Benore Speaks II: Return of the Blogger

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After a long summer hiatus, the Benore Speaks blog is speaking to you again and boy to we have a lot to say. For those of you that have been waiting patiently in anticipation of this moment, you will now be rewarded for your due diligence. So much has happened since the last time we chatted, so it is hard to find where to begin. So follow the headlines below and I will try to muster together what has happened to and for us this past summer.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - part I
Well first the big news for all of those who don't know, I started working back in May for an advertising and web development company on a contract basis. As of July, the contract status has changed to full-time employment status. I am doing work in a field in which I have been working for a number of years as a web application programmer. For those of you not in the know, a programmer does not design web sites. I do not make things look pretty. I make them work and other people make them look pretty. I had been doing this sort of work from home for the past for 4 or 5 years, now I work in a nice office building in Downtown Fort Worth. Since I work the 8 am - 5 pm time frame, I will now go to school at night. Yes I will still be full-time. My schedule for school is Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm. So needless to say I will be a busy boy.

I did have to give up a few things. I will no longer participate in synchronized swimming and beach volleyball ... but then again I never did either of those anyway. But seriously, I have stepped down as president of Southwestern's Student Theological Society. Of course I was the second president this year and now they are on their fourth. Perhaps we are just trying to build our Wall of Presidents to lend credibility to the organization.

Of course in its place I along with fellow blogger from Your Daily Slice of Madie Pie, will be teaching a class at Travis on how to "Lead like Jesus." It is a great series but an even better opportunity for me to gain some ministry experience.

Remembering Nina
July also brought us sad news from home. My sister-in-law, that would be my step-brother's wife, went home to be with Jesus. Nina Hauser was survived by her sons, Christian and David, her stepson Michael (aka Little Michael) and her husband Michael (aka Big Mike). Born 38 years ago in Venezuela, she was mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. Her laughter and kindness will be remembered and missed.

Mary Kay Senior Consultant
Uh not me, that would be Shantell. Shantell has decided to kick her Mary Kay business into full gear and has brought two of our closest friends with her. These two women are both seminary wives and they and their husbands have been our friends since we met in the Fall of 2003. Susan Millsap (aka blog: The Matt and Susan Chronicles or the millsaps on my menu) joined around the beginning of July and Paula Sinclair (aka our upstairs neighbors) joined soon after. Mary Kay is a great Christ and family centered business and I am happy my wife has found something she loves doing. Need any makeup or perhaps the entire skin care line? Email Shantell by clicking here!

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - part II
More good news on the job front. Just a week or two ago, Shantell got a new job teaching in the Fort Worth Independent School District. After working for a year in Dallas ISD and driving 1.5 hours (90 miles) per day, just is very happy to be teaching at a school that is only 10 minutes away. Now in her 7th year of teaching, she will teach third grade. She has taught third before and is looking forward to teaching it again.

That's all folks
Well that is how Shantell and I spend our summer vacation. It was bitter/sweet but we are looking forward, greatly anticipating what God has in store over the next year.