Tag / Kirsten

by Greg

Post-Thanksgiving Thoughts

We had a marvelous time with family in Ohio over the past several days. Besides my parents and my sister and her family of six, we also got to spend some time with my grandparents, two aunts, one uncle, three cousins (and one first cousin once removed). That was all topped with the news this morning that another cousin had delivered healthy TWINS the night before. (Funny part was, twin #1 was born at 11:52pm Nov 24th, while twin #2 entered breathable air at 12:03 Nov 25th! These twins have different birthdays!! Ha!!)

All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and a great time with family.

Tonight, reflecting on all of it (and troubled a bit by our current financial standings) I was truly thankful. Not some cheesy kind of Hallmarky thankful induced by an annual over-commercialized holiday. I mean really thankful. It was kind of a neat feeling. I was looking around me at all the stuff that we do have and enjoy. Much of which has been given to us by our generous family. And I was thinking about my four kids and my wife, along with the other tot on the way. All of these that God has given me.

Money may be an ever-present pressure, cause of stress, and the lack thereof a source of fear, but really… in the important things, I’m set. Life could not be better.

A few stories for tonight.

First, at one point on our trip a random file came up in our iPod song shuffling, and it was just precious. It was a little audio clip I had recorded of Ian and Alex for our now stagnant basicmm radio show. Man, I forgot how cute the three-year-old Alex was! The kids all wanted to hear that one several times.

But, speaking of cute three-year-olds, our current three-year-old, Kirstie, was dishing out her own cuteness throughout the weekend. She had plenty of classic lines all weekend, some of which I won’t repeat here, but one particularly cute moment was when I offered to lay down with her when she was supposed to be taking a nap. Unfortunately, at the moment, I forget what it was! 🙂 (I’ll add it tomorrow if I can remember it!)

Other cuteness came from little Julia this weekend. She doesn’t say much, but over the holiday at Grammy’s house – which is well-stocked with chocolate – she learned to use the word “Choc-latt” well, and OFTEN. AND, the best part was the true, deep sadness that followed any time she uttered the new word, without the appropriate results! 🙂 If we ever said no to choc-latt, the tears flowed freely!

Pretty cute, and apparently she has a sweet tooth like her dad!!

There’s a bunch more obviously, but as my sleeping time is quickly dwindling, I think I will head to my bed to get what I still can. (Yes, I really do sleep!)

Hope you are aware of and enjoying the blessings in your life, as God has reminded me of mine tonight.

by Greg

My Music

More than a dozen years ago now I started writing songs. Sorta out of the blue. (Yes, Mom, I do remember the songs I was writing when I was eight years old, but really… the first real songs I started writing were a bit later in life, and seemed to be “out of the blue”.)

At first these “OOTB” songs were a neat time for me to reflect on God and for me to express my heart to him. But slowly I began to share them with other people. A song here and there “at church”, and then for my college floor-mates (I still remember Brian loving the song What You Say, and predicting it would be “a hit”.) 🙂

Eventually, we formed a band and made a cd. And for a time, that was that.

We went separate ways after college, and I continued to write songs, but used them in public a bit less. Even less when Jen & I were married as she had a strong aversion to them. No worries, it was fun while it lasted…. let’s move on.

But God wanted something different. I could not put them down. I was compelled to use them. For other people. And use them we did. Listening to God in that moment (and watching him lead Jen toward the same thing) led to some six or seven years of full-time music traveling across the entire United States, and recording some five, six or seven albums.

Then in 2005, again at God’s leading, it just stopped. Check out the “past events” at the calendar page on our website. Incredibly sparse over the last two years! (Compare it to 2002-2004!) So it would seem that at least for the time being, God does not have a use for my music.

Or does he?

Two nights ago, as I was saying good night to the girls, I just sat down next to Kirstie’s bed and stayed there. She asked me what I was doing and I said, “I just wanted to stay here a while. I don’t have anywhere to go right now, so I wanted to stay with you.” She smiled a big “I love you” smile, and after a little pause she asked, “Dad, can you sing us a song on your guitar?”

“Not tonight, Kirstie. I don’t have a song tonight.”

“Can you sing the ‘Lay your head on your pillow’ song?” she asked, again with a big “I love you” smile. Now, it took me a second to remember what she was talking about, but it really was a song. A song I had sung once for the girls… about TWO MONTHS AGO. 🙂 I just brought my guitar in the room and made up a song, as I am wont to do for the girls, and the boys.

And she remembered.

At that moment I realized that God is still using my music. But instead of audiences across the country, and indeed the world, the audience is my four beautiful kids.

My little girl is listening, and loves her Daddy’s songs.

Could it be any better?

by Greg

They Killed God

Kirstie joined us for the morning Bible read today. She’s three, and says some really cute things. Perhaps the following is both cute, and insightful? 🙂

After reading the story of the first part of the night Jesus was arrested and taken before the Jewish leaders, then Pilate, and then Herod, we were talking about how crazy it was that they just blatantly lied about such well-known things. Jesus was a very public figure, but his accusers were at best twisting the truth, or just flat out lying about what he said and did. And it eventually got him killed.

And I guess Kirstie knows that, because without reading that today, she said, “They killed God.”

I smiled at her simplicity and replied, “Yep. Well, he let them kill him.” I continued, “Because somehow, when they did, he was able to beat the things that kills us, that destroy us.” (I meant sin and death, but didn’t figure a three year old would grasp such a thing.)

She responded without hesitation, “Yeah, then they don’t destroy us!” She even said it with a finality and even joy at the resolution of it. Then they don’t destroy us. What some people take 1000 pages to say in some theological treatise, my three year old understood, and summed up in two simple phrases.

They killed God. Then they don’t destroy us.

Perfect. 🙂

by Greg

Quick Kirstie Story

This morning, 3-year-old Kirsten joined Dad and the boys for our morning Bible reading. We are near the end of the book of Luke, and Jesus is getting people riled up – almost the time that they killed him. Which also happened to be Passover, when they kill lambs.

I read the words, “The day had come for the Festival of Thin Bread, and it was time to kill the Passover lambs.” Immediately, Kirstie responded, “Oh no!” A seriously concerned look came over her face. Why were they going to kill lambs???

I smiled and tried to explain old testament sacrifices, and even how Jesus was the Lamb of God… and the cool significance there. But I think it might have all been lost on the disturbing thoughts of those bad guys actually killing the Passover lambs!!!

🙂

by Greg

Not A Creature Was Stirring…

Four Campbell Kids
There is still a whole 24 hours of quiet to come. I really can’t believe it. The onslaught of this silence was so quick, so unexpected. It’s eerie… unwanted. Disturbing. And yet… glorious. 😉

The kids are at Grandma & Grandpa’s! They have been since Tuesday evening. The will be until tomorrow, probably around lunch time!!! Holy cow! Do you know how crazy that is??? My mother-in-law is a fantastic lover of children – and subsequently, of us!

In the interrim, we have gone out to dinner twice on a couple cash gifts given to us by each of our fathers. Nothing too fancy, but just a nice bonus to this strange yet wonderful quietness. We’re going out one more time tonight, at our friends’ request and treat. (That one has been planned for a while now.)

It has been wonderful for Jen, for sure, and I’ve enjoyed it as well. Some for me, but mostly I have enjoyed having a happier, less burdened wife. That’s been nice. 🙂

So, I miss my kids a lot. Can’t wait to see them tomorrow. But, thankful that we have parents who are so willing to take them – not just so we get a break, but because they love having them around, and to themselves. I don’t think a lot of people have that. It’s a very nice gift, to be sure. 🙂

Right now I must run a few errands… and JEN is coming with me! Sweet!

by Greg

The Fake God

Kirstie's Fake GodJen took Kirstie over to spend the night with some friends (which ended up getting canceled due to a sudden bout with tummy trouble!) and on the way over here’s how the conversation went…

“God is far away,” Kirstie stated matter of factly.

“Actually, he’s right here with us,” Mom replied. “God is very close.”

“No, not the real God,” she clarified, “I mean the fake god.”

“The fake god?” asked Mom.

“The white God, in the white building!”

If you drive past the Hill Cumorah visitor center, on the way to our house (we must pass this at least 3 or 4 times a week I’d guess?) you’ll see a bright, white, shining Jesus with arms outstretched. We always say hello to “Jesus” as we drive by. But, “He’s not the real Jesus,” we clarify.

Guess Kirstie picked up on that. 🙂

by Greg

Scary Moment for Dad—and Daughter

We went to watch Jen’s brother and family play softball last night. It’s a family event. All but our niece were there and suited up for the game. We brought our lawn chairs, and gloves and kid ball to play a little catch on the side for ourselves, and some batting practice too, of course 🙂 We had snacks, nice conversations with friends, and, oh yeah… a softball game! 🙂

Our team was winning. (Our team being the one Jen’s bro is on, of course…) Winning by a lot. So, I focused my attention on the myriad children surrounding me asking me to pitch to them, or throw to them, or something else with them. I didn’t mind, but I certainly was losing track of the softball game.

Until it happened.

I heard someone yell from the field, “Look out!!” There was desperation in the voice, so I reacted quickly. Unfortunately, I only caught a glimpse of the ball as it took aim at its target – my daughter’s forehead.

I watched helplessly as the softball came flying past the first row of spectators lining the third base sideline, hit the ground and bounced directly—but still quite quickly, and with great force—into Kirstie’s face. She was looking right at it, but obviously too tiny to block it, or even have time to react. It hit her so hard that she was knocked on her back.

She was not crying, and she was still conscious, so I picked her up in my arms and began to examine the injury. Only seconds after impact her forehead was a nasty shade of purple and blue. It was swelling rapidly. Thankfully there were some trained medical folk playing the game that night, and some prepared spectators as well who grabbed some ice and knew what sorts of things to look for that might signal serious brain or head trauma. Thankfully again, none of those signs were yet evident.

A few of the onlookers placed their hands on Kirstie’s head and prayed aloud, asking Jesus to help her. (Did I mention this was a church softball league?) 🙂 I was thankful again, but kinda wishing everyone would let her soak in what just happened. She just seemed in a daze, as was I, admittedly. She was responding to my questions… but not yet speaking. And STILL not crying. That was really beginning to freak me out.

After we had the ice on her head, and she really seemed to be OK, I just sat down in our chair – Kirsten still in my arms – and rested with her, still applying the ice. I kept asking her if anything hurt. They said headaches, blurry vision, nausea… bad. So, I was hoping for none of those. And, again, thankfully none of those came.

But for some reason… I was the one getting a bit light headed.

I kept trying to fight it off, but I could not. I kept feeling worse and worse, and I finally told Jen, “Man! I need to lay down or something! You need to take her before I drop her!” It was crazy! She was able to make the transfer, and I laid down on the grass behind her. I felt a lot better after a short horizontal break. I don’t know what happened, but my heart was racing, and I felt very light headed and dizzy.

I thought Kirsten was supposed to be the one who was injured? 🙂 Probably just all my “dadness” wearing off, and my sickness from the days before reminding me that my body was too weak to be a super hero.

As I regained my strength, I continued to find colder ice pack options for Kirsten, and to regularly ask her questions. She kept getting back to normal. That was so good to see. But though all seemed fine, all I could think about was that vision of a ball screaming in from the field, bouncing hard off the ground, and planting itself in my daughter’s forehead. I can still see it as I type this. I don’t ever want to see that again.

You know what’s even crazier? A couple innings later, there was ANOTHER head injury! This time, the shortstop was making a play at third, and as the runner tried to slide in to the base, her head dropped into the ball that was coming rather quickly. More pain. More huddling. More praying. Not good.

Thankfully (I keep using that word…) all left the field that night with only nasty bruises. Our heads are pretty fantastic, to be sure. They can take a serious beating and we’re none the worse for wear. Amazing.

Kirstie slept just fine last night, and awoke this morning in great spirits, as though nothing happened. Well, not entirely. She has retold the story in various forms many, many times today. 🙂 That’s certainly understandable when a three year old stared down a 40-50 mph flying softball, and won.

She’s tough. No doubt about it.

That’s the last time I want to see her prove it, though!

by Greg

What Color Are Yours?

EyeThis morning, I was brushing Kirsten’s hair, and I think I made some comment about how beautiful she is… because she is. 🙂

When I did, she said, “What color are yours?”

I actually didn’t know what she was talking about, but she was staring at my eyes, so I think I clarified, “My eyes?”

She nodded. Then she said, “Yours are black. Everybody’s are black.”

I just smiled and said, “Yes they are. You’re right. We’re all the same!”

Isn’t that cool? Kirstie doesn’t see the differences at age three… she sees the similarities. Not all the time, but this time, I think she got it right. We all have black.

And so, we’re the same. 🙂

by Greg

My Face Hurts, and Spooky Dreams

This past weekend, we went over to Buffalo to celebrate with a friend (who is also now our nieces’ grandpa…) his 20 years of working with the same church where Jen’s dad was for some 30 plus years. There were lots of blasts from the past. It was quite nice.

The only not nice thing was Kirsten kept complaining of being slightly sick.. like she needed to throw up maybe. That’s always a bad thing… We made it through the night without that, and a very tired Kirstie fell asleep on the hour and a half ride home. All seemed well.

At about 12:30, all had gone to bed, but I was still putting some things away, cleaning up, etc… when I heard Kirstie crying. I went into her room and she was still asleep… so I just helped her get under her blankets again, I figured she was just really, really tired. She went right back to sleep… all was well.

I went downstairs to watch a science show I had been wanting to watch for a very long time. I’m sure I saw most of it, but near the end, I fell asleep… maybe around 1:15 or 1:30? I was out for a long time, but just before I woke up, I had a very clear dream where I was waking up and Jen said to me, “Good, now you can help Kirstie.” Our clock’s hourly chime woke me up, and I realized where I was – shook off the strange ending to that dream (though I did check to see if Kirstie was crying again or something – and headed upstairs.

All was quiet, until I reached the top of the steps. As my foot touched the top step, Kirstie started crying again!! I was a little freaked out the my wife had told me in a dream that I needed to help Kirsten. But, actually, that made me take her cry more seriously. I went in and found her uncovered again, and as I picked her up to get her blankets, I noticed she was burning up!!! No wonder she was crying!!!

She definitely had a fever, though I couldn’t prove that, since I had no idea where to even look for the thermometer….. 🙂 I did check in the “normal” place, but, not many things are in the “normal” place in our house… 🙂 Anyway, I got her some fever reducing medicine (the last of it) and brought her into the bathroom to give that to her. She started crying again, louder this time. Jen comes in and just stands at the door of the bathroom for a second. No words are spoken. About 3 seconds later, she turns around and just goes back to bed! That was a funny scene. 🙂

Kirstie manages to get the medicine down, followed by a tiny cup of cold water (she really likes that part… even at three in the morning!) and I got her back in bed. I was a bit disturbed by having been told in a dream that my daughter needed help, so I continued to chat with God about her and whether she would be alright. I decided to wait till 3:30 then go check on her.

At precisely 3:30, I went back into her room and checked her forehead… she was cooling right down. She was still awake, so we asked God together to help her rest so she could get better. She smiled, I left, He helped, we went to sleep.

Fast forward to lunch time. The day had been pretty good so far. Kirstie did not eat much for breakfast… but she seemed to be doing fine. During lunch however, she had gotten down to use “the potty” and while contemplating the deep things of life on said potty… she says, “My face hurts. I need to rest so it can get better.”

“Your face hurts?”

“Yeah, right here,” she pointed to her forehead. “I need to rest so it can get better.”

🙂

So, I took her hand and we went up to her room and asked God to take away her face hurt so she could sleep. He did, she did, and all was better.

Kirstie did ask one more time that day if she could rest so her face wouldn’t hurt, but it seems the face hurting ended by Tuesday. We’re glad for that.

It is so fun to hear the things that come from a two-year-old’s heart out through their mouths. It’s kinda weird to hear that comes from the mouth of your spouse in your dreams sometimes…. 🙂