Talitha Hempel
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Hi! I’m Talitha. I am a young woman who enjoys life, laughs a lot, and has a personal relationship with my savior and friend, Jesus. I immensely enjoy being outdoors in the beauty and fresh air all around me. I am an animal person, and I have loved working with animals (especially horses and dogs) from a young age. I enjoy reading, too. I can spend hours enjoying a good book. I am very blessed to be on staff at Sky View. God has used Sky View to fulfill my dream of working with kids and horses.
Even when I was quite young, I remember wanting to use horses to help kids. I did not know what that would look like; I just thought that it would be really neat to do it. I have, for as long as I can remember, loved animals and had a heart for people. Horses and kids sounded like the perfect combination.
Fast forward to find me as a young teen, when God brought things together for me to be at Sky View. A family friend began telling me about Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch and about Kim Meeder and her books. Crystal Peaks was doing just what I had dreamed of—using horses to reach children. I was excited to find out that something like that existed. Very soon after finding out about Crystal Peaks, I heard that the Swayzes, a family from my youth discipleship group, wanted to start a horse ranch similar to Crystal Peaks.
I was very excited about the possibility of working at this ranch, called Sky View. I made myself available for God to use me—and He did. I was available to help the Swayzes as needed while they started up the ranch. Eventually, once lessons began, I got to interact with the families that came to the ranch. I helped Hannah however she needed me to, played with younger siblings while students rode, and talked with parents. My dream of helping kids through horses was being fulfilled.
Over the years that Sky View has been running, I have helped the ranch in a variety of ways and have continued to love being a part of it. Now, I am excited to be on staff at Sky View! God has faithfully brought me to this point. I am so excited that God has fulfilled my desire to do this, and I love being at the ranch doing what He has called me to.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am usually not bored—I enjoy so many things that it is easy for me to find something to do when I have free time. I often do something outside like taking a walk in the woods on my family’s property or being with my animals. I enjoy training my dogs and riding my horse, Jubilee. I like to read books and play music in my free time as well. In the spring, I take pleasure in playing with our baby goats. I also like photography, being with friends, paper crafting, and softball.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I really enjoy traveling. Two of my favorite places that I have gone to are Glacier National Park (in Montana) and Israel. Some of my favorite memories of time with my family involve traveling, including visiting national parks, backpacking, and visiting my grandparents’ cottage by a lake.