Drayton's Year in Review

2013 was a very big year for me!  It was my only year as a baby.  For the next couple years, I'll be referred to as a toddler.  It was lots of fun growing up!  I did a lot of things for the first time!

At 2 months, I rolled over like a big boy in my bed.  My mommy was right there and caught me mid-roll!

 

 

During my 3rd month of life, I got really good at sitting in my Bumbo seat (those things are so cool!) and I also went on my very first evangelistic trip with my daddy.  I promise, I was a perfect angel the whole trip!

 



Hotels are very fun places to play!

I think my 4th month was the busiest for me the whole year...I did a lot of fun things that month!  I got to eat real food (cereal and apples, but real food for me!) for the first time!  I also got a walker...those things are so much fun!  I was able to go all over the house!

 

 

I was also dedicated to the Lord that month.  I'm not quite sure yet what that means exactly, but mommy and daddy tell me they promised to raise in me church and teach me to love the Lord.

 

 

I got to do 1 more big boy thing that month - my mommy gave me a sippy cup!  I've been very attached to them ever since!  Only babies use bottles :)

 

 

At 5 months I decided I didn't need that Bumbo thing anymore...I could sit up by myself!

 

 

I really enjoy doing smart things to amaze my parents...so, I decided I would start crawling when I was only 6 months.  Everyone loved watching me crawl around at church, I guess because I was so little and cute!

 

Crawling was not enough for me, I wanted to stand and see things whenever I wanted!  At 7 months, I thought it would be safe to try grabbing onto furniture, or my parents/grandparents, and seeing if I could see what they were seeing!  I tried it and of course, I was a pro!

I said my first word at 8 months.  Mommy doesn't have a picture of that, but you should have seen the smile on her face when I said "momma!"

I was only satisfied with standing for a little while, so soon I attempted to walk by myself.  It was very scary at first, so for a little while I only did it when there was something to hold onto.

That same month (9 months old), I celebrated my first Independence Day!  I don't know what that means either, but my mommy sat me in a little red chair, gave me a picture of a man I've never met, and started taking pictures of me!  I think I heard someone say this man's name was Joe and I'm named after him.  He must have been pretty special if they gave me his name!

When I turned 10 months old, I decided I needed to be brave and started walking by myself!!  No one has been able to stop me since!  I go nonstop from the time I get up in the morning, until I go to bed at night!

In October, I celebrated my very first birthday!  That was the day I became a toddler!  I didn't like my cake very much :(  I would rather eat macaroni and cheese.  I don't think I want a cake at all my next birthday...maybe just a giant chocolate chip cookie!

A few days after my birthday, it was Halloween.  I got all dressed up in my Sheriff Woody costume and patrolled the neighborhood looking for candy thieves! 

In November, my mommy decided I needed to have a haircut.  I didn't know ponytails weren't acceptable for boys in our family.  I behaved (thanks to Jonah) and my daddy was able to trim my hair without incident!

We just celebrated Christmas.  It wasn't my first one, but its the first one I remember.  I was a tiny baby last Christmas.  I couldn't even open my own presents!  This year was so much more fun.  I got a little puppy of my very own and a bunch of Veggietales stuff!  I hope you were as excited to see all the gifts as I was!

Well, I guess that's all.  My year in review.  I'm very excited about my accomplishments.  My mommy says they make her very sad because they mean I'm growing up.  Isn't that silly?  I can't wait to do more big boy stuff in 2014!

I love all my fans so much!

Drayton Joel Campbell





The Blessing of Family

Had to run a quick errand for the boss today.  When I got in my car, Steven Curtis Chapman was playing on the radio.  It was quiet since I was in the car alone (I'm usually singing and acting silly for Drayton!), so I had a chance to stop and listen to the words he was singing...

Well I guess I should go ahead and tell you [Santa] now
If it's really true about that list you have
Somehow I always seem to end up in a fight
But I'm really trying hard not to be bad
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Well, maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I've heard
Sounds like the greatest gift on earth would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for
But there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas

Is someone who'll be there
To sing me “Happy Birthday”
For the next 100 years
And it's OK if they're not perfect
Well, even if they're a little broken, that's alright
‘Cause so am I

...
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Just a family

That's all I really need

The line "even if they're a little broken, that's alright, 'cause so am I" really captured my attention today.   

The fact is, many of us come from large families.  We have lots of cousins, aunts/uncles and siblings.  Some of them get on our nerves.  Sometimes our parents, and even our children get on our nerves.  Occasionally our spouses get on our nerves.  You just can't grow up with someone and never have a disagreement.  Its impossible for 2 people to live together in perfect harmony, always seeing a situation in the exact same way.

There are no perfect families.  Every family has times of drama, crankiness and rude comments.  We are all imperfect people, and since families are made up of people, they all have their own version of problems.  Families are usually pretty good at mending fences and building bridges though.  In my own family, I know we always find a way to forgive and love, and, although we may get on each other's nerves and let our opinions of each other be known with loud, boisterous, rude comments, no one from the "outside" had better mess with one of us.  We can come together again real quick if the need for defense should arise.

Amidst all the chaos we deal with comparing calendars and trying to get everyone together, we sometimes forget this simple truth:   there are people in this world who will spend Christmas alone this year.  People who would give anything to be part of a family, even a broken and imperfect one.  

If you will be spending your Christmas holidays in the company of even 1 person this year, you are very richly blessed.

Reflections

I just tossed my 2013 calendar in the trash can.  As I pulled it out of my purse, I thought about all the things that transpired in my life this year.

In January, I got my first taste of what its like to be a working mom and let me tell you, it's tough.  When you're involved in your church and work, life can be crazy hectic anyway.  Throwing a baby in the mix makes you wonder how you thought you were so busy before.  Looking back I realize, I had all kinds of free time last year!!

In March, I tagged along with my husband for my first trip as an evangelist's wife.  He had preached out of town before, but prior to that weekend I never accompanied him before.  That was an experience.  An entire weekend spent in a hotel with a 3 month old baby, a baby with reflux at that, hoping the 30 bibs I had brought with us would actually last for 3 days.  I remember praying that Drayton would behave during the services on Sunday.  I don't think I'll ever forget it.  Thankfully, the Smiths are very kind people and didn't act like they minded Drayton's constant fussing!

In August, we went on what turned out to be our last "youth trip."  Many memorable things happened that week...several bus breakdowns, issues finding restaurants open/able to serve a group of 40, unbelievable church services, amazing preaching...It was incredible to see the lives of those so precious to us being changed.  Hearing several say things like "God spoke to me tonight" or "I feel God calling me."  While at NAYC, I also got a call from my mom that the doctor had pronounced her "cured" of pemphigus vulgaris.  Something we had been told would never happen!

In September, after much prayer and many, many tears cried, we stopped working with the youth group.  It was by far the hardest decision made this year.  I still miss my girls (and guys...well, some of them anyway :)) so much.  I feel so at peace with our decision, yet I still wish it hadn't been something we needed to do...if that makes any sense at all! 

In October, we celebrated our sweet little Drayton turning 1 year old.  We couldn't imagine life without the little stinker.  He's such a silly bundle of boyish fun.  I love his squeals and laughter!!  Nothing in the world will brighten a dreary day like when he stops playing, runs over and gives you a spontaneous little hug. 

In November, Dathaniel and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. We had a great time traveling to Savannah and then to Charleston.  When Dathaniel asked me several months ago where I would like to go, I had an immediate response!  I had dreamed of visiting Savannah and Charleston since the first time I read Gone With the Wind in 4th grade.  It was a dream come true for me.  I got to imagine life as Scarlett O'Hara for an entire 5 days!!!

I can't believe how quickly time has flown by.  Now, we are looking with great expectation at the dawn of 2014.  I can definitely say I hope there are less "firsts" next year.  We are in a period of waiting, so maybe there won't be any firsts.  Then again, maybe the waiting will end and we'll have a mountain of firsts.  Either way, we are in God's hands. 

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I've been thinking a lot about Mary's experience when she was visited by Gabriel.  We've heard the story told so many times, we've read about it so many times, and yet it is still amazing to ponder.  This year I've been thinking Mary would have been around the same age as my niece, Camryn.  I can't fathom Camryn being a mother, much less being the Messiah's mother!!  I wouldn't even let her babysit Drayton!  How fearful must the angel's announcement have made her.  What a terrifying task to be given.  I don't think any task God could possibly give me could ever compare to her's. 

I began reading Jesus, The One and Only this week (for at least the 3rd time) and for whatever reason, just yesterday I realized, that when Gabriel said in Luke 1:31, "you are to give him the name Jesus," it was the very first proclamation of our Savior's name.  This is the first time He is referred to as Jesus.  The  name at which every knee will bow.  A name I've called on in many trials.  A name I pray over my child every day of his life.  A name that holds more power than any other.  That name heals the sick and causes demons to flee.  Oh, how I love the name!!

Jesus...the hope of the world.  A fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. 

No matter what God may request of us in 2014, with every great task there also comes a promise and a new hope. 

I hope we can all look to the future without fear, but with baited breathe...waiting for the promises of God to unfold in our lives.

Merry Christmas friends!
Amberly

NAYC 2013

We had an amazing time this past week at North American Youth Congress 2013!!  Can't wait to be in Oklahoma City in 2015!!  A powerpoint is being prepared, but in the meantime, here are a few pictures and a little narrative of our experience...

We left the church on Tuesday around 7 p.m. 

Everyone packed onto the bus, got comfortable with their pillows and blankets.  We had the snacks and drinks ready...we were all settled in for a nice, comfortable ride to Louisville.  We stopped around midnight for dinner - don't remember the town.  Next stop was at a McDonald's near Nashville, TN for breakfast at around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.  We were about an hour out of Louisville, when our bus started beeping.  The driver pulled over to assess the problem...the radiator was leaking.  Bro. Russell Hayes and Dathaniel jumped out of the bus and put the cones out.  It wasn't enough however, because we were sitting on downside of a big hill.  Just when we didn't think it could get any worse, it started pouring down rain!  Russell and Dathaniel began using t-shirts to flag traffic.  Inside the bus, the women and students were beginning to panic.  We could see vehicles barely missing hitting the bus.  In that moment of desperation, our youth and chaperones began praying and asking for God's protection.  Revival began before we even made it to NAYC. 

They were able to put water in the radiator and we limped to the first exit and made a stop in the sweet little town of Bonnieville, Kentucky.  These precious people were a Godsend.  The tiny little mini mart let people charge their phones in the kitchen, let students sit on the floor and fill the aisles without complaint.  They went out of their way to make us comfortable.  Another bus arrived to pick us up and we finally made it to Louisville around 3 p.m. 

Finally, we made it to NAYC 13!!!

Our first service was pretty uneventful - it was a miracle we all stayed awake.  However, the next day Bro. McGovern preached an awesome message about hearing the call when you are young, before the business and craziness of life affects your hearing and you are unable to hear the calling of God so clearly.  His title was Above All, The Call.  That night, Bro. Tim Gaddy preached an amazing sermon on The Three Altars.  The first altar is marriage - it matters who you marry!  The second alter is heritage - learn to love the stories of your elders and listen to their advice.  They know what they are talking about.  The third altar is the supernatural.  Everything important in your life happens at an altar.  You are dedicated at an altar.  You get married at an altar.  You receive the Holy Ghost at an altar.  It was amazing and it was so precious seeking our youth weeping and thanking God for their heritage.  We were the last group out of the building that night.  Security kicked us out.  It was after this service that several of our youth began to talk about a call to missions.  They were so excited and making plans to go on an AYC trip next summer.

The final day, Bro. James Maroney preached an excellent sermon about "these signs shall follow them that believe."  He said should not be wondering around aimlessly looking for signs, but we should be sign makers!  We aren't following the signs, the signs are following us!  The power of God again fell on our youth. 

The final message was from Bro. Cortt Chavis.  It was phenomenal.  Mind-blowing.  Amazing.  Confirmation.  I could go on and on.  His title was The Divine Balance Between the Fork and the Field.  The field is ready for harvest, but we have gotten too content sitting at the table.  He brought out how those who sit at the table longest began to lose their appetite.  The longer we sit and feast at the table the fuller we become and began to nit pick and lose awe at the dishes we once found delightful.  However, those who have been busy working in the field are thankful for whatever dinner is served to them.  They are starving when they get to the table, so anything God offers is a feast.  He used the passage in Isaiah 6:

Isaiah’s Commission

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne;

and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim, each with six wings:

With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two

they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple

was filled with smoke.

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with

tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips;

your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

So often, our focus is on the fact that Isaiah saw the Lord.  We focus on the "table experience" and never  make it to the commission.  Yes, Isaiah saw the Lord's glory in a way he never had before, but he also answered when the Lord said "Who will go?"  There was no hesitation when Isaiah said "Send me!"  The impact this message had on the students of Abundant Life Church was insane.  They were all crying and weeping and then we saw them begin to minister to each other.  They first saw the harvest needed among themselves.  Sarah and Kaitlyn were laying hands on their fellow youth.  When Sarah prayed for Catelyn she shouted all over the place and broke the heel of her shoe!  Even leaving the KFC Center that night - the service was all they talked about all the way to the bus.  The ones who were feeling called to missions received their confirmation from God.  Many others also received vision and heard the calling of God.  The experiences of those couple days have changed their lives (and ours) forever!

Even Lilly and Elizabeth attended every service and worshipped and prayed :)

On Friday our original bus finally arrived in Kentucky, seemingly repaired.  So Saturday morning at 8 a.m. we began our journey home.  It was smooth sailing for awhile, but as we drove into Arkansas our bus again began to experience problems with the radiator.  We stopped at a gas station and our driver put water in it with hopes of making it to Little Rock Arkansas.  We were about 20 miles outside of Little Rock, when the bus began overheating again.  We stopped at another gas station and waited for a new bus.  The Lord provided us with the best!  We were all jumping and screaming with excitement when we saw each seat had outlets and we could charge our phones.  We had leather seats.  Hardwood floors.  It was amazing.  From there, our journey home was uneventful.  However, it ended up taking us a full 24 hours on the road to make it back to Willis, Texas.

None of our youth missed church yesterday.  Instead, even in their sleep deprived state, they led in worship and prayed for the ones who were unable to make it to NAYC.  They are the absolute best group of students in the entire world!!  When you work in youth ministry and carry a burden for them like Dathaniel and I do, seeing them leading in worship, feeling the call of God, and ministering to others, makes every trouble seem so small.  We love each of them so much and can't wait to see all that God has in store.

Who Do You Think You Are?

I've been learning a lot from Toy Story recently...Dathaniel and I both have it memorized.  We watch it...a lot.  This morning I was feeding Drayton his breakfast and I heard dialogue I've heard a million times lately (no exaggeration).  Andy's toys have just discovered Buzz and want to know where he came from: 

 

Hamm: So, where you from? Singapore? Hong Kong?

Buzz: Well, no. I'm actually stationed at the Gamma Quadrant, Sector Four. As a member of the elite Universe Protection Unit of the Space Ranger Corps, I protect the Galaxy from the threat of invasion from the evil Emperor Zurg, sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance!

Mr. Potato Head: Oh, really? I'm from Playskool.

Rex: And I'm from Mattel. Well, I'm not really from Mattel. I'm actually from a smaller company that was purchased in a leverage buyout.

Buzz was from a toy manufacturer as well, but he didn't see himself as a toy.  In his mind, he really was a space ranger.  Hearing this little exchange reminded me of something I heard in a class at HYC this year. 

In Numbers, we get a Biblical account of Moses sending spies into the land of Canaan.  We are all familiar with the story and know that after 40 days of investigating the land, the spies returned to Moses and only Joshua and Caleb believed they could possess the land.  Caleb said "We should go up and take that land for ourselves.  We can easily take that land."  The other men, however, gave a much different report.  They said, "We cannot fight those people!  They are much stronger than we are...The land we saw is full of strong people.  They are strong enough to easily defeat anyone who goes there."  They saw giants and said "We were like grasshoppers to them!"

The report of the majority discouraged the Israelites and they wandered around for several more years.  Moses passed away and then God spoke to Joshua about the promise of the people possessing Canaan.  Joshua then sent two men into Jericho as spies.  Those two spies ended up at the house of Rahab, a prostitute.   She hid them on the roof while the King's men searched for them.  When it was safe, Joshua 2 says "she came up unto them upon the roof; and she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.  For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.  And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.  Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.  And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. "

The Battle of Jericho was the first battle in the Israelites conquest of Canaan.  The interesting thing is: the Israelites spent many years living in fear, believing the giants saw them as grasshoppers.  The giants on the other hand, spent years living in fear of the Israelites, knowing they would be fighting a loosing battle because God had already given them the land. 

Sometimes, the situation we are facing isn't our problem.  The way the enemy sees us isn't our problem.  What needs fixing is the way we see ourselves. 

"Hello, my name is child of the one true King."  We have nothing to fear or dread.  Our father is always working on our behalf.

Children in Church

I've watched mothers with small children in church for years.  All of my life actually.  So, of course, the moment I found out a little one was on the way, I decided to do my best to make sure he/she stayed in the sanctuary as much as possible every single service.  Afterall, it had always looked easy when other people did it.

It is NOT easy. 

It is especially hard for those of us involved in ministry.  Some weeks we are literally at the church every single night.  On Sunday mornings, I usually rush into church at 8:15 a.m., with my arms overflowing, already exhausted.  If I'm not praise singing that day, I'll spend the service bouncing and swaying trying to get Drayton asleep, or constantly pulling toys out of my diaper bag for him to play with, or even letting him dig in my purse or diaper bag since that is usually a good source of quiet entertainment.  I wince everytime he cries or decides to babble during the sermon.  I feel like everyone is staring at me everytime he sqeals because he thinks pastor is talking only to him.  I'm sure not everyone is looking, but it feels that way.  I often leave the service wondering what my pastor preached about and asking myself "is this worth it?"  Only to return four hours later and do it all over again.

A few weeks ago my sister-in-law posted on facebook about one of my sweet nieces inviting a visiting child to sit with her and saying "I'll be your friend."  There's another little girl who sits in front of me and at almost 2 years old, claps and raises her little hands to worship.  As frustrating as it sometimes is, things like this further my determination not to send my child to the nursery.  Not because I have anything against the nursery; I think nurseries are wonderful things...most definitely for parents who haven't been raised in church and are still trying to figure out how to walk with God.  My reason for not sending Drayton is that I want him to have respect for worship and the house of God from a very young age. 

As mothers, it is our duty to help ensure that years down the road, the church pews will not be empty.  It helps when throughout a child's life, they feel they are a vital, participating member of their church.

As hard as it is to keep our babies in the sactuary as much as we can, we can't forget that we are doing something really, really important.  Its only a couple years of work and we will be rewarded with children who know that regardless of age, their prayers are important to God.  We will get to experience old, familiar Bible stories all over again through their little eyes and minds.  Do you remember the first time you learned about David and Goliath?  Jonah and the big fish?  I'm sure my heart will leap the first time I see Drayton raise his little hands to worship. 

Personally, I want to be an example to my son of one who wholeheartedly worships the Lord. My prayer is that through watching his dad and I, he would likewise catch the vision. I want him to hear powerful sermons as often as he hears the soft instruction of a Sunday School teacher. 

"Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:  And that their children, which have not known anything, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it."  Deuteronomy 31:12-13

"Then there were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, 'Suffer litte children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 19:13-14

Good Gifts

First, I've decided to start blogging again...no promises of consistency though!! :)

Many of you know the attorney I work for just finished up a 2 week trial...I worked some serious overtime in the month of May.  I normally live on a budget (although my husband may disagree, I promise I really do) so I kind of splurged with my overtime check...Here's most of what I bought, minus a few gifts for Father's Day which cannot be shared yet:

a new Cake diaper bag...

a playpen to keep Drayton safely away from the fireplace...

and, a huge canvas print of this sweet picture of Drayton.

Then I realized...all of my purchases had something in common.  In some way, they all related to my little ray of sunshine.  Lots of people told me I would spend less time/money on myself after I had children.  I thought I understood what they meant, but am now realizing I had no idea.  I never imagined giving up my Sebastian hair products so I could purchase more things for my son...or buying him clothes before I buy clothes for myself.  I also never dreamed of filling my newly remodeled family room with a brightly colored playpen and toys of various shapes and sizes.  All of this brings me to this scripture:

"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." Matthew 7:11 (NLT)

I realize more now how much God loves us...His chosen.  His children.  We have no reason to ever settle for anything less than the extraordinary.  He carries our baggage for us.  He watches over the paintings of our lives lovingly...and, just like with Drayton's new playpen, sometimes He gives us fences to keep us safe.  Regardless of what is happening in any of our lives at this moment, we can all rest assured we serve a Father who loves to give His children "good gifts."  He will take care of it all.