Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without this history-changing event, nothing else would matter. To me, this is the most important “holy day” out of any that we celebrate. Because of what Christ did on the cross for me — I have life: life more abundantly and life eternal.
Some call it Easter, others don’t like that name at all and call it Resurrection Sunday. Whatever you may call it, all that matters is YOU know the true meaning of this very special day.
So. rather than me babbling on, I’d like YOU to share what this day really means to you. E-mail me: steve (at) stephenbennett.com.
Thank you Jesus for dying for me. Thank you Lord for RISING and conquering death.
A blessed Easter Sunday to you all! ~ Stephen
Sorry everyone for the huge gap in posting. Sometimes, you feel like there’s just nothing new to say — or, you have so much to say — but no time to post.
Without question, spring is in the air here in New England. I absolutely love living in Connecticut, as we get all four seasons — and a full dose of each.
Fall is my favorite season, probably followed by winter. I love winter because of the “impending” snow storms that can usually wallop the North East. That being said, this winter was WAY longer than any I can remember. We had a good amount of snow, but the cold is what clearly dominated this past season. Spring has now arrived and is in full force. As my sister always says, “April showers will bring the May flowers.”
Irene and I love spending time outside working around the house. For me, it’s very therapeutic — and spring begins this time.
Several years ago, I planted 23 arborvitae trees around the perimeter of our back yard. I dug the holes, fed the trees and put mulch around them after. They were only two feet tall. When they grow, they will tower between 12 and 15 feet - making a natural fence in our back yard. The trees are about 3-1/2 feet tall this year, and all but one are doing fantastic. I’ll most likely have to replace it, probably this week.
This week will also be the first time I cut the grass this season. I drive my mother-in-law crazy because she knows I LOVE to cut my grass. In her Polish accent she says, “Why you cut the grass again? You always cutting the grass!”
At the beginning of the season, I usually will cut it once a week, and then when it really starts to grow, there are some weeks where I will cut it twice. Then in the summer, I back off and cut it every other week, raising the blade. I look forward to ending my work day, getting an ice cold Pepsi, putting on a t-shirt and shorts and going outside with my lawnmower. The kids will come outside and pick up any sticks, and they’ll be playing ball or on the swings while I cut the grass. We all love it.
I’m also in spring cleaning mode inside right now. We’re getting ready to have a HUGE tag sale in couple of weeks, and what a tag sale THAT will be!
That’s about it for now. Very busy with the ministry, as well as real estate. All is well.
Time to jump in the shower and get ready for church. I hope you all have a blessed day (and week) and Lord willing, I’ll get back to posting more frequently. Lord bless you all! Steve
I feel like I “waffled” through these past two months — even though I didn’t. Does that make any sense?? Actually, I have never been busier in my life. I can’t believe though that March is here. Wow. Only ten more months until Christmas and winter begins again. OUCH!!
Time Magazine’s cover and title this past week really struck me. “Holding On for Dear Life” with a pair of hands grasping a rope which is frayed, only being held together by a few weak strands. What a tragic, yet perfect picture of this frayed economy and time we live in.
One can help but feel anxious as you read and watch the daily reports of millions of people losing their jobs, homes being lost to foreclosure and more. It’s amazing to see how life goes in cycles — up and down.
I remember this time very clearly back in 2000 when we went into ministry. We had a very successful sign company for many years, and business began to drop dramatically. It was the recession. We were forced to let all of our employees go and eventually sold the business for half of its value.
Now, here we are again. What goes up must come down. One lesson each one of us better learn is to conservatively save for when times like this come — and they WILL come again. Let’s just hope and pray we all make it out of this mess, with the least collateral damage as possible.
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The cares and burdens of this world are way too much for any individual to bear. I learned that a long time ago. The hate and animosity that exists today is sickening. We are a country and nation divided. A house divided cannot stand. It never will. Here’s to praying for a miracle that we as a nation can somehow come together and show the rest of this world that while we may disagree — our unity is way stronger than our differences.
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Tonight we’re off to the wrestling ring — AGAIN. My son and his classmates are obsessed with this and that’s all they do is wrestle with each other and horse around. We’re going with a couple of his friends and another dad to chaperon. We should have a lot of fun.
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The real estate market is picking up now that spring is almost here. I’m working with several new clients and have a few new listings. I LOVE working with my clients and from what I’m told, the feeling is mutual (thank God!) Really, I do enjoy the craziness, the multi-tasking and the negotiating. More importantly, I enjoy the people. You get to meet all kinds of people and real estate is not just about selling houses. It’s about listening to and helping people. Without question, one HAS to be a people-person to be a real estate agent. I have an extremely busy schedule being involved in ministry full-time as well. Listening to and helping people is what really is important.
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I’ve seen large gaps in my blog posting, but I see it also with my other friends. I guess it’s just not me. Everyone is busy as spring approaches. The grass will be sprouting, the trees and plants beginning to bloom. The warm weather beginning to settle in. WOW. March is here — and I can’t wait! Have a great day all ~ Steve
So, the stomach bug is going around the country. It’s going around Connecticut — and it definitely has been going around the Bennett house.
One by one, starting with my mother-in-law, the stomach virus has hit each one of us. It was my turn Tuesday night and here we are Thursday night, and I’m still a tinge queasy.
They say there’s a bright side to every situation, right? Well, for each of us it has been some weight loss. I lost six pounds in the last two days and feel like I’ve been completely cleaned out. The only food I’ve been able to keep down was a quarter of a bagel and some of Jadja’s chicken and rice (about a half a cup.)
So, the bug has done its rounds and hopefully it’s over and done.
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My father’s birthday was 2/16 and he would have been 70 years old. My brother Bo also shares the same birthday as my dad.
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The kids are growing up so fast. And time is flying by just as fast.
I walked into the family room and my son was laying down on the couch watching baseball. I asked him who was playing and he said the Yankees and the Mets — from 2000. I asked him why was he watching a baseball game from so long ago. He said, “Dad, it’s a classic! And it’s almost 10 years ago!”
I had one of those jolting moments. Wow — it’s really 2009??? I can still clearly remember when everyone was freaking out that the world was going to end in 2000 — remember — Y2K?? I still can’t believe how time has ticked on by.
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We have guests for ministry flying in this weekend, and next weekend I will be exhibiting at a major convention. So much to do in such little time.
That’s about it - nothing really exciting going on here, which I guess is good news. Have a great week all. Blessings, Steve
Last night, I walked into my mother-in-law’s (her in-law - she lives with us) and she was laying on the couch watching my all-time favorite movie — Moonstruck. I can’t tell you how much Irene and I love that movie. Now, it wasn’t early by any means. It was after 10:30 p.m. and Mrs. B was already asleep (well, almost out.)
I quietly got into the bed and turned on the television — and within a minute, I was already cracking up. I think I can recite almost every line from that movie by heart.
In a matter of minutes, sleepy head propped up her pillow, pulled it next to mine and we were both laughing for the next hour an a half. We didn’t go to sleep until after midnight.
Irene dozed right off, however, I was wound up. I couldn’t fall asleep. After about an hour, I was out.
I woke up this morning though very tired. I really didn’t feel like getting out of bed because I knew I had such a very busy day ahead of me. Do you ever feel like that??
Finally, I got up, made myself an egg sandwich and sat at my computer, reading the morning news and making my daily blog rounds.
I had some very tedious numbers-related work to do today, and I still have a bit to finish tomorrow. Irene was also helping with this task for most of the day.
Dooby was supposed to have wrestling tonight, but he didn’t go. He’s got a swollen arm (he did something to it.) So, we stayed home tonight.
I had a couple of errands to run and made it home just in time for supper. Irene made Falafel with lettuce, tomato, onion and tsi-tsi sauce (Greek yogurt.) It was OUT of this world!! It reminded me of when we were in Jerusalem back in 2006. Every day I was there (eight days) I got myself a Falafel pita that was huge for lunch. What memories. I do want to go back — this time, with the whole family. Lord willing, one day, we will.
I cleaned up my workspace where I make the Daddy Pants — it was a disaster. Actually, the disaster stretched into three rooms. I have been making them non-stop for weeks now. I can’t believe how many orders are coming in for them. It does put a smile on my face though!
We’re considering purchasing our very first investment property. I can’t stress enough that now is the time to buy like never before. There are so many foreclosures on the market and some of the deals out there are truly amazing. We may fix up this three family and flip it in a few months. We’ll see how things go. We don’t have much money at all (really, almost nothing) yet the price of this foreclosure is exactly what we can afford: almost nothing! We’ll see.
Off to bed. Everyone, including the dog, is asleep and I think I’ll join them all. Have a great night all. ~ Steve
So yesterday, Mrs. B was the “Mystery Reader” in Blake’s class. The Mystery Reader writes a little riddle about him/herself and the kids must guess who it is. The kids guessed Irene immediately when she referenced driving the kids to school with a “little white toy” driving along. Of course, she was referring to Duppy (our Maltese) who every morning gets his coat on (no fooling) and goes along for the ride dropping off/picking up the kids.
I needed to get some more fabric for the weekend, so Irene talked me into going with her, and she and the kids would go with me to Jo-Ann’s.
Most of the kids in my son’s class have known me ever since kindergarten, as I always go in to help out with crafts, reading, projects and more. They know I’m crazy and I always get them wound up.
As soon as I walked in the room with Irene, they all screamed “Daddy!!” I have no idea why, but they have all called me that from the very beginning.
Blake was so happy and ran over to Irene and me and gave us a huge hug.
The teacher had a big, white chair set up front for Irene (remember, I was just tagging along) and she took her spot. Blake told me to get a chair (a kid’s one) and pull it next to him at his desk. Many of the kids came running over to me and asked me to tell them some jokes. The teacher had them sit back down.
She introduced Irene (and me) and Irene greeted the children and read the title of the book, “The Princess’s Kiss.” Almost in unison, I along with the “other” children yelled, “Ewwwwww!!!” We all laughed.
For the next 15 minutes, every time Irene read a couple of lines, I cracked a joke and the kids could NOT stop laughing! At the end, everyone clapped for our “duet” — and I asked them all to get up front with Mrs. B and scream “Old Grannie Annie!!!” Without hesitation, they complied.
A fun time was had by all. I got the car and Irene got the kids and we were on our way.
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It’s been a lazy weekend, as I have an extremely busy week coming up. Too much on my plate, but thank God. Right? Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend. Blessings ~ Steve
Tonight I went to the homeless shelter, albeit a little later than I planned. With all of the snow and ice and melting and freezing, our driveway was a sheet of ice. Irene took the SUV, and I ended up using my mother-in-law’s car. It’s so tiny and it’s very, very old. Needless to say, it took me an hour just to salt, sand, dig, chop ice and burn rubber — but I got out!
I arrived at the shelter a little after 8 p.m. and the manager on duty let me in.
The shelter is actually quite beautiful. It is brand new, only about a year or two old.
I went up to the second floor and several of the female residents were in the cafeteria area. Some were sitting down playing cards and enjoying hot chocolate and tea. A group of the men were in another lounge area on the same floor, watching television.
I gave the manager a list of the residents I needed to see and she arranged for them to meet me in the lobby.
I have to say how touched I am at how grateful these individuals were to receive their handmade pajamas. Each resident tried on their custom clothes — and praise God, every single one fit exactly how they requested them: regular fit, or big and comfy. I am so happy.
I chatted with several of the residents and told them I would be back next weekend with some more orders for several of the other residents.
One gentleman was extremely thankful (seen here, wearing pajama pants, minus top). He tried his pajamas on and told me, “Hey Steve, thanks for making these for me. Really. I didn’t have any pajamas at all and now I have a pair. Thank you.”
Call me emotional, but I was ready to cry. All of the hell I went through this week was made completely worth it just through that precious man’s gratitude.
When I left, most of the individuals I made pajamas for — left them on — they didn’t want to take them off!
Honestly, when I left the shelter, I left with a smile on my face, joy in my heart, and thankful that I was able to make a small difference in the lives of a few individuals. That’s really what life’s all about anyway — serving others.
Well, off to go pray with the kids and go to sleep. It’s been a long day. God bless and have a great weekend. ~ Steve
(P.S. obviously the faces have been blurred to protect these individual’s privacy.)
I changed the bandages on my finger last night, expecting to see a completely disfigured finger tip. That’s based upon what I was feeling as the ER doctor was clipping away at my nail.
Well, the looks of it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. The pain really subsided, thank God. I am on antibiotics for a week to prevent infection.
Irene, my mother-in-law and I began the pajamas for the homeless shelter last night. My mother-in-law was a seamstress for years and is amazing at her craft. We are hoping to have everything completed by Friday night. We’re planning on going back to the shelter, spending some time with the residents and bringing them some pizzas as well. Other friends are planning on joining us also.
Yet ANOTHER winter snowstorm is on the way, expected to hit tonight and tomorrow. The kids are both home today, sick with their first colds all season, and they’ll probably stay home tomorrow as well should school be cancelled.
The Parents Group for the ministry meets tonight, Tuesday as usual. So many hurting parents out there.
I pray you all have a blessed day. ~ Steve
What an unbelievable, fantastic, yet horribly awful day it has been. Ah! Can one really have that kind of day?
You tell me.
I woke up this morning with a wonderful resolve — a breakthrough if you will. I’ll admit, a dark cloud has been over me for a while. Nothing major, just really kind of “tired.” Yet this morning, I was happy, feeling vibrant and I was excited about life – and the future — as one could be.
Last night, the kids and I made brownies and I bought two loaves of Italian bread and chocolate frosting. The food was for the homeless shelter our family was visiting this morning with some other dear friends. Pastor Randy is very much about “missional” living and serving, and we so appreciate that. He preached this week at the homeless shelter and many of us cooked or baked food for a meal we shared after with the residents.
Irene and I firmly believe in sharing the love of Christ with everyone, and that of course includes the poor and homeless. We also want Chloe and Blake to understand that the Lord wants them to help others who are less fortunate. The kids really did great today.
After a delicious lasagna dinner — with the Bennett kids brownies for dessert — and about 900 other brownies — I got out my vinyl tape measure. The manager of the shelter announced to the residents that a gentleman and his wife were taking measurements for anyone who wanted custom made flannel winter pajamas.
Within a minute, there was a line behind us. Men and women (both young and old) — and children. Even a mother and baby.
I told Irene I wanted to donate my time and our personal funds to make the residents pajamas. She smiled, and gave me the OK. Sure, it would be a lot cheaper to go to Wal-Mart and buy some cheap overseas factory made ones. But that’s not what I wanted to do. I wanted to hand make these myself, and pray for each individual during the time I was making them. (A set of pajamas, top and bottom, take me about 2 hours or so to make.)
After we finished with everyone in line, I must say I was just a BIT freaked out at the task now before me, but I was really excited. And I don’t mean to be self-righteous or to sound that way at all. Jesus said to feed the poor and to clothe the naked. Now granted, no one was naked (thank God)… but you get my drift. These are precious souls who have NOTHING. Many are given bags to sort through of used, no longer wanted hand-me-downs. I really wanted to do something special and meaningful for them — and also for me. Jesus said (paraphrased) “When you do this to the least of these, you have done so to me.”
So after about 3 hours or so at the homeless shelter, I dropped the family off at home and left for the fabric store. My mother-in-law watched the kids as Irene also left to go grocery shopping for us.
After a two-and-a-half hour shopping spree at the fabric store getting 60+ yards of all different types of flannel, and other things (I’m like a kid in a candy shop there) - I came back home to begin my project. I told the residents my plan was to come back on Friday night with their new p.j.’s — and a couple of pizzas for everyone as well.
Great day so far, right? Well, here’s where the tide changes.
I had to finish Blake’s Looney Toons pajama bottoms before beginning my other project. Now, I’ve been sewing (I know, a bit unconventional for a man — yet this is my “basket weaving” if you will…) for almost 30 years. NEVER did I ever have a problem in the past (at least that I can remember.)
I have no idea what happened, but when I was closing the seam along one of the legs with a zig-zag stitch, my left forefinger got pulled right into the needle and it went COMPLETELY through my finger and finger nail, and broke off IN MY FINGER. The needle was sticking completely out of the top and bottom of my finger.
I started screaming in agony as blood began pouring out everywhere. Irene was still not home and my son saw my finger and started crying. I’m sure I didn’t help because I was freaking out, yet I still tried to calm him down — telling him everything would be OK.
My mother-in-law came running in and gave me a towel, and I ran into the garage to get a pair of pliers to try and yank this THICK and big needle out of my finger. The pain was excruciating, and I figured it couldn’t hurt anymore that it did now. I also felt like I was feeling light-headed, and probably like I was going to go into shock.
This was not a little needle — and I can’t tell you how hard the force was when it drove into my finger. It was like the machine wouldn’t stop going. I ran downstairs to get a pair of pliers and I think I broke the top part of it off. The other spliter fell deep into my finger.
The dog was barking, going nuts, my son was crying, my daughter screaming and I told my mother-in-law I was going to the walk-in immediately.
I sped like a maniac with the blood soaked towel wrapped around my finger, no shoes on, and of course, my homemade pajama bottoms on.
I get to the walk-in — and it was CLOSED. I sped out of the parking lot to the second one in town — and guess what? CLOSED ALSO.
I then jumped on the highway, really feeling light headed and drove to the hospital, about 15 minutes away.
When I got there, it was packed. A three hour wait I was told. However, they took me immediately. I was so grateful.
Three hours-plus later, after x-rays and having my finger cut open by the ER doctor and his nurse (they were both really fantastic) my nail removed and whatever else — I didn’t look — (I know, I know - that stuff just really bothers me)– the needle was extracted.
I must say I’m feeling kind of mighty fine right now (the meds kicked in) and here I am at home, typing away, minus the use of one important finger. I’m told it will take some time for my finger to heal and the nail to grow back (yes, it was removed — or most of it.)
So, that was my day. My son said, “Daddy, don’t ever use that machine again!” I told him I would be back on it tomorrow night, and for him not to worry. I said we have to conquer our fears, not let them control us or prevent us from doing the right thing.
You better believe though, I will be WAY more careful and cautious than ever.
So, that’s my story. I’m off to bed now. I know I’ll sleep really good tonight. Blessings all ~ Steve
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