Wednesday 's blessings

Met with a lot of great folks today and every single one of them have been talking about the ranch. Allen who works for Husky said they have been talking about the ranch and about Guardian Plumbing and Heating as the guy's to get. God has a vision and we get to be part of his plan to provide the hope that so many need to move on with their lives.

We had an excellent time at the CMA Christmas supper in Saskatoon and so many opportunities to update every one as to the stage that the ranch is at.

Spent time with Jeff who works as a program coordinator with the Saskatoon Autism Services and left info for him to go over and he said he will get back to us.

Great to see that we have another girl riding as Jody now has a bike and her license and is ready for next spring.

Sounds like we now have heat on in the big shop out at the ranch Joey and Blaine and James worked till 2:00 am to get the boiler working God is so good all the time.

Once again with all our hearts we thank you for what is a miracle forming before our eyes, and the blessing, that we get to be a part of as we do the will of God. We all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those we love and to build hope for the next generation with all that we have been blessed with. Some of you have said,"I don't have much to help with", but it's not how much you help with, it's the condition of our hearts that God works with, and as He sees us use what ever we have to do His work here while we can that's when the miracles happen, all for the cause of Christ? It's that fork in the road,the channel we can use, and a choice among many that God gives us every day to be kingdom builders. God bless you all Harold, Diane and the Board of directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp.

Terrific Tuesday

Our day was spent doing errands and being blessed with running into family and friends every where. The first thing they would say is Got your Christmas Letter. God is so good and the letters are arriving and all are very encouraged with the progress that is happening out at the ranch.

One of the first friends we ran into was Bonny Lee who we haven't seen in a long time, we stopped and had coffee with her at Parables where we were already talking with Peter Doel Lisa's Dad.

We then had supper with our family and had some good laughs and great food.

When we had finished shopping in a store we took the time to share about the ranch to the two women working there and they were so excited about the ranch and all the possibilities, They took info packs and said they would read them gladly.

More and more we need to be who Jesus was, a man excited about life and the hope He had to offer those who would receive it. I believe that if we lived like Jesus for others, and not for our selves our churches would be busting at the seams and strong families would still be the foundation of society.

CMA Christmas Celebration in Saskatoon at Thomas The Cooke on 8th street east

at 5:30 tomorrow in the afternoon come one and all. Bring a $5.00 gift to exchange and we are going to have some fun and food, Go figure!!!!

Thank you Kathy for lovingly taking such good care of us.

For Our Families

O God, in the beginning You brought together man and woman in marriage that they might share Your work of creation and bring enriching life to one another. We commend to Your constant care the homes where Your people dwell. Knit together in growing affection those who have been made one flesh so that their love and marriages may never fail. Turn the hearts of parents to their children and children to their parents. Take away the roots of bitterness, vanity, and self-seeking that bring dissension where family peace should reign. Inspire them, rather, with loyalty, faith, and sacrifice, that in all the changes and circumstances of life they may stand strongly together in mutual service and love. Merry Christmas

Monday Can't Beat That Day

We headed to Kindersley for dentist appointments late Sunday evening for our appointments Monday morning, stopping in at the ranch to pick up some tools on our way. A young man that we have known since he was a baby and also the son of our good friend Dana the dentist has chosen to be a handy man and do home renovations. He has put his whole heart into his choice of occupation and does very well and God is blessing what ever he puts his hands to. I am going to spend some time with Carmen and teach him a few tips on basic plumbing repairs and renovations and fixture replacement so he can better understand his choice of occupation. With a bit of help he will be able to understand what, and what not he is able to do on his own. Also will better equip him for pricing his jobs. As we travel from there on to Saskatoon we will be stopping in and dropping off Christmas letters and ranch info to churches along the way.

Please keep us in your prayers as our old car is not running well, we have spent a lot on it lately, but cannot seem to find the problem. We love our car but we need wisdom as to what in the world is wrong with it. I keeps stalling and it doesn't seem to matter what speed we are going it just shuts down but P.T.L. it has always restarted right away.

James and Larry continue to keep everything at the ranch moving ahead at a supper pace even with the weather the way it is. Pray for safety and wisdom for these two dedicated kingdom builders.

We have been getting a lot of calls and letters from people every where about the ranch and that they would like to help in some way. Diane and I are so blessed with this vision of the life skills ranch but we truly need your help to see it all happen.

Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog.The Battle River Ranch Camp is a non profit organization that is focused on developing trades, life skills and training opportunities for men and women that are searching and find it difficult to get the opportunities needed to develop a productive life skill. Many men and women today have no idea what they could be good at or how to find out their possible skill area or level. We are a faith based training center.

Harold and Diane Stephan left a life filled with addictions and bad choices. Their journey has taken them through different twelve step programs and life recovery through a relationship and healing process with Jesus Christ. If it were not for caring people in their lives that never gave up on them or thought they were a hopeless cause they too would still be lost.

We would love to hear from you and if you feel this is a program and facility that would help you or someone that you know, or you would like to be more involved with a ministry like this or support it financially we would love to talk to you and would very much appreciate your help in what ever way you can.

This is a ministry for those that have a heart and desire to make a difference in the lives of others with the skills and gifts they have been blessed with and have a desire to pass on what they know to the next generation.

You are always welcome to visit and we look forward to your input. This ministry is prayer based, and we pray daily for the needs of others, if you have a need for prayer and not sure where to start give us a call and we will confidentially support and help you in this area. You may not know a lot about God but God knows everything about you and He loves you more than anyone can or ever will.

God Bless You and Your Family!!!

Harold & Diane Stephan and

Board of Directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp

Psalm 23 (King James Version)

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Sunday can't beat that day

Does life ever get to where you just need more of , more of God and only God and then you need Him now not later or tomorrow but now. There are times when I feel that I can't go another hour if I don't hear and sense God's presence to be able to move on. I know some of you are thinking see you should be able to move on and get through life or at least some of it with out being ever dependant on God for every move. Well I for one am glad that I am totally dependant on the one that created me. We all have a choice to seek God more and more or the ways of the world more and more. The ranch is such a huge project and to continue day after day we need Gods direction and blessing as this is His project not ours. I know also that many of you know scripture verses that would apply to this situation but I guess that after years of drug and alcohol abuse this is what I have to show for it. Diane and I spend no less than an hour a day in God's word and seek His peace and direction to our every move, so we trust and hope that our lives will enjoy the peace that passes all understanding that can only come from a loving and caring God. Bottom line I believe is that those of us that are fortunate enough to have family and friends that stand by us lifting us in prayer as we all "seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness all these things will be added unto us as well. Go figure!!!! Please pray for us an d call any time if you need us to stand in prayer for you.

What Footprints will you leave?

Everywhere you go, you leave footprints; in the sand, in the snow, in the mud, in the dust, and in lives, for all time, to those that will follow …

Footprints are temporary records. They get washed away by water, blown away by the wind, and they disappear with time. Nothing is left but unanswered questions...

Who made them? Where were they going? Were they happy? Were they sad?

Were they teaching? Were they guiding? Were they helping?

At the beach did they pickup seashells? Did they chase seagulls by the water?

Were they lovers holding hands?

Were they small children exploring the beach for the very first time?

When it snowed, did they make a snowman? Did they throw snowballs?

Were they a father trying to save his family?

Were they a mother with a heavy load

Were they a soldier's fighting for freedom and those he loved

And the questions go on….

Your memories are the “footprints” in your mind, and only you know the answers...

· Where have you been? - What difference did you make?

· What have you done? - What hope did you share?

· What have you seen? - What legacy did you leave?

· What have you touched? - What will you be remembered by?

· What were your thoughts? - What will they say at your funeral?

The answers to these questions, and many more, will be — YOUR FOOTPRINTS FOREVER.

Footprints in the sand

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Saturday out out at the ranch. a busy but blessed day as usual. I don't know about the rest of you but there are just some days you wonder what it will take to pick things up and it's so good that God knows the desires of our hearts and today was jam packed with blessing and miracles again. As I was looking at some equipment that had been dropped off last week by a neighbour out here at the ranch it amazed me that this was almost new saws and tables for making and teaching in cabinet building. I no sooner walked away from this equipment and a guy from south of Macklin pulled into the yard with a load of auto body equipment, welders, plasma cutters drills specialty tool and some like new tool boxes and said I don't know if you are going to have a body shop but here's enough tools and stuff to get started if you do. He even said he thought a great name for the shop would be (Body Restoration). He then had lunch with us and off he went. P.T.L.

Joey with help from Barry and Mark worked hard at getting as much done on our heating system so that we will soon have some heat in our shop.

Clayton and I with the help of the pay loader hauled a wack of gravel down onto our roads so that when spring arrives we won't have a problem with mud or wreck all the work the grader done to level out the yard.

I threw the cats out of the trailer for a bit this morning and when I walked past the porch at one point I noticed one of the cats in the empty garbage can but not alone. I couldn't believe what I saw as there was a mouse in with the cat, but what was even more strange was the mouse was on the cat's back and both were looking up at me. WOW the lion and the lamb will lie together or something like that.

We also got more feed into the horse and, fixed some fence and got dusty out of the fence and prince back in. The laugh of the day was as Joey got onto cowboy but when cowboy started to run Joey jumped off onto his buttock.

As we pulled away from the ranch about 7:15 it was snowing and windy an great to be heading home.

(John 12:48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

• And so Christ comes to us.
• We are the innkeeper of our hearts, of our lives.
• Is there room for Him? Is the inn is full? Can we make room?

A story is told of little boy who was to play the part of the Innkeeper in the annual children’s Christmas play at his church. Each time during the rehearsal it came time for him to tell Joseph and Mary that there was no room, he couldn’t say his lines. The director finally asked him why he was having so much trouble. He told him, "I just can’t send Jesus away! He can have my room!" There is room in the inn if we will make the room for Him. The inn was too full for Christ to come in. Throughout Scripture we see that there is no room for God. Is there room in your home, your life and your heart for Him?

Friday's Frenzy

More cards to get out in the mail and if you don't get one of the ranch Christmas cards and news letters please let us know and we will get one to you as soon as possible. James is away for a few days and so Larry and I are left to hold down the fort.

One of the pictures is of a hole that dusty is eating out of the center of a bale of hay must be the best part.

We finished up out at the ranch and headed in for a time of carolling at the pioneer lodge which is always a great time and what an opportunity to bring a smile to the many seniors that are there.

When Your Hut's On Fire

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for
God to rescue him..
Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements,
and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in
flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned
with disbelief, grief, and anger.
He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him!
'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.
The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart,
because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.
Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke
signal that summons the Grace of God.

Thursday A Day of Change

As James was deep down in the belly of the new and empty holding tank he heard a noise up above and when he looked up the deep dark tunnel in the light at the end of that tunnel he could see something or maybe someone and then he realized it was yes he was now sure it was Larry. Go figure!!!!

Because of God's blessing and goodness to us and the efforts of a great board and staff we are excited about some great new developments for next year. We also been have the opportunity early next year to present the ranch project to several well known Canadian business people and God willing they will be able to help us move on with God's vision to impact lives.

Progress continues at a miraculous pace out here at the ranch. We used to wonder what if we get to a point and we have run out of materials to continue what then do we do? Well thank the good Lord that has not happened and so we move ahead at the provided pace. As so many of you have join in to help, this first of it's kind facility will come into reality as a place that God will use to change and improve lives. As we help by giving direction and hands on training to those seeking to improve their work skills, we also hope and pray that they will find their place in society and relationship to the God that loves and cares for them dearly .

Many of you have said that you are not able to help out as a volunteer but you have held us up in prayer and are constantly calling to up date our prayer needs. Diane, Peg, James, Larry, I, and the board of directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp and the many young men and women that have already benefited from their time at the ranch are forever grateful to each and everyone of you for your generous contribution and commitment to this incredible Kingdom Building Project. We are getting calls from across Canada as to how one can find out more about the ranch.

Once again thank you so much and may the good Lord bless you and keep you as you seek His purpose in your lives.We wish for each and everyone a Very Merry Christmas.