Roger Bennett's Midnight Meditations

Answering Some Questions

It always boggles my mind how time can pass so quickly. I don't realize it has been as long as it has, usually, when I look back at my last post. Needless to say, things have been very busy around here! I took another trip to AR since the last post, a quick weekend to help with some repairs around my folks' house. I have been on a couple of courier trips, transporting life-giving stem cells/bone marrow. I have been involved in many projects around my own house, as well. And, well, then there are the plans.....

I have received a few questions that I'd like to address in this post. And, just like my mind these days, they will be in no particular order!!

1. A few have asked about why there is no longer a link to either this site, or to my web store on the Legacy Five website. I don't know, and wasn't aware until the questions came in. If you think it should still be there, feel free to contact L5 @ www.legacyfive.com or you can always access these sites directly by placing them in your "favorites" list.

2. LOTS of you have asked me to tell you about the man I will be marrying. OK. His name is JB Savage, he is from E. Tennessee, he is a contractor/builder/realtor, and foremost a Christian. We have known each other for well over a year now. He has sold his house in E. TN and will be moving to Middle TN. In an economy like ours, he hasn't built much lately, and is hoping that Mid TN will recover a bit faster than E TN, as far as his business is concerned. ( Hope that made sense. ) We will be living in the home that I am still in  for a time, and in a couple of years or so, we will sell this home and build another one. We already have a smaller tract of land bought about 9 miles from here. It's 5 acres, as opposed to the 16+ I have now, so it will be easier for upkeep.

3. I am getting married this coming Saturday, November 14, at 2 pm. It will be a very small ceremony in a little country church, and will comprise of my kids, a couple of witnesses, and the preacher. So, if you are wondering why you didn't receive an invitation, I really wanted to keep it low-key for a lot of reasons. I am still sensitive to the fact that this is a difficult transition for my children, and I didn't want a lot of pageantry. We will be taking a cruise the weekend after Thanksgiving for our honeymoon trip. (Here's hoping the hurricanes decide to finally give it up for the season!)

4. Jordan's wedding plans are still coming along nicely. He and Jessica will be married June 16, 2010. He just completed a course on amplifier building and repair, to go along with his guitar knowledge. He works in a music store in Murfreesboro, TN, where he gets to use all of that. Chelsea has a lot of things going on, as well. Besides finishing up a semester at college pursuing a 2nd degree, she is planning to move out soon (as soon as we get all of the permits in place, she will have a mobile home put on our new land, until we get ready to build there), and preparing for a 3-month stay in Poland! Following her 2nd mission trip there this past summer, she has felt God's leading to devote more time to the one-on-one relationships the missionaries there are trying to develop. If all of the plans go through (they are in the works now), she will likely be over there from Feb-April. Please pray for her in ALL of these transitions, and pray for her funding, as she will be going as a volunteer for these 3 months.

5. Today is Veteran's Day, and I'd like to say a special thank-you to all of the veterans who have fought and died for our freedom. Now, more than ever, we need to be mindful of the price that was paid for the freedoms we hold so dear. And, we need to pray diligently for those who are still fighting for freedoms that are seemingly so precariously perched. We can NOT take for granted the rights that we have, yet, so many want to ignore the dangers we face, in the name of political-correctness. God help us, if we choose to let that happen. I'd also like to thank my favorite veteran, my daddy, who served in WWII. And, to all of those left from his unit, the 3463rd Medium Maintenance Ordnance, a division of the 3rd Army, who fought under General George Patton in the European Theater. Thank you for your service and bravery, and thank you for the special part you have all played in my life. I will never forget you.  Also, Happy Birthday to my baby boy, who was born on this Veteran's Day, 23 years ago. You are a blessing.

6. If I have forgotten anything, just let me know! You are all a very amazing part of my extended family, and your comments and words of love and support throughout everything life has handed me(us) these past years have been a gift. And, yes, I will continue to post on this site, so thank you for asking me to keep it going. Roger still has a lot of legacy to share, and I find that more each day. He will always be a major part of my life, and I am grateful for that. His memory still gives me strength, and I feel it is part of my own ministry to make sure that his message is still out there, helping to change lives. I am so happy to be

In His Grip,

Debbie

Urgent Prayer Needed for the Family of Anthony Burger

It's with a very heavy heart that I tell that earlier this evening, a long time friend of mine and all of Gospel Music passed away. Anthony Burger, the one of a kind gospel pianist known for his years as Bill Gaither's featured pianist on all the Homecoming Videos and Concerts, was a favorite to many across the country. He also kept a grueling solo appearance schedule.

Details are still coming in, but to add to the stress, he passed away while playing on a Gaither cruise to the Bahamas. When the ship docks in Nassau, the family will start the process of getting back to the states. PLEASE pray that all goes smoothly and with the least amount of stress possible.

Debbie's Totebags Arrive

They are finally here - the tote bags Debbie designed. These bags came about as a result of online conversations through the "Midnight Meditations" journal, and serve as a visual reminder of God's presence in our lives.

These sturdy cotton canvas bags have Roger's signature phrase, "In His Grip" embroidered on them, along with a design encompassing the phrase.

Colors and bag sizes may vary slightly, due to manufacturing runs, but should remain close to what you can see in this photo. (Bag size will average about 12" x 17", give or take, with the design embroidered in blue.)

The price for the tote bag is $12.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling.

Click Here to Order!

A Quick Note

Here is just a quick note to say things are progressing as expected. Roger doesn't feel on top of the world, but he is keeping up with his walks, etc.
As an aside, though, we have had to switch boxes at the mail facility (we needed a bigger one!), so the new address is:

Roger and Debbie Bennett
2260 W. Holcombe Blvd.
Box 310
Houston, TX 77030

Don't worry, though, we have been assured that all mail addressed to the old box # will be forwarded. Thanks again for all the cards and letters.

Love to all,
Debbie

Happy Memorial Day

I'm writing this post with a thankful heart. I'm thankful for all the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serve our country in the military. Many have served, many have died, ALL deserve our gratitude.

My Dad's older brother was killed in WW2. He was 20 years old with his entire life ahead of him, but it was lost in a fight against the enemies of liberty. He didn't want to die on a foreign battlefield. It was not on his list of things to do, but he fought anyway. His letters to my grandmother hinted that he knew he would not come home alive. Our family is still affected today by his loss. I obviously never met him, but I feel pride when I think about his sacrifice. Imagine all the stories of families across America who have lost loved ones in the various wars in which we have fought. They would fill libraries to the point of bursting.

So on this day set aside to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, I say thank you. Thank you for believing in the idea of freedom enough to defend it to the death. America salutes you and will never forget.