Pumpkins and More!

What a lovely autumnal display sits just outside the parsonage's front door. Thanks to some very dear church members, two more pumpkins were added to the collection last night... unbeknownst to us until this morning. Belinda's favorite color is green, so the sage green pumpkin at the lower left of the photo is so very special. Also its companion, which is a very unique shade of orange, sits proudly next to it. (They were recently imported from our neighbor state of New Mexico.) How kind of these lovely people to remember us in such a special way; praise God!!!

Birthday Cake at Church!

Belinda delighted in sharing her very special CHOCOLATE CAKE with her church family this morning! Praise God from whom ALL things flow!!!

Belinda's Birthday!

What a lovely day it was in God's Kingdom yesterday! Belinda enjoyed her birthday with her mama and dear friends. From McCamey to Midland to Odessa and back home again to McCamey -- it was a fun-filled happening day of visiting, touring, shopping and eating! Alldredge Gardens was a fabulous place to shop and have a delicious lunch. And Belinda had heard so much about The Ivy Cottage (also in Midland)... that she was thrilled to finally be able to pay them a visit. After a quick stop at an Odessa bakery, we had an AMA-ZING chocolate cake to make the birthday celebration complete, and we were on our way back home to McCamey. It was a lovely autumnal day: Thanks be to God!!!

A Fun Dinner Party at Benoits

We had a fun dinner party tonight at one of our local restaurants. It was the place to be! Belinda's mother Sheila is really enjoying meeting some of the friendly folks who live here in McCamey, Texas: Yee-haw!

Birthday Surprise Delivery Today

What a delightful surprise it was this morning when the parsonage's doorbell rang, and it was our lovely local florist delivering an awesome birthday-balloon/treats-basket arrangement: Wow! Thanks to some very dear people who were so sweet to send sweet treats to Belinda, whose birthday is tomorrow! God is so good to have brought us to this parish -- filled with people with loving hearts!

Celebration Dinner at Elenas!

Tonight a group from church celebrated being together... AND... enjoyed spending time with Belinda's mother who is visiting from San Angelo. The food was wonderful, as was the fellowship in which we shared it! Yea, God!!!

Belinda's Last Day at Work Yesterday!

Yesterday was Belinda's last day at work as the director of the wellness center here in McCamey. Folks were so lovely to stop by and/or telephone their thanks and good wishes to her. The food and flowers were ama-zing! Thanks be to God for the special day that it was!

Weekend Update

The first picture was taken Saturday evening by First UMC - McCamey members Jim & Mary Witcher. They got the full-moon above the church here in McCamey, and we are so glad they did!

Belinda spent some extra hours this weekend at the wellness center! She was there Friday evening, in order for the staff to be able to attend the McCamey vs. Iraan football game. She turned around on Saturday and spent the entire day manning the center due to a staff member's illness. This evening, she was back once more; this time, she was helping folks set up for a 2-day activity in the center's multi-purpose room.

Our Sunday featured the regular routine of worship services in Iraan and the two here in McCamey. Add to that the fourth Sunday breakfast potluck in Iraan and an evening Administrative Board meeting in McCamey, and you've the ingredients for a full day!

On our way to Iraan this morning, we spotted one deer standing alongside the roadway. We also had two cross at separate points, and a roadrunner did dart right in front of us. We really have to keep our wits about us when traveling the roads of west Texas on Sunday mornings! Thank you God for a wonderful day today!!!

Tonight in McCamey

Tonight was the big football rivalry between McCamey & Iraan (played this year in McCamey). Unfortunately, the game was a rather lopsided affair in favor of Iraan who won 58-8.

While Charles was at the game, Belinda was working at the wellness center tonight so that some of the other staff members could attend the game. What a great boss!

We're back!

Where has the week gone?!? Since Sunday it seems as though every day had its own drama or activities, no excuse for not blogging, just saying :)

We've been busy with work and home life. Charles is trying to wrap-up loose ends before he heads off to San Antonio next week (for the second of his "Two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation" retreats). Belinda is also busy, wrapping up the loose ends at the wellness center, before she hands the reigns (and the keys) to her replacement. She's turned in her notice there, in anticipation of spending more time with Charles and with her mom.

We had some excitement here in McCamey late this afternoon. About 4:30 p.m., the sirens went off, warning of severe weather. Seems a passing front was triggering some nasty weather just north of town. Nothing came of it, aside from a few strays raindrops: Thank goodness!

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We're in for a very busy weekend, but then, we'd be lost if we were not busy!

A special day

We had a great day today, special fellowship at Iraan and new members joining the church in McCamey and a restful afternoon. We are glad to be able to do nothing tonight! We hope your weekend was wonderful too!

A full day for us!

We've had a very busy and full day! Charles was up by seven and next door at the First UMC in McCamey, part of the first gathering of the new United Methodist Men's unit. It was great to be in on the ground floor of this new effort.

After that, Charles went with Donny Wiley (FUMC's Lay Leader & also the superintendent of the McCamey schools) to Odessa. They went to support the McCamey High School band at the regional band contest. They saw the Class A (small schools) bands, including Iraan, perform. What a treat to see the young people putting themselves "out there" like that!

Belinda stayed busy at home and enjoyed the quiet after another busy week at the wellness center. This evening, Charles worked out by mowing the grass at the little park behind the McCamey church (in honor of Justin Lester). A good day!

Some Walls Must Fall...

"WALLS" --
A song by Pam Rose.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4wzYNk4ofQ)

At the clergy spouses' retreat that Belinda attended recently, she heard an AMA-ZING song called "Walls" by Pam Rose. If you click above, you can hear the song. The message is awesome!

Here are the lyrics.

Some walls are made of stone;
sometimes we build our own.
some walls stand for years,
and some wash away with tears.

Some walls are lined with gold where
some hearts stay safe and cold.
Some walls are made from doubt,
holding in and keeping out.

If there's any hope for love at all --
some walls (some walls) must fall.
If there's any hope for love at all --
some walls (some walls) must fall.

Some walls are built on pride.
Some keep the child inside.
Some walls are built on fear that
love let go will disappear.

If there's any hope for love at all --
some walls (some walls) must fall.
If there's any hope for love at all --
some walls (some walls) must fall.

How will you ever know what might
be found --
until you let those walls
come tumbling down?

If there's any hope for love at all --
some walls (some walls) must fall.
If there's any hope for love at all --
some walls (some walls) must fall.

If there's any hope for love at all --
some walls (some walls) (some...)
(some walls) (some...)
If there's any hope for us...
(... must fall...)

First Christmas Commercial on TV: Oh, Brother!

Oh, my gosh! Tonight, while we were watching some television, we saw our first commercial advertising Christmas sales. K-mart got the jump on the competition, some would say. We just shake our heads. Oh, Brother!

Here's the real newsflash: God wants us to BE in the moment -- enjoy all of His creation each and every day!!! (From the pumpkin patch to the parsonage... this time of autumn is glorious, indeed. Thanks be to God!!!)

It's pumpkin time

Charles drove to First UMC in Crane this morning for the start of their pumpkin patch fund-raiser. He picked up some really nice pumpkins and gourds to use at both of our churches and at the parsonage. It sure is fun to decorate in the cooler weather!

This evening, Belinda attended choir practice while Charles went to Iraan for a meeting. Now we can rest with a nice cup of tea (Belinda's specialty) and catch up on the news of the day!

Bunko Fun Tonight!

We had a GREAT time at Bunko tonight! We celebrated the autumnal season with awesome decorations and delicious foods. And, as always, we celebrated being with one another. Being with fun folks, laughing and being in the moment: All of it is such good medicine for the soul!

A Really Fun Luncheon in McCamey!

After the convalescent center's worship service, we had a really fun time at our dear friends' home in McCamey! Delicious hamburgers and all the fixin's... special dip and chips... homemade apple cake... iced tea and hot apple cider... Mmmmmm: Yummy! Each guest was presented with an awesome "one-of-a-kind" decorated pumpkin! And the post-lunch visiting was fabulous! Praise be to God for good folks who will invite you into their home and share a time of celebration to God for all the blessings of this autumnal season.