This month we couldn’t decide what to put on the blog, and as it happens one of the residents helped us come up with something fun to share!

In the girls’ cottage we have an “I’m Bored” jar. Every time someone says “I’m bored!” they have to pick a paper out of the jar. They have a 50/50 shot of getting something fun, or an extra chore. Recently, Cheyenne was bored and instead of saying so just went right to the jar to look for something to do. She looked through all the papers and found one that read “Write up some questions and interview staff”. So, she did. 

After answering her questions we asked her to ask each of the residents in the girls cottage for a question they’d like staff to answer and told her we would use them for the blog – since we interviewed the residents, why not have residents interview staff? 

Here are their interview questions as answered by the main houseparent’s at the girls cottage: Gene and Bethany Collins.

What is the greatest memory you have from when you were a kid?

Mr. Gene – Traveling three hours, twice, to go to play in a championship baseball game and winning!

Ms. Bethany – We lived on the coast of Maine when I was little, that was really cool. 

How old are you?

B – I am 42.

G- I am 43.

What made you want to come work at Joy Ranch?

Ms. Bethany – Mr. Gene and I have worked with kids since we were kids. Why not work at a children’s home?  

G – God called us to work with kids.

At what age did you give your life to Christ?

B – I was 5-years-old.

G – I was 11-years-old.

How did you know if this was what God was calling you to do?

Mr. Gene and Ms. Bethany: First we prayed a lot and listened and asked God to make the way clear for wherever it was he wanted us to go. The rest is a REALLY long story. Some of the highlights are: The timing of our interview and then when we were hired afterwards all worked out perfectly for some things we had going on and needed to complete before we left where we were. The verses on the board at the office are the same verses we chose as part of the Missions statement for our youth group when we were youth pastors.(Romans 12:1-2*) We came around the time Audio Adrenaline released the song “Kings and Queens”. If you don’t know it, you should look it up and listen to it. It helped make leaving where we were and a little easier to do. God is always calling us to “love the least of these” no matter who we are, where we are, how old we are or what we are doing for work. 

“God is always calling us to “love the least of these” no matter who we are, where we are, how old we are or what we are doing for work.” 

What is your favorite food/desert?

Ms. Bethany – You guys know this one! Caesar salad and any kind of chocolate cake (cake, cupcakes, donuts)! Chocolate chip cookies are a close second.

Mr. Gene – I like meatballs and gravy and pound cake.

What is your favorite bible verse?

Ms. Bethany – Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Mr. Gene – Proverbs 11:30b  “”He who wins souls is wise.”

What is the funniest thing that happened to you as a kid?

Ms. Bethany – I was in a lot of plays in high school. One time, I was playing an old lady with a thick country accent, and there was a part in a play where another character and I argued. Our lines went back and forth very fast. During a performance we made a mistake somewhere in the middle and weren’t sure how to get back on track. So, we stood there giving each other dirty looks (because we were supposed to be arguing) and staring at each other for quite some time. Finally I just said “Anybody think of a good line?”  Everyone laughed and some people said it was their favorite part!!

Mr. Gene – When I was in Bible school, we were going to a surprise birthday party. The party was for someone who was in the car with us. We got lost and stopped for directions.  The person asked us why we were headed there and I said: “A surprise party . .. maybe.”

*Romans 12: 1-2  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.(NLT)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012%3A1-2&version=NLT