pinky swear

i came downstairs and found my girls in the middle of a pinky swear. it all came flooding back. the older sister "negotiating" with the younger one. i am sure i never did that! tatiana was for sure getting the better end of the deal!

celebrating

new digs! we moved into our new place and it is so much better. i found myself singing dixie chix "wide open spaces". i have committed to setting up "house" here complete with pictures on the walls. Even if we are only here a few months i am committed to it being a cozier few months than the last.

appreciated

they had a pastor's spouse appreciation celebration today and i bet i got 50+ sweet cards with such kind words, gift cards and cash. people are so thankful we are serving here and it does fuel me to hear their encouragement. i never realized how many people are watching our marriage and my mothering. very humbling and frightening! people really seemed to acknowledge the support of a pastor and how it impacts his ministry while still recognizing my own ministry. i am very thankful for these sweet people and the opportunity to serve alongside them.

i was especially grateful to get a couple of cards from the girls i hang with most often. there words reminded me that god continues to add to my tapestry of amazing women that have propelled me to this place. i always grieve so much the moving on and assume each time there will never be another friend like....and each time he graciously supplies.

peace and purity?

in my study this week i came across a verse that i wonder if it will challenge you like it has me. mark 9:50; "salt is good, but if salt loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? have salt in yourselves, and be at peeach with each other." salt purifies. i am really meditating on this one right now....

new normal

i heard that in a sermon and it has applied so many times since this. he used it in refernce to our life with god after redemption. we find a new normal with god at the center.

celebrating something

i have seen our own lives adjust to a new normal several times in the last few years. less stuff, less space, less restaurants, less money and less of most of what we thought we needed and found pleasure in.

what we have to celebrate is that our new normal is just fine and we have all we need and more still. i am convinced that is why we have been forced to stay in "this normal" in order to find acceptance and contentment right here.

i wish i could claim to be so super spiritual and say i am content. i am doing better at embracing life right here and now but i am still sorely lacking the grateful heart i should have.

tragedy provides perspective

a family here in our town just lost their 17 mos. old only child very suddenly last week. many of our freinds from church were close to this family and have been devestated. i feel sure they would trade anything for more days with their little girl. what persepctive about what we hold tight.

i am privldeged to have been a part of this tragedy by praying for them and coming alongside our good friends as they grieved and tried to comfort tara and scott. seeing them survive last week and all looking for their own normal now is evidence of god at work. i wish there was some verse that could explain these sudden tragedies but there isn't.

for those of you that were praying with me, thank you. i understand that tara and scott have place their faith in christ and are seeking a church. they have lots of friends at our church so many are hopeful they will visit as they seek to find a new normal in their lives both literally and spiritually.

we have the opportunity to invite them to a get together at our home that many of their other friends will be attending. please pray they are able to come and enjoy themselves, feel welcome and experience what we have found in authentic friendships.

winter wonderland

enough already. i have my kids home today with an early out and they are expecting 4-8 inches this afternoon and throughout the night. it looks like we will be experiencing a lot of togetherness at the campbell house!

it really is very pretty to look at. everyone is blaming the worst winter in recent memory on the campbell's arrival to st. joe. GREAT!

little joys

i am watching little house on the prarie with tatiana. we were reading the chapter book and got into school work and lost our place. i love the memories of this show as a kid and the committment to family they show. it made a snow day not so bad after all!