Cindy Benoit
2013-11-09
Written by Cindy prior to passing.
I would like to share my story with you; my name is Cindy and I was born in Colorado Springs, to Don and Dorothy Hicks. My dad was a pastor in the Nazarene Church, so my brother Gary, sisters, Kendra and Carlyne, and I grew up in various small town in Colorado. After graduating from GSHS High School in 1970, I left Colorado in my '55 Desoto and headed for Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. The morning that I left, my dad took me to Coffee and gave me a mission from the apostle Paul's life; "This ONE thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
At NNC I majored in Special Education but after 3 years found that I preferred Management at the Country Inn restaurant in Nampa, where I worked until a certain man came into my life. We started dating in October, 1975 and married in January of 1976. It was a very short courtship as Ken wanted me to travel with him to a furniture market in San Francisco. I was more than ready and the trip doubled as our Honeymoon. He is THE love of my life; which has been shared with so many rich memories!
During the first few years of our marriage we built two homes and remodeled several others before our children were born. It was physically exhausting, but taught us teamwork. Our first son, David, who has his own son, Mason has grown into a very gracious man who we are very proud of. Our second child is our daughter Cristen, who is married to Kristian Stauffer. Together they have two children; Emery and Lorelei, as well as Kristian's son Khayman. Cristen is our bright, sparkling sweetheart who is also my very special friend. Ryan, our youngest, was one of the most affectionate kids one could wish for and has grown up to be a very caring young man.
When I married into the Benoits, I married into a true, loving family. I have so appreciated our family gatherings, together we have watched our children grow and shared in the struggles of that process. My life changed in 1984 when I truly took my dad's charge to heart and made Jesus THE goal of my life. This surrender change my focus, goals and actions. I have been blessed with the gift of teaching and have used that gift to teach Bible studies for the past 20 years. God has given me wonderful friendships for which I am so grateful. In May of 2013, Ken and I traveled to China. We climbed The Great Wall, and toured 5 Provences of that totally different culture. It was the trip of a lifetime!
Shortly after our return, I was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. I heard this quote and believe it to be true; "Life is a long journey preparation for what is our most important act - Death, leaving this physical body and moving to our Home." So I'm off on a new adventure, and I am sure it will be unlike anything we have seen in this world.
Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of my story... Cindy
I would like to share my story with you; my name is Cindy and I was born in Colorado Springs, to Don and Dorothy Hicks. My dad was a pastor in the Nazarene Church, so my brother Gary, sisters, Kendra and Carlyne, and I grew up in various small town in Colorado. After graduating from GSHS High School in 1970, I left Colorado in my '55 Desoto and headed for Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. The morning that I left, my dad took me to Coffee and gave me a mission from the apostle Paul's life; "This ONE thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
At NNC I majored in Special Education but after 3 years found that I preferred Management at the Country Inn restaurant in Nampa, where I worked until a certain man came into my life. We started dating in October, 1975 and married in January of 1976. It was a very short courtship as Ken wanted me to travel with him to a furniture market in San Francisco. I was more than ready and the trip doubled as our Honeymoon. He is THE love of my life; which has been shared with so many rich memories!
During the first few years of our marriage we built two homes and remodeled several others before our children were born. It was physically exhausting, but taught us teamwork. Our first son, David, who has his own son, Mason has grown into a very gracious man who we are very proud of. Our second child is our daughter Cristen, who is married to Kristian Stauffer. Together they have two children; Emery and Lorelei, as well as Kristian's son Khayman. Cristen is our bright, sparkling sweetheart who is also my very special friend. Ryan, our youngest, was one of the most affectionate kids one could wish for and has grown up to be a very caring young man.
When I married into the Benoits, I married into a true, loving family. I have so appreciated our family gatherings, together we have watched our children grow and shared in the struggles of that process. My life changed in 1984 when I truly took my dad's charge to heart and made Jesus THE goal of my life. This surrender change my focus, goals and actions. I have been blessed with the gift of teaching and have used that gift to teach Bible studies for the past 20 years. God has given me wonderful friendships for which I am so grateful. In May of 2013, Ken and I traveled to China. We climbed The Great Wall, and toured 5 Provences of that totally different culture. It was the trip of a lifetime!
Shortly after our return, I was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. I heard this quote and believe it to be true; "Life is a long journey preparation for what is our most important act - Death, leaving this physical body and moving to our Home." So I'm off on a new adventure, and I am sure it will be unlike anything we have seen in this world.
Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of my story... Cindy