Customer Reviews

Hope Rising: Stories from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Be careful? Yes, because this book can grab you and change your life...especially if you love horses and kids. After it was given to me by a friend, I passed it on to my daugher in law, who is an outstanding horsewoman. Like wildfire, everyone in our family read the book and now there's this plan brewing to start a ranch on the east coast to do what Kim does there in Oregon.

I loved the transparency with which she shares her (and her husband's) struggles. The way that her faith emboldens her to keep on doing her "little bit" to make a difference in a world of indifference, neglect and abuse motivates me to do the same.

This book was written in Kim's heart before it was written on paper. How many times do we get to look into someone's heart? Not often.

So be careful....when you look into hers, you might just get inspired to look into your own.

This is truly an incredible book. The underlying theme throughout is that we are all broken, hurting people, but that through our own experiences, we become equipped to reach out and offer love and compassion to others. Mistreated and neglected horses become instrumental in the healing of abused and hurt children, and the children offer healing to the horses. Even the very land where the ranch is located was undesirable and "mistreated," and they planted "rejected" trees from local nurseries. The short stories give glimpses of countless miracles worked by the hand of God and how a little faith can go a long way in turning something broken and seemingly undesirable into a beautiful place where healing and absolute miracles are seen every day. This is definitely a book to read with tissues in hand, but it is well worth the tears.

Having recently re-entered the world of horses, I'm constantly on the lookout for quality books about all things horse-related. When I came across Hope Rising at a local Christian bookstore, I knew this was one book that I had to get. From the cover art to the comments on the back, to the brief selection I read through, the book grabbed my heart.

Kim has a gift of being able to relate the stories of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in a powerful and beautiful way. Her heart for the Lord and for His children and creatures shows through in every story. She addresses the horrors of what she's seen and experienced in a way that's honest, but doesn't overdo it with graphic details. Her focus remains on the Hope she refers to in the book's title. She always comes back to the fact that God can make beauty from ashes, no matter how hopeless a situation seems.

This book is one that anyone would benefit from reading, regardless of their feelings about horses. I know for me, it's already been life-changing. Kim and her husband's work at Crystal Peak is an inspiration for anyone who wants to impact the world for Christ, no matter what the arena in which they choose to do so.

Our daughter loves horses so we bought this book for her. To my surprise the whole family loved it as we read a chapter at a time out loud. If you want to develop your compassion and your vision for real beauty, read this book. It shows the potential and value in seemingly worthless things. Or more specifically in horses that some see as worthless. Or in a child that has no hope. Kim Meeder has experienced the worst and the best in life, and describes the transition between the two incredibly well.

This book is one that has touched on every emotion I've ever experienced! From sadness to anger to compassion to love! This woman has my utmost respect for what she does for the children and the horses! If people would recognize how these animals could help troubled children, there would be no more horse slaughter in the U.S. because unwanted horses would be adopted and put to uses like this all over the world! What a great way for two innocents to overcome what our society does to them! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

This book weaves so many heartfelt things together beautifully...scenery, family, community, horses, and of coruse the kids. The Meeders are not wealthy, it shows what determination can do. It's an honest look at the world in all of the good and bad. I own my own horse and being a horse lover made it all the more poignant. However, I feel everyone could really appreciate this work wether or not they are involved in horses.

I also appreciated the faith in God that was woven through the book in a "real world" sort of way. Kim Meeder is a wonderful example of living a life of service and it is definitely well portrayed in her writing. She can take the simple things and make then so meaningful.

I was truly inspired and delighted by this book. I couldn't put it down, her stories of faith and courage took ahold of me! I laughed, I cried, but most of all I thanked God for leading me to this book and sharing in her experiences.

Great book!!!!

This book was given to me by a friend of mine that actually works at the ranch here in Central Oregon (Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch) and I have been recommending it highly to anyone that loves horses or kids or both. It is a compilation of short stories and since I have gotten to personally meet the horses it was great to know more of the history behind many of them and the kids thats lives are touched by them. I love horses and the wonderful people that make this ranch run so I recommend this book highly!!! Read the first story by clicking on "Search Inside This Book" and you can read the first story and you will want to read more I guarantee it!

Originaly purchased for a special 10 year old girl who loves horses, I decided to read first. I could only get thru one chapter a night as each one was so emotionaly charged and so wonderfully written I wanted to savor each one. Altho, I ultimatly decided this book was too advanced emotionaly for my 10 year old I will pass it on to other friends who love horses and will probably give it to the girl at a later date. Kim Meeder is an excellent writer and draws you into the story with such compassion and Love for her calling it is dificult to put the book down. I was never a horse person before, however, I learned so much thru the stories that when I pass a pasture now I look at the horses in a different light. Thank you Kim for a glorious gift you are giving the children and the horses. God Bless you and your endeavors.

"Hope Rising" is a beautifully written book. The prose is lyrical and emotionally compelling. Each chapter is a pearl that stands alone, yet the chapters build on each other to produce a inspiring book, giving the reader a complete picture of Chrystal Peakes. As I read the last page, I found myself longing to visit this magical place.