Another busy week!

It has been another busy week for us, such that we have not had time to post anything to the blog!

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On Wednesday, Belinda was surprised when during choir practice, she was to sing a special extra part to a congregational hymn we will be singing on Sunday. She is so grateful that at least one other soprano will be singing this part with her!

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All week long, Belinda has been doggedly working on a project to get the church records up-to-date. Bill Lester, the church fiance chair, and her have put in a lot of time to do this important task. They'll both be glad when it is done. We are so blessed by their willingness to serve and meet this need!

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On Thursday, Charles was seen sporting his Lions Club vest, fresh with some Lions Club pins, courtesy of Dan Rown, a member of Charles' previous posting in Nebraska.

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Today we spent most of the time at the middle school, where we were both judges at the poetry and prose section of a UIL practice meet. We each judged one section of prose in the morning and one in the afternoon, before Belinda judged the final of the prose section. It was so encouraging to see those young people spend their Saturday in such a productive and rewarding endeavor!

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At the same time, the middle school and high school gyms were the site of a JV boys basketball tournament (we stopped in to watch a bit). And this evening there was an alumni football game (which we passed on, 'cause we're tired!).

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After some pizza for supper, it is time to rest before we start the week again tomorrow!

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Praise God for the joy of living in small-town west Texas: Yee-haw!

Sunday in McCamey & Iraan

We had another busy Sunday today with the result that we are tired, but happy tonight. We started the day a bit earlier than normal so Belinda could layout a special craft project for the Iraan congregation. She had found a heart-shaped puzzle and had everyone color their name, one for each puzzle piece. This is a congregation that knows how to have fun in the Lord's house! Add that to the amazing breakfast potluck we have there on the fourth Sunday of the month and yup, it was a good Sunday in Iraan.

In the church in McCamey, we continue to enjoy a growth in the community in both fellowship and worship. At the Convalescent Center this afternoon, Charles used his cowbell (which he got while attending the 2006 Winter Olympics) to illustrate his message. The residents really enjoyed it!

Tonight, Belinda stopped by the home of Bill & Bobbie Lester to share with them a dvd of Cathryn Windham, one of the most popular story-tellers from the National Storytelling Festival. It is fun to be able to share our travels with the folks here!

Parsonage and Church Safety/Health Inspection Today!

Thanks so much Mary and Jim! We really appreciate your rapid-fire response to the church administrative board's request last week to do this inspection!

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It is always good to have a "fresh look" at our surroundings and determine what we can do to make things better! Yea, God!!!

One Year Ago Today...

What a great year we have had this last year ... living here in west Texas! If you want to see what was going on one year ago today, you can click "here!" Praise be to God for a wonderful live right here in this corner of His Kingdom!

Online Registration for "Smiles on Wheels" Event: February 11-12!

The time in now for us to register online to help with the upcoming "Smiles on Wheels" dental-care event, which will be held at the Park Building (aka the library building) in McCamey, February 11-12. Click here to register online (and then scroll down to click on your "volunteer category"). Questions may be directed to Tandy Adams at 432-652-8674 or 432-530-8246.

2011 Andy Andrews Basketball Classic!

Charles helped at the gate of the first night of the McCamey Jr. High School's girls' basketball tournament. The proceeds are going to support the community's effort to bring the "Smiles on Wheels" dental program in McCamey next month.

A Busy Wednesday Evening!

We have been busy these last few days! There is something to be said about life in a small town.

Tonight's 4-H Livestock Show in McCamey

This evening, we took advantage of an invitation to supper at the 4-H Livestock Show. Gloria Odom offered us tickets to the dinner portion of the event, and it was really good! We stayed for the auction of donated items and the livestock raised by 4-H members. It was a real hoot! (Did you notice that the silent auction's bid-sheet for that bag of pecans was up to $100 at the time the photo was taken?! Hey, it was for a good cause!)

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It was nice to be part of the community action. Charles even got a picture taken with Leon Patrick, one of the County Commissioners here in Upton County. The surprise honorees were Leon Patrick and his lovely wife Patricia. What a great evening; the air was electrified with excitement, hope and encouragement. Yea, God!

More from yesterday's rodeo!

Last night's rodeo in Odessa was action-packed from start to finish!

Belinda's First Rodeo: Yee-haw!

You've heard the saying "Hey, it's not my first rodeo?!" Well, last night was Belinda's FIRST RODEO! Thanks to Mary and Jim Witcher, Belinda and Charles were treated to a night out on the town of Odessa, where the Sand Hills Stock Show and Rodeo is taking place this week. Before the rodeo, they ate at Odessa's Rockin' "Q" Smokehouse. The food was ama-zing! The wonderful bar-b-que really put everyone in the mood for a west Texas R-O-D-E-O! (Jim loaned his hat to Belinda for the pictures above. What fun!) It was quite the international event, with a fellow from France in the rodeo and a fellow from Australia who lead four horses, doing some incredible moves! (They are featured in the last two pictures!)
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Thanks be to God... and Mary and Jim... for a wonderful experience that Belinda and Charles will never forget!

Great Day in West Texas: Yee-haw!

We had one great day in west Texas today! Charles attended the McCamey Ministerial Association's lunch meeting at Benoits (one of our local eateries). In the afternoon, we had a parish finance meeting. Early evening, we posted the welcome sign that Belinda's brother sent for Christmas at the front entrance to the parsonage. AND you gotta love the fun boot with the United Methodist Church's cross and flame symbol in it! In the evening, Belinda had another great time at the monthly ladies bunco party at the nearby Sante Fe Depot. Praise be to God for one fine day in west Texas: Yee-haw!

A Busy Sunday for Us!

On our drive to Iraan this morning, we spotted three white-tailed deer crossing the road together. They are such graceful creatures, especially when they are moving well-off the road! We also had a treat when we approached Iraan, a bank of low-lying clouds was in the area north and east of town. It made for some dramatic scenery, as we approached the town.

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At church in Iraan, Charles was presented with a cross & flame made by Burton Lanehart. Such a talented and generous man he is! In McCamey, Charles officiated at the baptism of four people (two adults and two children) and received six new members in the church. Thanks to a generous couple in the McCamey church, a catered meal followed the service. With a service at the convalescent center, our day was complete!

So, what did you do today?

Belinda's Mama's New Car!

Yesterday Belinda helped her mama buy a new car at the Mitchell Toyota dealership in San Angelo, Texas. Thanks to Chuck (and Matt), we were able to find the car she wanted. It is a 2009 Toyota Corolla (just like Belinda and Charles' car). To see more about it, click "here!" (The professional and kind manner in which Chuck and Matt dealt with them was greatly appreciated! To know more about this dealership, you can click "here!")

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God is SO GOOD! We really appreciate His hand guiding them through this process! Yea, God!!!

Back to the hardwood in McCamey

While Belinda assisted her mother's car-buying efforts in San Angelo, Charles was taking care of business in McCamey. After lunch with Bill Lester, Charles took down the Christmas decorations, always best done in the daylight!

This evening, Charles took in the nightlife of McCamey and watched the McCamey HS girls take on the girls from Monahans. McCamey ended up loosing, 52-42 but it was still fun to be part of the action!

Shootin' hoops in McCamey

This afternoon Belinda drove back to San Angleo with her mother to start the search for a car (for her mom - her previous one had been totaled last month).

After they had departed, Charles stopped by the McCamey High School to take in some of the action from a basketball tournament taking place today. It was a lot of fun to see the Kermit JV & Alpine JV girls at work!