Eva Dawn Hollious Campbell

Earlier last week, Annelise told Colin and Jennifer that her sister with dark hair was going to be born. The morning she was born I told Annelise that she had arrived and she took it very matter-of-fact, as though she had no doubt. The interesting part of this story is that Colin and Jennifer did not know the sex of this baby due to the position Eva was in when an ultra sound was taken several months ago. Even more curious is that Eva's soft baby hair is dark. Do children have a hot-line to heaven?

Thank you for your good wishes and your congratulations. We are so grateful. It has been a time of real celebration around here. God is good.

Sabbath Day Surprise

Many of you know we have been awaiting the arrival of a new baby and that is just what we got this morning. The baby was born on the Sabbath Day! Jennifer and baby are doing well and sleeping peacefully in their own bed since it was a home birth. We will not be the first to reveal whether the baby is a boy or girl, or give a name until Colin and Jennifer make their announcement to the world. But we are happy to report that Kathryn and Qavah are feeling well and able to enjoy this new little family member.

God is good and has smiled upon us yet again. We are blessed.

Scrap Wood

Qavah is outgrowing her toddler bed. Therefore, Paul and I have spent the past two evenings making her a bigger bed. My practical mind thought through the fact that in these economic hard times we might be able to use scrap wood and make something interesting rather than purchasing a bed. We already had a twin bed mattress.

I had the idea to use a crude bed we had made four years ago and kept on our upper porch. It was made of fence posts. Then I took a trip to a local craft store and found some little two-inch wooden balls to screw into the top of the posts. Her bed is made of scrap wood from the barn, eleven wooden balls, and is painted white with leftover paint from another project. In a day or two, Qavah will have a new bed. But even more important than that, she will have a bed big enough for us to sit beside her and read bedtime stories. I'll post pictures when the bed is in place. I love dreaming, scrap wood, and a handy husband.

In the middle of the project I had a feeling that Jesus "The Carpenter" was looking over our shoulders. I think it pleases Him when we are creative. Or maybe I felt His pleasure because He also likes to make something beautiful of broken things.

Free Entertainment

We've had another good day. Kathryn and Paul left for work early this morning and since the day was dark, gloomy, and rainy, I went back to bed to wait for Qavah to wake up. She woke up an hour later brimming with joy. She was all smiles and snuggles. I got her bath and started getting her dressed but rather than getting with my program, she was holding her orange slacks out in front of her while hippity-hopping around. I waited for her for awhile then finally asked, "Qavah, what are you doing?" She stopped and said, "I'm dancing with my pants before I put them on!" What would the world be like if we all woke up so happy we danced with our clothes before we put them on? I'm just wondering.

Weekend Weather

The cool temperatures we have been experiencing in the south are very rare for this time of year. We have the doors and windows open tonight and the breeze is ushering in the fragrance of honeysuckle which is in full bloom. The cool temperatures and low humidity have made everything clearer, including the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and my memories of the weekend. Qavah was the perfect birthday princess, and Kathryn felt very good physically. We were able to hear our first born son as he preached a powerful sermon at his church today. He spoke of the steadfast love of our God. My heart said, "Yes!" and "Amen" to the words fitly spoken. My heart is full tonight as I reflect on the goodness of God.

In these good times, we have the opportunity set before us to gather strength, courage, and rest, for the times to come. This is a season of celebration for us and I am enjoying it so much. It actually makes me wish that the weekend would not have to come to an end.

Awesome is God from His sanctuary; the God of Israel, for He is the One Who gives power and strength to His people. Psalm 68:35

An Historical Day

Paul likes to shop for glue. My husband has a whole drawer full of glue in the garage. There is wood glue, glass glue, instant glue, epoxy, and a whole variety of other glues. They claim to bond pieces back together better than new. But over the years I have not found "glued" items to be reliable. I started to wonder about the validity of claims written on the glue bottles and tubes when after being glued, certain items fell apart again. But as soon as Paul sees something break he will say, "Give it to me; I've got a glue that will fix it." Which has caused some pretty funny things to happen in our years of marriage. Let me just say we no longer try to glue handles back on coffee mugs.

Tonight when Paul was in the heat of battle with Qavah using our little boat oars as swords, one of them snapped in two. As the battle came to a screeching halt I said, "No, Paul!" Without even asking me what I could possibly mean he grinned and said, "Glue won't fix this; they're too old and brittle." Yes, as the title of this post states, this is an historical day.

Another Fun Day

Qavah has been counting down the days to her birthday. We celebrated a little early with an outing today. I took Qavah and Annelise to Chick-Fil-A and let them play on the big indoor play tunnels after they had eaten their lunch. They had such a great time. I've watched them at home spontaneously put their arms around each other saying, "You're my friend," or "I love you," but today they were able to do that in a public setting. The sweetness of those moments did not go unnoticed as people around us asked me how they are related. The employee that helped me carry our tray to the table whispered, "I hope they will never lose the love they have for each other." Their friendship speaks of acceptance and is a testimony to the way children reach out to one another. This was a precious memory-making day.

Kathryn just walked in the door after meeting a friend and shopping at the mall. I asked where she had eaten dinner and she said, "Chick-Fil-A!" I laughed and told her about our day. I guess Chick-Fil-A was the place to be on this lovely summer day.

What is in the News

I started reading the daily news online this evening and after about five minutes I thought, "I may go out of my mind doing this!" So I began to wonder if there is a news network out there that reports the good things. Surely someone had a prodigal child return home today. There must have been some doctor somewhere who saved a life today. I'm sure that a baby somewhere spoke its first word, or took its first steps. I hope that news reporters will take a good look at what is right and celebrate that before their reports of all the wrong pull us all into a pit. There, I've said it and can put my soap box away.

I enjoyed being home most of the day. It was a beautifully clear summer day. Qavah and I watched The Prince and the Pauper. She also had her blood drawn and was given an appointment for a transfusion. The Red Cross has always come through for Qavah. The life-giving blood she needs is always waiting for her at the hospital and after a transfusion she is ready to jump up and play. She is doing very well and is outgrowing many of her little dresses. She is getting taller and doesn't mind shopping for new ones.

Kathryn is feeling strong and doing very well. I happened to think at some point today that when things are going so well I honestly forget that we are dealing with HPS. We keep adding new projects to our list and keep going as long as her strength holds out. These times of wellness are pure joy. This may not seem like spectacular news, but I feel God's pleasure as I report it.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Saturday Night Date

We devoted the weekend to family. Paul set up the little swimming pool for Qavah, Nehemiah, and Annelise. We sat outdoors watching the children splash and squeal. We watched Wiggles, read stories, and changed diapers. By this afternoon Paul and I were passing each other in the kitchen and he asked, "How about a date tonight; just you and me?" That sounded great so after dinner and baths we packed up the grandchildren to return them to their Mommy and Daddy and then headed out.

We discussed our possibilities including visiting the Salem Fair. But we ended up buying the bargain tea from a local fast food place, filled the car with gas, and finished out the evening with a trip to Lowes and Walmart. We may not win a prize for thinking up the most romantic dates, but we ordered only one large iced tea and asked for two straws. It's love.

Oh My

On my way home from running several errands I stopped at the Country Store for some homegrown vegetables yesterday. As I was shucking corn Qavah asked me where we were going next. I told her in a very quiet voice that we were going right home because I needed to use the bathroom. She replied in a very loud voice, "Well, don't pee pee in your panties Mommy!" Oh my! I looked up quickly to see who was around and it was just as I feared. There were snickers and giggles coming from all around. But someone did look me in the eye to say, "She's adorable!"

More Joy for Qavah

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Qavah has a brand new reason to smile. She just got a new hairdo. We went to the JC Penney Salon and had her hair straightened. I am now able to run a comb through her hair which is something she hasn't experienced before. When I comb her hair she relaxes into it with happy sighs. Today I rolled the car window down while moving in traffic and I heard a sudden burst of laughter from Qavah. I looked into the rear view mirror and discovered the reason. She had her eyes closed and said, "I can feel the wind blowing my hair, Mommy!" I could tell by her expression that she was enjoying the feeling. She has also been running to and fro. I asked her why and she said, "Because I can feel my hair bounce when I run!" It's the little things, right girls?

The before picture:

The relaxer is at work and Qavah has dreams of long flowing hair.


The hairdresser had this whole process finished within an hour and Qavah was very patient.


Qavah has been smiling like Miss America with her new "do" and has thanked me at least a dozen times for taking her to Penney's.

This Fine Day

We took the family up to visit Granddaddy and Grandmom in Fishersville to celebrate the Fourth of July. Our seven passenger van was stuffed with diaper bags and baby gear. The little children got to hear the happy music that their uncles started playing. And at one point they all just started dancing. Their little faces were so happy as they listened to the music and bobbed up and down to the rhythm. We had the traditional American cuisine for lunch which included hot dogs, baked beans, and coleslaw.

It is a special day for us when we can be together enjoying holidays. There is something comforting about belonging to a family that prays when we meet together, and a family that pulls out musical instruments to play music that sets toes to tapping. We were blessed to have a heaping helping of the freedoms that are our in America.

Uploading Scripture for Days Like This

As I wrote yesterday's post I debated about whether to quote scripture in detail, but decided that I had written enough to get the point across. However, today as I reflect on a particular verse I want to record it. "And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job's life more than his beginning." (Job 42:12) I recall reading it many years ago and thinking, "Well, that's a happy ending!" But lately I've been asking myself, "What would Job say was the greatest blessing?"

Job had celebrated his early life with a house full of happy children but they were swept away in a day. All his property was taken or destroyed. His health and friendships were stripped from him. And as he spoke to God about the meaning of it all, he came to terms with the fact that God is God. He acknowledged the authority of God over his circumstances. And in the later chapters of Job, God and Job were speaking to each other. There was a friendship. There was dialogue. There was a reverence and a respect that was mutual.

I wonder if the blessing in the latter part of Job's life was not that his wealth and family were restored, but that Job knew his God. He knew his Creator stayed with him through all of his trials. Job said to the Lord, "I know that you can do anything and no one can stop you. You ask who it is who has foolishly denied your providence. It is I." (Job 42:1-3). I want that kind of dialogue with God. I want to honestly kneel before Him and accept the plan He has for me.

This morning Paul Burton came to the back door clutching his chest. He came in, sat down at the table and said, "Mom, call an ambulance." His color was white and hands were blue. He was cold to the touch. He was taken to the emergency room and by the end of the day was diagnosed with esophageal spasm. It feels very much like a heart attack, but it was not. As I waited for the ambulance to arrive I stood over Paul Burton in the kitchen praying, "Lord, whatever you have planned for this day, give us grace." I was talking to the Lord just like Job had done. I found myself able to talk to the Lord as though I could see Him sitting at the table across from Paul Burton. This is how God is blessing the latter part of my life; I have accepted His Presence, providence, and gift of peace.

We are grateful tonight that the "attack" Paul Burton experienced was not serious. But several years ago he told me that if he were to die, he knew with certainty that he would be going to Heaven. He believes that Jesus was sent to the earth for the remission of the sin that separated him from God. He has received the free gift of forgiveness and grace by Christ's death on the cross, so that even in death we know we will be together again to celebrate the peace of Heaven and the joys that await for all those who believe. What better way for children to bless the latter part of their parents' lives than to tell them, "If anything happens to me, you will know that I am with God."

I would like to thank our friends and family who knew of the situation and prayed for Paul Burton today. He is resting comfortably tonight.