Sunday!

Way too early this morning!

Charles in charge!

With Daylight Savings Time beginning this morning, Charles thought it was nice to be able to enjoy a full-moon on the way into the church at 5:30 am!

Happy anniversary, Wesley!

Belinda joins the men's breakfast at the church

More buttons for Charles

Happy day, Wesley!

We marked the fifth anniversary of Wesley joining the Alkula home today. As can be seen in the photo, the festivities left him exhausted!

Charles was thrilled to log in more buttons, these came from Stacey King, the Yellowstone Conference UMW president.

Spring is coming!

First buds in the backyard

Belinda leads the UMW meeting this afternoon

We're getting closer to spring every day with buds appearing on some of our backyard bushes. The nice weather made for good spirits at today's UMW meeting, it is good to be able to get in from the parking lot without the ice!

The last snow of this winter?

The campus looked so nice this morning!

Wesley can't bear seeing more snow!

The snow which blanketed western Montana since early December was gone from the scene until today. Several inches fell throughout the night but was gone by mid-afternoon. Just the right sort of snow: enough to be pretty, not enough to shovel!

News from the School of Fine Arts

A student looks at Charles' work

Selections

Artist statement

Charles was encouraged by his painting teacher to apply for a specialized program in the Art Department, the Bachelor of Fine Art (he had been going for a BA with a major in art and a minor in art history). The teacher felt that Charles' painting in particular had shown so much progress that having some additional focus might yield some interesting work.

The process for the BFA included a "review" of his overall work at the university with ten pieces being reviewed by the faculty. So on Monday, Charles set out his ten best pieces (chosen with the help of his painting teacher).  Five were in the area of concentration and five others from other studio courses. Charles' submissions for the BFA review: Five paintings, two from the drawing studio, one from the sculpture studio, one from the photography studio, one from the ceramic studio.

Charles saw two of the faculty Tuesday afternoon as he was packing up his area. Both were complimentary which was a real treat to hear!

A "hot" weekend!

Stevi UMC UMW contingent

Belinda shares a witness

Having fun @ Fairmont

What a great view!

Pre-conference fun!

Belinda, Sheila, and Charles spent the weekend at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with the Yellowstone Conference's United Methodist Women's event. An awesome group of women (some 90+ strong) including twenty from our church!

Soaking up Fairmont

Friday night in the springs

Belinda gets in a soak

Saturday morning in the pool

Charles takes a slide!

We took advantage of the springs and got in a couple of soaks in the warm waters on a chilly weekend in Fairmont.