Miracle Moments
Brought to you by: Community Partner Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
My story may break some hearts, but it should be used to give hope. No matter where we are in life, we can change the outcome. My childhood before the Ranch was not the best. I never knew my father, and my mother left us with people we did not know, and never returned. We were poor and I remember being abused and neglected. 
I was met with love and compassion from my first set of house parents, but I wanted nothing to do with them. With their constant love and grace, I started to learn to accept love. Later, I moved in with Art and Mary Ebert, where I was met with love and compassion. I remember many times Mom Ebert saying “know that you know that you know” when talking to me about Jesus. Years later, those talks would help me understand my relationship with God. During my time at the Ranch, I was blessed to attend Westbrook Christian School(WCS). This is where I would learn a life lesson that I carry with me to this day. Also, at WCS, I met a lady by the name of Jamie (now my wife). Many years later, despite my best efforts, I tried to date her again and she said no. Despite her best efforts to get rid of me, God had a plan.
I served in the Army from 2004-2009. The discipline I learned at the Ranch helped me and I was promoted to sergeant quickly. I had two deployments overseas. I began to lose faith and became bitter. I decided to start testing everything I knew and believed. I decided to seek help, and that is when I realized that my faith was stronger than I had ever known. Through the struggles in my life, I have become very secure as a person. I have learned to grow and become better, I had to confront my past, because I had let it become bigger than who I wanted to become. Even though I have failed miserably, I strive to be the best in all aspects of my life. Each day I strive to “break the cycle” and instill in my children the lessons I have carried from the Ranch. Thank you to everyone who has been there – I thank you for not giving up on me.
-Jeff Anthony
