Neighborhood suprise

Charles was out this morning and spotted this turkey taking a stroll along the sidewalk. One never knows what we'll see in our neighborhood.

Doing adult things

Belinda did the adult thing today, a visit to the dentist in Arvada to take care of some necessary dental work. Not fun, but the result will be a good thing to have accomplished!

An afternoon service

Charles was invited to lead the worship today at Fraiser Meadows' afternoon vespers service. It was a lovely gathering, and he looks forward to future opportunities share in that setting.

April snow!

We had a surprise dusting of snow last night, the first in a long time and then this morning, we woke to about 6" of fresh snow! Charles had a surprise drive to the hospital to see a church member. It was the first time he had driven since the 18th of March!

Friday with Sammy

Charles made a quick stop at his office this afternoon and found Sammy waiting by the mailbox. He was pleased to have a snack and some scritches to make the visit a pleasant one.

More reading to do

We stopped at the Boulder Bookstore today so that Charles could pick up the last book for the class that he is auditing at CU - Boulder on Scandinavian Folklore. This book, an anthology of works by Hans Christian Anderson, will be Charles' introduction to this influencial Danish author. 

While there, Charles spotted a book for Belinda by Anne Lamont, "Something: Thoughts on Love," that may turn out to be the reading for the Women's Summer Book Club at St. Paul's UMC.

Nice Sunday in Boulder

We had a great morning at the church! The power outages, that had affected many in our area due to a high-wind event this weekend, didn't hit our neighborhood and church activities were unaffected.

We welcomed our bishop to be our preacher this mornng and afterwards enjoyed a wonderful potluck.

Later in the afternoon, the power did go out for awhile but came back on before it got dark!

Easter

The official flower of Easter

 

Charles with a friend

Charles back in the pulpit

Easter treats for Charles

We had a nice Easter Sunday with the church family. We were happy that Charles was able to be back at work and able to offer the sermon!

Palm Sunday at home

We had an unexpected Palm Sunday following Charles' hospital stay. Balinda was able to get some fronds for us to use as we watched the Zoom feed from the church.

A job well-done

Thanks be to God for church trustee Dan Clark who visited the parsonage yesterday with chain saw, eye and hearing protection to chop up all the broken tree branches that fell in our recent snowstorm!

A strange time indeed

 Get well basket from the church family

From Belinda's P.E.O. sisters

Without going too far into the specifics and details, on Monday this week, an appointment with a doctor for Charles led to a concerning discovery and an ambulance trip to the hospital ER. The doctors there had two concerns: the condition that had first sent him to the doctor, an infection, and complications with his heart that we were not aware of before the visit to the doctor that afternoon.

With the infection diminishing by Wednesday, it was determined that it was okay to deal with the heart concerns which was then done on Thursday.

Charles is fine and in recovery mode and expects to be back in the pulpit for Easter. We are so appreciative of the many expressions of prayer and encouragement.

Help is on site!

SO grateful to Xcel Energy power company in Boulder, Colorado!!! Belinda called yesterday to report a broken tree limb had fallen on a power line leading from the parsonage -- as a result of the weight of snow from our recent snowstorm. Today, a gentleman arrived to remedy the problem! He expertly cleared the broken branch from the power line! We are so grateful to the quick response and that it didn't result in a loss of power in our home! Praise be to God for folks who respond right away when needed!!!

On the town with colleagues

Charles has a monthly gathering with other area UMC clergy for fellowship and sharing. He finds these gatherings to be most enjoyable and a valued part of his professional life.

Spring is around the corner

 The harbinger of spring, the first robin of the year spotted today in the backyard.

Church-y stuff on a Saturday

We had a busy day today with church-retlated activities! We began the mornng at Le Peep restaurant at the monthly church family breakfast. It's always a treat spending time together like this.

The rest of the day was spent in Broomfield at the Colorado Front Range District (St. Paul's in this grouping) spring gathering. Lots of information and energy!

On the road to Cheyenne

Charles is spending this week in Cheyenne, Wyoming as part of the Mountain Sky Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. The work of the BOM is to conduct interviews with persons seeking ordination in The United Methodist Church in our region.

Happy Leap Day!

 

More buttons!

Kristen Davis surprised Charles today with an amazing assortment of 129 buttons! She moved up four places on the donor list and now sits in fourth place among the donors who contributed to Charles' collection.

Another parsonage visitor!

We were enjoying our afternoon tea today when Charles spotted a large form emerging from near a bush in the backyard. It turned out to be a bobcat! Another Boulder surprise for us!
 

a Sunday at home

Belinda wasn't feeling all that well this morning, so she and Wesley stayed home and participated in worship via Zoom!

A winter's weekend

Wesley enjoys quiet Friday evenings at home, resting in the comfort of warm laps and happy thoughts.

By Saturday afternoon, it was time to watch the snow falling!

By evening, it was time for Charles to start clearing the drive!

It'll be an early spring!

 

A good start to 2024

January 11 arrivals

January 29 arrivals

2024 has gotten off to a good start in the button room with two batches arriving from Dr. Norman and Peggy Pillsbury. Norman was in 4-H with Charles in Largo, Florida.

All for the cause

Charles was downtown on Pearl Street this morning and spent some time attending a rally for reproductive freedom. There were several hundred present to kick off a petition campaign to place an item guaranteeing access to reproductive rights on the ballot this fall.

Time with Willow

Time for cuddles

Time to play fetch

Charles was back in Broomfield today to make a house call and got to spend some time with Willow. She definitely remembered Charles from the time he dog-sat in December.

It's a cheesy Sunday

Charles had a surprise waiting on his desk in his office after worship this morning, a gift card to the Cheese Importers in Longmont! We've been to that establishment before and are looking forward to a return visit!

Is Easter far off?

 In a visit to Michael's today, we just had to try on the Easter attire!