Fun Time ... with a Fun Couple!

L-R:  Belinda, Ann and Jay Brown

Charles and Belinda really enjoyed spending the evening with friends Ann and Jay Brown!  They celebrated Jay's birthday!  Thank you, God, for the gift of their loving friendship!

DOD Casualty list for May 23 - 30

Alexandria National Cemetery - Pineville, LA

The Department of Defense announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

+Spc. Christopher R. Drake, 20, of Tickfaw, Louisiana, died May 26, in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by a rocket propelled grenade. 

He was assigned to the 1084th Transportation Company, 165th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 139th Regional Support Group, Reserve, Louisiana.

Memorial Day

Arlington Cemetery

Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Dream of battled fields no more.
Days of danger, nights of waking.

 

-Sir Walter Scott

Happy Sunday!

Trinity Sunday @ St. Mark's UMC

L-R:  Pastor Jay Brown, Ann Brown and Belinda Alkula

Praise be to God for a lovely Sunday in San Antonio, Texas!

Trinity Sunday

St Etheldreda's Church in Ely Place, London.

Almighty and everlasting God,
You have given to us Your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity,
and in the power of Your divine Majesty
to worship the Unity:
Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship,
and bring us at last
to see You in Your one and eternal glory, O Father;
who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 Book of Common Prayer

As seen on Toscana Isle



Checking out the book boxes



Keeping watch

The life of a professional house cat

We're starting to lean into the moving phase of our time on Toscana Isle.  But before we do, Memorial Day is here!





Aldersgate Day

Today is the 275th anniversary of John Wesley's "Aldersgate experience." This follows three days after his brother Charles' "Aldersgate experience," also in London.
Visit the General Board of Global Ministries link to read more.

DOD Casulaty list for May 16 - 22

Buffalo Soldier Monument - Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

The Department of Defense announced the death four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:
+Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, [US Army] of Hesperia, California, assigned to 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd  
     Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
+Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, [US Army] of Dalton, Massachusetts, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st
     Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
+Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, [US Army] of Hacienda Heights, California, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment,
     1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
+Pfc. Cody J. Towse, 21, [US Army] of Elk Ridge, Utah.

The Department of Defense announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

+Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea [Army Reserve], 33, of Oakley, Kansas, died May 15, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, after drowning while attempting to cross a body of water during combat operations. He was assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company, 530th Military Police Battalion, 300th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command [US Army Reserve], Belton, Missouri.

The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died May 16, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team [Army National Guard], Fort Juan Muna, Guam.

Killed were:

+Sgt. Eugene M Aguon [Army National Guard], 23, of Mangilao, Guam.
+Spc. Dwayne W. Flores [Army National Guard], 22, of Sinajana, Guam.

2013 May Tornado Relief

http://www.okumc.org/registrations/register/292

Wesley the Cat's Activities Today!

Since Belinda left this out, it must be for my exploration!

Time to tunnel under the carpet!

Under Cover!

Peek-a-boo!

Wesley the Cat's "UNDER COVER" Activity!

Tornado scare in Oklahoma

Tornado over Shawnee, Oklahoma

Charles had an email this morning that his nephew, Alex [Charles' brother Dale's son] survived a tornado which struck the mobile home park he and his wife lived in on Sunday.  They live in Shawnee, Oklahoma [about an hour east of Oklahoma City]

 

Charles spoke with Alex this morning and was told that he [Alex] and Crystal [Alex's wife] are fine and other than "We've had an interesting couple of days" they are okay.  He also said they didn't need anything right now and that there has been a lot of support from friends and neighbors.

Here is a link to videos that Alex posted to Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuveZ_Sg-b1sd-T0Rinm-DMIxSwGlLjeP&feature=mh_lolz

Here are some news links for the coverage of the tornado on Sunday in Shawnee, OK.

 

http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/1-dead-after-tornado-levels-mobile-home-park-outside-shawnee-okla-multiple-injuries-reported

http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x6236672/VIDEO-Tornadoes-rip-through-Carney-Shawnee-Sunday

http://local.msn.com/tornadoes-slam-plains-midwest-1-dead-in-okla?gt1=24000

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Belinda and Charles attended St. Paul United Methodist (UM) Church in downtown San Antonio, Texas.  It was UMW Sunday.  The message was delivered by the *conference UMW President Terry Schoenert.  The two-hour service was Spirit-led and joy-filled!  Thanks be to God!!!  (*South West Texas Conference of the UMC)

Pentecost Sunday

When the most High came down and confused the tongues,
He divided the nations;
But when he distributed the tongues of fire
He called all to unity.
Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-holy Spirit!
[The image is of the interior of a dome at the 9th-century St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. The mosaic of gold, bronze and other precious materials dates from the 12th century and depicts the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost.]

Happy Norway Day

Wishing our friends of Norwegian descent a happy Norway Day!  On May 17, 1814, Norway declared it's independence from Sweden.

Marine Missing from Vietnam War to be Buried with Crew

Section 60, Arlington National Cemetery

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, was recently accounted for and will be buried along with the 12 other servicemen who were lost in the same crash.

Pfc. Daniel A. Benedett [USMC] of Seattle, Wash., will be buried May 15, at Arlington National Cemetery, along with Air Force +2nd Lt. Richard Vandegeer of Cleveland, Ohio; Navy +Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Bernard Gause Jr., of Birmingham, Ala.; +Hospitalman Ronald J. Manning of Steubenville, Ohio; Marine Corps servicemen +Lance Cpl. Gregory S. Copenhaver of Lewistown, Pa.; +Lance Cpl. Andres Garcia of Carlsbad, N.M.; +Pfc. Lynn Blessing of Lancaster, Pa.; +Pfc. Walter Boyd of Portsmouth, Va.; +Pfc. James J. Jacques of La Junta, Colo.; +Pfc. James R. Maxwell of Memphis, Tenn.; +Pfc. Richard W. Rivernburgh of Schenectady, N.Y.; +Pfc. Antonio R. Sandoval of San Antonio, Texas; and +Pfc. Kelton R. Turner of St. Louis, Mo.

On May 12, 1975, Khmer Rouge gunboats captured the S.S. Mayaguez in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cambodia. After the vessel was taken to Koh Tang Island, U.S. aircraft began surveillance flights around the island. When efforts to secure the release of the ship and its crew failed, U.S. military forces began a rescue mission.

Three days after the Mayaguez seizure, the Air Force dispatched six helicopters to the island. One of the helicopters came under heavy enemy fire and crashed into the surf with 26 men on board. Thirteen of the men were rescued at sea, leaving Benedett and 12 other service members unaccounted-for from the crash.

Between 1991 and 2008, investigators conducted more than 10 investigations and excavations, led by Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC). On three occasions, Cambodian authorities turned over remains believed to be those of American servicemen. In 1995, U.S. and Cambodian specialists conducted an underwater recovery of the helicopter crash site where they located remains, personal effects and aircraft debris associated with the loss. Between 2000 and 2004, all of the missing service members from this helicopter, except Benedett, were accounted-for.

On Jan. 30, 2013, Benedett was accounted-for. Scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used circumstantial evidence and DNA process of elimination to account for his remains.

Today, more than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The U.S. government continues to work closely with the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to recover Americans lost during the Vietnam War.

Passing of a Sailor

USS Starling (AM 64)

 

We recieved word last night that Charles' Uncle Bob had died.  He was Charles' mother's eldest brother. 

Robert L. Plants, (90) was a Navy vet from WWII and served in the Pacific on the USS Starling, a mine sweeper.

What Cancer Can NOT Do!



Great Quilt!

When Belinda visited a craft shop in Kerrville, Texas, she saw this amazing quilt on display!

To see more information about this, click here.

Wonderful Sunday!

Today we attended this lovely church:  Oak Meadow United Methodist Church.  The people are so welcoming and loving!  Thanks be to God for this lovely church!

Mother's Day

Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) first suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother's favorite flower) to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother's Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress,

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. He established the day as a time for "public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." By then it had become customary to wear white carnations to honor departed mothers and red to honor the living, a custom that continues to this day.

Trip Down Memory Lane!

Standing where the pool USED TO BE!

Belinda an front of her high school (graduated in 1973)

Building to left of red car:  Where Belinda had her first job (paying taxes!)

Visiting Belinda's father's grave at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery

The old "BAMC" where Belinda worked (Brooke Army Medical Center)

The BOOTS in front of North Star Mall!  Yee-haw!

Today Charles and Belinda visited some spots around San Antonio that hold special meaning for Belinda. 

(1) Toured apartment complex where Belinda's family lived during her high school days.  It is across the street from her high school.  (2) Walked around Robert E. Lee High School.  (3) Saw building next to apartment complex, where Belinda had her first tax-paying job.  (4) Visited her father's grave at Fort Sam Houston Cemetary.  (5) Visited the place where Belinda first worked in Civil Service:  BAMC!  (6) Saw the BOOTS in front of North Star Mall (a favorite destination when she was a teenager).

The weather was picture-perfect for today's activities.  Thanks be to God!

An Outdoor Outing for an Indoor Cat!

Charles and Wesley the cat enjoyed some "fun in the sun" today! 

Feast of the Ascension

The Ascension (Giotto)

Hail the day that sees Him rise, Alleluia!
To His throne above the skies, Alleluia!
Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia!
Reascends His native heaven, Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits, Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia!
Christ hath conquered death and sin, Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!

Lo! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
Yet He loves the earth He leaves, Alleluia!
Though returning to His throne, Alleluia!
Still He calls mankind His own, Alleluia!

See! He lifts His hands above, Alleluia!
See! He shows the prints of love, Alleluia!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on His church below, Alleluia!

Still for us He intercedes, Alleluia!
His prevailing death He pleads, Alleluia!
Near Himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
He the first-fruits of our race, Alleluia!

Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
Far above the starry height, Alleluia!
Grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
Seeking Thee beyond the skies, Alleluia!

Charles Wesley

(Redemption Hymnal, No. 188)

DoD Casulaty List for May 3 - 8, 2013

Sentry from "The Old Guard" at the Tomb of the Unknowns

The Department of Defense announced May 3^rd the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

+Staff Sgt. Michael H. Simpson, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, died May 1 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit on April 27, with an improvised explosive device in Arian, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

The Department of Defense announced May 3^rd the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died May 2, in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident. They were assigned to 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. 

Killed were:
+Spc. Trinidad Santiago Jr., 25, of San Diego, California
+Pfc. Charles P. McClure, 21, of Stratford, Oklahoma

The Department of Defense announced May 5^th the death of three airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died May 3, near Chon-Aryk, Kyrgyzstan, in the crash of a KC-135 aircraft. The airmen were assigned to the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.

Killed were:
+Capt. Mark T. Voss, 27, of Colorado Springs, Colorado,
+Capt. Victoria A. Pinckney, 27, of Palmdale, California, and
+Tech Sgt. Herman Mackey III, 30, of Bakersfield, California

The Department of Defense announced May 6^th the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died May 4, while conducting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. They were both assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 

Killed were:
+Staff Sgt. Eric D. Christian, 39, of Warwick, New York, and
+Cpl. David M. Sonka, 23, of Parker, Colorado

The Department of Defense announced May 6^th the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died May 4, in Maiwand, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when their vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36^thInfantry, 1^stBrigade Combat Team, 1^stArmored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Killed were:
+1^stLt. Brandon J. Landrum, 26, of Lawton, Oklahoma,
+Staff Sgt. Francis G. Phillips IV, 28, of Meridian, New York,
+Spc. Kevin Cardoza, 19, of Mercedes, Texas,
+Spc. Thomas P. Murach, 22, of Meridian, Idaho, and
+Spc. Brandon J. Prescott, 24, of Bend, Oregon

Spring Festival @ Holy Angels RC

Belinda, Sheila and Kathie Bee (L-R)

Sheila and former FAA colleagues meet up at Holy Angels RC

Cake Walk in action

 Following our worship this morning, we made our way to Holy Angels Catholic Church for their 50th Anniversary Spring Festival.  A neighbor at Rio Concho West, Cathy B., invited us to be her guest for the fabulous lunch and it was delicious! 

This is a well-oiled machine and had something for everyone - games for children, craft sale, bake sale, bingo, and a huge auction.