Relay for Life in McCamey

The strong winds continued today in west Texas but that didn't stop the annual Relay for Life event from taking place tonight at the McCamey High School track. Hundreds of Upton County residents were present to give witness to the hope that won't give into anything cancer can throw our way.

Charles was asked to give the invocation to the event, it seems that anytime someone needs a public prayer, Charles is there! Next year we'll be better prepared and take part in the walk.

Windy Wednesday

We had a windy here in west Texas - even the warmer weather didn't seem all that bad! Charles headed to Iraan this morning while Belinda enjoyed another day at the McCamey Hospital. While Charles was waiting to pick Belinda up at work he decided to pick up some of the wind-blown trash by the hospital, all part of McCamey Operation Pride!

This evening was choir practice in McCamey, we were thrilled to welcome three new members to the choir!

Back to the Work Week

This evening, we joined the community in the middle school library to hear presentations from the candidates for school board, as well as information about school funding and other issues. Charles was asked by Donny Wiley, the school superintendent, to give the invocation.

April 25th in West Texas

We have had a full weekend here in west Texas. Now we launch into the work week! Our Sunday began with the breakfast potluck in Iraan, which is turning out to be a much-anticipated event for everyone each month.

In McCamey, we enjoyed the worship and fellowship both at the church and at the local convalescent center.

Lay Speaking Courses Today

Two lay-speaking courses were held at the Rankin First United Methodist Church (FUMC) today. In the morning session, Charles taught the portion about Methodist history. In the afternoon session, Pastor Jennifer Kelley guided folks in their preparation of sermon material. At the same time, Gini Christian from the San Angelo District was teaching the Advanced Lay Speaking course in the sanctuary. We enjoyed lively conversations, faith-filled testimonies and delicious refreshments! We so appreciated the generous hospitality of the folks at the Rankin FUMC! Praise be to God for a lovely, Spirit-led day!!!

Planning Meeting for New Veterans Memorial

Tonight there was a special planning meeting at Benoits private dining room. Committed and concerned citizens met to discuss the construction of a new Veterans Memorial in town.

Arbor Day Celebration in McCamey, Texas!

Thanks to the Garden Club and the local group called McCamey Operation Pride (MOP), we experienced a wonderful Arbor Day here in McCamey today! It began with the Scouts posting the colors and us reciting the pledge allegiance to the flag and to conservationism. Pastor Charles Alkula provided the invocation and the benediction. The program included a time of reflection... and of remembering and honoring those who died during the last year. Family members and friends utilized a golden shovel to place dirt around the memorial tree, as each loved one's name was named. It was a very moving ceremony! Thanks be to God for a community who comes together to reflect and then prepare to move into the future... together, with love and hope!!!

Poetry Slam in McCamey

We were asked to help judge the first annual poetry slam tonight in McCamey, what fun! There were over fifty in attendance in the middle school library enjoying the offerings from the poetry participants. The poems came from middle and high school students and from a couple of adults. It was a lot of fun, the best culture available in west Texas!

Having a "blooming" good time in Texas!

If it is springtime in Texas you know that it must be time for the highways to be lined with an amazing variety of flowers. In the 1/2 mile between our house and the McCamey Hospital you can see the flowers shown here. What a blessing it is to be in such a place!

Belinda is enjoying her job!

Belinda is enjoying her new job at the McCamey Hospital! Every day brings new things to learn and she is already making her mark on the staff. Drop by the business office and see her at work!!!

A fashion-filled Night in McCamey

The McCamey Women's Study Club hosted their annual fashion show tonight at McCamey's Park Building. It was fun to see such a good turnout by the community and everyone had a great time.

A Busy Sunday

We had a full day today, church services in the morning at Iraan and McCamey, a service at the McCamey Convalsecent Center in the afternoon and a meeting here in McCamey in the evening. Whew! We hope your day was as much a blessing to you as our was to us!!!

We stopped by the Iraan hospital on the way to church this morning to enjoy the swath of bluebonnets and other flowers planted there by a member of the Iraan UMC. While taking the picture, a humingbird came and enjoyed the morning with us, so much to enjoy so early in the morning in Iraan!

We are enjoying the springtime in McCamey, seeing the wild flowers for which Texas is so well-known. Here at the parsonage we were tickled to see one of the cactus we have blooming, spring is here!

Texas Mesquite Art Festival @ Fort Concho

Along with running errands in "the city," Charles took time to go to Fort Concho (the fort was a calvary post in the 1870's) where there the Texas Mesquite Art Festival was taking place.

There was a wonderful variety of works on display ranging from furniture to crosses to walking sticks. Charles showed amazing restraint and ended up only taking some pictures away from the event!