Wednesday Report

How so much can happen in one day is only God's doing. This morning, bright and early it all started. We get to the ranch and the trucks and equipment started to roll in. Guys gearing up with harnesses, gear and tools like you don't see every day. then they asked if anyone wanted some gear to work with them, James and Mike went for it. After we all signed the safety sheet it was time to watch as another miracle was presented to us all right in front of our eyes. The events of today were absolutely breathtaking and as the trucks and cars passed by, honking their horns you knew God was blessing them as well with a front row seat to what God does best and that is to bless each and everyone of us with His gifts. The hills around us are so green that we feel like we are in another country. We have been told that those hills have never been that green in over 24 years or as far as anyone could remember. By 8:00 everyone was geared up and up it went. The main shop of the Battle River Ranch Camp was being raised and what an incredible part of God's plan to witness and to be a part of.

John and I got to line up the positioning of the lodge. We needed a lot of sand for the shop foundation and so we did the best thing and stated to dig the basement for the Lodge and move the sand over to the shop.

We were told that this crew has never put up a building yet, where they haven't had to do a lot of work to make the bolts fit. They said this is the first one that they didn't have to do a lot of adjusting or cutting to make the building fit on the base of the structure and they have put up a lot of buildings over the years. Well, thanks to James our site superintendent this was their first, that every bolt was in the right place and the building fit perfect and the way it should fit. Way to go James, we definitely have the right man on the job. James isn't a stand by and watch superintendent, he gets in and works right along with all the trades and workers and they seem to appreciate him a lot.

Once lunch rolled around we were in for another treat as Gale prepared the most delicious ham meal ever, with all the fixins including fresh buns and pies with ice cream. Diane and Peggy also were there to help to set up with Gale as she was preparing a great feast for each of the workers that couldn't wait to dig in.

Larry prayed a wonderful blessing on the meal and for protection for all the workers.

Again J.C. inspections arrived and Ryan went straight to work at building the stand for the new equipment that should arrive late June or early July.

Also Darryl Wills arrived today, Darryl and his family have donated the office building for the ranch and a large generator and much more. Darryl is going to deliver new shingles for the office and will complete the office setup including supply and installing the skirting. We also have been praying for a hydro vac to do some excavating around the gas well and looks like God has provided that today also.

Our insulation for the building should be here tomorrow and next week we will begin to close in the building. We have been so blessed by so many including our county office that have been so patient with us as we move to build a facility that will be such an asset for the community and surrounding area. Please pray for them with us also, as they have so many projects and decisions to make each and every day.

I am realizing that the exact place and position that my life is in at this very moment is the fruit from the seeds that I have planted throughout my life.

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Leave me alone," he growled... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked. "No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away." The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone. Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.. "No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?" The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?" "See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." "Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't d o anything.." "This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it." Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked."What is all this, is this man in trouble?" "This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered. "Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business." Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place." The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" "Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms." "And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?" "What business is that of yours?" I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company." "Oh.." The woman smiled again.. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?" "No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty." "Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?" "Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice." The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer." The officer watched him walk away... "You certainly put him in his place," he said. "That was not my intent... Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this." She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?" Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar.." "I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry." "Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.. "I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment.. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat." Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy." "I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right..." "So you started your own business?" Old Jack said. "I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you." There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked. "Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. He led me to you." Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways.. "Thank you for your help officer," she said.. "On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget, And thank you for the coffee.." Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You always- and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you. God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart. When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go. Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.. Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing... "The Task Ahead of Me is Never as Great as the Power Behind Me!!"