I guess they say that when you reach a certain age all your friends get married. I never really believed them until this summer. We have had six weddings to attend this summer. Derek and I were asked to be in two of them, which was so nice and all of them were so beautiful. We have one more coming up this weekend, and then we should have a nice break for a while until they all start up again next summer! Congratulations to Stef & Genae, Seth & Karis, Daniel & Lacy, Ronnie & Andrea, Caleb & Andrea, and this weekend, Sean & Erika.
The rest of our summer was filled with friends, family, and lots and lots of work. When we got back from our trip to IL we starting remodeling a house here in our community for one of the families we work with at YWAM. We finally got them moved in two days ago and they are happily settling in. Its so amazing how much fulfillment you get from transforming a house into a home. I guess a lot of the work we do here with YWAM and in our community you don't always see the results or the heart changes. I know we are "storing up treasures in heaven" and that God sees all the work that is being done, but sometimes its just really nice to see something transformed before your eyes. The house really has turned out so nicely. The houses around here are all hundred of years old, so they have seen their share of families and gotten beat up around the edges. I really wish sometimes that the walls in houses could talk so we could hear all the stories of what they have seen and experienced with each family.
Derek and I are in need of prayer. This summer has also been a summer of sickness. Living by the grace of God also means sometimes not having a lot of money. Since we have been here we have had enough money every month to pay all of our bills, but our bank account has slowly diminished. I got sick twice this summer which meant unexpected doctor bills. God has been so faithful to us and will continue to be. But that doesn't always make it easy to trust. We just take it one day at a time. The doctors still aren't for sure what is causing my stomach to be so upset, but they are confident it is nothing too major (or poses a threat to warrant surgery). So please be praying for my health and our finances.
We are planning a trip to Seattle for later this fall. There is a group there that has started a worship time called Urban Hymnal that Derek is wanting to check out. Urban Hymnal is a liturgy service with all original music and art. It hasn't started yet, but we are going to try to be in Seattle for the first one. Derek wants to start something similar in New Haven. We have a free place to stay once we get there, which is such an answered prayer and a blessing. One of the staff here is from Seattle, so her family has offered their house to us, free of cost. We will just have to pay for our plane tickets, and food.
Thank you for all your support and prayers. It was so nice to be back in Illinois for the summer and visit with everyone and attend all the church services. Our plan is to come back around Christmas to visit again, but please feel free to come out and see us any time. There is always a place to stay out here. Talk to you all soon!
Love,
Rebecca & Derek
To make a Tax Free Donation, Please send check or money to YWAM and send to:
YWAM
Attn: Accounting
P.O. Box 3000
Garden Valley, TX 75771
Please do not put our names anywhere on the check (for tax purposes) but include a separate note designating it for Derek and Rebecca Bennett. Thank you!
