Christmas Letter '06

The Bennett Family
1459 Caldwell Ct.
Mt Pleasant
SC 29466

Tel: 001 (843) 884 6187

E-mail: jandmbennett@bellsouth.net

Dear family and friends,

The American TV schedule leaves me with no doubt that Christmas is nearing, with reruns of Christmas classics being the norm each evening. The weather for once is also helping us get in the mood with thick frosts over the past week or so, although it continues to be pleasantly warm during the day time. Anyway, as it is apparently nearly Christmas, it seems like it is time to begin the next Bennett Family USA® annual letter. So, what of merit has happened in 2006?

Well, the biggest news of course was that on Wednesday, January 18^th, Hannah VeLynn Bennett was born at our local hospital after a long and arduous labor. She came out weighing 9lbs 4oz and looking very healthy. The first few days were definitely a shock to the system, and then the first few weeks, and then the first few months…! But after that it seems to have been one joy after another. The latest things are that Hannah loves being wheeled around on her little car, likes saying ‘Bye’ a lot, and is pulling herself up to standing. She also has no concept of manners so she likes to fart and burp in inappropriate places, much to her father’s delight! We have learned that what people say about babies teaching you much about yourself and about God’s love for you is true. It is incredible to be able to understand much better what it truly means to love someone unconditionally; it has given us an even deeper love for Jesus.

Besides being amused by Hannah, we have done a number of things this year. In April, Jonathan’s parents visited for 2 weeks and we had a lot of fun spending time with them, and taking a trip to South Carolina’s mountains. In June Jonathan introduced the idea of a Crusader Camp to the US. Phrases such as ‘The Rag’, ‘OC Games’ and ‘Siesta Time’ became common place, and the camp was a big hit: almost 60 students and adults attended the first ‘Camp Bonnie Doone’. In July we joined Melissa’s family in Jacksonville, Florida for Independence Day celebrations. Jonathan still struggles to understand what all the fuss is about on July 4… In August we took a well earned week’s vacation at home. It was a wonderfully relaxing week just enjoying all that Charleston has to offer, which is a lot! In November we enjoyed Thanksgiving in Jacksonville once again, although Melissa got her traditional holiday cold and spent a lot of time just resting. Gordon Weir, a friend from my days at Nazarene Theological College studying youth ministry, joined us for a week or so in December after attending Youth Specialties Conference in Charlotte with Jonathan. It was great to catch up with him and reminisce about our days at college.

Other things that have happened of note are that Melissa left St Michael’s church (where she was youth pastor) to take care of Hannah after her birth. During the week Melissa also looks after a lovely little boy called Sam (16 months) for a couple from our church. Hannah loves having him around as he amuses her all day long! It has also been a great joy to have Jonathan’s friend Jonny join the youth ministry apprenticeship program at Holy Cross Church for the year. Jonathan finally has a fellow Green Bay Packers fan to watch American Football with, and a Spurs fan (English Football) to make fun of…!

This Christmas we will be in England for Hannah’s first Christmas as we will be visiting Jonathan’s family in Hereford. For our British friends do visit us or give us a call if you want to catch up (01432 270329), we would love to see you! May God bless you in the year to come, and we hope we will see you at some stage.

God bless,

The Bennetts.