by Erin Austin | Jul 12, 2025 | All, Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog
by Erin Austin I’ve often said that Joy Ranch is a unicorn among children’s homes. For multiple reasons, Joy Ranch doesn’t fit into a mold. One of these is in the area of finances. From the beginning, the McHenrys vowed to trust God for all of their... 
by Erin Austin | Jul 1, 2025 | All, Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog, News
Blog by Erin Austin Working with traumatized, abused children is one of the hardest things a person can do. It is heartbreaking, exhausting, and at times, intense. It is not easy. The things we hear and see are mind-boggling. A well-meaning person once told me after I... 
by Erin Austin | Jun 12, 2025 | Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog
[Photo Caption: Resident Mia’s muddy feet from walking around the Joy Ranch pond.] Blog by Erin Austin I’ve always been fascinated by people’s stories. How did they get to this point in life? What happened in their past? Who helped mold and shape them into the... 
by Erin Austin | Feb 12, 2024 | Houseparent Blog
I have a Golden Retriever named Lucy. Lucy is pure joy and often makes me laugh. She’s a big, intelligent goofball. I’ve had a number of dogs over the years, and Lucy is definitely the most intelligent one I’ve had. Yet for all her brilliant moments, she is still a... 
by Erin Austin | Aug 12, 2023 | Houseparent Blog, News
I was 21 when I started working in a children’s home as a relief houseparent. It wasn’t nearly as noble as it sounds. I was desperate for a job, room and board were provided, and the pay was decent. What I quickly learned is ministry isn’t for the faint of heart, and...
