Engaged!

I'm engaged! Many of you have probably already heard, but now it's Pleonast-official.... I proposed to Cara Bryant on Saturday evening and she said yes! We are so blessed with the love and support of many dear friends, and thankful for God's many mercies in our lives. To Him be the glory!
  • mayflower
    Congratulations! :) :) :)
    by mayflower at 03/14/11 2:34PM
  • lori_in_pa
    Alyssa told me almost the first thing on Sunday morning. May God's wisdom and blessing always be a part of your lives together.
    by lori_in_pa at 03/14/11 2:41PM
  • benb
    P.S. The below post was courtesy of my then-girlfriend, now fiancee....
    by benb at 03/14/11 4:08PM
  • celticgirl1787
    congratulations, Ben and Cara!! Marriage is such a blessing :).
    by celticgirl1787 at 03/14/11 4:34PM
  • engelishgentleman
    Huzzah! :-)
    by engelishgentleman at 03/14/11 4:36PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Wonderful news!
    Congratulations!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 03/15/11 6:57AM
  • laurar209
    WHOOHOO!!! Can't wait to meet your bride, Benjamin!
    by laurar209 at 03/15/11 2:31PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Love you Benjamin B! I'm so excited and glad for you both. :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 03/15/11 4:53PM
  • tweedledee
    Congratulations!
    by tweedledee at 03/17/11 4:10PM
  • emmylou
    gratz
    by emmylou at 03/19/11 7:44AM
  • bruke
    Congrats, I'm a little behind on the news, but that's what toddlers do! So happy for you!
    by bruke at 03/22/11 4:25PM
  • raifhaus
    Congratulations, Ben!
    by raifhaus at 03/26/11 6:08PM
  • lromanic
    Congratulations, Ben! I'm so happy for you! When do we get to meet her? :)
    by lromanic at 03/28/11 8:25PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Thanks Ben!! You would have loved hearing them sing. Great harmony.
    by 7laughinghardmans at 04/11/11 10:09PM
  • raifhaus
    Thank you, Ben. Now I feel bad for having thanked my sisters for the encouragement. You, too!!
    by raifhaus at 07/15/11 2:10PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Ben, I've looked on Amazon and other sites that sell used books however, unsuccessfully. If I find an inexpensive copy in my continuing search I'd be happy to send it your way. I appreciate your heart.
    by 7laughinghardmans at 09/01/11 10:36PM
  • eladea
    Congrats, Ben!
    by eladea at 09/14/11 10:56PM
  • marmee
    So ... you still peek at my blog from time to time? How are you?
    by marmee at 09/28/11 10:10PM

hello

It's strange... people tell me that I'm nerdy, but I just don't get it.
  • rundrummerrun
    I just missed you by a day in Kingsport.
    by rundrummerrun at 07/10/10 10:06PM
  • engelishgentleman
    Nuclear engineering something or other...nerdy stereotype something or other...Benjamin Bingham something or other... :-)
    by engelishgentleman at 07/11/10 12:19AM
  • theeditor
    nerds usually don't....
    by theeditor at 07/11/10 2:51PM
  • middlechild
    Nerdy?! What's wrong with people these days? :P
    by middlechild at 07/11/10 3:59PM
  • kodiakmaster
    Nerds rule. As Bill Gates said, Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
    by kodiakmaster at 07/11/10 7:24PM
  • frega
    :P :)
    by frega at 07/11/10 11:55PM
  • laurar209
    Some people are dense.
    by laurar209 at 07/12/10 9:03AM
  • thepoeticmadman
    Ben, you are -- in the words of the revered Weird Al -- whiter than sour cream.
    by thepoeticmadman at 07/12/10 12:04PM
  • jlmanager
    Wha...WHY?
    by jlmanager at 07/13/10 11:59AM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    If you are a nerd, if that is a "bad" thing, if it is a "good" thing - I'll still welcome you here ANYTIME!!! ok? Cause you are one of my favorite kinds of people or one of my favorite people or just nice :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 07/14/10 3:16PM
  • frega
    no... you.
    by frega at 07/17/10 9:37AM
  • celticgirl1787
    Nuclear science student? Nerdy?? No....
    by celticgirl1787 at 07/18/10 8:25AM
  • miqueias
    Yeah man!!! It was great getting to know him!!! So it goes Micah, you, Emma, Jesse right?
    by miqueias at 07/23/10 2:52PM
  • frega
    You need a new post, sir.
    by frega at 08/11/10 8:58PM

10/03/09 11:00PM

I love Gettysburg. I love my spiritual family there, the weather, the landscape, and...pretty much everything. Highlights of this weekend: quality time with the Bishops, seeing Mr. and Mrs. Miozza, basketball, Sewell and Caneta Hall, five Sewell Hall sermons, so many wonderful friends, "test-driving" a Prius, male bonding at the Smelsers' house, potluck, and beautiful drives.

I'm enjoying getting to know friends in NC. I enjoyed a game night last night with a few friends from church, and went to see U2 tonight (the 360 tour) with Brad Kennedy, which was an AMAZING SHOW. The stage set was r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s, and must have cost more fortunes than I could imagine. The concert was great!

Classes are going pretty well, especially since Tuesday is my only day of classes next week (fall break). Tuesday is also the Career Fair on campus, where I hope to meet my employer for next summer....

There's a new blog entry here with a few Bible questions which I hope some of you will look at....

Mom should be home by now from Tennessee; the last leg of her plane flight was this evening. Grandpa seems to be recovering well, and we're grateful for your prayers.

Have a great week!
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Hi Ben - just read your "invite" of a bed.... I stayed in Fayetteville with some friends of M's. I'll have to tell L we have a copy of Villette - that is a good book too. Your bed will be ready MLK weekend.... :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 12/01/09 10:36AM
  • engelishgentleman
    Planning to leave Friday morning. Heard from your mom that you and Micah won't be around. Alas!
    by engelishgentleman at 12/13/09 7:42AM
  • smallgreenbug
    I just wanted to thank you for being such a good friend, and for always checking up on me, and the encouragement, and just being a good brother. Your a pretty cool fella :)
    by smallgreenbug at 12/14/09 12:55PM
  • middlechild
    Hey Ben!! When are you coming back to visit?? :)
    by middlechild at 12/19/09 9:19PM
  • middlechild
    *COOL!! :):) You'll DEFINITELY have to come and see us!! :)
    by middlechild at 12/20/09 9:19AM
  • fullofgrace

    happy
    holidays!
    by fullofgrace at 12/24/09 12:05PM
  • celticgirl1787
    Ben, I'm thinkin maybe its time for an update :).
    by celticgirl1787 at 01/06/10 11:15PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Maybe you can update from our computer next weekend?!?!?!!! Yay for visiting Binghams :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 01/09/10 6:28PM
  • august28rose
    LORD willing, we should all be here as far as I know. We're looking forward to having you around! :D
    by august28rose at 01/09/10 9:11PM
  • riyankery
    I don't know, I don't have a car anymore, so I will be going at the first opportunity when I can catch a ride with someone either way (Uncle Scott has offered to drive me the other leg). If that happens to fall during blessed Ben week then the stars are shining on my destiny.
    by riyankery at 01/13/10 9:16PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Thank you for visiting us today!
    We love you Ben!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 01/16/10 10:05PM
  • middlechild
    It was good seeing U Ben!!
    Come back soon :)
    by middlechild at 01/17/10 2:06PM
  • snoopy
    I love your mommy too!
    by snoopy at 02/04/10 9:48PM
  • sunshinelove05
    I'm hoping you're right!
    by sunshinelove05 at 02/12/10 5:28PM
  • laurar209
    Thanks -- I like the blurb, too. :) It's from Brian Andreas' site (www.storypeople.com); he's some sort of modern/weird artists who writes short stories for each odd picture. Some of the "stories" (like the blurb one) are just too good to pass up... in any case, it's a fun site to peruse. :)
    by laurar209 at 02/16/10 4:25PM
  • middlechild
    HAPPY B-DAY Ben!!! Hope you had a good one (:
    by middlechild at 03/12/10 10:48PM
  • mayflower
    We'd love to see you in May if you can make it!!
    by mayflower at 03/24/10 9:49PM
  • august28rose
    I saw your comment on Meghan's blog and thought I'd come comment on yours in response. When I heard we were getting the driveway done you were the first person I thought of due to your remarks of "bump! bump!" as we drove down the driveway that summer you stayed with the Readings.

    Anyway, it's shockingly smooth now. We're still in awe.
    by august28rose at 03/24/10 10:41PM
  • frega
    BENJAMIN!! :)
    by frega at 07/07/10 2:32PM

thinking random thoughts.

North Carolina is beautiful.

So is ultimate frisbee, if you (like me) think that sweat and dirt and sprinting and friends are beautiful.

Two more weeks of work. Then I can relax and learn to be a Nuclear Engineer.

The Harbers are good people.

Cara Bryant is my Pleo friend now! :)

Orange TicTacs.

Quiet house.

Southwest rocks.

Some day I'll see my girl. That will be a good day.

I signed an apartment lease!

Having Facebook friends is nice. Having to slog through all their statuses is not always so nice.

Yay for people coming to FC this Fall!

Sad that I won't be there.

Yay for exploring in a new place!

The end.
  • celticgirl1787
    I love seasons too, Ben. Its so exciting to be able to step outside and actually want to stay there because its so pleasant out.
    by celticgirl1787 at 08/24/09 10:22AM
  • dukie
    thank you for my martin luther quote. i grew up as a lutheran and i have some strange bias towards his hymns and even some of his character and writings. thanks!
    by dukie at 08/26/09 9:15AM
  • nerdosaurus_rex
    If you do, I will sense it from hundreds of miles away and drop dead due to the shock, disappointment, and incongruity of it all.
    by nerdosaurus_rex at 09/12/09 9:53PM
  • nerdosaurus_rex
    In case you're not sure, that last statement was meant to DISCOURAGE you from making your Bingham's sign. I wanted to make sure you had that straight.
    by nerdosaurus_rex at 09/12/09 9:53PM
  • probablyreading
    I hope your training in smartness is going well.
    by probablyreading at 09/13/09 1:48PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Thinking of you!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 09/17/09 8:58AM
  • smallgreenbug
    Well, since our budget is so limited right now, I'm having to opt for making something. Which is fun and gives me something to do during my free time (which is limited to whenever Elijah decides he doesn't need to eat or need 100% attention on him). This really makes the possibilities endless, and I have also enjoyed the challenge.
    by smallgreenbug at 09/19/09 6:30AM
  • lromanic
    Our gospel meeting is this week (Wed thru Sun - see my blog) come visit us :)
    by lromanic at 09/21/09 7:04AM
  • lromanic
    (I read your comment on Mrs. Bishop's blog - didn't know if you were serious or not but figured it wouldn't hurt to try)
    by lromanic at 09/21/09 7:05AM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 09/21/09 1:04PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Is ^that^ too obvious?

    PLEASE COME - we'd love to have you and we have extra beds and room :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 09/21/09 1:05PM
  • lromanic
    Free room & board... what more could you ask for?
    ;)
    by lromanic at 09/21/09 8:10PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    We're very excited for the possibility of seeing you this week!!!!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 09/22/09 7:17AM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Please come!!!!!!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 09/22/09 7:17AM
  • raifhaus
    Appreciate you :)
    by raifhaus at 09/23/09 8:19PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Got your message (getting back) - I was in the library. :) Thanks so much for coming and being here.
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 09/28/09 8:50PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    It was great getting to see you this past weekend!!
    We love you!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 09/29/09 4:27PM
  • sr15min
    Haha, Inigo!
    by sr15min at 10/02/09 10:01AM
  • riyankery
    I love that site :) I had some initial reactions (wow, this was obviously written by a man) but the article ended up being pretty balanced. I liked the idea that the rock provides a calm stability....not an absence of emotion, but a steady baseline from which the woman can gain some sort of reference point. more on phone
    by riyankery at 10/02/09 10:04AM

06/25/09 7:47PM

I got to go to Arkansas FC camp as a Camp Friend, and it was AMAZING! It was incredibly encouraging to get to know so many good-hearted kids, many of whom have had challenging family backgrounds. And the counselors were great! That trip was really good for me, and so much fun.

I'm working at the optometrist's office full-time now, but I have less than three more weeks there between now and school. We leave for a Bingham family reunion next Thursday, then Dad's driving me to NC for my orientation and some apartment-hunting. I'll be back for about two weeks of work before I start packing up my car for school. Then it's up to Maryland for a weekend (and hopefully a day in Exton!...I may not make it to Gettysburg this trip); after that I fly to Tampa to drive my car up to Raleigh (NC) to move in before I fly to Chicago to enjoy one more camp before I fly back to Raleigh to start classes. Phew.

Anyone have any recommendations for books about the early church or end times?
  • engelishgentleman
    You could read Acts to learn about the early church, and Revelation to learn about the end times. :-P
    by engelishgentleman at 06/25/09 7:59PM
  • engelishgentleman
    Good luck starting school in a new place!
    by engelishgentleman at 06/25/09 8:00PM
  • trefe_something
    yay for North Carolina!! It's an excellent state! :)
    by trefe_something at 06/25/09 8:08PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    WOW!! I thought I was busy. We think of you often.
    by 7laughinghardmans at 06/25/09 10:13PM
  • laurar209
    Don't forget to breathe. But if you do, then feel rest assured that the rest of your summer will be a lot easier.
    by laurar209 at 06/25/09 10:56PM
  • heidiw
    hmm. Your life sounds rather like mine... except minus the packing up my car an moving to another state bit. Looking forward to seeing you up this way before long!!
    by heidiw at 06/25/09 10:59PM
  • snoopy
    Whoa! And I thought I was busy! :)
    by snoopy at 06/26/09 12:04AM
  • diminished_seventh
    Are We Living in the End Times? by Tim LaHaye. Okay, not really. I've heard good things about Bruce Shelley's Church History in Plain Language. David Bercot's Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up? is worth picking up, even if he's a little over-zealous about his views sometimes.
    by diminished_seventh at 06/26/09 1:45PM
  • jlmanager
    You could try Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History for early church history, also The Eternal Kingdom by Mattox.
    by jlmanager at 06/26/09 8:46PM
  • rundrummerrun
    Hey you. Missing you. Chicagoland coming (relatively) soon. :)
    by rundrummerrun at 06/26/09 8:52PM
  • nerdosaurus_rex
    Ohh, Ben! I'm SO glad you got to be a Camp Friend-- it really is a growth-inspiring experience. I hope all your other summer adventures go smoothly ...
    by nerdosaurus_rex at 06/26/09 10:16PM
  • carla_luther
    Since you're coming to Maryland, will we get to see you??? :) We're looking forward to seeing Micah next week.
    by carla_luther at 06/28/09 12:25PM
  • ktjb17
    AR camp was sooo much fun!! :) And the counselors were awesome! Such a fun group. I say we all go back next week and do it all again!!!
    by ktjb17 at 06/28/09 10:59PM
  • ramjclaxton
    Wow, I'm dizzy just reading your itinerary!!! Will you and your dad be staying with my mom & dad (Uncle Sam & Aunt Dorothy) when you come up apartment hunting?
    by ramjclaxton at 06/29/09 1:14PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    hi :) - enjoying thinking about Binghams in more north like states... MD PA and NC. Now we need your folks up here too.
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 06/29/09 2:40PM