Benware's Latest

We have been moving along full speed these last few weeks. Brenton has been working a full schedule with his assistant, wrapping up final details just before pre-season starts. We have been to indoor soccer a few times to watch a handful of the current Montreat players and another recruit that was recently in town. B just had a recruit from Trinidad commit to coming this next year and he is pumped. He is also thrilled, while I am a little jealous, that one of his first away games is in Florida. It is amazing to think it is already time for another season to start!

Kelly has been reading away! The first few work days have been learning the methods of "The Cove" and diving into creating the notebook for Lloyd John Ogilvie's (Previous pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church and chaplain of the US Senate) seminar starting this week. It has been a combination of working with the speaker's outline, research (for the Life Application section and for the recommended Bibliography that I have been able to compile on my own), and proofing commentaries and outlines; a full weeks work. It has been fulfilling and truly interesting.

We are just about to begin working with Gary Chapman's (author of "The Five Love Languages") notes and will then move ahead on the many other seminars this Fall. We are keeping busy at "The Cove"!

In our down time, B and I have loved watching Lexi go crazy with our huge yard and screaming monkey. We have a stuffed monkey that flies and coos; his name is "Hoover". Lexi has destroyed all her stuffed animals in little time; all except for Hoover that is now her side kick she carries everywhere. It is amazingly entertaining to watch her nibble until he talks.

We also wandered around a huge festival downtown Asheville this past weekend. Bele Chere had such an ecclectic and yet fitting group of people present. It was a good weekend for people watching and a baseball game downtown. The field was surrounded by trees and dropped right in front of the city skyline. Life is plenty good; especially if you include going home to the ice cream in our freezer!

Blue Ridge Parkway Trails

Leisurely afternoon out with our pup that is getting so big! We have truly been enjoying the area. The weather is perfect and the scenic veiws have been breath-taking.

Stamps of Approval

The Lord has continued to provide. Today we were venturing out into the world of garage sales, to find a t.v., when out landlord called Brenton over to his shop. Mr. Wright had no idea what our afternoon plans consisted of when he told Brenton he needed help carrying something. He continued on to say that he had a large t.v. he no longer wanted sitting in his shop. This generous man simply wanted to loan it to us! So Brenton and two other gentleman carried this answer to pray over to our basement. We now have our media room!

Yet another blessing; I have landed on a job. I had been interviewing with a few organizations and recieved two offers in the last few days. It has not even been two weeks since we moved to North Carolina and the Lord provided in abundance. While the Lord is always faithful, I also owe much gratitude to both my family and the Benwares who have prayed faithfully on my behalf. I have accepted a position at Billy Graham's Training Center at the Cove. I will be helping proof read, research and put together the seminar booklets that those attending The Cove will recieve. What an amazing opportunity to be a part of this ministry. It is more than evident that we are where the Lord wants us for now; these stamps of approval have definitely been reassuring of that.

Time in Texas!

(Sadly, the pictures from basketball camp were bad quality, but this one was too good to pass up!)











As I mention in the last email, the week before we moved to NC, we were able to visit with Brenton's family. Mama "B" took me antique shopping for the first time ever and the kiddos took us to the fireworks! We had a blast catching up on the happenings of our precious nieces and nephews. Piper was so confident and proud to be riding horses. Baylor was down right adorable with her precise gymnastics moves. And the boys, Corbin and Husdon, made us proud at basketball camp. I have a new appreciation for all you do Claudia!

We love you guys!

Moving Out

Picture Provided by: www.montreat.org

We packed up a storage unit and headed out of Bartlesville this past weekend. It was also last weekend that Brenton received a promise filled call from Montreat. They offered him the opportunity to coach the Men's Soccer team at Montreat College in Montreat, NC. A full-time coaching job! This is the blessing we had been praying for, though I confess I was struggling with faith in God's timing these last few weeks. The offer came as last minute as it could have knowing we were moving out of our apartment at that exact time. The Holy Spirit surely has a way of prompting conviction when needed. Thank you for your faithful reminders and blessings Lord!

A little more about Montreat College. It is nestled way up in mountains covered by trees. The 50 year old campus buildings look ancient; they are gray stone masterpieces. It is time I pull out my long dresses and corsets! Combined with the campus is the Montreat Conference Center that has a sparkling lake and breathtaking stone dam. It is the land of retreats for obvious reasons (aka: Billy Graham's home and training center).

We are ever so thankful and amazed at how the Lord has provided. We will keep you updated in the weeks to come. This past week, our first stop was with the Benwares for a little more vacation and goodbyes. The real journey begins this weekend when we move out to the mountains!