To our friends and family:
WOW! What a year this has been. The biggest thing I can tell you about this past year was the work God has done in our hearts. I’m so thankful that I can say “God is good all the time!” We live in such a wicked world that mocks God’s name, kills each other, and doesn’t honor Him as God. It is exciting to think God could come back anytime to take his children from this wicked world to live with him forever in Heaven. Just as many looked for the Messiah’s birth 2000 years ago we are now looking for his return!
It’s different being here in Florida for the Christmas season, even today I am sitting here in our house with the windows open – Mike is still taking his motorcycle to work. Hopefully we will see some snow when we go visit our families in WV and MI this month. The main difference this year will be the absence of my Grandpa Brodwater. He died on August 2nd, after battling cancer for about 2 years. He is greatly missed but God has also given great comfort through this time, we will hold him in our memories forever and will see him someday in heaven. He was always looking forward to seeing his Savior “Face to Face.”
Mike loves his motorcycle and its nice having the extra “vehicle.” His other hobby that he has been able to do more with this year is woodworking. He has had plenty on his plate this year but did not do any teaching at the school. He is currently coaching the guys’ basketball team again. Although his job description is youth pastor, Mike has had lots of other jobs including the website, church directory, conferences, and many preaching and counseling opportunities. His big accomplishment for the year was he completed his Masters degree in Biblical Counseling! Some of our favorite teen activities this year included ice skating, mini-golfing, and bowling. We also had a good group go with us to the Wilds this summer and saw some good decisions.
Carrie has too many hobbies to choose from these days – she loves painting, making cards, scrap booking, and baking (just wishes she had more time for all of them). She still spends her days with the boys, keeping to a schedule most of the time. She also helps the church out by cleaning it twice a week, as well as being involved in the nursery and teen ministry. The zoo and library have been our favorite visiting places this year as well as going to the beach a few times. She pretty much loves anytime the family goes out and does anything together.
Caleb has been doing an hour of home schooling each day this year. He doesn’t turn 4 till January but we felt he was ready and may begin reading by the end of the year! We have been doing a letter a week and included songs, books, Bible stories, and a verse to have a theme each day. It also gives his mom a good way to spend some one on one time with him. He had too many favorite projects just to pick one but we have done everything from macaroni faces, animal puppets, jellyfish, finger painting, to creation and wordless books. This summer while we were at camp with the teens, he and Titus went to Venice with the Lindsays and Grandma Bennett. He learned how to swim underwater (with a life jacket) in their pool so we also got a small pool for us to enjoy.
Titus turns 2 at the end of December and is tall for his age. He spends his days on his mama’s hip or sitting on the kitchen counter so he can “help.” We are still waiting for him to break out and start talking but he understands everything we say. He has the cutest curly blond hair and giggle. He is a joy to have and loves to do as his older brother does. His favorite foods these days are broccoli and candy.
We have had so much fun this year as a family and made so many good memories. I usually put a weekly update about what we have been doing on our blog – http://youthpastor711.blogspot.com/ (check it out). This year we want to send you the warmest wishes during this holiday season and all year long. We hope this year each of you will come to know your Wonderful Creator who also came as a baby to be born to die for you sins. May you go to His Word often to find the answer to all your needs.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mike, Carrie, Caleb and Titus Bennett
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