by Kimberly | Dec 3, 2013 | parenting
Thought I would tell you the story of how Sebastian came into the world!
I knew he had to be born on a Sunday because I’d already been to L&D twice before and both times were on a Sunday. A little difficult when your husband is a worship pastor. One time was for bladder contractions (due to infection). The other time was because the flu had sent me into labor – but I only progressed to 3cm so they sent me home.
There were only two dates that I told Mister that S couldn’t be born: our anniversary (the 8th) and the night he was gone to Elders retreat (the 11th). Well, we were still able to keep our date to Big Orange (a local burger and salad joint). Although we were both sick all week, it was good to get out of the house. Saturday (after the elder’s retreat), Mister got back about 4pm.
We decided to go take Elijah to Two Rivers for a walk – getting out of the house was a good thing. I was having constant Braxton Hicks and my feet were massively swollen that day (worse than they had been the whole pregnancy). I was telling people as they text that I think this little boy was in there for the long haul because he still hadn’t really dropped and was kicking me all the time.
We got home and had leftovers from a big meal (meatloaf and all the fixings) and put Eli to bed. Sat down on the couch, blogging, reading, playing games. I started contracting about 845 but didn’t tell E because I didn’t want to stress him out on a Saturday night (even though he had a guy ready to go for Sunday morning to lead worship). So, I started researching pressure points in your feet (because I wanted Mister to massage them). So, he happily obliged. One of the last ones I read said it was a sure-fire way to go into labor. Ha, yeah right. He pressed both my pinky toes and held them for a minute, I felt something pop but it didn’t hurt so I didn’t say anything.
We decided to go onto bed, and didn’t think another thing of it – till I stood up….I told Mister to get a towel, I think my water just broke.
Got on the text to a sweet couple here in town that was on Elijah duty if I happened to go into labor at night. Also, I got on the phone with my OBGyn’s wife and good friend to ask her if this was really my water breaking (forebag – long story – just a crack, didn’t really burst until after my epidural). Finally, after there was blood in the water I was dripping (TMI, sorry), we decided to get to the hospital. Elijah was in great hands and we knew it was time.
Started with stadol (sp?) as my pain killer. Nothing really was happening. By then I was only at 5cm and it was about 5am. So we decided to get the epidural. That’s when we found out my water sac was still pretty much intact – it had just been leaking, sorta. So, when the epidural kicked in my water broke, I went to 9 cm in no time, and with 6 sets of pushes Sebastian was in my arms. 830am.
I had a great doctor who was a Gator grad – even though I didn’t know, she was kind and knowledgeable.
I had my husband holding my hand the entire time.
I had a sweet lady photographing the entire thing for me – I will treasure those photos.
I had two sweet women holding my hair, holding my baby (afterwards), and taking care of my husband with food and company.
I did get to pull Sebastian out – just like I did Elijah. This delivery was much easier than Elijah’s was and for that I’m grateful.
Thanking God for the birth of our son: Sebastian Robshaw Campbell. The best thing for our family in 2013!
by Kimberly | Dec 2, 2013 | Books, Kids r Readers 2, parenting
We aren’t farmers. I’d love to have an herb garden, but there isn’t enough time in the day. Maybe later!
But, this book is on our sons’ bookshelf. Given to us by a friend, The Carrot Seed is about a little boy who waits patiently, despite much discouragement, for his carrot seed to bloom.
A very simple book but one that can teach many traits to your children:
1. Perseverance. The main character, a child, waits for this carrot seed to sprout. His parents and sibling are not very positive that it will, but he watches every day and never gives up. Our children will need to learn perseverance. We can help our children learn it, but it is also a fruit of the Spirit. Long-suffering. Bearing up under the pressure when the going gets tough.
2. Patience. I have already said this many times to my older son: “Patience is waiting for what you want with a happy heart.” The child in the story has to wait a long time for his carrot to come up. Your children may even think that a week until vacation is a long time, or sitting in timeout is a long time. Carrot growing takes longer. If children learn patience early on (also another Fruit of the Spirit) it will go well with them.
3. Faith. This little boy never gave up on his carrot. He believed that it would sprout. Faith is important for children to have. Not only faith that the sun will come up, his parents will protect him, or that the chair will hold him up when he sits upon it, but more importantly – faith in God. But, what is harder to teach your children is that faith is a gift from God. They can’t muster faith in God. They can’t be saved on their own. Grace and faith both come from God – they are both gifts. God allows us to grow our faith (and help nurture our children’s faith) by reading the Word of God.
Verses:
Ephesians 2:8-10
Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 10.17
by Kimberly | Dec 1, 2013 | creatives, parenting, Treasured Traditions
Thanksgiving is more than a great sweet potato pie. And dressing. And turkey. And football and Macy’s parade.
I have read and re-read Noel Piper’s Treasuring God in Our Traditions. I especially find it more meaningful now that we have children and I have a family of my own. So, I wanted to start early at incorporating traditions that our rooted in the Gospel at every holiday.
Thanksgiving is one of the easiest holidays to incorporate a heart and attitude of Thanksgiving. Not just one where you say grace before the meal, but one where you stop to think of all the ways you have been extremely blessed by God the Father through the Son.
Romans 8:32 says it great when it declares that God – having given us Jesus – how will he not also give us all things – freely – graciously – for our good and his glory (that’s the KCV – Kimberly Campbell version).
So, even though my boys didn’t have much say-so in what went on our Thanksgiving garland this year – I thought of the family, not just myself, and made a Thanksgiving garland.
Supplies:
Yarn
Glue
Glitter
Construction Paper
Scissors
Pen
I cut out the form of a leaf (because of the fall) on to fall-colored construction paper. Then cut them out. I then wrote on each of them (30) one thing that we were thankful for. Traced the leaf in glue then sprinkled it with glitter.
As the boys get older I want them to contribute the things they are thankful for, and hopefully instill in them a heart of gratitude!
What traditions do you have in your family?
by Kimberly | Nov 20, 2013 | mothering, parenting
I know when I can’t receive encouragement from God’s Word, there is usually a hidden heart sin behind that. Maybe its an idol or sin that I don’t want to give up.
I was asked to receive some of that very encouragement today and couldn’t receive it. That’s where this post is coming from.
I’ve only been a mom for 14months now (out of the womb), which some of you are like “newbie” – but some of you are right where I am. No matter where we are in the mom (or life) ride, I think this post can be applicable.
In Psalm 20.7 it says that there are some who trust in chariots, but we trust in the name of The Lord our God. Chariots were used a lot in war times in the Old Testament times, but also I assume in every day life to signify power, or opportunity, or mobility. For example, the Egyptians trusted in their chariots to carry them into the Red Sea for complete domination of God’s people – but their chariots were swallowed up by God’s power.
So, we don’t have chariots as mother’s today, but what are some of our chariots?
1. Technology/Social Media. The easiest device for me to turn to is my iphone. Sometimes I use it for noble or good purposes, but other times I use it as my “Way out” or my escape. If I want some help, i turn to facebook. If I want to not feel like a mom (escape mode), then I turn to instagram or pinterest (and some of thos are mommy things which I can then plug in to my day at home).
2. Community. Godly friends are definitely one of his best gifts. I have a good community both here and in other places I’ve lived. I can schedule outings or plan dates with them so I won’t be alone with a crying 6wk old and an all-boy, totally cute, but into everything toddler. But, when my world falls apart when those things don’t happen as planned, I realize they too have become an idol.
3. My husband. Obviously, outside of salvation, I count my husband as my greatest gift. He is amazing and such a huge helper. But, immediately when something happens that it outside of my control or I need a shoulder to cry on, I call him. I disturb him so much at work. One of these days he may turn his cell phone off. Then what would I do?
4. Nap Times. I read an article on Girl Talk one time about a mother who had been chastised because she said she looked forward to nap time. I think it is ok to look forward to nap time (to read, clean, think, shower, cook, etc). But, when our worlds crash in when that nap time ends early or when it doesn’t happen at all – it has become an idol.
Obviously I think all of these are God’s good things to us. But, often times we look to the gift rather than the giver. CS Lewis said it well when he said (paraphrase) we would rather build mud castles in the sand.
What are some of your chariots? Maybe they are different then mine?
As believing moms (or any Christian) – what hope can we have of defeating our idols? Because Christ has already defeated all sin for us. 1 Cor 15 says that death has no sting or power anymore? Isn’t that a blessing? Isn’t there hope in that?
As a former pastor of mine says quite often: run (or come) to Christ. That is not only for the unbeliever – but I think just as important for the believer.
by Kimberly | Oct 1, 2013 | mothering, parenting, Uncategorized
Motherhood is a crazy race that many of us women run daily – with the bottles, diapers, car-pooling, homeschooling (if that’s your thing), soccer practice, ballet, etc. It is so easy for us to compare our lives with others and realize we either are better or that we don’t quite measure up. Here is a little bit of what I’m reading, listening to, and learning about this dangerous cycle.
I was reading this morning in Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman. My husband later asked me what I read in it that was encouraging me. I had to struggle not to compare myself with others or be sarcastic (which he appreciated) and I told him about these two dangers she points out:
1. I’m a terrible housewife (pg 31). Those days when I’m giving in to laziness, playing too many candy crush saga games, or right now when I have more legitimate excuses like contractions or exhaustion from being three weeks from my due date, I usually complain like this when the Mister arrives home: “I didn’t get this done. But, someone else would have had a 4 course meal on the table, all the laundry done, and the kids dressed in new outfits.” Or it would be something like, “Love, I’ve been exhausted all day – only one load of laundry got done.” My tendency is to compare myself with others when I want to hide my own sinful habits and ask for sympathy instead.
2. I’m an amazing housewife (pg 32). Honestly, I don’t fall into this category that much right now. Because I don’t have it down. I think this tendency will come when I lose this baby weight (from two back to back babies), have perfect stylish clothes on, have my schedule down, don’t cry very much, hormones are back to normal, and cook healthy foods for myself and others. But, I know so many others who do have this tendency. One of the ways I do see myself doing this is Sunday after Sunday I don’t ever see Little Mister’s nursery number put up on the screen. I seem to take pride in the fact that he is such a good toddler in the nursery.
Both of them are pride – and both have them need to be put to death by the blood of Jesus on the cross.
And here is where we fall short: not only do we compare ourselves with other moms, but we also compare ourselves in our place in the gospel story. That is how the connection came to me this morning. We often look at our lives and our homes/jobs/ministries and compare them with others and see that we don’t struggle with sin near as much as ______ does.
As I was driving to a park to walk this morning with Little Buddy, I replayed my friend Daniel Renstrom’s Amazing Love (on Jesus Wants My Heart, a stellar family worship album). Such a conviction of sin:
No condemnation now I dread
Jesus and all in Him is mine
Alive in Him, my living head
And clothed in righteousness divine
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown through Christ my own
No matter the size of the crown that is mine when I get to heaven – it won’t be because of anything I’ve done. It will be because of the amazing love with Christ lavished on me. I didn’t (and still don’t) deserve anything of his merit or grace. He is gracious to me beyond anything I could ever do to deserve his love. I am in the same boat with all the people that I compare myself to.
As part of Mister’s prayer this morning as we started our day was a sweet sentiment of the love that Little Buddy will have for me as he gets older – that he won’t compare me with other moms, etc. I love that sentiment, but know that it is somewhat unrealistic. I compared my mom to other moms all the time – not that it was fair or right, but that’s what my sinful heart did. I pray that I can be the Mom that not only my two little buddy’s need – but one that will find my only boast in the Gospel of Jesus.
by Kimberly | Aug 13, 2013 | Books, parenting, sin, Uncategorized, Women & Books Together
On the first page of this chapter in Begg’s and Ferguson’s book, Name Above All Names, I have scribbled, “this chapter resends hope to me on every page”. What an encouraging page to head back to after having read it many weeks ago – especially on a day when my pregnancy hormones are crazy and it seems like every email or text I receive just hits me in the wrong way. HOPE
Here are some thoughts from the chapter on Jesus: Son of Man:
1. “We are struck by how deeply embedded some of their character traits seem to be” (pg 103). As a parent – do you wonder what traits you are passing to your children? I think about that often now that I have two loveable boys of our own. My husband often says that is one of the hardest jobs in parenting: seeing your sin looking back at you. I think my parents did a good job of raising me – but as an adult I see where some of my traits come from and it is scary to think that I too could pass on some less than desirable or Godly traits to my boys. This is where hope comes in. God is a God of bringing hope and change into a family. Just because your family is one way doesn’t mean that those traits and cycles have to continue to the next generation. Sebastian’s life verse ends in hope for the children in the coming generation – the good of the Lord (Jer 32:39) Do you parent or live like there is hope in breaking the sin cycle in your family?
2. “The kingdom of God will overwhelm all other kingdoms. The Kingdom of God will be established and will endure forevermore” (pg 105). I already dislike seeing ads for the Presidential race in 2016. Good that a new president will be coming either way, but not looking forward to the next 2+ years where the backbiting and slander will happen everywhere. And when the bad news comes on the news or as I watch previews for certain coming shows or movies – previews that revel in betrayal, sin, murder, affairs – I know that God is still on His throne and He will make all things right in His time. That brings me hope.
3. “The Son of Man is coming to the source of ultimate authority. It resides exclusively in the Ancient of Days, who is seated on the throne.” (pg 107). I’ve learned recently from Rob Rienow that any question of sin or dysfunction in this life is really a question of authority. Who is the ultimate authority in your life? Who is the ultimate authority in this world? If our answer is not God – we are wrong. Some will think and say and live and believe that they are their ultimate source of authority – but God created and gave life to everyone of us, so He is our ultimate authority. That is very hope-giving to me.
4. “The remarkable thing about this picture of Jesus is that He is never isolated from His people” (pg 108). I’ve actually thought much about this in light of some of the “suffering” and tears I’ve had over the last two months. Not all of my tears are hormone related. And one of the things that brings me the most comfort is that Jesus suffered. He had people slander him. Yet He believed and taught and lived truth and was planted firmly in the hand of God His Father. This brings me hope when I am going through trials.
5. “Kingdom grace brings more than forgiveness. It brings freedom from the powers of darkness and restoration to new life” (pg 118). My husband would probably like me to frame that quote. It was probably one of the most powerful in this whole book to me. Grace is the only thing that sets us free from the tyranny of listening to others, or repeating harmful lies to ourselves, by letting others’ thoughts control us, or by living in destructive habits that control our lives. Walk in light. Dwell in freedom.
