Cindy Mosley

The last weekend in June 2025 was one for the books—the book of Cindy Dudley Mosley’s Life Adventures. The term dream getaway is an understatement. I’m going to call it “my time to heal”. Or, I should say the weekend the scab fell off my wounded soul.

God used a group of people I had never met to scrape it off.

I was invited to a Dream Weekend Getaway at the Farm House Fresh (FHF) Ranch in McKinney, Texas. FHF is celebrating their 20^th year by being a blessing to others. I, along with four other people, were selected from thousands of nominees to receive a weekend of a lifetime. We were chosen based on stories from people who knew things about us that we never thought of being honored for.  People who live their lives to “show up and show love” don’t do it for recognition. There is a higher motive—at least that is true for me. I also believe it is true for the others because upon arrival at the ranch I could relate to the apprehensive and skeptical looks on their faces.

We were skeptical, but the following events wiped away our doubt and filled our hearts with joy.

Friday:

I arrived in downtown McKinney after driving two and a half hours from Longview. I was the closest recipient and my sister, who was my guest, drove only 20 minutes from Richardson. She warned me that there was a paparazzi waiting for me at the entrance to The Grand Hotel. She was right. I was greeted by a FHF staff and nominees who were flown in for the event. Who does that? Fly people in to celebrate them? I digress.

After checking in, I was escorted to my room which was a fabulously posh setup—beautifully decorated with a luxurious king size bed, a cedar lined wardrobe, and the bathroom was amazing! I didn’t take pictures of the room because I was in shock. There was everything a person needed in the room to have a pampered weekend. FHF skincare products was sprinkled throughout the suite and I didn’t document it!

After settling down a little, I was encouraged to check one of many gift bags for vouchers to spend around downtown McKinney. We had a few hours to explore before a shuttle would arrive to take us to the ranch. My sister and I enjoyed a late lunch and visited some shops. Again, the only other pictures I have to show for it are the ones my sister took of our food. I’m not doing this adventure justice because I didn’t live up to the sign hanging on my door at work, “It didn’t happen if you didn’t document it.”

After our stroll around the square, we returned to our rooms to refresh for the evening. Still not knowing what to expect, I changed into a comfortable dress and sandals. We met in the lobby where I met all of the other nominees and their guests. Wow! We all greeted each other like we were longtime friends. I think we were hugging each other just to verify we were not actually dreaming.

At the ranch we were greeted “JHud style”. Staff lined the “green” walk and chanted something to the tune of “Celebration” by Earth Wind and Fire. I don’t know what they said because I was still stunned. Upon entry to the ranch, my breath caught in my chest. The place is stunning—stunning, sunny, and serene.

The McLindens are not only charming people, but they are very welcoming hosts. We were greeted with so much warmth and love. I wandered around the reception area in a daze. I ate the wonderful barbeque they served. I sat down for a hand massage. All the while, I kept thinking, “Why am I here?” At one point, I had to take my introverted self off to breathe. Of course, I got caught. A very nice young man named Jerome spotted me. I recall telling him that to be greeted and recognized in such a manner can be overwhelming. I was overwhelmed and he immediately comforted me.

We enjoyed a delicious meal, played a game, and was escorted back to The Grand. They told us to rest, but I couldn’t. I prayed. I know most people won’t ask God why they were chosen for such a blessing, but I did. Eventually I drifted off to sleep but was awake in a few hours. God was answering my prayer. The answer came in a verse in Romans 8 where I felt led to read. Verse 32 in the International Children’s Bible says, “God let even His own Son suffer for us. God gave His Son for us all. So, with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.” That weekend was one of the “all things” for me. It was a gift from God. I memorialized the moment with a poem (Moments Like This, posted previously)and went to sleep.

Saturday:

Talk about exceedingly and abundantly blessed beyond what we could ask or think (another scripture that describes this weekend). We were shuttled to the ranch where we sat down to a breakfast for celebrities. Chef Natasha and staff outdid themselves. I didn’t take a picture of the menu or my plate, but the food was fabulous! The day was filled with five “let us lavish love on you” stations.

We were cloaked with a monogramed robe then were sent off to a makeup/skincare consultation with the famous Brett Freedman. Brett knows how to make a lady feel beautiful. We took a tour of the ranch to meet all the friendly rescue animals. FHF not only love on people, they dote on well-deserving animals as well. They remind me of Proverbs 12:10, “A good man takes care of his animals.” They don’t just take care of their own animals, they also take care of cast aside and wounded animals.

We left each station with a souvenir of the weekend–a custom made hat, beautiful Kendra Scott jewelry, a massage, and enough beauty products to last my lifetime. After a lunch prepared by Chef Natasha, we were escorted back to The Grand to refresh for an evening of fine dining, entertainment, and a special surprise.

That night, FHF continued to shower us with love and luxury. A celebrity prepared meal, a celebrity motivational and inspirational speech from Lisa Whelchel (Blair from 1980’s sitcom The Facts of Life), and a celebrity serenade by a young couple who call themselves Last June. I love their name because it shall always be a reminder of the weekend the scab on my wounded soul fell off. Even the animals attended the “glow” event.

I still don’t have the words to describe how I felt Saturday night of that last weekend in June. I do know that accepting love and compliments for doing what comes naturally to me was very humbling. When the night under the stars was over, we were escorted back to the Grand. I prepared for one more “I will never forget moment” that would come early Sunday morning.

Sunday:

At 5 a.m. the brave ones loaded a shuttle to meet a hot air balloon crew for the ride of our lives. We were elated to watch the sunrise over McKinney. The ride was more than a float above McKinney though, it was also a reminder to me that anything is possible. Throughout the weekend, FHF crew members randomly approached us with a set of reflective question cards. Once we were in the air, I drew a card that asked, “If your life was a soundtrack, what would it be?” I couldn’t think of a single soundtrack and offered to create my own.

When I woke up Sunday the song If I Got Jesus by Ben Fuller was playing in my mind and it stayed with me most of the journey to the launch field. When the camera was on me Rascal Flatt’s Life is a Highway popped up. That is life. Life is a highway or a path that we must keep moving on. For years I had allowed some deep wounds to stop me from moving forward. The last weekend in June is only the beginning for wonderful things ahead.

Thank you, Beth English, for nominating me for the Dream Weekend of a Lifetime. Thank you, Jessica, for being my guest and sister. Thank you, FHF, for helping me navigate a much needed “reset”. Unlike that balloon ride, I landed on my feet. You are part of the process to heal my soul. I am Humbled, Exposed, Activated, and Launched.

As I reflect on that last weekend in June, I am plotting how to catch someone off guard by showering them with unexpected blessings.

FHF team, if you don’t know it, you not only touched the hearts of your weekend guests, you also touched the heart of Jesus. He says in Matthew 25:40 “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!” None of your honorees felt entitled to a Dream Getaway Weekend—we all felt like one of the least. God bless you!

Happy anniversary, FHF, and may you continue to rescue animals and humans!