My Story

Well, I finally decided that I should get a blog and maintain it. I have had a blog in the past, but I really don't know why I let it go. I may end up reposting some of those in here. Anyways, I wanted to share my life story as the first official blog on blogspot.

I was born in The MED in Memphis, TN on February 16, 1988. I am a twin and he is the only sibling I have. His name is Chris. My parents are Roy and Rhonda Bennett, who are currently still married. I fell very blessed for that one. Since the age of 5, I attended Westside Schools in Jonesboro, AR. I went there for 13 years until I graduated on May 13, 2006. I am now about to be a JR accounting major at Arkansas State University.

School challenged me, but not all that much. It came easy to me and my first "B" was in 8th grade. I never really had to work for it because it just came naturally. It seems to be working for me in college as well. Although I do have to work at it a little harder.

Mom always had me in church; I was raised in church. On June 9, 1997, at Stoneridge Baptist Camp, I accepted Christ. I can still remember the emotions I felt when that moment occurred. Although, I do not remember most of the people around or many of the minor details. But I do remember that year we had services under a tent because the tabernacle wasn't built yet. It was really hot out and it was the evening service, so we were in jeans. lol. That's about all I can remember from that day.

I was baptized at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church on June 29, 1997. So that was the first church I was actually a member of. I remember feeling very special!

Later that year, I told Mom that I wanted to start playing clarinet like she did. I was 9 and I thought it would be fun to do what my mommy did :D. I had NO idea it would turn into what it did. In 5th grade, Mom put me in band class. It was my favorite class of the day. I really enjoyed playing music and quite to my surprise, my school was cool and no one made fun of anyone for being in band or doing anything they loved to do. That's when music took over my life. What I didn't know is what God was shaping me for during those classes.

In 7th grade, I decided I wanted to try a second instrument and the alto sax really peaked my interest. My band director had one at the school that I borrowed from the school. I only played it in jazz band, but loved doing both. I became very good at both instruments throughout the school. I usually was the best in the band when in middle school, and usually the best of my grade in high school.

Starting in December of 2001, my life changed for the best. I was introduced to a man named Bryan Davidson. He was the youth pastor at Community Fellowship Church and we were starting to visit there because we left our previous church. We eventually joined and became VERY active at CFC. Every night was something to do with the youth group so I was a busy and loved it.

On June 8, 2003, God started showing me what my life is meant to be. It was Sunday morning and PB (Pastor Bryan) was on vacation so we had another adult in the church lead Sunday school. He worked at the Storehouse so he brought a Christian CD with him as a prize for the one who won the mixer game. Well it turns out, I won so I got the CD. It was a band named Kutless. At that time, I absolutely hated rock music of any kind. I thought, "Great, it's a rock band." I was still excited though because after Sunday school, I was supposed to get my first guitar. We were going to pay $100 for it. So, I go to service and the guy selling it to me takes me out to his car. He opened his trunk and asked, "So when's your birthday?" I kind of figured out what was going on, but replied "In February." He then thought for a second and said "Well, congratulations, it's free!" I was SO excited at that moment. I had a really good friend who played and she showed me a few chords to get me started. I went home that day and played for 5 HOURS! My hands hurt so bad after that. lol.

I finally popped that CD in my CD player to check it out. Just as I expected, I hated it. It wasn't until later that summer that I fell in love with the music. God definitely had His hand in that one. That's when the passion clicked. I started my own band with my brother and we named it Mathetes. It means "disciple" in Greek. My ministry now was that kind of music, with that same guitar. Also, Kutless quickly became my favorite band and still is.

A couple of years later, CFC had some problems and we decided to leave. I started going to Ridgecrest Missionary Baptist Church in my JR year of high school. My family stayed there a year. We mainly were there to help the church change from being an old Baptist church. I finally decided to leave in September because I wasn't growing anymore. I was stale in my walk with Christ.

I then started going to Temple Missionary Baptist Church with my brother. He had only left Ridgecrest a couple of weeks before I did. I decided that I was done with meaningless relationships and I told God, "I'm not looking for her anymore. I'm done dating until You bring her to me." That was my mentality going to Temple. I needed friends, not girlfriends. Also, I had a list that I prayed over and knew that's what He wanted for me. Here's that list, I don't feel like explaining myself on these, but here they are in no particular order:
1. Christian
2. Baptist
3. Loves Christian music
4. Loves kids
5. Loves to sing
6. Raised in a Christian home
7. Never kissed
Now I know what most people think about that list..."You'll never find a girl like that!"..."You're WAY too strict!" I heard it all.

On a Wednesday night at Church, I find out this girl likes me. Her name was Tyna. I didn't much care and kind of shrugged it off. Then I heard that she never kissed anyone. To tell you the truth, I still wasn't much interested. When my family got home, I told my mom that I heard someone liked me. At that moment, she knew exactly who I was talking about. Tyna never made it seem like she was avoiding me that night so it was just mother's instinct. That night, I got her email address and her phone number. To make a long story short, one by one she matched my list. Things quickly took off and I knew she was the one for me.

We dated most of our Sr. year of high school. Since she went to Bay and I went to Westside, we only saw each other at church. We both graduated in 2006 and we are now going to ASU.

That fall was one of the biggest times in our lives. I had a ring and dream and that was about it. lol. I asked her parents for her hand in marriage. Quite to my surprise, they said yes without any doubt or argument. They seemed excited about it and I later found out they were. The big day came and I proposed on November 11, 2006 at Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park. It was an amazing day capped off with an amazing moment.

November 26th was the hardest thing we had ever went through. That was the day that her mother had passed away. I wasn't sure what would happen with Tyna because she didn't have the best relationship with her step-father. But, they ended up growing closer, so I was very relieved.

July 7, 2007 was the big day. I didn't get to see her until she walked up to where I was standing below the stage. That was because everyone stood up and I couldn't see her walk down the isle. She was GORGEOUS!! I was speechless! It really was a great wedding, nothing really went wrong. We honeymooned in Dardenelle our first night, and Petit Jean for the rest of the week. I really wish we could do it again.

Marriage was going great until January 2008; that's when it got amazing. We found out we were expecting!!! The pregnancy was a very different experience, but memorable none-the-less! We honestly didn't care if it was a boy or a girl. God was blessing us with a miracle and that's all that mattered to us.

On July 17, 2008; Brayden Nathanael Bennett was born. He weighed 6 lbs and 2 oz and was 20 in long. I'll try to get some pictures on here of him as soon as I can!

Well, that's about where I am right now in life. God has given me many blessings and I know the plans He has for me are going to be huge. I can't wait to experience them with my amazing wife and our family!