Hi, I’m Karyl Rickard

I’m a writer. The Lord’s daughter. A wife and mother. A teacher. A walker. A hiker. A Chihuahua lover.
I love dark chocolate, fruit and veggies and a good cup of coffee.
I am an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author

Our Mission

As my husband, Gene, and I became more aware of the many ways that God cared for our daughter Renee in her short life, we wanted to share Renee’s extraordinary story in the book, Whispers from Heaven…Then she was gone. The journey was not only difficult but also encouraging as we experienced more fully the grace and goodness of God. The proceeds from this book are dedicated to the Renee Legacy Fund, a non-profit we created for bringing God’s love and hope to those who need a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.

Through Renee’s Legacy Fund, we are thrilled to assist in the “equine rescue” of two Drum horses at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, Bend Oregon.

“Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch exists to provide a safe, positive experience for children and families to learn about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Founded on Hope, the Ranch is a place where broken children, horses and families can choose to embrace wholeness. This richness is secured within the healing embrace of God’s all-consuming love. Supported solely by those who believe in our mission, Crystal Peaks has done this – free of charge – to all – for the past 25 years.”

The mission of the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, to rescue and rehabilitate horses and children, is totally consistent with our daughter’s amazing ability to rescue and rehabilitate animals. Best of all, it is consistent with her love of Jesus Christ and her extraordinary ability to mentor and encourage young people.

At Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, the horses were named Legacy and Benaiah, one of King David’s might warriors.

Our Family

Our family loves the Lord and was called to fulfill ministries in our vocations, even when in college. During my undergraduate university years, as I was introduced to a personal relationship with Jesus through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Reading the Bible daily, memorizing scripture and praying fervently for everything became second nature. It was then that I became poignantly aware of whispers from heaven through the Holy Spirit.

God speaks to many people in the Bible in many ways ones I call “whispers from heaven.”

• He spoke through the Word (Bible)
• He spoke through answered prayer
• He spoke through circumstances
• He spoke through people
• He spoke through dreams and visions

Amazon #1 Best Seller

For two years, I prayed for her while I was jogging. Then she made her grand entrance. Renee came into this world larger than life. You hear, “Be careful what you pray for…you just might get it.” Well, I’ve learned that the Lord has a great sense of humor. He answered our prayers… and then some. Renee would take our lives from the orderly, organized and make-sense world of science and fill it with laughter and humor sprinkled with surprises along the way. She was greatly gifted with a spirit of independence which was evident through her interest in sports, music, adventure, travel and friendships. Renee gave 110% to everything she did, and she made everything fun.

It was the Lord’s whispers from heaven – the Lord’s light – that guided and directed our journey with Renee whose life was cut short at 28 years. She stretched the boundaries and brought richness to the texture of our lives. Most of all, we were able to see the abounding goodness of the Lord and hear His whispers in molding and shaping both Renee’s life and ours.

In the book, I shared more than forty years of ‘Whispers from Heaven’ in Renee’s life before, during and after her passing to heaven, ones that redirected our lives and instilled purpose and meaning. This book is about experiencing God and finding new hope and trust in the Lord.

Some of you will read the book as you search for answers and the meaning of losing a loved one. Perhaps, you are in a place of despair and wonder how healing or something good can come from your loss. I hope this book will be a help to you, give you fresh eyes to see and fresh hope to find ways to celebrate your loved one. God has not forgotten you and is, in fact, still with you.

Others will read the book with great interest in Renee’s amazing, adventurous life filled to the brim. In many ways, she was an ordinary person. She had no particular fame, wealth or authority. Yet, with the Lord’s whispers in her life, she lived an extraordinary one.

Regardless of the pain and suffering from the loss of your loved one, there is comfort and peace in walking with God. Eventually, strength and joy will come as you move through the grief journey, from mourning to joy. I am reminded that the LORD takes pleasure in those who honor him, who trust in his constant love (Psalm 147:11)

May God bless and direct you as you read “Whispers from Heaven – then She Was Gone.”