Gather n Grace
Our Mission:
Intentionally assist, empower, encourage, support, and equip others to be His best for their lives. To create a welcoming place where chains are broken, healing happens, and divine encounters occur.
Our Vision:
Gather n Grace at All Things Acres envisions a community within a community. A safe landing and launching space to share our life skills and knowledge with women, children, men, and couples so that they can live a spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy life.
Where to start?…
Why haven't we shared sooner? Because we kept thinking it needed to be a bit more tweaked or a tad more perfect, BUT GOD! Recently I was hit upside the head with a pie pan, "procrastination is our way of telling God will do it tomorrow." But what if we don't have tomorrow?
Over the last few months, he's reminded me that he's told me what to do, so go. He reminded me that things wouldn't be perfect because you don't know exactly what I'm doing, but you told me you are ready!!!
Here's a little about where Gather n Grace began-
In the fall of 2017, Rick and I went to a retreat in Idaho all about Soul Restoration. I didn't know I had anything to work on; I had blocked out so much trauma. And Rick didn't believe he had a story to share. We had just stepped away from working in our family business, Royers Round Top Cafe, and wondered what the heck will we do now. When we left the cafe, we didn't believe we had anything to offer the world; we asked ourselves repeatedly, "who would hire us?!" Oh, GOD WILL!! After the retreat, we knew this was it! Create a safe space to walk with all, to come alongside and share tools we have learned through life experiences. Everyone is broken, wrapped in chains and bondage. We began leading retreats, Camp Haven, for men & women. Then, covid. So, all came to a screeching halt, but through Covid, I re-wrote the curriculum and named it, Rest. Restore. Roar. We've held two women's retreats since at All Things Acres, and the next one is in March of 2023. We want to hold retreats for men and couples in the future! We know our purpose is to create safe spaces for everyone and point them to Jesus.
On July 4th, 2021, I walked into Royers Pie Haven, and one of the pie chicks (precious girls that sling pie, Coffee, and love people) was crying. I asked what the matter was, and she said she had scraped her knee. Hmmm, it looked like it was a deeper wound. We hobbled to the couch, and she shared everything she was carrying. Trauma, grief, housing struggles, financial pain, the list went on. Quickly God said, "Raising Chicks," and the idea of a program to come alongside youth to equip them with life skills to launch from the nest for God's best. Gosh, that's a BHAG!! BIG HAIRY, AUDACIOUS GOAL!!! But, if it's not scary or uncomfortable, it's not big enough. So, I started to write down ideas and lists of people that had said they wanted to do more, help others, and create different levels of Raising Chicks. Financial advisory, mentorship, bible studies, legal advice, counseling, family dinners, how to boil water, balance a checkbook, and the list goes on!!! Do I know what it looks like, ultimately? HECK NO! But God is steadfast in putting people in my path to love ALL HIS PEOPLE. So, how do we begin? Well, I looked at what we have and what we know. We have space, people ready to serve, and we can cook. God said, start with family dinners and Coffee & Grace. Monday night family dinners were essential to my mom and family. Something she always made a priority and included everyone. After the passing of my mom, a close friend shared this,
"I had one conversation with your mom. Just one. I sat down at her table with her and your dad. She started asking me about what I did for work outside of Royers. When we started talking, I felt understood. Accepted. And empowered. All at the same time. We exchanged her work experience and mine and connected on her Ph.D. and my desire to get mine. In such a short moment, I recognized what a gift she was. Tara, you too have a similar gift —to receive the people standing before you, exude love and acceptance just from your presence in those."
So, here's to starting and going scared! Here's to showing up in love, not seeing the whole picture, and starting!
Monday Family Dinner started Sept. 12th, 2022, at the Bake Shop. In January of 2023, we moved Monday Family Dinner to Fireman's Park in the middle of Brenham, Texas! It's so much easier for everyone to get there! Come as you are; there is enough room for everyone at the table. Bring your kids, bring your friends, and show up. We will have a simple family meal, conversation, and a jar for donations. We can't wait to sit with you.
Grace & Coffee began at the Bake Shop on Thursday, Sept. 8th, 2022! Every Thursday morning from 8:30 am to 11 or so (come and go!!). Nothing fancy, muffins, a great cup of Coffee, a wonderful connecting time. Come as you are, bring a friend, just come, be still and filled up.
We will be ready for Phase 2 when He says go; we have a good idea of what it will look like!
We would love for you to be a part of this mission!! Hello@allthingsacres.com
Xo,
Tara, Rick, Brayden, and Bentley Steele
Mission & Vision
Testimonies
“ Monday night family dinners and Gather n Grace have been a blessing to my family. Every Monday when we attend family dinner, we have a chance to sit down and eat together as a family, with work and other obligations eating family dinners together is hard, but thanks to Gather n Grace no one has to cook, we just have to show up, get served a delicious dinner, and sit down and enjoy family time together which is truly a blessing. God also used Gather n Grace to provide prayer, encouraging words, frozen dinners and financial assistance in my family current circumstances. They came along and gave us relief to make our situation easier to handle. We are very thankful for and blessed by Gather n Grace. ”
“I really enjoy coming to the Monday night family dinners. It gives our family a chance to get together and eat a meal together and the kids get to play. I love that the community cares so much about the people that live in this town. It means a lot to get away one night a week and not have to cook. Its nice meeting new people. The kids have a lot if fun. Thank you!”
I would like to share how much Monday night dinners have been a blessing to us!! Things have been rough this month since our mortgage went up $400/mth. Having a meal together that I don’t have to think about is such a blessing and relief. And the kids are getting outside and loving the community. Praying for the ministry always and so very thankful for the vision God gave you and for your obedience to him!! Love ya!! ❤️
-Linda R.
