Our Saturday in McCamey

What a lovely day we had in McCamey today! We attended the first game of "The First Annual West Texas Six-Man Football Shootout:" Yee-haw! It was a warm morning; however, we were very grateful for the wonderful breezes, which helped to cool us down a bit. We each got a fun t-shirt to celebrate the event. Charles enjoyed sitting next to David Snodgrass, pastor of the town's Assembly of God church. As they watched the game, they swapped "football comments." Belinda enjoyed listening to them and doing some "people watching" in the stands. (... something for everyone!)

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While we were visiting with folks at the game, Marisa and her husband Ernesto detailed our car. Wow, we had almost forgotten how white the car really is! We really appreciate their hard work, which resulted in a car that looks and feels brand new again. Praise be to God for small-town living!!!

We have not forgotten about all of you faithful followers of the Alkula blog! We've just been busy this week! So here in a nutshell is the week since our last entry on Sunday.

Monday was another hot, hot day in west Texas. Charles completed the bulletins and newsletter for September, and Belinda continued her work at the wellness center.

Tuesday started off hot, but there was a hint of rain in the forcast. It had been at least six weeks with little moisture, so even a hint of rain was welcome. The first drops began to fall about 7:30 in the evening, and by the time all was said and done, over 8" of rain had fallen! Thanks be to God!!!

On Wednesday, we had a special treat at the church in McCamey. Following the choir practice in the evening, the first practice of the hand bell choir in many, many years took place at the First UMC! Belinda was a real trooper, picking up two of the bells, although she protested that she was a true novice when it comes to music! (Actually, she was happy when someone volunteered to take one of her bells, so she could focus on ringing just the one: "G.")

It is Thursday, and the week continues apace. This afternoon at the McCamey Convalescent Center, we joined the residents and staff to celebrate a resident's 92nd birthday! Belinda couldn't stay still for long, however, as she had to get back to the wellness center and help more local residents make the most of the new facility.

Charles can be seen with a new button for his collection, which hovers around 7,000 in total. Charles always says, "Any day I get a button is a very good day!" Thanks, Tana, for making his day!

Whew, don't know about you, but we are ready for the weekend!

Another hot Sunday in McCamey & Iraan

We hope your Sunday has been as full as ours was! It continues to be hot and dry in west Texas, even the birds seem to looking for that special shady spot to call their own! We are looking forward to another busy week!

Saturday in McCamey

We've had a busy couple of days since we got back from our time at Mount Wesley. Belinda went back to work yesterday at the wellness center while Charles got busy at the church.

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Today was spent tending to household chores and resting for the busy day we have each Sunday. Charles spent some time this afternoon attending the birthday party of Ruben Aguilar, son of Jennifer and Tony (the family attends the McCamey church).

Mount Wesley Retreat (Day 3/2)

Our wonderful study concluded this morning. Our professor and guide was presented with a gift bag of Starbucks coffee items and a special remembrance. It was sad that our time together was at an end, but everyone in attendance left the richer for having had this great three-day immersion into the Book of John. Belinda and Charles visited downtown Kerrville and did a little window shopping. And, of course, our last stop was at the Cracker Barrel for one more dining/shopping experience! The drive home was a lovely one! Praise be to God for such a lovely day as this!!!

Mount Wesley Retreat (Day 3/1)

Belinda and Charles decided to sleep in a little bit this morning, so they missed the delicious breakfast that the Mount Wesley staff provide. Consequently, another opportunity presented itself, namely.... a visit to the nearby Starbucks! What an amazing Starbucks Kerrville has! The back deck looks out to a lovely lake! Wow, the Texas "hill country" really has a little bit of everything to offer! (Can you tell that Charles was really excited to be at a Starbucks again?!)
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P.S. Belinda and Charles enjoyed wearing their new "First United Methodist Church" denim shirts today... thanks to the orchestration of Gini at the San Angelo District Office of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church! Yee-haw!

Mount Wesley Retreat (Day 2)

Day two of our Mount Wesley retreat took place today here in Kerrville. It is really interesting hearing the account of the Fourth Gospel told in such fresh, vibrant ways!

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We met a good friend of Bobbie and Bill Lester today at lunch, John Friess (from Senora, TX), a fellow graduate of Texas Tech. He said said to say, "Howdy!"

Mount Wesley Retreat (Day 1)

This morning, Belinda and Charles drove to Kerrville, home of a Cracker Barrel AND the Mount Wesley Retreat Center of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Of course, the first stop was for lunch at the Cracker Barrel. Yummy!

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Afterwards, it was off to begin the retreat which is about "Living Abundantly: The Gospel of John." As always, it is great to see folks we know and to be able to meet new people. Our presenter and guide is the Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles, associate professor of New Testament Perkins School of Theology, at SMU. At dinner time, we actually saw a few deer roaming around the campus! Our newest friend is Pastor Sid Spiller who is serving a UMC in Johnson City, Texas.

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Praise be to God for this day of new beginnings!!!

Monday in McCamey

The McCamey ISD staff gathered today for the opening of the 2010-2011 school year with the first day of the week-long staff in-service. Local organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, the hospital/wellness center, Angelo State University and others served a bounty of delicious food and gave some nice opening-day gifts. Charles was present as well, distributing mesquite wood crosses to as many staff members as he could find!

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Among the members of the First UMC that Charles spotted were Mayor Sherry Phillips, Dollie Lynch, Eric Hill, Gladys Doris, Bobbie Lester, Cytha Peters, Donna Wiley, and School Superintendent Donny Wiley.

Yesterday in west Texas

We had another full day on Sunday, so busy in fact that we forgot to blog! Here then is a synopsis of our Sunday in west Texas:

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On our drive to Iraan for the 9:30 service, we spotted our very first Peccary (also known as Javelinas)! This was amazing to see, just standing non-chalantly alongside the road as if waiting for something interesting to happen. It had scurried back into the mesquite before we could get the camera ready. So instead we are posting a picture so you'll know what the fuss was all about.

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In Iraan we had a lovely time in fellowship and worship. A guest at the worship service was one of the on-call doctors from the Iraan hospital. He mentioned his dog was in his car - well, the congregation insisted that he bring "Red" (a full-sized French Poodle) in to enjoy the AC! What wonderful hospitality!

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In McCamey, we enjoyed worship at the church and then again at the Convalescent Center before resting a bit for tea at Elena's Kitchen. Later in the day Charles attended the monthly meeting of the FUMC Ad Board.

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With another busy day unfolding, we hope that you hae a blessed week!

The Barn Door restaurant is a wonderful place to visit. Belinda and Charles enjoyed dining there with good friends tonight! Afterwards, Charles took this great picture of another "Odessa Jackrabbit," which is located in front of the Odessa College. Praise be to God for a lovely day in God's Kingdom!!!

The Barn Door restaurant in Odessa serves up some really great food! The fresh-from-the-oven homemade bread, the HUGE block of cheddar cheese, great iced tea and fabulous steaks are things that keep folks coming back... again and again! Praise be to God that some folks know how to cook really, really well!!!