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"At first I was a little bit afraid of the horses, but now I love to walk them and groom them. It makes me feel happy inside."

Amanda

When Calvin and Beverly Winchester built their bucolic country home over 20 years ago they loved the peace and quiet of their rural acreage. Then we became their neighbors.

It would have been easy for them to resent me as I cluelessly ran a chainsaw for days on end trying to clear a path for our road. It would have been understandable if they hated us before we moved in when 200 teenagers (followed by the Sheriff and State Troopers) decided to trespass on our property for a late night keg-party. And it would have been perfectly reasonable for them to be leery of a new home for people with disabilities being built across the street. But instead of cautiously waving at us from their driveway, they welcomed us with hugs and chocolate chip cookies at our doorstep. After a few conversations, it was evident that this was a divine pairing.

Beverly volunteers at a local therapeutic riding center for the disabled and one of their two horses is a retired therapy horse. She invited us over to spend time with her horses and

we have been at their barn most every Monday for the last three months.

We have all fallen in love with the mild mannered Arabian, "Ms. Mare" and handsome " Jack", a gentle thoroughbred. The residents are responsible for weekly brushing and grooming. They spread wood chips, rake dirt, fork hay and do simple, but needed barn work. The residents lead the horses in the corral for exercise and reward them with juicy carrots. Beverly is a saint and patiently teaches us how to stay safe and calm while working with the horses.

Going to the Winchesters is fun and they take pride in their work, but there is a deeper level to it all. Our six residents get to feel something that many people with disabilities rarely experience... control. With a simple tug of a rope, these powerful and amazing animals will follow their lead. The confidence this gives our residents is unmatched. The joy they feel is priceless. We are so thankful for the Winchesters, Ms. Mare and Jack for giving the residents this wonderful gift.

Hay is for Horsesthe divine nature of neighbors, keg parties and four hoovesby David Heaton, Executive Director

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Some wish for Italian sports cars or off-roading machines, but we have long been dreaming and praying about a van for Cornerstone. While it's true that 12 passenger vans are ugly and extremely hard to parallel park, we are thrilled to finally have one!

In late January, we were blessed to be able to purchase a 2008 Chevy Express Van from our friends at Grapevine Chevrolet. They gave us a wonderful deal and we are very thankful.

Having the van has cut Cornerstone's gas expenditures in half since we were often forced into taking two cars when staff wives and kids would accompany us to church or for dinners out. We plan on adding the Cornerstone logo and website (cornerstone-ranch.com) in the near future to give us greater visibility when we are out in the community.

The most significant thing about the van is how it empowers the residents. People with disabilities can feel a lot like a 15 year old that desires so badly to have access to events and activities, but is still that long year away from having their license. The difference is that our friends with disabilities, our residents, live with that frustration for a lifetime rather than a year. Wanting to go, but no way to get there.

We did our best in our personal SUV's, but they were still our cars and no adult likes to sit in the "way back." This van is theirs and we are simply their personal chauffeurs.

Having this van at their disposal means more to them than a fleet of Italian sports cars. This van gives them the freedom they so strongly desire.

Fundraising Update

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Riding in Style Everyone loves the spaciousness of the new van. David G. is 6'2 and had to climb into the third row of our SUV's due to the limited mobility of other residents. Now he happily stretches out.

We have been amazed and overwhelmed by the generous response to our recent fundraising efforts. We had faith for enough money to buy a van ($24,000+) and we were hoping for enough funds to provide resident scholarships for 2008 ($42,000). We thought a therapeutic swimming pool would really benefit our residents overall health ($80,000). After sending out a little over one hundred letters and meeting a few interested donors, we began to see God's provision come pouring in. We were humbled and encouraged as friends and family members of staff and residents gave so selflessly. We were then amazed to have several complete strangers hear about us and give just as sacrificially. To date, we have received $121,495. This is well over our goals for a van and scholarships, leaving a small remainder of just $24,500 to complete the pool.

If you didn't have a chance to make a tax-deductible gift, or would like to give again, we would certainly welcome anything you might consider to help us reach our goal.

We truly feel supported. Not just in the way of finances, but in prayer, in council and in love. Thank you so much for giving so generously. The residents were blown away to think that there are so many people out in the world that care so greatly for them. Thank you.

"Van is cool. I like it. Thank you very much darling for getting us a van."

Laura

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Special Olympicshoops team takes silverDavid and Antyone worked the give-and-go. Amanda and Laura dished out the ball with accuracy. Will was an impenetrable force on defense. Rebekah provided moral support and Doug coached his team with cunning strategy.

The result? Bright and shiny silver medals for the second place finishers in the area tournament. Our residents love playing for our local Special Olympics team, the McKinney Magic, and had a great basketball season.

Soccer practice begins this week.

PerspectivesIn each newsletter we invite someone in the Cornerstone family to provide their perspective on life at the ranch. This quarter, Doug Schulte, our live-in Program Director, shares his experiences. Have you seen the reality show Jon and Kate Plus Eight? As dorky and unmanly as it is, I enjoy the show. This bit of reality TV heaven follows the crazy life of a family with a set of twins and sextuplets.

I can often relate to Jon and Kate's unconventional and sometimes chaotic lifestyle and I appreciate their focus to build a strong family. Jon and Kate must navigate through the day with one common goal in order to survive and living at Cornerstone Ranch is similar in many ways. I am approaching two years at Cornerstone and I love the fact that the staff and residents have become one big extended family. I anticipated a deep level of intimacy with the Heaton's and the residents before we moved in, but I wasn't sure how we would all fit together. Like any family, we share the ups and downs of life. Inevitably, we face conflict but I have found this is when we grow the most.

Conflict may arise between residents over who gets the last glass of orange juice or between staff due to an ill-timed joke. Whatever the source, we are learning that we are all broken and in need of grace. I never knew how good conflict could be until I learned the strength of reconciliation.

I am also thankful that my wife and I get to raise our two year old daughter, Chloe, in such a unique environment. Every Saturday morning I bring her down stairs with me to wake the residents and help me cook the all out feast known as “Big Breakfast.” This has become a sweet tradition. When we go down stairs Chloe says, “wake residents.” As we approach each room Chloe greets every resident with a loud and cheery “good morning!” Chloe really loves them. She calls them friends and misses them dearly when they leave to visit their families. I didn't anticipate the bond that Chloe would have with the residents at such an early age.

Chloe is learning priceless lessons living at Cornerstone Ranch.

On the most recent episode of the television show, Jon and Kate were speaking at a church and their message was simple; God will provide for our family. We are certainly learning this at Cornerstone Ranch. Whether it is in the patience to get through a long day or in the forgiveness required to reconcile with our housemates, six residents and two young families are experiencing Gods’ provision every day.

Cornerstone Ranch is more than a group home and certainly more than a job. We are an extended family experiencing God’s sufficient grace and provision.

"I still have my old home where I love my Momma and Daddy, but this is like my second home with a second family. A home away from home."

Rebekah

A Great TeamLaura and Amanda played a great tournament and were so proud of their medals.

Game TimeAntyone enjoys playing games and singing songs at Young Life, an outreach ministry in Dallas.

The Resident Rundown Fifteen Favorites: Will

My Favorite...1. food when I'm really hungry: Sausage2. sport to watch on TV: NBA3. Special Olympics sport to play: Basketball4. current professional athlete: Allen Iverson5. meal at Cornerstone: Pizza6. job at Cornerstone and why: I like working at the food

pantry because I get to help feed the hungry people7. fun activity: Working with the horses8. thing about the people at Cornerstone: They are fun9. memory at Cornerstone: Going to the Frisco Fire House10. country you have visited: Germany or Switzerland11. lesson I've learned at Cornerstone: To take care of

myself better, I now remember to brush my teeth and shave12. kind of books to get at the library: Geography and Sports13. television show to watch: Sponge Bob and Everybody

Loves Raymond14. local restaurant: Texas Roadhouse15. thing about living in community: I like having people

care about me

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Simple Joy Will is a pleasure to be around because of his unencumbered joy. He uses a talking keyboard to communicate, but his smile says it all.

Cornerstone Ranch3933 CR 317McKinney, TX 75069469 525-8822cornerstone-ranch.com