Bennett's 50th Anniversary

2008-08-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Today is Ed and Laura's 20th Wedding Anniversary!

2008-07-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of Beau and Monica (Lana's youngest daughter) who were married Saturday, July 19, in Garfield, Arkansas. Congratulations Monica (Mermaid)! You're beautiful and "your Beau" is a sweetheart! We love you!

2008-07-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have so many wonderful memories of Loyd but I will be merciful and tell just a few.
I love to read and before Loyd was old enough to object too much I would read to him.
By the time he started school he knew all about The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Girl of the Limberlost, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Tarzan of the Apes and many other important books.
When he joined the national guard, he was pretty good at conning me to iron his uniforms.
When he took Sue to the Senior Prom he conned me (he preferred to say charmed) to let him drive my beautiful two-toned blue brand new 56 Chevy so she could have room to spread her full skirt out so it would not get wrinkled.
I wonder if I should mention the many, many times Loyd helped me move, fix my cars, change my tires and other things I couldn't do alone.
No, I don't think those things are worth mentioning.
I don't think anyone could possibly love a brother more than I love Loyd.
That is worth mentioning, isn't it brother?

Elane Bennett

Hi ho!

2008-07-16T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hey all. The three videos that i am posting are the ones that were made for the anniversary party. At one point it was all one movie but when i put it onto youtube it was too big and so i had to divide it into four different parts. Hope you enjoy!

I had fun making these and am going to make another one from the party. So keep checking the blog!

Elizabeth

2008-07-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Monica Olson (Bennetts' granddaughter) and Beau Flora who will be married on Saturday, July 19th. Monica and Beau, may your marriage be as happy and blessed as your grandparents' has been. Love built on the foundation of Jesus Christ never fails.

2008-07-08T12:31:00.001-07:00

Loyd and Sue,

Congratulations on 50 years together! We are sorry we are unable to make your party. We hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with friends and family! What a blessing you both are! We wish you many more happy years together!

Rob & Dawn Whorton

Thank you Friends and Family

2008-07-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

You are gifts to us through the years. Our Lord and Saviour has used each one of you. Many thanks and praises to God for you. You made our celebration so meaningful with your overflowing love; your prayers, gifts, messages and joy with us, whether in person, on the wonderful blog, through cards and pictures -- all together lovely.

Thank you and bless you all in Christ Jesus our Lord

Loyd and Sue

I Peter 1:2 ". . . Grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."

2008-07-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

2008-07-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

2008-07-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

Happy anniversary Loyd and Sue.
Sue came into my life with a big (loud)bang.
Loyd was teaching her to drive and she hit my gas meter when she turned
into my drive.
I think she had slowed down to about 80 by the time she turned.
I loved her just the same, and still do.
I love you too, brother.
Elane Bennett

2008-07-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

2008-07-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

Dearest Sue and Loyd~

Happy 50th!! What a wonderful time to tell you how much you mean to me! From the moment I met you I wanted to be around you both because of your love for Jesus. I just remember you both doing so much at Community Bible Church. You shepherded me and both my girls through those years. And what fun we had, Sue, as we did the Good News Club in the Mira Mesa Park and in the Scripps Ranch Park those summers. I love your great passion to share the gospel and love children and you taught me so much about teaching the Word of God and weaving the Gospel in ever talk. And then those special Thursday mornings when I would come over to your home and you would fix tea and open the Word and teach me through the Holy Spirit. I treasure those times. And still, dear friend, you are right there whenever I have a questions or want to talk with you. You are precious to me, Sue. And Loyd, you are precious to me because you always let me talk to Sue and you always let me know that I am not interrupting!!

Blessings upon you, dear friends! Wish I could be with you.

2008-07-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

2008-07-01T15:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Loyd and Sue,

How we wish we could be with you for this grand celebration!!

It would impossible to recount all of the wonderful times that we have enjoyed with you as well as the hilarious moments. From the joys of serving together in Youth Ministry to your involvement in our own lives as well as providing another set of grandparents for our kids. And now you have been able to bless both our children and grandchildren!

Loyd I do remember a time when we were on a camp, staying in cabins. During the night one of the teens became ill and made a mess all over the floor – very close to your bunk. I laid there for awhile thinking surely you would get up to clean up the mess. You did not stir one bit. I finally got up and cleaned the mess up. In the morning I mentioned to you the incident and the fact that I was waiting to see if you were awake. It was only then that you informed me that you were definitely awake but you were not going to move!

Of course the incident at Lake Havasu will be one that I will never forget. I will never change in the back of a U-Haul trailer again!

The greatest blessing that you have offered to us, our children, and now our grandchildren is the very consistent testimony of faithfulness to our Lord. Over the years we have been saddened to see too many people choose paths that have led them far from the Lord. Your lives have consistently demonstrated a love for the Lord and for His Word. This is a gift that will always be cherished. We thank you both for your kindness to us. We cherish your friendship and we certainly rejoice with you on this very special occasion.

With Deep Love and Gratitude!

Rocky and Sue

2008-07-01T14:34:00.001-07:00

Your 50th anniversary is such a milestone. It is thrilling to think that you have been faithful to each other. I have been privileged to know both of you. You have been so good to me, always encourageing me. Thank you so much. I'm looking forward to coming to help you celebrate. You both are so blessed, and I am blessed by knowing you. Your sister in Christ, June Woolsey

2008-07-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Loyd and Sue,

Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary! I want to personally thank you for your spiritual investment in my own life and ministry as a young youth pastor. Those Sunday night Bible studies in your home in the early days of Community Bible Church are some of my fondest and most special memories to this day, now 23 years later. Boy, you guys are getting old! Your commitment to our Lord and Savior, your commitment to serve others and to proclaim the gospel to anyone who will listen serves to strengthen my faith and I’m confident untold others as well. Thank you for your love for me, for believing in me, for encouraging me, for kicking me in the rear from time to time, for being my friend, and most of all for allowing me to partner with you for the proclamation of the gospel and the building of Christ’s Church. I have been and am so honored to know you and am certainly a better man today for it.

For King and Kingdom,

Brian M. Murphy
Executive Pastor
RiverLakes Community Church

2008-07-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to be a part of your celebration. 50 years together and happily married, WOW! Congratulations and God Bless you on the next fifty!

With our love,
Tim, Barbara, Josh, and Felecia Bowen

2008-06-28T17:29:00.000-07:00

2008-06-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

2008-06-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Loyd and Sue , we have made many good memoirs with you and all of your family . I have enjoyed our years of being a close family.
The only hard part is having Loyd for my little brother!! Ha
I loved every minute of it, even when we shot the neighbors chickens with a B.B. gun .
Loyd and Sue I hope that you have many many more happy years together.
Love Bobbie McMaster A.K. A. Bob

2008-06-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

2008-06-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Loyd and Sue,
Thank you for being our friends, through thick and thin. Thank you for introducing our children, Shay and Nicole to the living God. Thank you for your lives which is a testimony to the resurrection and the power of God. Thank you for being involved the “Child Evangelism” which saved all of us. Loyd, thank you for all the kisses over the years.
Thank you for the eternal life that is now mine though Jesus Christ our Lord. I will love you for eternity for introducing me to the Gift.
Thank you for all the wonderful memories that we have, of Grace Chapel, men’s retreats, forever friends……………………
I cannot tell you the sorrow that Lorna and I feel for not being able to attend your celebration- we really wanted to come, had intended to, but circumstances simply will not allow it. I do believe that it will be wonderful anyway- but know we are very much there in spirit as well………
I love you so very much.

Mike Blechynden

2008-06-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

2008-06-27T08:44:00.001-07:00

Jerry D. Bowen said...
Congratulations Loyd "Dink" and Aunt Sue Sue!! Ah yes, we have many memories....as a child I remember riding in the back of the '56 Mercury singing "Honey Comb". After Mom and Dad moved our family to Arkansas, I remember all the times your family came to see us on vacation. Years later, God blessed me with a wife and we took our first vacation to see you and your family in California. A few years later, we brought our daughters to see you and went to Disneyland. That was the trip Loyd attempted to give our oldest daughter dog food in a bowl of milk rather than Cheerios....Kimberly has never forgotten that!! Our families are so close and we are truly grateful! Blessings on your 50th Anniversary and keep making memories!! Jerry "Dink" (nephew) and Patty Bowen

2008-06-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Sue & Lloyd on 50 years together!
My fondest memory of spending time with you both is in San Diego . You were so kind to take our family out to the beach and show us such a good time cooking out by the fire! It was such a fantastic family memory. I am so happy that you had such a beautiful daughter. She makes a beautiful bride for my brother and they have a wonderful family. Your family is a blessing. Best wishes on your 50th Anniversary and many more to come!

Joy Zilar and family

2008-06-14T06:31:00.000-07:00

We have been friends for 25 years. Wow, it sure doesn’t seem that long. Guess time flies when you’re having fun. Our children, Michael and Lana, married in 1984.
We have spent many times together and have very special treasured memories…dining on the San Diego beaches, dining in your home, and many times spent visiting together.
We wish we could be there to celebrate this very special occasion with you, but since we will be there a few days later for Beau and Monica’s wedding, it will not be possible. We look forward to seeing you at that time.
May God continue to bless you abundantly in your lives and marriage.
Happy 50th!
Much love,
Mel & Lyn

HI!

2008-06-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

Yet another pic for the day!

I love this one!

2008-06-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

Heres the pic for the day!

2008-06-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from the Blechyndens from some 35 years ago!

2008-06-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture Lana sent of Mom and Dad at Kyle's Birthday party (Lee Anna's son). Just another day in Paradise!

Pic for the day!

2008-06-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture for the day. It is from the hospital when Sue's grandson Casey (Lee-Anna's youngest) was born. I think that we had been there for over 3 hours and everyone started getting a little loopy!

From left to right we have Clint, Rebecca, Monica, and Sue.

Clint and Rebecca are Lee-Anna's (Bennett's grandaughter) oldest. Monica is Lana's (Bennett's daughter) youngest.

A letter from Dave and Becki Thompson

2008-05-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

This came to us via email and are now posting it here.

Dear Laura,

We would LOVE to send a note for your parents 50th wedding anniversary! We considered your parents our dearest friends, back when we were all living in Mira Mesa. After we left for Africa we lost track of them. The Lord is once again showing us his love by opening this little window into their lives and your life! How amazing that you would pick up "On Call" and read it to your kids!

Becki and I are sitting on a screened in porch in a plywood house up on stilts about 100 yards from a beach on the south coast of Gabon. This is our field's shared vacation cabin, and we came here for a week of rest. There's no internet here, so I'll have to send this to you when we get back next Friday. Here's our note to you mom and dad:

Dear Lloyd and Sue,

So, here we are, grandparents, graying, sporting the latest in reading glasses, and fighting off creeping disability. Who would have guessed the Lord would still be working so hard on our character?!

Becki and I were delighted hear from your daughter Laura (a pastor's wife, no less!) and learn that you are nearing your 50th wedding anniversary. We'll make you a deal: we'll send you a picture of us if you'll send us one back of you on your anniversary. We would rather be there celebrating with you in person, but since we can't happen please look at our picture, try not to laugh too much, and think 'long, loving hugs'! This means, of course, that we now have to find a way to meet in person!

Just out of curiosity, Lloyd, are you still driving a pick-up truck?

Just to bring you up to date, Rachael is a single missionary in Cambodia in her second term of service. She just moved two weeks ago to a town in northeastern Cambodia that's on the old Ho Chi Minh Trail, and is getting ready to learn her fourth language. How our little girl got to be so determined is not entirely clear to us, but maybe it had something to do with the Good News Club you taught, Sue! Because of you Becki started a Good News Club, and to this day she teaches Sunday school wherever we go to church.

Joshua is a pastor, a husband, and a father of two boys (3 and 1) in the northern California mountain community of Weaverville. He is in his second year of a church plant that's doing well.

Jeremy is a teacher, married to a nurse, and with a 4 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. She is Ukranian and her family settled in Florida, so that's where they live.

When you get a chance to catch your breath from all your well-wishing friends and family, call us so we can celebrate with you too! Or send us an email!

Love and Blessings,

Dave & Becki

Picture of the Day

2008-05-30T06:10:00.000-07:00

Pictures are amazing things. I certainly enjoy looking through all these old pictures and seeing people that I didn't even know at the time. The Bennetts have indeed been blessed over the years by family and friends. I hope these pictures portray that to you. Have a blessed weekened!

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

2008-05-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Below is a picture of Sue holding her daughter Lana and is pregnant with Laura.

Thanks for looking!

To Loyd and Sue,

2008-05-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

I received this email from Tyler and Connie Youngkin:

Congratulations on your 50th Sue and Lloyd, We are blessed to have had you with us in San Diego!! You both were one of the main people in our spiritual lives that encouraged us in living for the Lord. Sue, we learned the Bible as you taught us to teach the children!! You got us when were super green in things of the Lord. We know that was a big challenge too! We have always loved the spirit God gave you both in your lives which radiates God!! We love you and God bless you, Tyler and Connie

How's this for an "old" picture

2008-05-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

We are working diligently on scanning pictures for the slideshow and thought some might enjoy this one. Perhaps we ought to have the "picture" for the day! Have a great day!

Leave your thoughts, memories and/or wishes here.

2008-05-23T04:52:00.000-07:00

I just realized that there is no "central" location for everyone to leave thoughts, memories or wishes. As we post other pictures, you may well want to comment on those. But if you have anything specific things you would like to say to (or about) Loyd and Sue, please do so here.

It is so exciting to be speaking to some of you whom we have not seen or heard from in some time. I am grateful to the Lord for a celebration like this that allows some "re"connections to take place.

PLEASE - IF YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES YOU CAN SEND US, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM!

Please send pictures to bennetts50th@gmail.com

Blessings,

Ed

Wedding and Prom Pics

2008-05-20T08:45:00.002-07:00

Hey all, I just wanted to post Loyd and Sue's wedding picture and Prom pic. I really like them and I hope that you all will to!

Welcome to this celebration of 50 years of marriage!

2008-05-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

On July 3, 2008, Loyd and Sue will be celebrating fifty years of marriage! Wow! Over the next few weeks we will be sending out information about the where's, why's and how's of this special time in Loyd's and Sue's lives.

We thought the use of a blog would be a perfect place to get information out as well as encourage everyone to drop Loyd and Sue a word of thanks, encouragement or maybe even a memory.

Our celebration for this event is planned for Saturday, July 5, 2008 in the West Building of Hope Community Bible Church. If it has not already been done, we will be posting the particulars at the top of this page before long.

If you have any pictures, we would love to have them for our slide show. We are currently building our library of pictures. You can send them to our email account set up for this event Bennetts50th@gmail.com . If you have any questions, thoughts, suggestions, memories or otherwise, please do not hesitate to post them or email them to us.

May the Lord continue to bless Loyd and Sue. Please keep this time in prayer!

Thanks,

Ed, Laura, Luke and Elizabeth