Remembering 2008

I cannot believe it's already time to say good-bye to another year. As I look at pictures from 2008, I'm amazed at how many events took place.

On the downside of 2008, I still had many health challenges, so I was emotionally, spiritually, and (especially) mentally challenged. The first six months of this year were difficult because of my rib fracture, side effects from flying, and adrenal insufficiency issues. In 2008, I had a life that was often away from any medical-related environment. This meant that each flare up was a reality check to my "new normal;" If ever I wanted to "forget" about HPS, than my body wouldn't let me.

On the upside of 2008, I accomplished some major life goals. I also ventured away from my comfort zone to visit or experience new sites and sounds. The highlights of 2008 definitely include my college graduation, visit to Arizona, and new job. Spiritually, the Lord taught me how to not only accept, but enjoy, His sovereignty on a "daily" basis with "everyday" circumstances and tasks.

I plan to spend some time tonight and tomorrow reflecting on 2008, thanking the Lord for this past year, and seeking His wisdom for the upcoming year. Below are twenty-five other highlights of 2008 (in no particular order):

1. New medical team
2. Grand Rounds
3. Visit with Aunt Marcia
4. Visits with Helen
5. Cousin Heather's wedding
6. Writing a senior thesis
7. Reading comments and posts from friends
8. Receiving and playing my home-made harp
9. Visit with Jim and Sandy Coffman
10. Learning about digital photography and photo editing
11. Visit with Jim and Vicki Campbell and the Sipe Family
12. Doing the Psalms of Ascents and Joshua Bible studies
13. Seeing the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Flagstaff, Arizona
14. Birth of nephew Nehemiah Bruce Paul Campbell
15. Visit to Buchanan with my family
16. Qavah's adoption finalization
17. Volunteering at the Blue Ridge Women's Center
18. Working at the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center
19. Dad's job at Atlas Copco
20. Frequent visits with my Grandparents
21. Christmas celebrations
22. Re-decorating, re-organizing, and re-cleaning the house (including using the Rug Doctor)
23. The Federal, State, and Local elections (especially in regard to Sarah Palin)
24. Making new, meaningful friendships
25. Scrapbooking

Tuesday's Thankful Thoughts

I am feeling grateful tonight, because I finished the six-day Rocephin treatment this afternoon. I was able to use yesterday's i.v. site, so I did not have to be stuck again today. That was a blessing!

In a way, I'm going to miss visiting Lewis-Gale's hematology/oncology infusion center. The nurses are so professional and real cheerleaders for the patients. Even the front receptionist, who has only been there a month, greeted the patients by name today. In a world of such sorrow and evil, I'm thankful whenever I can meet the Lord's servants, especially when they are busy doing "His work."

Below is Psalm 131. It is a Psalm of Ascents and one I intensely studied a few months ago. I am blessed to read it again, especially in light of recent personal, family, and world issues that demand wisdom and knowledge from the Lord. Tonight, my soul feels "quiet before the Lord," just like David wrote about in this Psalm. God can be our sure foundation, peace, and refuge.

Psalm 131 (ESV)

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.

Memories

I'm sad to see the weekend finish. It's been a wonderful holiday season, even with the medical issues. In some ways, the recent flare ups and pain I've experienced made the Christmas season even more special than if I had been completely healthy. Every individual event I was able to participate in was a time to praise the Lord, shout for joy, and capture the moments in my heart.

At the very beginning of December, I received a Musicmakers catalog in the mail. The front cover quickly caught my attention, because it reminded me of a Norman Rockwell painting. Over the last several weeks, I have looked at the picture many times. As Christmas approached, I would glance at the magazine cover and pray that my holiday would be similar. I longed for the simplistic, family-cenetered celebration the children were experiencing in the picture.

Tonight, I am in awe of God's goodness as I recall this year's Christmas celebrations. I can state with confidence that this December was better than the Victorian image engraved in my mind at the beginning of this month. While there were sorrows, there were also many more days filled with laughter and excitement. The Lord "out did Himself" with the blessings... Hallelujah!

"Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room"

I love to prepare for celebratory events such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Birthdays. Don't you? The gifts, the food, the decorations, and the glow on my guests cheerful faces brings me great delight. I believe human excitement over preparations stems from God's joy in preparing a way to bring mankind back to Himself after the fall of Adam and Eve. That plan centered around His perfect son, beginning with Jesus Christ's birth as a human baby boy. The Bible books of Isaiah, Matthew, and Luke record God's preparations and Jesus' birth story.

Like with all human events, there were many details surrounding Jesus Christ's entrance on Earth. God didn't choose just any human man to be an earthly father to His son, but rather one that was from the "house and line of [King] David" (Luke 2:4). Likewise, a virgin woman by the name of Mary was chosen to be Jesus' earthly mother. After receiving the news from an angel, Mary prepared her heart, mind, and body for her divine task and then she gave birth to baby Jesus at the appointed hour. Earthly relatives, shepherds, barn animals, wise men, and even a star joyfully prepared for Jesus Christ's arrival.

As with some Earthly events, though, there were a few party spoilers related to Christ's birth. The innkeeper and King Herod are the famous ones. Their hearts prepared for Jesus Christ's entrance, but not in a welcoming way. King Herod, especially, symbolizes the bigger picture of humanity's innate sin and struggle for independence apart from God.

Of course, the Lord knew from the Creation of Earth what evil would quickly befall humanity. So, He prepared a plan for the salvation of mankind that included Jesus Christ's humble birth, holy life, horrible death, and heavenly resurrection. A just and perfect Christ died for an imperfect world. Then He rose again on the third day to conquer all sin and death.

The best news is that God is not done planning! For believers in Jesus Christ, there is eternal reconciliation and rest with God in Heaven. In John 14:2-3 Jesus states, "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

To be saved from all sin and eternal separation from God, humans must individually admit their sin, believe, and confess Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Taking part in God's salvation plan can happen today. There's no better time to "prepare Him room" than Christmas Day when celebration is focused on the beginning of God's salvation plan... the Earthly birth and life of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-17:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

Wednesday's Writings

I have not written simply because it's been a very busy week. Yesterday, we had the delightful surprise of having our friends, Dan and Phyllis, stay with us for an overnight visit. They were actually attending a funeral in Roanoke and doing some Christmas shopping. The rest of the week is filled with Christmas preparations, music lessons, additional guests, and festive celebrations.

Last weekend, Cousin Mike emailed me the story and picture that I have included below. I just haven't had time to post it until now. As I am joyfully celebrating Christ's birth, I'm aware of the many American families that do not have their loved ones because of the Armed Forces. To the servicemen and women, thank you for fighting and sacrificing on our behalf, whether it's right now or in the past. And to the military families, thank you for allowing your loved ones to serve. I pray that you will experience the Lord's protection, strength and abundant blessings this Holiday season.

You may be interested to know that these wreaths - some five thousand - are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Morrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school children combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of Maine.

Friday's Family Fun

Today was a better day health wise. I did work from 9am to 3pm and I got a lot accomplished. Then, Mom picked me up so we could head over to Sams before returning home. The bright sunshine I saw this afternoon was deceiving, because the temperature outside was bitterly cold!

Tonight has been a quiet evening. I've been working on transferring photos to backup CDs and finishing laundry. Mom and Dad are enjoying a well deserved "date night" by visiting with friends at a local coffee shop. Qavah and Ellie are asleep in their respective beds. I'm going to join them soon.

I can tell we have a young child around, because when I unloaded the dishwasher tonight, I picked up five sippy cups in a row before reaching for an "adult" glass. Below is a "fun" convesation I had with Qavah last night. There are just some daily events that turn into sister memories rather than teachable moments:

Qavah: I'm cold. I want my jump rope.
Me: It's not a jump rope, it's called a bathrobe.
Qavah: Yeah, I want my bath-road
Me: It's not a bath-road, it's a bath roBe.
Qavah: That's what I said Sister Kathryn. I need my bath-road
Me: Bathrobe
Qavah: bathROAD
Me: I give up.

So instead of insisting on Qavah calling her "jump rope" a bathrobe, I put her "bath-road" on backwards, so she could have a tail. She danced around, pretending to be "Pinky The Cat." I should have gotten a picture, because Qavah was happy and looked rather cute.

Thursday's "Troubled" Times

First thing this morning, I left a voice mail message with my hematologist's nurse. Then, I turned my thoughts to my home visit. While I was completing the intake, Mom was at home where she talked with the nurse over the phone to explain the issues with my body. By the time I got over to Lewis Gale's oncology/hematology center, the nurse had already worked me into their busy schedule. Although my regular hematologist was away, I was able to see the physician assistant who was aware of my HPS-related health issues.

Labs were drawn, which actually showed an improvement in my WBC, RBC and platelet count since two days ago. Nobody liked the many bruises all over my body (I don't blame them! They are pretty shocking to see.), but there wasn't anything that could be done immediately to remedy the problems. So, I was "cleared" to proceed with my Remicade i.v. treatment, which was already scheduled for this afternoon. Mom and Qavah stayed with me this time, because we weren't sure how I'd do. Everyone watched me closely, but I was able to have the infusion without any new side affects, besides the usual sodium-related headache and fluid retention.

This week's electrolyte issues are most likely related to the Boniva treatment I had last Friday. This afternoon, the physician assistant said that people often feel "flu-like" after a Boniva infusion, so that explains- in part- the tired and icky feeling I've had all week. In addition, one of my other doctors did some research and discovered a correlation between Boniva and electrolyte issues such as low magnesium, low calcium and high sodium levels, which is what I've experienced since the infusion.

Tonight, I am feeling a bit better although still weak. Lord willing, I'm going to work tomorrow to make up for the time I've taken off this week. Thank you for the prayers and emails! I know I have an entire support network "out there" of cheerleaders and prayer partners. I really appreciate you.

Season of Giving

It is getting late and Mom did an excellent job of summarizing the weekend on Campbell Family Journal, so I am not going to write a long post about it. However, I do want to say how much fun I had this weekend. I have not helped with "intensive" housework in almost three years and so it felt good to return to something that used to be so "normal" for our family.

Even though there are parts of every project that get stressful or boring, the overall work is a joy to do, especially when I can work alongside Mom. Yesterday, I overheard Mom ask Qavah, "When you grow up, can you be my friend like Sister Kathryn? Can you help me like she does?" I smiled to myself, imagining Qavah being even more of a friend then she already is right now. I also smiled, because I have so many fond memories of home improvements, craft projects, wrapping gifts, and company preparations.

Part of the reason I love Christmas time is because it's a season of reliving the joys of hospitality. For Mom and me, the preparations of blessing others with our home, attitudes, and possessions brings a twinkle in our eyes and a bounce in our steps.

My prayer is that the festive, but peaceful "holiday cheer" that others may experience in our home right now will be felt throughout the coming year. Christ, who willingly became a humble baby and then a servant among sinful "men," is our family's example.

"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Saturday Night

We are doing well. I will update tomorrow. Right now, I'm going to bed early so I can look at Martha Stewart Living Christmas magazines. What fun! Then, I'll take my "long nap".

"The Gift Of Gifts"

Since early Summer, I have been reading the Valley of Vision as part of my daily and weekly devotions. The prayer I read this morning is quite appropriate during this season of celebrating Christ's birth. I also found the prayer comforting and relevant to the challenges I'm currently facing. My favorite sections are verse two that begins with, "Herein is wonder" and verse six that states, "Oh God, take me..."

O Source of All Good,

What shall I render to thee for the gift of gifts,

thine own dear Son, begotten, not created,

my Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,

his self-emptying incomprehensible,

his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp.

Herein is wonder of wonders:

he came below to raise me above,

was born like me that I might become like him.

Herein is love:

when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace,

to raise me to himself.

Herein is power:

when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart

he united them in indissoluble unity,

the uncreated and the created.

Herein is wisdom:

when I was undone, with no will to return to him, and no intellect to devise recovery,

he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,

as man to die my death, to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,

to work out a perfect righteousness for me.

O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds, and enlarge my mind;

let me hear good tidings of great joy,
and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore,

my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose,

my eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father;

Place me with ox, ass, camel, goat,

to look with them upon my Redeemer’s face,

and in him account myself delivered from sin;

let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart,

embrace him with undying faith,

exulting that he is mine and I am his.

In him thou hast given me so much

that heaven can give no more.