One Year Ago Today!

Just to think...
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One year ago today, Charles and Belinda were making their first-ever trip to Fort Stockton, Texas, so the rented U-Haul truck could be turned in. Just two days before, their belongings had been off-loaded to their new home at the parsonage in McCamey. (If you want to look at that blog entry one year ago today, click "here.")

One Year Ago Today!

One year ago today, Charles and Belinda were blessed by God by His moving them to beautiful west Texas. What an amazing year they have had in 2010... growing in faith with the fine folks living in and around Iraan and McCamey, Texas: Yee-haw! (If you want to see the blog entry for one year ago today, you can click "here.")
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2011 is just around the corner... full of promise and potential! Thanks be to God!!!

Post-Christmas Sunday Update

With Christmas Day fresh in our minds, we went to Iraan first thing Sunday morning for worship and the monthly breakfast potluck - both were so good! At first, it seemed as though we'd have to worship around the table, it being a holiday weekend and all. However, we've learned not to underestimate the Iraan congregation. While it was chilly in the church building (a slight problem with the boiler), that didn't stop the warmth of the community from rising up and filling the place with love!

In McCamey, we had a nice holiday-weekend gathering at both the McCamey church and at the McCamey Convalescent Center (MCC). Worship at the MCC is a challenge right now, with our gathering taking place in the hallway due to work being done in their dining room.

After the MCC, we went out with Bill Lester for some lunch. As none of the town's restaurants were available, it was back to the Lester's for some holiday leftovers. It was a quick lunch, however, as Belinda had to make an unexpected getaway to her mother's in San Angelo. (Her mom had a fender-bender Sunday morning.) Belinda will be back in time for New Year's Eve and the Rose Parade on Saturday morning!

Santa Came!

We awoke to find the stockings we had hung with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there... WERE FULL of goodies, to include SPECIAL SOCKS! (Note: Belinda was hiding behind her stocking because she declared it a "no makeup day.")

Elf at Work!

We can see Charles doing the last bit of his wrapping of Christmas presents AND stocking-stuffer presents! (Don't the "Christmas Card Shutters" look lovely?!) Praise be to God for such a lovely Christmas Eve Day!!!

A Loving Christmas Message!

Yesterday in the post, we received the "welcome" plaque featured in the picture above. The note with it read: "(We) were doing some Christmas shopping... and when we saw the... sign... we immediately thought of you two. You guys always make your home wherever you are -- and welcome those into it. So this gift seems very fitting for you. We hope that you hang it in your present home and everywhere the journey of life may take you. We hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year."

"A Good Day"

Charles says, "any day I get a button is a GOOD DAY!" Well, thanks to our dear friend in Nebraska, Mollie Ronge, Charles had a very good day yesterday when he opened the parcel! Praise be to God for such a thoughtful, loving friend!

A Lovely Sunday Today!

What a wonderful day! In Iraan this morning, we enjoyed a unique telling of the Christmas story. It was a Christmas pageant where the congregation, children and adults alike, took place in a "Christmas pageant in-a-bag." So much fun! See the pictures at the Iraan FUMC Blog. Both congregations got to sample our cookie making prowess! It was fun to be able to share the "fruit" of our labors!

It's a Christmas cookie day!

Belinda continued her cookie making this morning, making several dozen "Russian tea cookies," her specialty. She has already shared her culinary talents with Jim & Mary Witcher and Bill & Bobbie Lester, who stopped by the parsonage.

Charles joined Belinda in the Christmas cookie baking arena this afternoon, rolling out several dozen stars, bells, santa's, snowmen and more. Belinda also found a recipie for making a special frosting, which we will put to good use. Look for pictures from fellowship tables at the two churches tomorrow!

Some Texas Flair!

Charles found a neat flower pot shaped like a boot (with a Texas star!) at our market in McCamey this morning. It is the perfect display for the cross which was given to us by Burton Lanehart (from Iraan). Now we have a little Texas-flair in McCamey!

Belinda's Baking Adventure!

Stay tuned for sugar cookies and Russian teacakes: Yummy!

Wow: Another Party Day!

We had a very busy day, "soup to nuts!" We started off at the McCamey Convalescent Center (MCC), where Belinda has been teaching the residents how to play hand bells. We go each Thursday to the MCC and share in the community time with the residents.

At noon, Charles went to the Lions Club meeting and was presented with his very own Lions Club vest! He's one of the group now!

This evening, we both attended the McCamey Women's Study Club's annual Christmas party. In lieu of gifts, the group decided to take stuffed animals, which will be given to a charity.

Parsonage's Night Cross

Thanks to a faithful McCamey church member, Roy Kephart, the cross on the south side of the parsonage has been lit again! This is going to be a welcome site for travelers coming from Iraan and from I-10.

McCamey Senior Center Holiday Lunch Today!

Wow! We had one great time at the McCamey Senior Center's holiday lunch today! After Verla Flading got Belinda to "work out" a couple of minutes on their exercise equipment, the wonderful staff fed us a fabulous turkey and dressing meal with all the trimmings. Yummy!

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As we ate our lunch, we were seranaded with lovely holiday music by a wonderful musical trio featuring Tommy Owens, Joan Darby and her brother. It was a lot of fun!

Belinda's Bunko Fun Tonight!

A great time was had by all at tonight's Bunco Party! Thanks to Beth, our hostess with the most-est... we had delicious food AND wonderful prizes AND Bunco jewelry for each lady present. It was THE PLACE TO BE in McCamey tonight! Yee-haw!

McCamey ISD's Holiday Open House Today!

Today the McCamey Independent School District held an open house reception for the community. Charles, Belinda and Bill Lester really enjoyed dropping by to partake of some of their delicious goodies. And it was wonderful to be able to visit with others celebrating the holidays.

Last Night's UMW Party!

The United Methodist Women's gathered last night for a great Christmas party: Yee-haw!

Great Visit with Belinda's Mother

After a good visit with Belinda's mother this past weekend, she left McCamey this afternoon -- to return to her home in San Angelo.

"Safari" Baby Shower at the Santa Fe Depot!

"Hear No Evil" ... "See No Evil" ... "Speak No Evil" ...
(Jeanette and Belinda's monkey friend helped convey this message!)



The parents-to-be and their respective mamas ...
(AND in the background are other family members and shower hostesses!)



ONE Ama-zing Cake: Gorgeous & Delicious!
(Baby-to-be "Branson," we are looking forward to meeting you soon!)



After a delicious meal, we enjoyed fun games and fellowship!



Game winners enjoyed some wonderful prizes!

All who attended today's co-ed baby shower at the Santa Fe Depot had one great time! From the joy of friendly folks coming together to celebrate the prospect of new life amongst us... to festive decorations and delicious food... the depot was THE PLACE TO BE TODAY!
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Hip, Hip, Hooray: Baby Branson is on his way!

Christmas Comes Early to McCamey!

As the sun set on McCamey this evening, preparations were underway for special surprises at the nearby convalescent center! Belinda joined Bobbie Lester for a rousing sing-along of Christmas carols. And some lovely folks from the Assembly of God church also joined in on the caroling fun with the residents. It was "the" place to be tonight! AND.... Santa surprised everyone with his surprise visit! (And Santa looked oh-so familiar!) There was good food and fun all around! Praise God for a lovely time tonight!!!