"We know what family is all about. Hard work, education, morality and religion is what our family is based on. That is how we have survived life's obstacles and come out on top," Greyson Walker, 20, a sophomore at Berry College

Billy and Bonnie Walker from Rhine, Georgia, both love children and dreamed of having a great big, happy family. After Bonnie gave birth to three daughters but was unable to have any more biological children, the couple decided to adopt. And adopt they did— they opened up their hearts and home to 18 of God's precious children.

Bonnie has recently written a book called Refuge Ranch: A Story for His Glory to tell how God has made her the mother of many children. Bonnie is depending largely on word of mouth advertising to get the news out about her new book. One of the stores selling Bonnie's book is McDonald's Horse Supply on Hwy. 247 in Bonaire. Owner Gwen Mitchell has known Bonnie and Billy Walker for over 20 years and has followed the story of the Walker's 21 children. When customers walk into McDonald's Horse Supply, they'll see snapshots of the Walker family alongside Gwen's own family pictures.

After Gwen read the story of Refuge Ranch, she passed the book on to her daughter, Kim McDonald. Kim couldn't put the book down, and gave a copy to her Sunday School teacher, Lynn Bonnette, who in turn read the book and told the Sunday School class all about it. My husband and I are members of Lynn's Sunday School class, and Lynn's mention of the book jogged my memory that I had wanted to visit Refuge Ranch to interview Bonnie about her new book for His Voice. This called for a road trip, and we four ladies coordinated a date to go down.

Getting to the Walker Ranch was an adventure in itself. After leaving downtown Rhine, crossing over the railroad tracks, and turning left several times, we were wandering up and down red-clay roads when we happened upon Billy Walker, on his way to a cattle sale. He rolled down his truck window and asked, "Are you ladies lost? " With a grin, he pointed us in the right direction.

Immediately upon pulling into the Walker's driveway, Joel Walker, 9, ran out the front door of the family home to greet us. The youngest of the 10 kids still at home, Joel served as our tour guide for the day.

His first question was, "Can you climb a fence? " as he scrambled over the pasture fencing and headed for the horse. He then showed us chickens and guineas, and went inside the henhouse looking for eggs. "Ya'll can come in here, you know," he said. He pointed out a miniature horse, longhorn cattle, the family dogs and cats, and a litter of brand new puppies. While showing us his family's school building where the children receive homeschool instruction, he sat down at his brightly-painted desk and pulled out his favorite art book. Once outside again, Joel showed us the family's four-wheeler and a playground.

When one of Bonnie's daughters called us in for lunch, Joel said, "I don't like inside, why can't we stay outside and enjoy God's beautiful world? "

Refuge Ranch provides an ideal setting for raising a large family, embracing 600 acres of gently rolling land used for raising longhorn cattle and growing watermelon.

The inside of the family home is peaceful, cozy and inviting. Bonnie and her daughters had prepared a wonderful meal for us, complete with Bonnie's delicious homemade biscuits.

Our lunch conversation turned to the Walker family and the new book.

"I don't think about the number of kids we have raised as being different; this is just normal for us. People have asked us, ‘How can you love all the kids equally? ' My answer is that you don't divide love—it multiplies. I have made sure that I love my children unconditionally. In our home, we keep the Lord as our focus and practice the three C's—being calm, consistent, and caring," Bonnie said.

Even though Bonnie and Billy don't like to call attention to themselves, their family's story is just too precious to hide. The Walker family was featured on the 700 Club TV show several years ago and has been highlighted on the front page of The Telegraph.

Bonnie's new book, three years in the writing, most likely will bring more attention to the family, as a screenwriter has just completed a screenplay of the book.

"This book is more than just a story about a family crazy enough to adopt 18 children. It is a pilgrimage of my life, my spiritual journey. We do not focus on the negatives but neither do we want to give a false impression of being the perfect family. We're not! We are just a family who loves the Lord. The negative things in life get far too much attention, so we choose to focus on the positive aspects like God's love, healing, and restoration. God's glory is our heart's motive for this story being told," Bonnie said.

Bonnie and Billy's parenting speaks for itself. They have successfully launched 11 children and are busy raising 10 more in their Christian home. Joel, the youngest, has loving parents, well-behaved older brothers and sisters for role models, an individualized education plan, pets galore, and the great outdoors as his playground. What child could hope for anything more?

Refuge Ranch: A Story for His Glory, published by In His Steps Publishing, sells for $18. 95. You may purchase a copy of the book at Christian Accents and Coleman Hardware in Eastman; McDonald's Horse Supply in Bonaire; The Lamb's Well Christian Store in Warner Robins; and Rhine Drug Co. and Patricia's Beauty Shop in Rhine.

For more information about the book, go to www.shoutlife.com/refugeranch.