San Francisco Trip - Friday

Our last day in San Francisco began with another visit to Grace Cathedral where we enjoyed a peaceful journey on one of the two labrynths. After a cable car ride to Ghiradelli Square, Belinda sampled one of the famous chocolate sundaes they have. Very, very yummy!!!

We ended the culinary tour with a visit to the famous Fog City Dinner. Really, great food and a nice way to end our time in the city by the bay!

San Francisco Trip - Wednesday

The focus of Wednesday was a tour of the famous Napa wine country. We left early in the morning, stopping at the Sonoma County visitor's center before making our winery stop at the Kirkland Ranch Winery, very nice wine! It was also fun to look at the Chardonnay Golf Course, actually located in the midst of vineyards!

Next it was the Madonna Estates Winery where we got a closer look at how wine goes from vine to bottle.

After that, it was into the charming town of Sonoma for lunch. We took a break from the bay area cusine and sampled the fare at a charming French-themed cafe`. We also looked at the historical sites in the town square including the mission church.

The final winery of the day was the Viansa Winery which has some of the most beautiful scenery in the area! The wine wasn't bad either!!!

After a full day of touristing, we ended up at Houston's, one of Belinda's favorite places, for a well-deserved meal!

San Francisco Trip - Thursday

Thursday was given to exploring this amazing city - Charles struck out on his own early in search of churches, bridges, and more. He walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, walked through the Presidio, went to the Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill and also visited the Height-Ashbury and Castro neighborhoods.

We met up for supper and went back on a cable car to the Castro area and had a terrific meal at a real nice Italian place.

San Francisco Trip - Tuesday

Tuesday was a full day!

We began with an early tour of the former Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay. The setting was amazing and the setting could not have been more somber. We enjoy learning more about the history and are so glad we got to make this trip.

After lunch, we took a 3 1/2 hour bus tour of the major San Francisco sights. We stopped at the oldest mission and the ajacent basillica, saw the city from the hills known as "twin peaks." the Japanese Tea Garden, and our first visit to the Golden Gate Bridge.

What an amazing place this is!

San Francisco Trip - Monday

We got a slow start (both of us were still tired from yesterday and Charles had a bit of a sore throat) today but got a lot of sight seeing done!

A look around the Union Square area took us to Glide Memorial UMC, one of the most progressive churches anywhere. We got to see the sanctuary and see the social justice ministries in action.

Then it was back to sight seeing, with a walk by Lombard Street (the crooked street) and a bit of tea and coffee at the Norwegian Sailor's Church on Taylor Street.

Then on to Ghiradelli Square to see the chocolate being made, to Pier 39 and the famous sea lions, Charles took in the Aquarium by the Bay and another yummy supper of SF food!

San Francisco Trip - Sunday

Belinda and I realized a long-time dream of a trip to San Francisco, California this past week. After finishing our duties at Annual Conference in Lincoln we drove south to Kansas City where we caught an evening flight to the west coast.

On Sunday, we started the day at AT&T Park to watch the San Francisco Giants play host to the Oakland Athletics. It was a beautiful park to watch a game in and we both got a bit more sun than we realized.

We went next to Fisherman's Warf where we ate at the famous "Alioto's" restaurant. Great food and the setting was wonderful as well.

Later, we found ourselves riding a cable car and ended up at Grace Cathedral (Episcopal Church) where we attended the beautiful evensong service.

It's Lovely in Lincoln!

Greetings from Lincoln, Nebraska!

We had a very enjoyable drive to Lincoln yesterday. My wonderful husband took me to supper at Cracker Barrel: Yee-haw!

After we checked into the historic Cornhusker Hotel in downtown Lincoln, we took a stroll. There was a beautiful breeze. It was the perfect summer evening! And then we stumbled across an outdoor jazz concert at the nearby university.

And then we decided to go to the movies.

All in all, it was a perfect date-night!

Tomorrow our church's annual conference begins; it's going to be so much fun!

Praise be to God!

Recently in Sidney

We've had a busy time of it lately, with visits by Belinda's mother and brother, church activities and much more.

Here are some pictures to give an idea of what we've been up to!

This week in Sidney

A busy week here in Sidney with severe weather, temps in the upper 70s and low 40s, hospitalizations of church members and more.

We are looking forward to Pentecost/Mother's Day!

More from a May weekend in Sidney

A beautiful weekend, weather-wise, after the blustery conditions of Thursday and Friday!

Yesterday, Belinda departed on a surprise trip to Texas to see her mother in San Antonio. She hopped aboard the shuttle van here in Sidney and really surprised Mo for her 80th birthday (on Cinco de Mayo).

Charles in the meantime busied himself with getting ready for church the next day. A real treat was the presentation of the cross made by the third grade class, a special memory from this time and place.

Who knows what tomorrow may bring, come back and find out!

Happy May 2nd!

We woke up this morning to blizzard conditions and throughout the day we continued to marvel that this was May 2nd!

Sunday Praise from 2-18-08

Thank you, Rilla Draper, for conducting our worship services this morning and delivering a wonderful message about the Sermon on the Mount! And Carrie Reynolds did a wonderful job as our lector this morning: Thanks, Carrie! And our Glori-bells bell choir members were as amazing as always!

The United Methodist Men returned to FUMC with the serving of the Sunday Lenten brunch after the 10:00 a.m. service. Parishoners filled the fellowship hall and enjoyed the pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit compote and juice/coffee/ water... YUMMY! And the fellowship was, of course, appreciated by one and all!

Church Valentine's Dinner - Great Success!

Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!

The United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) group did an awesome job preparing a delicious meal on Sunday night, February 10th! Thank you to the youth leaders who helped them orchestrate the menu!! AND thank you, Glori-bells, for your fabulous serving of the meal!!! All 140 of us really, really, really enjoyed the wonderful evening. The fellowship hall was transformed with beautiful decorations and lights. You created a wonderful, festive dining experience for us. We love you!!! And the money raised will support the UMYF mission trip and the Glori-bells expenses.

Praise be to God for this wonderful evening of food, fun and fellowship!!!