a big God – a VERY big God. Praise you, Father, for your provision and for the big dreams you give us. You are faithful, Lord, and we trust you to see this vision through to completion.

The Generosity of Strangers

2008-08-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

Nothing about Elijah’s Retreat has amazed or encouraged us more than the generosity of strangers. We never dreamed that so many people would extend a hand of help to people they don’t know and a place they’ve never seen.

Since we published the “Needs and Praise” page on our website, we have been inundated with supplies and furnishings for the cabins we are building. Our barn now looks kind of like a thrift store. We have washers, dryers, a stove, a refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, beds, mattresses, a sleeper sofa, tables, chairs, shower curtains, bedspreads, bicycles, books, toys – all donated by generous people, most of whom we’ve never met.

Besides the furnishings for the cabins, there have been wonderful donations of hay (we’re talking months worth piled to the ceiling of our barn), horses, and our beautiful collie, Gentle. An awesome couple in Nacogdoches, Roger & Rhonda Mills (same ones who donated the hay), are now busy making a sign for Elijah’s Retreat that will reside at the entrance to the ranch.

There have also been extremely generous donations of building materials. One of our dear board members, Dwight Omenson, donated a lot of the electrical and plumbing materials. He also donated his time to doing the electrical and plumbing installation for the cabin.

A wonderful gentleman named Michael Ridgley donated a central air conditioning unit for the cabin. We had planned to put a window unit in the cabin as we couldn’t afford central air, but Michael heard about the need and donated a central unit. He was going to come back and install it once the electricity was hooked up, but he died of a massive heart attack a few weeks later. He was only 48 years old. We plan to name this first cabin the Ridgley Cabin in Michael’s memory.

Then there are all the laborers who have joined us in this quest to build Elijah’s Retreat. The wonderful folks from 911 Air Charter who sent a team in April and again in May to help us for a weekend. The folks from our church, Fellowship Bible Church, who have helped out on many occasions. The great folks from Mercy Ships who are helping us with the pile of documents required to be filed for 501(c)(3) status, and who have hooked us up with an awesome couple in Rusk, Jeff and Sandy Carroll, who are helping with lots and lots of things. They have gotten their church involved, too (First Baptist in Rusk), so whole teams of people are coming out to help now.

A year ago we didn’t know any of these people. They were strangers. Now we are all working together to complete the vision for Elijah’s Retreat. The generosity of strangers – a most amazing and heart warming phenomenon.

Unexpected Blessings

2008-07-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

When we pray, it’s easy to imagine how God will answer. Our imagined answers always come in ways that we can work it out to make it happen. But we are finding that God enjoys surprising and amazing us in how He will answer those prayers.

We have been surprised and amazed by God over and over again in this journey to build Elijah’s Retreat. It happened again over the weekend when a group of seven folks from a church in Rusk showed up at the ranch to help.

They are part of a larger ministry called the Chainsaw Ministry, and before you get the wrong idea, let me explain. They are a group of people who go out with their chainsaws to where there is need and offer their help. For instance, they spent a lot of time after Katrina and subsequent hurricanes helping to clear away fallen trees from people’s homes. They are a wonderful group of people, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work, with a lot of sweat and sometimes blood involved.

So they came out and cut down a huge dead pine tree in our pasture right next to the playground where the kids will all be playing. The tree was hit by lightening a few months ago and the whole top third of it had already fallen off and broken the fence. So they took it down and chopped it up so Jeff and I could haul it away.

Next they headed down to our Beaver Pond where the beavers in the past two months have cut down three big trees which fell very purposely across our dock. The beavers had also cut down a tree that blocked the trail that the 911 Air Charter group just cleared for us over Memorial Day weekend. Do you think the beavers are trying to tell us something, like maybe, “stay away from our pond!”? Whatever the case may be, the kind folks from Rusk pulled the trees off the dock and the trail and cut them up for us. They did all of that in only two hours time! It was unbelievable how quickly they worked!

So, once again God sent a group of strangers to help us here at Elijah’s Retreat. They are no longer strangers, but dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and dearly loved. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for moving in strange, unexpected, surprising, and always wonderful ways! It is so exciting to walk with YOU through this journey!

A Grandma's Prayer

2008-07-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Our grandson, Elijah, loves to come to our house, or as he still calls it (a year later) “Nana’s new house”. He loves it here at Divine Acres Ranch. He visits us for a weekend every month to give his sweet momma a little break.

Elijah is not nearly as interested in the horses as we expected him to be. He likes them. He knows all the horses by name and says hello and goodbye to them. He likes Soldier (our big Arabian horse) the best, and likes to rub his sides, but he doesn’t care a bit about riding him, and that’s quite okay. There are plenty of other things to do at the ranch.

He loves to run like the wind through the pastures or down the little road between our house and the barn. He gets a kick out of riding his bike through the barn, out the back door and down the little slope. He likes playing in the sand anywhere that he finds it. He loves to run with our little poodles. He enjoys the new playground that we built here at the ranch – sliding, swinging, climbing the rock wall, playing in the sandbox, or just relaxing in the hammock. When it’s hot we blow up the wading pool for him and he runs and jumps into it over and over and over again. Two of his favorite things are throwing rocks into the creek and climbing trees.

In so many ways, Elijah is a typical eight year old little boy. He likes to run, climb, play with dogs, and ride his bike just like every other eight year old little boy. The majority of the time he is here over the weekends, he is pure joy to be around. He is funny, charming, handsome, sweet, extremely lovable, and he minds very well.

Then there is the other 10% - 15% of the time when he is a bit of a challenge. Those are the times when his sensory issues get the best of him, or he gets frustrated with himself because he can’t understand something or he messes up a page that he’s coloring or he wakes up in the middle of the night screaming and banging his head against the wall. Those are the times my heart aches for him. I want so badly to help him, but often there’s nothing to do but back off and let him vent. It is painful to watch him. It is frustrating to feel such helplessness as a grandparent who loves him so very much.

These are the times I pray and give him again into the Lord’s hands. Only the Lord can help him when he retreats into his own world so full of anger, pain, and frustration. I ask the Lord to fill him with peace, to calm him, to love on him, to hold him when he doesn’t want anyone to touch him, to comfort him, and to heal him. I pray for wisdom and discernment as to what to say or do at that particular moment. I pray for patience and understanding and a peace within myself, so that I don’t lose it or fall apart myself.

Ever since Elijah was born, before we ever knew he had autism, I have prayed that the Lord would one day use him to bring many to Christ – that he would be an awesome man of God with a powerful testimony of God’s love and grace. I still pray that, and I believe with all my heart that the Lord will answer that prayer – the quiet prayer of a loving grandma.

Perseverance, Patience, Trust

2008-07-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

Perseverance, Patience, and total Trust in the Lord - these are the qualities God is trying to hammer into us lately.

Elijah's Retreat, which was going at a fast and furious pace for a couple of months there, has slowed down to a trickle as Jeff and I continue to nail up paneling and finish out the interior of the cabin with the few building materials that remain. During this time, we have been on our knees seeking the Lord's help and guidance. What He has told us is this:

Keep going - you are right where I want you. Don't fear or lose heart. Persevere and do not worry. Trust me, seek me, cling to me and I will see you through.

Perseverance, Patience, and Trust in the Lord - good attributes all. God is in control. We wouldn't want it any other way.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

Mercy Ships to the Rescue

2008-06-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

Elijah's Retreat has been tremendously blessed so far in our short existence to have amazing groups come alongside of us to offer help. Mercy Ships, a wonderful ministry based in Lindale, Texas, just a few miles north of us, is one of those. Jeff and I were absolutely blown away when they first called and asked if they could come out and take a look at what we're doing here. When they arrived we felt immediately that the Lord was in it and that He was planning something big.

We really don't know exactly what the Lord has in mind for this partnership, but we do know that whatever it is, it's going to be good! We are excited about it, praying about it, and giving it all to the Lord daily.

If you are not familiar with the ministry of Mercy Ships, visit their website when you get a chance. Mercy Ships is a huge ministry. They have done incredible things throughout the world.

Thank you, Lord, for making our paths cross!

Cabin Update

2008-06-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

Knowing there are 28 families out there who are waiting to visit Elijah's Retreat, thought it would be good to give you an update of where we're at in completing the first cabin and being ready for our first guests.

The adorable two bedroom cabin is 85% complete, meaning that the exterior is done and the interior is getting there. We've almost finished putting up the paneling inside. Next we need to install the kitchen cabinets (which we've already sanded and painted). We still need to do flooring, trim, countertops, install the toilet, vanity and sink in the bathroom, and install the air conditioning ducts and hook up the air conditioner.

The electric wiring in the cabin has been run, but the outside wiring from the pole to the cabin has not yet been run. The electric company has to do that and it costs $1,600 (thus the delay). The septic system still needs to be installed as well, which will cost $2,500. We are only able to complete as much as we have money for, and we're kind of at a stand still at the moment until the Lord provides some more funds. My husband's business has slowed up a bit so the dollars are having to stretch farther right now.

We are in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status for Elijah's Retreat (a non-profit organization), but it's a long and tedious process. Until we get that it's very difficult to raise funds because we can't give people a tax write-off. So Jeff and I have funded everything ourselves so far. The plan is to do some fund raising once we get the 501(c)(3) so that we can continue to build cabins and make this retreat a really great place for your families to visit year after year.

We are not discouraged. We know that where God guides, He provides - and we believe that God sent us here to build this retreat. So, we know He will provide in His perfect time. We trust Him completely and are resting in His love.

Please keep Elijah's Retreat in your prayers. Thanks so much!

Kathie

P.S. - We'd love to hear from you!!!

Welcome!

2008-06-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Elijah's Retreat is a Christ-centered, non-profit organization (currently applying for 501(c)(3) status). We are located in the beautiful green hills of East Texas, just south of Jacksonville on Divine Acres Ranch.

We are building a family retreat for the use of families dealing with autism. The retreat (when completed) will have 6 individual cabins, a large recreational center, and a playground. Right now (June 2008) we have one cabin under construction (85% complete), and the playground 75% completed. As soon as the cabin is ready, we will open for business. There are already over 20 families on a waiting list to make reservations.

Each cabin will have two bedrooms, one bath, a combination living/dining area, a full kitchen, a laundry room with washer & dryer, and a front porch with porch swing - a cozy little home away from home. There are hiking trails, a stocked pond in which to fish, horses and bicycles to ride, hammocks to nap in, and 50 acres of peace and quiet. It's a chance to spend time on a working ranch, out in nature, and you may even spot a few deer roaming about while you're here. We are trying to keep the price of a stay very low - $25.00 per night to begin with. Hopefully we can raise enough support to keep it that way.

We have been blessed with some wonderful folks who have come alongside us to see this vision come to reality. 911 Air Charter sent a group of 15, not once but twice to help with the construction. They are a wonderful group, so giving and helpful. What a blessing! A local construction company, D.R. Ramirez Construction, here in Jacksonville, Texas also donated a lot of time to the project. Wonderful folks from our church have volunteered many hours of time to Elijah's Retreat. Leigh Attaway Wilcox in Frisco has donated many hours of her time to help us with marketing to large corporations. Folks throughout Texas have donated appliances, furniture, all types of things!

We can't thank you all enough for all that you have done for Elijah's Retreat. God bless you!

Kathie

Thank you for visiting our blog. I hope you will return often.