beauty and the backdrop

Perhaps your life is a lot like mine. A complicated interplay of beauty and backdrop. I have observed joy and suffering simultaneously filling the scenes of each day, every season. Contrast. Light and dark. So it was in Mary's heart that first Christmas, at least as I imagine it. I am reminded again of the familiar story, real as ever before, about God voluntarily submitting Himself in scandalous humility and taking on flesh to dwell among us. The unthinkable was conceived and born. Radical love displayed in a most complex moment of breathtaking redemption and tragic pain.

He is here with us

By way of an update, we sold the Knoll and have moved from Crozet to a cozy little bungalow in Arlington. My reality has been packing, cleaning, nursing, not washing my hair for days, rushing about, making lists of essentials for Mark to go get. A recent list included shoe racks, seagrass baskets, butter, avocados, mounting tape, and velvet stockings. The beauty and the backdrop, that's what I'm sayin' ya'll. It is clear that God is already up to things here. Two other church planters, from differing denominations, have just moved to the same area as well. Watching the unfolding of God's plan is exhilarating. Many more details to come.

Merry, Merry Christmas blogosphere!

do the next thing

Sorry to have left you all staring at my dirty laundry. Such is life. While I'm at it, I feel like I need to process something that is weighing on my heart.



In a recent Bible Study, the teacher gave some Godly and sound advice. It was, "do the next thing." This statement has helped me to live in the present while continually moving forward. My natural, un-sanctified personality is bent toward rushing ahead, skipping the next thing in order to get to the place I'm after. A silly example would be painting without taping properly. A serious example would be launching a new ministry without inquiring of the Lord, seeking His leadership and guidance and the blessing of those in a position of authority. In both situations, not doing the next thing lands you with a mess. Taping takes time, patience, humility and effort. Seeking God's direction, and other's blessing takes time, humility, patience and effort. God has graciously allowed many a mess in my life to fix me in this area. Some of those situations have been so painful that I now tend to err on the side of stagnation. I have found that "doing the next thing" helps me to be navigate the road between pushing my own agenda and paralysis.

Though I'm not perfect and I still make mistakes, I feel that by God's grace I am able to operate in victory in this area. But what about everybody else??

I have recently become annoyed and irritated with those who rush ahead to push their own ministry agendas. These people don't want to take the time to seek God, seek the leadership of their church, and the blessing of their elders and pastors. They use ministry as an excuse to prop themselves up and look good in front of others. They are more interested in positions of leadership and not as interested in positions of service. These are people who want to lead ministries in the church and yet are inconsistent with church attendance. These are people who want to speak into others lives from a platform but neglect speaking into others lives in sacrificial, weekly community groups. These are people who can't commit to the church nursery, but somehow they can commit to committee chair positions. These are people who have not been faithful with little, and yet expect to be entrusted with much.

I don't know about you, but after God has worked something in me, I am tempted to become self-righteous in the same area that I was once a great sinner. God help me. God help us. Let's do the next thing, sisters. When you are tempted to rush ahead, make sure that you seek wisdom, guidance, and blessing from God and those who are in authority over you. Take the time to do it right. For some of us, doing the next thing means asking our husbands for their blessing. For others it means submitting to the church leadership when they say that now is not a good time for this or that. For others, we have prayed, waited, and we have served humbly. Now God is asking us to press past our fears and take the risk of moving ahead in faith. No matter where you are at today, rest assured, you should do the next thing. Leave the end results up to God, but don't blame him if you end up with a mess. Learn your lesson and tape next time.

that pile can preach

My goal is to promote encouragement and transparency within the gospel loving, blog-reading community. This right here is grand evidence that something has gone HORRIBLY wrong. I love a clean house, ya'll. What is going on?! How can I have victory over the evil principalities when I can't seem to prevail over these piles?

Bring on the gutsy guilt. Amazingly, my acceptance is not based on my best effort. In fact, my best efforts are Biblically speaking filthy rags. Piles of them. No room for pride today. This humble house is the perfect staging ground for fresh grace.

Best get busy.

Tell me you love me.

blog block is a terrible thing

I must get some of it out.

- I took my FIRST two yoga classes ever last week. Totally soaked in the culture. Loved the eye pillow, the ohming, the whole deal. I'm so over making fun of people who are trying to relax. Seriously, people, embrace them. I am one of them. I need child's pose in my life.

It should be noted that my female instructor is a non-shaver in racer back tanks. I did not embrace any of that nonsense.

- We sold out house. Wha? Yeah. Madness. Praise the Lord!

- I have encountered a new dillemma. Snortangus is too big for the infant bucket seat, right? Well, he is also too small to sit unattended...like in a shopping cart for example. Disaster. Please, someone tell me how to maneuver through Tuesday morning with a rickety ancient of days cart, with Snortangus in the bjorn, while holding Grace's hand?! This is a problem. I fear I may need to remain housebound.

- John is now 20lbs. He refuses rice cereal. I feel like I am nursing a warthog. His days are numbered. As soon as that boy can hold a bottle himself he is being cut off.

- Mark is preaching in the morning. If you are in Cville, head to Portico and get you a Word.

- Grace's reading is coming along SO WELL!! I'm so proud of her. She recognizes so many words already and her phonics is great. I'm all about having an early reader.

- Mark and I recently started going to counseling every other week. We absolutely LOVE it. Every couple should be in counseling in my opinion. It is like having a personal trainer, or a personal chef. I've never had either of those, but I can imagine that the experience is similar. DO IT! You won't regret it.

Here is the winning pic! Totally sickeningly staged.



- I won Petunia Pickle Bottom's fall Have Bag Will Travel Facebook Contest. Lucky Pastor Pickle Bottom will be receiving his Rubicon Rucksack in a week or so. Wasn't that generous of me to share my $200 gift cert?

Some more pics from our stage-o-rama photo shoot. Me, myself, and my hoop earrings.







And now...the face only a mother could love. Both of us, really. We decided to paint our pumpkins this year instead of carve them. Thankfully, I got my roots painted shortly after this picture was taken. Grace had eaten something blue, and her hair was pulled out of pig tails from soccer practice, hence the heinousness. I love her.






That's all for now. Marriage life, ministry, family life, and fitness. No online shopping. Done.

peppermint Kinz

When Mark and I were first married, I talked him into allowing us to get a dog. Mark was waiting tables at Outback and was often home after midnight. I wanted a little guard dog to bark at the random drunk college students who were shooting paintball guns outside. The moment I walked into the Harrisonburg SPCA and saw Schotzie I knew she was the one. Schotzie means sweetheart in German. She is an Iranian Wimeriner. It's a very rare breed indeed.

She also goes by Schot-kinz, Kinz, z, zb3, zb3-kinz, v for kinz, and bee-kinz, and peppermint Kinz. The last name is used when she is getting a bath. I recommend Whole Foods 365 brand peppermint dog shampoo.





This picture is somewhat alarming. I promise I was not yanking her tail. What on earth?!

wicked good times

Marta, Tina and I busted out a 10K over the weekend. Wicked good times were had by all.



7am. Pre-race pic.




Post-race pics.



We made it back to cville for trick-or-treating!

my kitchen table

My soul finds rest in GOD ALONE...

Any question you have right now? Answer: God alone. Anxiety? God Alone. Doubt? God Alone. Healing? God Alone.

There you have it. God Alone. Just Him. Stop right there. He is enough. He is all you need. For rest, relaxation, refreshment, rejuvenation, restoration, refinement, release, regaining, rebuilding, returning. God alone. God alone.

When anything or anyone else enters the picture things go crazy. Stay your heart on Him this day. Seek to find Him. No one else will do. Nothing else will satisfy. All sufficient. All sustaining. He is our One and Only!!

Verse 5. Never expect from anyone else what GOD ALONE can deliver.

What is it that you are expecting from someone else? Care? Compassion? Camaraderie? God Alone.

I was so pleased that we sang this song on Sunday. Reminded me again, CHRIST ALONE.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

P.S. I'm almost positive that Jen Atwell does not read my blog. She is a far more dedicated wife and mother than I am and probably never wastes time reading dumb blogs. But, Jen, if you happen to stroll upon campbellcrazies, I'd like to say that I am LOVING my new Anthropologie mug!! You're the best!

brown paper packages tied up with string

I've recently been made aware of an unhealthy desire of mine for a package on my door step. I promise you, I may seem weird to some. There is nothing wrong with ordering something online and having it delivered. Nothing in and of itself sinful about the whole thing. It's when you check the tracking number and peer through your front window five times a morning and it's the first thing you check for as you pull in to the drive way that you know you may have a problem. It's especially troubling when the item on it's way is from diapers.com.

For a time, I am voluntarily restricting myself from purchasing anything online. I do not want my heart so attached and affected to brown cardboard. I mean, seriously. I fear that this reality is rampant among stay at home moms. It's almost like buying a present for yourself or something. Even if it's diapers.

Not sure if this post resonates with anyone besides me. No matter. It's all about me after all.


How fitting that God would ordain that my last "online purchase packaging" for a while be redeemed. It's just His way. See? Already answering my collateral damage prayer! And what exactly came in that box?



At five months, the moo-tangus is already too big for his infant seat. Can I get an upgrade?

collateral damage

I have a deep love for all of you who chose to comment on the roll call. Way to represent. For the three hundred of you who chose not to, I can relate. I had an opporunity recently to respond to a roll call on babybangs and didn't. No particular reason, just didn't. So regardless, all are welcome at CampbellCrazies.

Life has been mighty serious these days. With a house on the market, a church in the making, children who need tending and a marriage needing maintaing (and occasional mending) I am left very much in need of some gospel preaching. So here is my thought for the day.

It is not just the presence of conflict that can be relationally damaging to our kids. But also, the absence of intentional affection. Going about daily life relatively well is not enough to convey to our kids what a Christ-centered Godly marriage should look like. If our marriage is to mirror the gospel then it should posses radical passion and intentional pursuing from both persons. It's not okay to just get along. Ouch. May God restrict and redeem the collateral damage that results from cordial co-existing.

ROLL CALL

UPDATE!!! I'm SOO pleased with all my stalkers! 9 comments before 2:00 Friday!!


I consistently get 5 comments or less per post. This is sad in light of the average 53 people who visit my blog daily. 374 this week! I have enabled anyone to comment on this blog. It's time for a roll call! No condemnation. Lurkers, make your presence known!

Oregon, New Jersey, North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Wyoming, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada, Virginia, Mississippi, Washington D.C., Florida, California and Australia! Let's hear it.

Do we know each other? If so, how?

EX: Yes. I am your sister.

Maybe we don't really know each other, but have we ever met?

EX: Yes, I met you at church and you keep acting like you don't remember. (I'm SO sorry, this is entirely my ADD ways)

Do we have a mutual friend or acquaintance?

EX: I'm friends with your old roommate.
EX: I'm friends with your sister's old roommate.

If the answer is no to all three, do we have something in common?

EX: Yes, I need bleach to be blonde too.
EX: Yes, I'm smitten over my own handsome baby boy.
EX: Yes, I'll put creme cheese icing on icecream.
EX: Yes, I love God's Word.

brides maid beautiful

Did I tell you that I'm a makeup artist? For as long as I remember, I remember makeup. I could win a blind-folded makeup product identification test based on smell only. I'm just that good ya'll. Thanks to a random add on Craig's List (I know!)I recently gained the privilege of getting to work with a local spa in town. Independent contractor extrodinaire!

My first wedding was last weekend. Black liner inside the waterline at 6:30 am people. Sting-a-thon. I got the baby nursed and the patent leather platforms on by 7:00am. I was out the door before the sun with my random bowling bag of product. The wedding was 30 minutes away, close to Wintergreen, and the ceremony was scheduled for 11:00AM. While enroute, I busted out the Sing Over Me soundtrack and lifted up my hands asking the Lord to equip me for the very good work of making this bride beautiful. I reminded Him that it was His specialty after all.

The location was straight out of a movie. White plantation on a hill, 176 acres of countryside, complete with outbuildings, and breathtaking vistas, pre-dating the Civil War. Why not? I rap upon the front door. Totally still. Why wouldn't they all be sound asleep? The wedding started at 11:00. GET UP!!! It was already time to reapply my gloss.

I skillfully avoided sinking into the ground as I sped through the dew saturated leaves and grass to an alternate entrance. The mud room door was unlocked. I'm sure this is the right place...right? I see this.



Standing there among the antiques was the bride, bless her heart. Whispering, she creaked about the kitchen, brewing a pot of coffee and attempted to wake the mother-in-law. Mother-in-law, jammies on, rounds the corner and assures me that she is ready to go.

Over-thinker that I am I cannot begin to regurgitate all the many details that I took in. Feast for the senses to be sure. Praise His Name, I got, COUNT THEM, 1-2-3-4-5-6, faces polished and perfected prior to 10:30 AM. Everyone was delighted. As soon as I get pictures (they are honeymooning in Greece, of course) I'll share. I did manage to snap some inconspicious, irrational pics with my iphone when no one was looking.








Do you not love it? While I'm at it, I'd like to give an extra special shout out to the MOH who brought me some coffee. I love this job.

hey handsome

Some girl will fall in love with these eyes and lips one day. Darn it. My baby boy is just so handsome!




At Five Months:

- You smile A LOT!

- Your fussy time is from 4-6pm. You just seem to decide that it is time for a meltdown. Other than that, I can bank on a laid back, easy going, bubbly baby boy.

- You resist taking a bottle, but you will take it if we force the issue. I don't blame you. Formula smells disgusting.

- You are so big! At the four month check up you weighed in at 17 LBS and 27 inches long. Top ten percent!

- You fall asleep just by laying you in your bed. No blankets, no sleep sack, no pacy, nothing. Seriously? How long will this last?

- You wake up around 7 or 7:30. This is A-Mazing.

- You laugh when we change your clothes. For some reason it just feels so silly to be nekked for a few seconds.

- Doctor says we can bank on BLUE EYES. Did I mention that you are so handsome?

- You will sleep in the pack-n-play at church even when the nursery is teaming with babies. Seriously?

- You are waking up from your nap right now so I've gotta go!

hazard

I am frequently overtaken with delight while driving. It is so stinkin' beautiful around these parts that I feel compelled to capture the beauty somehow. These things should not be. An iphone pic will never do the Blue Ridge Mountains justice.