Meet Sara Benes. Part 1

[00:00:00] It is a joy my parents are know what 75, 76. My father loves to garden and water here. My mom gardens I'll be here doing either school stuff or serving another way my sister will be here, my other brother will be here

[00:00:13] And we just kind of meet up here and touch it and you count on that you know even if you haven't seen one another You know oh Sunday We're gonna see one another because we're all being worship you can count on that you know in sub-beautiful thing

[00:00:25] Welcome to Christ in All Things, a conversation about meaning and purpose It's based on a verse from the Bible, Colossians chapter 1 verse 17 which says Christ is before all things and in him all things hold together

[00:00:46] Christ in All Things is a listening ear into conversations about receiving and giving the love and hope of Christ These conversations are an invitation because as much as you'll hear and as much as we enjoy having them

[00:01:01] Digital media operates from a distance and that's not what's best for us with God or with one another So thanks for listening and if you're in the neighborhood we invite you to participate in person in the life that finds its epicenter at St. Paul's Lutheran Church

[00:01:18] 210 East Pleasant Street in O'Connor, Wisconsin Welcome to Christ in All Things I am Pastor Lance O'Donnell, I'm Pastor Jason Schockman And we have a very special guest with us today very special Mrs. Sarah Benus and Sarah is a long time member at St. Paul's and you've been teaching

[00:01:53] Third grade while teaching in the school for how long now? I've been back here teaching since 2000 Left for three years when we had our second child, but yeah other than that I've been here in back at it

[00:02:06] And you and so you guys moved here if I remember rightly you were a seventh grader Yes, I was just thinking about that I was 13 years old I was in the seventh grade here Glenn Monkey was my home room teacher and you guys moved here from Cleveland

[00:02:19] Nope from Utah from Utah Like city Utah yes, how did I get Cleveland because that's well That's because my parents are from Cleveland that's where they met They met actually Lutheran West high school High school sweetheart okay, she was the homecoming queen

[00:02:38] He was the homecoming he wasn't she's the queen. He just got she just upgraded Which what she that what she the queen? Oh, she what I've not so I did

[00:02:47] No, not surprised at all all right, I would have begin with a prayer here, and then we'll do again Lord gut Almighty Even as you bless your servants with various and unique gifts of the Holy Spirit

[00:03:01] Continue to grant us the grace to use them always to your honor and glory Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen All right Sarah so as you know as we talked getting on before here

[00:03:16] We'll have a we'll end up with a wide ranging conversation here, but it always it's we always start these conversations with What seems a simple question but almost never is simple as we discuss it. Right what is your name?

[00:03:28] My name is Sarah Ruth Venice made name Miller MUE LLER and so Sarah. So what does it? What do you know what it means? So Princess is what I had always told sort of you know you get something else

[00:03:44] Well, I mean it's Hebrew in its origin yes, which comes from So which is ZAR if you want to go Russian background it just means leader or print you know head chief So the feminine version would be woman of high rank

[00:04:03] So translate that down. Okay. It sounds better to say princess But it really means woman of high rank. Okay? Excellent yes, because you know how they have those little name cards with your name on them and I'm gonna be meaning that was always that was the thing princess

[00:04:18] Yeah, so how about woman of high rank? I like that. So is there a reason behind Sarah For why they chose it my mom just really liked the name Sarah okay. I was surprised she didn't go

[00:04:31] With the biblical with the age you know, but yeah, yeah, and you're first born I am the oldest of six so I suppose it was fitting that that is fitting so middle name is Ruth which means Friend friend okay

[00:04:49] It's a good there's more but there's more. Oh wait, there's more. So what's the story? Well that is my grandma's name Ruth send her my mom's mom and so that was why it was chosen as You know, obviously her name's sex your maternal grand maternal grandmother

[00:05:07] Correct, yeah, who is I was just talking with somebody in the congregation today at a shut-in visit Ruth Pultsa is 99 Correct and when is her hundredth birthday June 16th so next June

[00:05:22] She'll be a hundred. Wow, okay. They're planning her party my I would have been brothers and sisters So we'll see if

[00:05:30] The good Lord wills it that she's here for it enough, but they'll be a party. I think I think that makes her the second oldest member of the congregation Currently I think the oldest member of the congregation is Tom Crenski's mom

[00:05:45] Who's over at Shorehaven? Yeah, I think she turns A hundred a little sooner than that. Okay, you might be this fall, but I don't remember Yeah, oh, it's a little bit in any case. Yeah, yeah

[00:05:56] God willing right God willing will get to we'll get to observe. I'll be fun. Ruth's on her birthday And that I'm sure with your the size of your family. That will be

[00:06:06] That will be a production. It will be fun. So indeed so you got named after your maternal grandmother and as the oldest You got you got the princess I did and Friend which friend also is

[00:06:22] Where we get the word for compassion or Ruth is where we get the word for compassion, right? And if you want to think about our members, I'd have someone is Ruth less Ah They are without compassion Got it and so

[00:06:36] Compassion and you know and in befitting who your family is two Fascinating and great women of the scriptures Sarah Sarah and Ruth Both mothers in the line of the Savior. Yeah, yeah, which is pretty cool

[00:06:54] That's pretty cool. I never thought about that. Yeah, that is pretty cool and you got named after both of them I sure think you just never left. I guess right absolutely never loved and your

[00:07:06] Your you know your maiden name is Miller remind me do you know what that means? Coach do not I didn't look it up either. I got you. What is it Miller? Isn't the profession as in the I was wondering if someone who mills things

[00:07:19] one who mills yeah, it's it's like the name Smith in English God, you know one who smiths whatever it is that they smith Miller is a Miller. What okay? Is that they mill?

[00:07:32] They mill and so this is this is comical to me right? I laughed at myself when I found this Venice your married name is predominantly Chuck or Slovak right and it means Blessed it's the same word. It's the same Latin route where we get benediction. Oh, that's beautiful

[00:07:54] right Venice But in check it is like the name Smith in English or In German it's like the most common surname in In in check So regardless of whether it's your married name or your maiden name regardless of whether it's German or English

[00:08:22] Your common last name is a Woman of high rank who is a friend to all Just of the people Yeah, and they're blessed by it. Yeah, that's kind of how I put all three of your names together Yeah, it kind of it kind of fits Yeah, yeah

[00:08:41] It kind of fits very much so what one of the one of the reasons that We were eager to do this podcast is Because we wanted the opportunity and we thought it'd be a great way to introduce The people of our congregation

[00:08:59] To each other who may not you know the the congregations changed a lot even in the decade short decade that I've but that I've been here Very true and you know and Because of the media it also provides

[00:09:11] The opportunity to share it with others so for other people in the community to get to know you now you've been here The better part of your life. Yeah, since often on but since 1987

[00:09:23] Yeah, we've been in you and you and you and Eric your husband. Yes, we're also high school sweet We were we were in fact when I met him it was at the local Burger King and I was wearing my Saint Paul's cheerleading outfit

[00:09:36] Oh, that's my saddle shoes. Yeah Yes, that was a brief meeting we started dating and he's a year older right? Yes So you were you were was sophomore junior when you started dating correct yes, yes

[00:09:47] Yes, yes, and you so in your big athletic family what was your sport as a kid I Did a little bit of everything basketball our families basketball through and through you know they just love that and full softball little track Um

[00:10:05] volleyball volleyball truly didn't just sit same pals though. I didn't make the cut at the big Kind of a little no didn't make it, but that's okay and well and you're not your your husband At least if I recall rightly

[00:10:20] Eric isn't really isn't big and Statue, but he was he was a pretty stud athlete if I remember rightly That's he can the day white a good athlete. He was a very good athlete and he He played football

[00:10:32] He played baseball little basketball but high school was football and baseball. The and baseball was the big thing Yeah, then he went on to do that in college In fact, and when he was in high school as senior year

[00:10:42] He broke his neck playing football. That was quite traumatic. Yeah. Yeah, yeah He had the whole halo of saying right? Yeah, it was a miracle though I mean, it's he had so much muscle around his neck that it held everything and we went to visit him at the

[00:10:55] Trauma unit at Frader to remember and everyone was hooked up to machines and all these things and I was in high school We were and he just had a little brace on it was it was unbelievable. It was a miracle

[00:11:04] Yeah, it was so you're saying your husband's always been stiff-necked A bit He's a bit stubborn if you will but I love him. Yeah, I'm sure he would say this we all do Yeah, I'm sure he'd do the same Um

[00:11:24] Given so we we've talked about the name now now let's get into the the second series of questions. Okay, so that we had we had really one question which is really one question What are the top

[00:11:40] 3 to 5 things that really form you know that you could fit on one hand What are the top 3 to 5 things that That that formed you as a human being right And obviously let's go one at a time. Okay. Yeah, all right. Well, we'll start with my family. Okay

[00:12:02] I'm the oldest of six and it was myself and then there were three boys and Hence the princess right, you know, I was the golden girl and they were off doing their wrestling and all this other crazy You know stuff and

[00:12:18] Mom and I were often, you know doing our girl thing and then whatnot, but and then when we lived all We moved quite a bit We started in Cleveland and my brother Paul and I were born there and then we moved with my dad's job to Bloomington, Minnesota

[00:12:33] And my brother Eddie was born there And we moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin and my brother Ben was born there who works here with me at St. Paul's which is such a blessing And then my parents took a leap of faith and moved out to Salt Lake City, Utah

[00:12:51] Which is not predominantly Christian and they know but the first thing they did was find a Lutheran church in school Yeah, we moved to there. You dad's an accountant right is he worked for eaten for many years

[00:13:01] Oh, they've eaten manufacturing corporation. Okay. Yep, and then the youngest to twins Timothy and Anna They were born out in Salt Lake and so I took on quite the role as You know second mama, you know to them and I just love them dearly

[00:13:18] I still feel like I'm their mother Times, you know But it was a joy being a part of a huge family. It was the age difference in between you and you and the twins

[00:13:27] I was 11. I was in the sixth grade. Okay when they were born. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Mm-hmm I could I can see that yeah absolutely but So family has always been been amazing and Cleveland was the home base because my parents were both from Cleveland

[00:13:44] And that's where they grew up So all of our grandparents cousins whatnot. So that was always a big summer trip like go back to Cleveland

[00:13:51] No matter where we were and see everyone stop at Cedar Point on the way. Oh, we did do Cedar Point a couple of times Yeah, that was that was so for those of you who might not have any clue because you're here and haven't been outside

[00:14:03] Cedar Point is a major amusement park in San Tuskeo, Ohio. Let's name it. Let's name it rightly. It is America's rollercoast Cleveland boy or Toledo boy Toledo kid yeah See Cedar Point is the amusement park that I grew up going to

[00:14:23] So I grew up going to these world record setting roller coasters and then we went to six flags great America And I went these are great warm-up rides. Where's the real one? So you said family's number one. Um, what is it?

[00:14:39] Because not everybody who has a big bigger family would necessarily say that Their family was the number one thing. Why is why is family the number one thing? Well, I think A lot of it had to do with how woven our lives were in the church

[00:14:56] The Lutheran church essentially I mentioned we moved Well the frequently and Always it was fine to church and that was the center of our life a school, you know

[00:15:08] And those were the activities we did those were the friends my parents had those are the friends we had those are the activities We were a part of so You know my parents made that

[00:15:18] The focal point of everything, you know, so by far obviously number two would be the church and then they're so uniquely Together for me that it's almost hard to separate talk talk talk talk about that because I mean I get

[00:15:33] What you're what you're talking about but I didn't grow up. I didn't grow up with it and mine in my nuclear For me so I mean you said so number one is family number two is church

[00:15:42] But you said there's tons of intersection talk about why they're absolutely well At home there was always the devotion that was what we did at the dinner table When did you do that dinner in your center time? Yeah, yeah my dad

[00:15:57] But would lead that I can still see you know the book coming out and whatnot. You know our prayer life We we always you know had bedtime our prayers that we would say together and the

[00:16:07] References and my grandmother Ruth who we spoke of earlier her maiden name is Zunder so she's German And she we we used to say the prayers in German when we would go to our home and it was fun, you know

[00:16:18] It's been a long time since we've done that so I should really get back at that Remember that and I know my mom's written those out for us That would be a great thing to do for her hundredth birthday That would be really neat. That would be nice

[00:16:32] See you now It's now the light that's now Vossus does now the light has gone away father listen while I pray asking the watch and keep and to send me quietly Jesus save your washer way all the has been wrong today

[00:16:50] Help me every day to be good and gentle more like me In fact we sang that at so my my grandmother Ruth her husband was Edward my brother I have a brother named Edward at he after him and that was we sang that him at his funeral

[00:17:05] Yeah, it's just beautiful many years ago It is it is a beautiful Him it is what a great prayer For for bedtime. I used to sing it to my kids. So I know that him because At part of the capella choir

[00:17:22] in at our at our F sure which is now where your oldest goes to school Right even though it's called you can quite an extra Oh, yeah, it was river forest when I went there and it's still in river forest. Thank you very much. I'm not bitter

[00:17:38] As a part of the choir we sang at the end of every concert You to be unique we sang the the a German version of that him In four part harmony aquapoco or agapella and That's how I came to learn that him and then as I had kids

[00:18:00] I would sing that to them amongst one of many other songs when I talked them into bed when they were little right I don't do that anymore there's 16 14 and 12 we still we still

[00:18:12] But I just don't go tuck them in and lay with them and bed and sing me to be any anymore But when I start singing me to benick they're like dad you sing that with me when I was kid like yep

[00:18:23] So that's how I know it right and why it's stuck in my head Right What a joy though, and it is absolutely And a great text right let my near and dear ones be always near and dear to the

[00:18:37] Obring me and all I love to that happy home above So your Your childhood is absolutely centered in Worship and Christian education and A church at the at the table At the bed in you know, I mean it's a 247 365

[00:19:07] There were a festival or something at church or any type of where you know We did all the advent worship all the lent worship if there was an October fest, you know for Celebrate the reformation we were at that yes, it was always we were present and

[00:19:21] I when you look generationally I mean both of my parents parents grew up in the church So then they grew up in it and it just was I think because they both came from these strong strong Solid foundations

[00:19:34] They knew that was where they were headed, you know and today That's getting harder and harder. You know when I look at how Eric and I met I mean he grew up as a public school kid Yeah, but back then

[00:19:45] This area was predominantly Christian it was just kind of Assumed for most people and we met at O'Connor, Ohio School of Public High School and he actually grew up at our Saviors across the lake here. It was a little different back then any else you had congregation

[00:20:00] Yes, correct And We didn't really Discuss religion because we both knew where we stood We both knew we were active in our churches. We both believed in Jesus Christ We both were of the Lutheran faith I know that's an it but so it wasn't really a thing

[00:20:18] Because we just knew that's what we were gonna do now when we did come to school So you could see grew up public and I said no, well, we're gonna do the Lutheran school right You know and he said well week

[00:20:26] I guess we could do that, you know and then I got the job here so it kind of sealed the deal Yeah, no, but But again, I think you look at the generation all thing and just how

[00:20:38] That plays into it. You know, we're teaching your children and for the future generation the generations to common Just standing firm and steadfast, you know So you could almost for those top two things You could almost say that it was a

[00:20:52] Churched family and a family in the church Yeah, that are one and two And you can't separate those two things. I really can't know now even today I mean it is a joy my parents are know what 75 76 my father loves to garden and water here my mom gardens

[00:21:13] I'll be here doing either school stuff or serving another way my sister will be here my other brother will be here And we just kind of meet up here and touch it and you count on that, you know even if you haven't seen one another

[00:21:23] You know oh Sunday We're gonna see one another because we're all being worshiped you can count on that, you know and subdued a whole thing and how regular is the We're going out for brunch after church on so right right yeah, we we do that quite frequently

[00:21:38] And whole family shows up. Yeah, we have a good amount. Yeah, we have a good amount. Well, and now it's cute because Ruth Oma has Mornings aren't good any longer so now they've switched it to the five o'clock service So now they're sorry dinner

[00:21:53] After church Saturday night. Yes, yeah, which is going out for dinner. Which is great. It's it's interesting Sarah want to You know explore your moves a little bit And because this is this is this is a a point at which I think

[00:22:09] A conversation about how you guys conducted your moves will be helpful to other people as they consider theirs, you know your your dad's career in particular Took you from home territory in Cleveland

[00:22:25] to what's it first Minnesota first Minnesota yeah my mom agreed so minute Minnesota and then Salt Lake Cano Sha then Kenosha then Salt Lake. And Salt Lake that was the biggest I think leap of faith for them

[00:22:38] They really pretty about that. Yeah, that's a massive cultural difference all were all of those moves following dad's career with Eden Correct. Yes, they were all following and Obviously There was much financial gain especially with that move to Salt Lake

[00:22:56] And so yes every time we moved it was fine to church find a school We moved close to that that's what we do let me ask you let me ask you a question it just to speculate If There had not been a Lutheran church with school

[00:23:16] At one of these places where your dad had an opportunity Would he have gone what would you would you have gone? I do not think so. I do not I I'm sure that the financial gain may have been something to think about but

[00:23:34] After prayer and discussion with my mother, I'm sure they would have come to a decision like There's there'll be another opportunity let's figure something else out here But that's kind of the beautiful thing about the Lutheran church. I'll see I'm asking for it

[00:23:47] There everywhere you can find them We build schools we do this whole thing Well, it's it unless in this part of the world yeah in this part of the world Tens to be more but sure, but you know you are out west

[00:24:02] You happen to be when one of the places. I mean that's That's not Lutheran country so like Salt Lake City but there happened to be a fairly strong church in school out there

[00:24:11] And I recall them when we our neighbors came to stay with us because both my parents went to Salt Lake to check it out And I recall when my mom came home and she was tucking me in that evening and I was older you know, I was

[00:24:24] Well, no, I guess I wasn't I was second grade No, it was not older but I recall her saying to me That The place we would move would be a little bit different and That not everyone believed in Jesus like we did

[00:24:37] But that we they found a place that's like us and that we'd have a Lutheran church in school and that that would be where we would spend

[00:24:46] Our time you know that's where we were gonna go be going and what we'd be doing in that but that she did She did clarify it would be a little different I feel a little different and I recall when we lived in Salt Lake

[00:24:55] It was us two doors down where some Catholics and everybody else was Mormon. So it was different I mean there were nice people. Yeah, it was just a different way of life. Yeah Well it it strikes me Sarah that a lot of you know for example even college

[00:25:11] But you know and moves people if if you're a Christian and if this is important to you when you consider a move That should be actually at the top of your list Right, no, so I have an opportunity perhaps to make some more money and in

[00:25:33] And to help us financially but a wise Christian mother and father know that's That really shouldn't be the central consideration because you know what what they're trying to do Is what their parents did for them? Right, right What their grandparents did for theirs, you know going back

[00:25:56] Actually centuries correct is provide a foundation that is centered in Christ and learning the you know learning the faith as you learn everything else It's it's fascinating and I want you know watch You know your family from the outside because that's

[00:26:18] You know a lot of families who've moved several times They lose they lose some of that over the course of time and your your parents were Well part of it's just they couldn't have done they wouldn't have done anything else because that's who they were

[00:26:34] But they were also you know it still are yeah and and they were but they were disciplined in that and it just strikes me what a What a blessing it is for you You know and you personally But also for your family and

[00:26:54] In fascinating it looked you know it's it's the bolts have done something similar I think you know the bolt you know the bolt family Fred you know Fred bolt was a

[00:27:03] Frank and with Michigan boy and ended up the principal here at St. Paul's and now is you know, but you know you have a You seem like you guys are the Miller and extended our rooted here Which you're not Wisconsin people originally? No

[00:27:19] But we're LCM asked people originally So I guess that's how it works. Oh, yeah Well in such a blessing that my brother Ben and I both work here. Yeah, you know, I truly believe that you Nights us in a way that is beyond

[00:27:31] You know the normal brother sister connection because we're Yes, we're in the same family but them were also in this much larger Family serving the kingdom of God and that connects you in a way that

[00:27:44] You know where you're headed with service and the way you think in the decisions and just it's It's all about Jesus and you know that, you know and and just a beautiful thing then it's third in the order Ben is fourth. It's me Paul Eddie

[00:28:01] Ben Ben. Yeah, yes, okay, and twins came when Ben was four okay My my sense is the next part of this conversation is gonna take us there a little bit more She's so links so so this this will be a good place

[00:28:16] For us to take a break and come back and part two For show notes and other information about Christ in all things visit christenallthings.org Comments maybe email too comments at christenallthings.org We're thankful to provide christenall things to you as a gift

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