Repurposing is Wonderful!

Hi all!

I just have to take  a minute to brag on Dustin Davis Benac and his carpentry, creativity skills.
As I am about to start at Dallas Theological Seminary with the Biblical Counseling program, we realized I was in need of a study space. "But not just any study space, it has to be cute!" So, thanks to Pinterest.com (which is amazing and slightly addictive), I found a picture of a desk made of 4 or 5 planks of old wood. Low and behold, we had some old wood in our garage. Actually, we had the remains of a picket fence our neighbor decided to throw out. I wish everyone could have had a good laugh at Dustin and me shuffling down the alley in the dark with parts of a fence. And now, thanks to some creativity and a late night cutting 45 degree angles into wood I have a CUTE desk! There are so many ways to repurpose what is thrown away; let's get creative people.  Enjoy and thanks again Dustin!

ALDI

This is my (our) new found love! I think this store knows how to do groceries so well I couldn't help but share it with those I love.

I must catch some of you up on what I've been doing this summer so that you may more fully understand my fascination and support of this store. I work with CitySquare here in Dallas with a summer feeding program. Basically, different teams head out to apartment complexes throughout North Dallas to help feed kids alongside Pepsico (thank you!). The meals that are given freely to kids are nutritious, well-balanced meals. Many of these kids could either not afford or would choose not to eat these types of food. I have recently learned, through a screening I watched to gain extra work hours, that many of these kids do not have access to such foods. Convenient stores are banking in these neighborhoods because they have cheap food and are on every corner...so people go there.


And this is why I love ALDI. ALDI stores have been popping up in low-income communities providing many families with low-price groceries. And today I am here to testify that this store has great prices and healthy options! 


Their advertising: "Honest to goodness savings".


From the low number of employees to the simplicity of the store, costs are cut and customers are happy! Why am I just now finding out about this place? 
From my perspective, I see ALDI and I think provision. It continues to amaze me how the Lord meets needs and gives people wisdom and resourcefulness beyond measure. 


Hope you enjoyed. I just couldn't keep it all in!

a picture is worth a thousand words :)

Hello again from Garland!

We just wanted to inform everyone that our wedding pictures are finished and posted on our photographer's blog. Please feel free to enjoy, copy, save and print all you want! We really love them and hope you do too!

http://photos.jonbolden.com/share/LY6pdSG1pXh1w

Love, 

The Benacs

We're Married!

Hello family and friends!

Since returning from the beautiful land of Kauai, Hawaii we have been spending many hours a day at a Starbucks about a mile from our house. It has been interesting to see the regulars come in each day and, as Dustin says, "Wonder if they are more vulnerable with the baristas than their own families." Dustin is busy working with his professor, Terry, on a project that has allowed Dustin to write and research for several months now. He is loving it most days; other days he anxiously awaits 5 o'clock. I (Casey) will let him tell you more about it later.

Fresh Fruit Juice Bar!

Pic after a day of hiking and snorkeling at Hanalei Bay

We have had time on the weekends and evenings to make the house here in Garland a home. Slowly our "stuff" is filling the cabinets, shelves and walls. Something worth noting: 8 of the 12 Borders bookstores in Dallas are closing and we stumbled upon one in the last days it was open. Therefore, we now have 3 bookshelves straight from the Borders wall for our very own personal library. Our hundreds of books are feeling quite at home!

Our Study (notice the book shelves)

Our dining room (notice the cute curtains)

I, Casey, am still looking for work in the Dallas area. I am a frequent visitor of careerbuilder.com! We are also waiting to hear back from seminaries across the country about financial aid and scholarships before we can make a decision which will determine how long we are residents of Garland. Until then, we are setting up shop here, getting familiar with the area and learning what it means to be married!

We love you all and had such a fun wedding day, thanks to y'all!!!

The Benacs