12-30-2004
Dear
friends,
Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
I am so
glad I serve a big God :-). How about you?
God is
faithful. That is very clear to me. He takes care of His own. Even in the hard
times. And I am SO thankful.
The last
three weeks have been rough, I will admit. Emotionally and otherwise. I found
out that I had inadvertantly hurt someone through actions that were
misunderstood, and I had to apologize, and chalk one up to "lesson
learned". Am learning lots about living above every appearance of evil, no
matter how innocent or niave my actions or intentions might truly be.
I noticed
something else too. I have been working a LOT on the paperwork for this place,
trying to get it finished up and filed, and it seems that the closer I get to
getting all the paperwork for this place filed, the more things seem to be
going wrong. My snow tires for my car were slashed (all 4 of them?).
Misunderstandings with friends that have gotten blown out of proportion.
People trying to discourage me from staying here and working on this dream.
Stuff breaking down. Me getting sick with what is either a seriously bad cold
or strep throat(?). And constant little things that just nag and annoy me like
crazy.
And yet in
the middle of it, I have seen some pretty noticeable fingerprints of God too,
and I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am exactly where He wants
me to be.
At
LEAST five different times over these past 3 weeks, just when I didn't
know how I would pay this bill or that, and I took it to God, the money
providentialy came in, just when it was needed. God gets the glory.
Someone
donated a diesal generrator last week for us to use, that gets much better
"mileage" than the old gasoline one that I had been using. And there
is even some diesal fuel left in at least one of the diesal tanks on the
property here, so it appears that my power needs are satisfied for awhile.
Another total answer to prayer.
A print
shop in Boise is putting together a publicity brochure for us and donating the
printing.
Someone
scheduled a lunch meeting for me tomorrow to present the project to a bunch of
people that are interested in hearing what is happening.
Some VERY
specific prayer requests that I had asked God about on this property right
here, He has answered and is still answering. I'll share more about that when
the time is right.
I was able
to get some of the wiring up here updated and operating more safely.
For
Christmas, I was blessed by the unexpected company of several frineds that came
up and helped out around the place, were delightful company, and fixed
Christmas dinner. That was an unexpected blessing, because I was kinda bumming
that day after taking Vanya back to her mom's the night before. It helped put
my focus back on God and the true meaning of Christmas.
In fact,
several times over the last 3 weeks when I was feeling especially down and
discouraged, God prompted people to unexpectedly call or email me and
encourage me. It has been good. I have been learning about God's love and
watchcare over me, even when I feel too tired or weary to even lift my
face to Him or anyone else.
In fact,
talking about His watchcare....
In the
brief ice storm up here last night, I slid into a snow bank and nearly off the
road (because I had to put my old baldies back on - it was just a little drop
off this time, maybe 20 feet, that I almost went over). God totally kept me
safe and on the road. Got my heart to pounding pretty hard though... :-)
Today,
simply slowly backing down my driveway, I slid sideways in the snow
and rain again, hit a snowbank, and again, nearly off edge of the road (only
about a 10 foot bank this time). Not sure how I pulled it out, but I (God?)
did. So I finished putting the truck back together tonight after dark (in the
snow falling) so that I can get out tomorrow in a safer fashion (no mishaps
putting it together, and it went together right).. Still have to fix the
4-wheel drive drive axle, but progress is progress I say.... And I thank
God for it.
And as I
sat down today to write, it hit me that another year has gone by, and I am just
reflecting on it all. And what a year it has been too *chuckle*. Let me recount
some of the highlights for you, then maybe note some things that stand out to
me.
The year started
with me embroiled in a divorce, living in Emmett. That was rough, and not
something I would wish on anyone.
Then I
moved up to the ranch, with God's fingerprints all over that.
The divorce
finally ended, and I started to focus on getting the ranch liveable and homey
I ran
several retreats that were well attended and apparently well liked. People
started stepping forward and helping out with ranch stuff in what ways they
could.
During the
summer monthes, I kinda got distracted some with everything happening in Boise
with ministry, the Bible studies, and what God was doing there. It was all
good, but it did put me behind on preparing this place for winter.
Over Labor
Day, friends came to visit from Chicago. That really kick started the
winter preparations, and I proceeded with more focus, though maybe still not as
much as needed, judging from the stuff that still needs to be done around here
even now.
Since
summertime, I have has several major misunderstandings with several different
people that I had considered close friends, that left me reeling, and searching
for answers. And learning lots in the process, about myself, about God, about
people in general, and about communication (still learning).
And through
it all, I have indeed learned about me and how human I am, about God and His
amazing character, and about life in general. It HAS been a good year, in spite
of the apparent chaos.
And I'm
going to end this for now, because I feel a fever kicking in.
My friend
with the cancer has been feeling better. Thankyou for the prayers, but don't
stop.
I am human,
and I make mistakes, but I know what I have been asked to do, and I serve a God
who knows everything, who can do anything, and who is taking care of me. I
am blessed.
Sincerely,
-Tim
Benedict
Thorn Creek
Conference Center
21
Yellowpine
Boise, ID
83716
208-392-6723