We had a great day today. Belinda made pumpkin spice cookies... and she made up a basket of special goodies bags for visitors to the church this next month (complete with candy canes, popcorn and Kleenex tissues). Then it was off next door for the church-docorating party for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Praise be to God for such a fun-filled day!
(P.S. It is SO WONDERFUL to have our local community news channel 6 back "ON" today!)
It is a sunny day here in west Texas. After a delicious lunch at Elena's Mexican Restaurant, we drove by two lovely ladies from the "MOP" (McCamey Operation Pride) -- who were busy planting beautiful pointsettia plants in the community planters around town. God bless them and all they do to make our community more beautiful... for all to enjoy!
Yesterday, Charles delighted Belinda by decorating their 2010 Christmas tree! The miniature white and blue lights are so very lovely!
Thanksgiving blessings abound! Charles and Belinda are so very grateful that God brought us to west Texas in 2010! Wherever our blog readers may be geographically located, please know that you are in our hearts and prayers! Thanks be to God for all the blessings of this season!
Thanks to our family and friends who have wished us a happy wedding anniversary this Wednesday. God has been so good to us!!!
Friday afternoon, Belinda drove to the Midland Staples store, where a wonderful employee named Stephen helped her put the finishing touches on the parish advent devotional booklets.
On Saturday, Belinda baked a big pan of brownies for the "dessert potluck" scheduled to take place after Sunday evening's community thanksgiving worship service.
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Sunday was a wonderful rush of church excitement! As always, we had a lively fellowship before the worship service at the Iraan FUMC. We enjoyed worship services at the Iraan and McCamey First United Methodist Churches... and then at the McCamey convalescent center. It was lunch out at Elena's Mexican Restaurant before getting ready for the community thanksgiving worship service. It was the first time that Belinda has ever played in a bell choir. She said it was a lot of fun!
Belinda welcomed the opportunity to guide a tour of the new Wellness Center here in McCamey this morning. She met with Verla Flading, Alice and Arlene Kephart. All of them took turns pointing out special observances/features in the various photographs that adorn the walls. For two of them, it was their first time to visit the center. It was fun to share their enthusiasm for the "Eddie J. Odom Memorial Gallery," the heated pool and the fitness equipment. We are so blessed to have a place like this near us!
Dr. Maggie Rogers visited us in McCamey today. She visits area churches and tells folks about all the great ministries happening at the Methodist Children's Home in Waco. She spoke with the folks attending today's "Badgers for Christ" lunch gathering about dealing with failure and doing your best. It was wonderful to see her again. Her last visit was the February 17th Badgers for Christ lunch gathering. 
Some folks gathered at nearby Elena's Restaurant tonight to celebrate Mr. Bill's birthday. The birthday bag read "Aged to Perfection." Birthday candles bedecked his balloon, his button and his special reading glasses! Everyone enjoyed his special celebration! His birthday card said it all!
It was a chilly start to our day in San Angelo! Fall is definitely in the air, and the first hint of color could be seen in the trees lining Pinto Path (where Belinda's mother lives).The main agenda item today was attending the San Angelo District ministry celebration at the First UMC (in downtown San Angelo). We had a great time visiting and learning and sharing with folks from around the district. We met a very interesting fellow named the Rev. Jose Valasquez, a retired United Methodist pastor who has served for over 40 years! Like most pastors, he continues to serve in a variety of ways; he is an active member of the First UMC of San Angelo.
After the session, we had an enjoyable gathering at the local Red Lobster with the Lester's and Belinda's mother as we celebrated the sixth anniversary of the Lester's daughter Amy and their son-in-law Nic Gray.
(P.S. It was really fun to see the mural on a building in downtown San Angelo featuring images from the life and times of Elmer Kelton.)
This morning, the McCamey High School held a school assembly in recognition of Veteran's Day. Charles was among the twenty-four veterans who took part in this morning's assembly. 
