Wow- How time flies! We have been at Big Oak Ranch over eight months now. We really enjoyed the wonderful winter weather-- and hoped it would last a while longer-- when, all of a sudden, the robins are back, the dogwoods are blooming, and the grass is turning green again. The pollen is thick in the air and our allergies are driving us crazy. That's okay because Spring brings a certain "feel" of excitement, new beginnings, fresh air and growth.
While our family continues to experience changes, some of our boys have been with us long enough that they are starting to feel like this is truly their home. Patrick joined us last November. Nic and Steven came shortly afterward. Tim left the ranch in February and is hoping to enter the Job Corp. He is a very loving young man and we wish him much success as he seeks to learn a trade and enhance his life experience. In March, Jordan joined us-- just in time for Spring Break! Jordan is 13 and in the 7th grade. Our family now consists of Steven (14; 7th grade), Patrick (14; 7th grade), Jordan, Nic (13; 6th grade) and Alex (12; 6th grade). Five teen-aged boys; not many dull moments around here!
Steven, Nic and Patrick recently made decisions to renew their spiritual vows and were baptized at Meadowbrook Baptist Church. We are proud of them for making that important decision. All of our boys are Christians and are making a valiant effort to walk closer with God (not always easy for teenaged boys)...
Speaking of Spring Break, we had an awesome one! Along with the Ryan Family (our next door neighbors), we drove to Snowshoe, West Virginia, and took the boys snow skiing (11 boys; 4 adults). We were greeted by 10" of new-fallen snow and cold temperatures. Truly a winter wonderland. Most of the boys had never seen "real snow" before so that was a real treat. As the week progressed, the snow melted and the temps rose but the skiing remained fantastic. By the end of the week, we were skiing in t-shirts. All of the boys learned to ski or snowboard and many of them were conquering black diamond slopes at week's end. Ironically, the main attraction for our boys was the pool. Snowshoe has a great indoor-outdoor heated pool with hot tubs and saunas. The boys spent every evening playing in the pool. Well, I have to admit, there were a few girls that might have had some part in drawing them there...
Alex will become a teenager on May 16th. While at times it can be frustrating to have to share your mom and dad with others who are hungry for attention, Alex continues to be patient, understanding of our ministry and appreciative of the limited one-on-one time we have with him. Fortunately, he really enjoys school at Westbrook Christian and stays very active in sports. He has made a lot of great friends at school and they often spend the night at the ranch or invite him to stay with them in town. He just completed basketball season and baseball season is already in full swing. He is playing shortstop/pitcher for the "Yankees" in the Coosa Baseball League and is batting in the 500 range. A lot of his close friends are on his team, so he is enjoying himself (and they are winning). They are the favorites to win the league but there is some pretty stiff competition.
Easter weekend was a real blessing. Although we sorely missed being able to visit with our extended family, Andrew and Haley were able to join us at the Ranch for the weekend. The boys really enjoy hanging out with both of them. Andrew plays basketball with them and "slays" them in video games. We attended an inspiring service at church and the boys got Easter baskets (some for the first time in years). They actually even agreed to let us take some Easter pictures (without much of a fight). I think they were proud to show off their new Easter shirts.
A few other activities we have been involved in: restoring a junked go-kart, rock climbing at Sand Rock, attending a Harlem Globetrotters game, watching Steven and Alex play baseball, swimming in the ranch "swimming hole" (some of us are in the "Polar Bear Club"), going to a youth retreat weekend at Shocco Springs, helping with baseball practice and working to get in shape for next football season.
Andrew will soon successfully complete his first year at Cumberland Law School. He was very fortunate to obtain a summer clerkship at the "Cochran Firm" in Birmingham. He will soon find out if criminal law is really his cup of tea. Haley has decided to spend her summer taking a couple of classes and waiting tables at Landry's in Pensacola. She wanted to spend one more summer with all her hometown friends (and making some decent money) before she has to get a "real job." She is burning up her business classes at Auburn (all A's last semester) and is really starting to lean toward accounting as a possible career choice. She was recently selected for the Golden Key Honorary (top 15% of class).
Mike has added a new educational/vocational credential-- He obtained his CDL license and now drives the school bus one week out of every 6 weeks (in rotation with other CDL-licensed housedads). What a hoot that is! You have to see it and experience it to believe it. He is thinking about having some cards printed that read "Michael A. Perkins, J.D., CDL". Kim serves as "bus monitor" when Mike drives. Talk about testing your patience and mental stability! Imagine being surrounded by 45 kids of all ages and stages (some of whom woke up on the wrong side of the bed) in a big tin can for about half an hour each way. She will very soon be certified as boxing referee, mediator and comedian-- all those skills are finely honed on the bus.
While there are many challenges involved with raising children from broken homes, it is clear that Big Oak Ranch is truly a God-inspired and blessed place. We continue to be amazed at how the Holy Spirit leads John, the directors, staff and us in the "big picture" and in the day-to-day situations and decisions. At a recent staff meeting, John Croyle announced that 7 out of our 8 2007 high school graduates will be attending college. There will also be 3 weddings of girls who grew up at the Girls' Ranch and are coming back to exchange vows and celebrate their weddings with their Ranch families. Once a child truly accepts Big Oak Ranch as his or her home (not all make that choice), we become their family for life. It makes us break out in goose bumps (and tears) when we hear the testimonies of some of the children who have trusted in and grown from the love of God, and the training and love provided by the Ranch familes and staff. They truly have a new lease on life and, in many cases, have broken multi-generational cycles of addiction, abuse, neglect, illiteracy or whatever "challenges" they brought with them when they came.
We are sorry that our updates aren't was frequent as we intended. But finding time to sit down and think/writeis more difficult than we imagined. We have finally made time to take daily "prayer walks" around the Ranch. This refreshes our bodies and our spirits. This place is really beautiful and we often have to pause to remind ourselves of just how blessed we are to be able to serve in such an incredible environment.
Blessings to our families and friends, and to all who have supported us and Big Oak Ranch in your thoughts and prayers. Email us, visit us, pray for us.
Mike's email is cphmap@aol.com. Kim's is kimperky@aol.com.
Mike, Kim, Alex, Andrew, Haley, Patrick, Steven, Nic and Jordan
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