THIS HAS BEEN...

A GREAT DAY...productive and enjoyable! My husband depends on me totally for the office work that has to be done for the Region. I was able to "complete" several projects today...wahoo! I enjoy this type work so it wasn't a drudgery at all! After my work was finished I met Carol...my friend whose mother passed away last week...for lunch. She has been staying with her dad to help him get the necessary things done after something like this happens. Sooo, I thought she might need to get out of the house for a while. We had a good time over an O'Charley's grilled chicken salad..I think Carol got the fried chicken salad. She was able to talk about lots of things...which I believe was helpful for her. We actually sat at the restaurant for 2 1/2 hours. I don't think the server minded that we were there that long...they weren't busy at all. After lunch I ran a few errands and then went to hang out with Brad. Tam and Rick were there also. We had a good visit. We actually pulled up Brad's My Space and Tam read some comments that some of his closest friends have left him since his accident. He smiled as she read them to him. "Thanks" doesn't seem to be enough to those who have "talked" to him through My Space. Even though he isn't able to respond...we know he enjoys and likes hearing from his ole buds! Brad understands (very well) everything that is said; therefore, when he gets to see or hear from his friends...it means a lot to him.

I have a busy week-end ahead. Taking a short trip tomorrow then my husband starts a revival in Portland on Sunday. I think it's supposed to go through Wed. or Thurs. night...please help us pray for a move of the Holy Ghost! Sooo, I might not get to blog until (maybe) Monday. If I don't...everyone have a blessed week-end and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Whatcha Think?

For those who are on Facebook, I'm sure you have noticed that my husband and I and Lady (our little dog) are "trying" to walk to help with our over-all health...like loose some weight!!! I believe if we can do it at least 5 days a week...skipping week-ends...it will benefit us. It's not easy for me...never have been an exercise person. BUT...if it helps...I believe I should try to be consistent. You see...it's like this. I am border-line diabetic. My blood sugar level went over 200 last year. The Dr. gave me an opportunity to get it down by loosing some weight and staying away from sugar and carbs. I did it...that is lost weight and brought it down. My A1C - the test that is done to determine whether or not you need to go on meds - went from 9.8 to 6.9. As long as it stays below 7...no meds! I haven't been back to the Dr., but just know it's back up due to poor eating habits and no exercise. Well...I don't want to go on meds soooo it's up to me to get back to good eating habits and exercise. I can pray all day long and ask God to heal me...BUT...if I do not do my part and take care of my body why should I ask God to heal me. It's kinda like this to me...if you have a problem or temptation in any area...STAY AWAY FROM IT! Why would you subject yourself to an area which is a weakness...and then keep asking the Lord to help you with it!!! Now..temptations come anyway...but we should never deliberately put ourselves in a position to be tempted! Same thing with this diabetes thing...can't ask God to heal me if I choose to gorge myself with foods that's gonna bring my sugar up. And if exercising, like walking, helps my over-all health...it's a given...that's what I should do! Let me know what you think!!

Gotta go now...gotta go walk!!!!

Spring Is In The Air!!!

Good morning everybody! We did it!! Bro. Campbell and I walked 2 miles...for the second day in a row! Thanks for the encouragement via Facebook!!! It really felt good...the air was just a tad brisk...the wind gently blowing. Lady...our little dog seems to really enjoy it too. Sure hope we can keep this up! I really want to get Vic - another "special friend" to do it too. Yep..me and Vic go back a looooong way too. We have laughed, cried and talked and prayed through many situations. I have many special friends in the church...there are those like Vic whose bond goes deep because of our experiences and time together. She is another one of those who is like a sister!! My blood sister and I have never really been all that close...I'm sure it's because we have chosen different paths in life. I love her...but those "special" sister relationships remain with those whose life is the Lord and His work...like Vic.

I am soo excited about some of the youth from Tennessee coming to support the Youth Convention in our Region in April. I appreciate the support of the TN VLB Coordinators who feel as I do that there should not be any boundaries between states and regions in the church. We are all one! And I hope to encourage some of the Region's youth to support TN's Youth Convention. The more our youth as a whole can come together, the more encouraging it is!!!

The day goes by so quickly!! I have much to do. My husband and I have quite a bit of office work to do for the Region..I need to go to the shop to work awhile...we are running low on groceries...there is laundry to do...etc., etc., etc. I hope everyone has a blessed, wonderful day! "This is the day that the Lord hath made"...let's all rejoice and be glad in it!

BTW...We went to Bradley's yesterday and read him the Assembly minutes from last year's VLB program. It made him very happy...he smiled from ear to ear. Everybody..no matter what the circumstances or the age or anything...wants to feel loved..and I know Brad does from all his friends in the church! Thanks for being there for him!!

Catching Up...

We arrived safely back home last night from an awesome District Convention in South Georgia. The power and presence of the Lord during the convention was so encouraging and blessed everyone! The services, the meal, the fellowship was all great!! We were also blessed to stay in the home of Sis. Sarah White. Her hospitality was over-the-top! She insisted on cooking huge meals and she even got up early one morning (without me knowing it) to go to the store to get some half-and-half for my coffee. What a gracious hostess! She is such a blessing...a kind, gentle spirit. Friday night she and I stayed up late to work on a children's church project for the convention. I don't know how many "hearts" we traced and cut out...but we laughed, exchanged stories and simply enjoyed the fellowship.

On Sunday morning my husband was scheduled to preach at Cedar Crossings...another great service! After church, the Kramers, the pastor's family took us out to eat. It was Sis. Kramer's birthday. More wonderful fellowship! There is nothing like the family of God!!! We usually schedule a visit at one of the churches for Sunday night. But we needed to get back earlier to be able to be at Sis. Louverne's funeral on Monday. She is one of my dearest friends' mother...Carol Frizzell. Carol and I have always had a special bond. She is more like a sister to me. We go back many, many years. And although we are unable to be together a lot, it's always as though we are together daily. We have talked, laughed and cried together over many, many circumstances over the years. I love her dearly! Years and years ago, before Daniel and Stephanie were born...when we were MUCH younger...we were able to hang out a lot. They would come by in the evenings several times during the week...we did almost everything together. I guess those times built the relationship we have now...we don't HAVE to be together to have that special bond. Anyway...I am sooo glad I will be able to be with her on the day her mother is buried. I want to share her hurt...she has carried a many for me. "Special friends"...like Carol and I...are "special" gifts from the Lord...Thank You Lord for my "special" friend.

After the funeral I plan to go and visit with Bradley. I haven't been able to go as frequently here lately...so I wanna spend some time with him. He loves company! I am going with a purpose. He loves to hear about his friends in the church and what's going on. I will say to him.."Bradley, do you want me to stop talking awhile?" He ALWAYS says no...he wants to hear all he can. Anyway...my husband got last year's General Assembly minutes this past week-end. While I was glancing through it...I saw something that I knew would bless Bradley. It was recorded this way, during the VLB program. 7:33 p.m., Sat. evening - "Comments by Sister Griffin: Sister Griffin greeted Brad Moore via Internet and the congregation stood and shouted, "We love you, Brad!" Brad was in a tragic accident two years ago and has come back from the brink of death. He's made amazing progress and the doctors say he understands 100% of what he hears. The congregation stood as Brother Rob Hawkins led the congregation in a special prayer for Brad." I can hardly wait to read this to him...I can see his infamous smile now...

Well...this kinda catches me up...so I'm gonna sign off here...Have a blessed, wonderful day in the Lord!!!

Much To Do

I woke up this morning freezing! Our central heat and air is just not doing the job! And the bad thing is...it's supposed to be a new unit? Well...somewhat new...about a year and half old. Also, our hot water is frozen! Oh well, I don't want to complain cause there are some in the north without electricity and water all together. I am blessed to have a warm fireplace and cold water. Thank you Lord!

Isn't it sad that we only get to see some friends from over the years at funerals? I was able to talk to a number of these friends yesterday. It was good to see them and "catch-up" a little.

Tommy needs me to come into the shop for a few hours today to do some paperwork. I have not gone in at all this week because of the funeral. I'll go over for a short while and catch everything up and then I MUST get things done to leave in the morning for South Georgia. Momma and daddy are going with us as far as Atlanta. Her brother lives there...so we're gonna take them to stay and visit while we go further south. Then we'll pick them up on the way back through. I like to see them be able to do these type things...while they can. Momma will be 87 in June and daddy's 83. I am sooo thankful to still have them...and they get around quite well for their age. Especially my momma. I hope to follow in her footsteps...in more ways than one.

I hope everyone has a wonderful...blessed week-end. I'll be posting all that happens for us as soon as I can.

God bless ya...

Reflections....

I posted on my first blog that I would try to be attentive...so here goes day number two!

When a loved one or friend leaves this life doesn't it bring to mind the reality of just how frail, fragile, and quick this life is? I believe the scripture says its but a vapor. How true! Of course, Sis. White's death has brought this to mind to all of us (or at least some of us) who knew her. As well, my mind reflects on the fun times my husband and I had with her and Bro. White. I knew "of" Bro. and Sis. White back in the COGOP. But when they renewed their covenant at Antioch a new friendship began to blossom. After they moved back to Cleveland we always stayed with them while teaching in BTI and during conventions. Every night we would say "we CAN"T stay up so late tonight...but guess what..we did..snacking on crackers and cheese! The back bedroom...straight down the hall..on Key Street was "ours." We visited back and forth, took trips together to Texas to see Tim and Ondra...talked way into the night (who woulda thought it of Bro. Campbell or Bro. White..Hehe). I remember one time they were visiting during Easter and we went to Tam's to fill goody bags for the kids at church. Sister White was right in there to help...as she always was. For several Easter's, Tim and Ondra would come up from Texas and stay at Tam's. And Bro. White and Jewel stayed with us (when they lived out of town). We would grill out at the house or at the park and have an Easter egg hunt for the kids. I remember one year it was cold and raining so we hid the eggs in the house. (Fun times!) After Bro. White's health began to fail, whenever we were together we would all take walks and talk...the Dr. wanted him to walk. We walked around the neighborhood and one time even at the mall. I think there was more talking than walking done. We are gonna miss them so much. There is a song that says, "I Can Only Imagine"...and truly that's how I feel...I can only imagine the joy and happiness they are experiencing! (Thanks for letting me walk down memory lane a little and reflect back on two good friends.)

After the funeral we will be preparing for the trip to South Georgia. Another Sis. White...Sis. Sarah White...precious lady...has invited us to stay with her in her home while we are there. Isn't it wonderful to have awesome church family that opens up their heart and home to you! I love it!!! Nothing like The Church of God Family!!!!

As many of you know, Morgan and Tam have gotten me started on blogging and on Facebook. I must say I am enjoying hearing from friends from a distance away. Thanks Tam and Mo...I see what you mean..and yes...you told me so!

Better run...have a few things to do before going to the funeral home.

Have a blessed, and wonderful day!

She's Back...

Tam and Morgan have sorta been after me for awhile to begin posting...again. Sooo...I'm back! (Facebook too...but we'll see.) I have always enjoyed the positive aspect of blogging...receiving good, encouraging news and staying abreast with what's going on in your life. I can't say that I will post daily so that you can know what's going on with the "Campbell Clan"...but I will try to be somewhat attentive.

Let's see...where do I begin..since my last blog? I believe I would like to share some of the valuable lessons I have learned since you heard from my corner of the world last...I mean REALLY learned. My prayer is that this will help someone as we pass through this temporal life to the eternal:

• Love covers a multitude... of hurts and disappointments from people, life and circumstances. In all of these we have a choice. Hurts and disappointments can make you one of two things. Bitter or better! And there is only one little letter that makes the difference in these two words... "i". If we choose to be consumed with how "I" am being affected it is so easy to become bitter. I choose to be better from it all..rather than bitter.

• My pastor in my earlier "learning and growing" years always had a profound saying..."God holds the record." The words were so true, yet experiences in life help you learn the validaty of them. We all want people to be pleased and happy with us. But pleasing God and having HIM happy with us is what matters. You can never please everyone...but you can please the one who holds the record of motives, intents and thoughts of the heart.

• Never take for granted the time given with the ones you love. Life is too short to sweat the small (and sometimes the big) things. No matter how disappointed, no matter how frustrated circumstances may make us...it really doesn't matter. There are actually two points here...what really matters is realizing that you may not have that loved one with you "tomorrow" and nothing matters but being pleasing in the sight of our Lord!

• Realize the joy and blessing in the simple things of life...

There is more I could perhaps write here, but instead I want to take the space to praise my Lord for the lessons...hard, heart-wrenching lessons. I want to thank and praise Him for His amazing grace and mercy. And, I want to sing...More than ever before, Lord, I love you. More than ever before, Lord, I need you. And I will try to live me life, so that it says it too...Lord, I love you, more than ever before!

Moving on...I really enjoyed being able to be at the Super Bowl Saturday this weekend and seeing a lot of Tennessee saints. As well, I enjoyed sitting on the same pew with my family at Antioch Sunday. Some of us sat on the same pew...others sat around us...but all of us were there..except Rick who had a commitment he had to see to. Next weekend we will be back in the region for the South Georgia District Convention. I just know God is gonna bless...He is so Faithful! My husband and I working together for the Lord is my very breath and heartbeat. Along with family, isn't that what matters?

A dear friend, Sis. Jewel White, went to be with Jesus and the love of her life, Bro. White this weekend. I will miss her, but I am sooo happy for her. My husband said it best..."her heart went with Bro. White when he left this life...her body just now caught up to that departure." Her life was devoted to her husband and their work together in the ministry. Never more will they be parted...congratulations, Jewel!

I guess I'll sign off here with this "first time back" blog. It feels good to be back on the blogging scene...hope to hear from "you"!