Seminary

Seminary is very important in ones life...some maybe asking..."seminary?? what is that?" In the LDS faith the church provides classes for high school age kids who go before school in some areas. They learn of the Old and New testament in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Church History..Doctrine and Covenants. It starts the day off just right...and yes I went...sometimes at the 5:30 am class. It provides a great foundation in ones faith in the Savior and the gospel. My Dad was a seminary teacher for 5 years. He was a GREAT one! I loved hearing him give talks, teach, firesides. He is a storyteller....a master storyteller. We learned after his passing a wonderful thing about him. One of his students came over to the house and asked to see his "unmarked" scriptures. We looked at her and said..."well, we have his Bishop scriptures, those are the ones he used, but unmarked? Not sure what you mean." We gave her the scriptures and looked with her and were amazed that they were infact not marked. We asked her how she knew about it and she said that my Dad told her class that he studies with one set...marked...and teaches out of the unmarked ones to allow the spirit to guide him to teach and that he wouldn't be distracted by a marked scripture. We were amazed and grateful for the knowledge of this. We knew he knew the scriptures and taught by the spirit but we never realized that he didn't mark his scriptures. A simple story I know...but so powerful of my Dad's faith.

When my Dad got sick, the seminary students did so much for us! So many stories to tell....so much generous acts of service. The first one, that we know of, was on his third day in the hospital...the kids decided on their own to fast for my Dad. Friday was one of his hardest days...I know because of them and their faith that he made it through that day. As a family, we fell apart. We had to rely on them and their faith that day. They don't know how grateful we are for them. We could not physically fast and will eternally be grateful for them in doing it for us. We cried with gratitude for them and their love for my Dad. I know he is so proud of each of them. I know they each know why...he had a way of telling you how special you are and what qualities you possess. They each need to remember what my Dad has taught them...to love the Lord, to live the gospel, to love each other.

On Tuesday after my Dad's passing Sister Diane Rowley brought the kids over and they did yard work in my Dad's garden. I don't know if they know how much my Dad loves his yard. He would talk to his plants and flowers and he got so excited when he was able to plant more. What a kind thing to do for my Mom. She stood by the window and cried as she saw them work...work hard...they did so much!

As we planned my Dad's funeral, we as a family sat down together and thought of what should be done for the program. All of us had the same thought of the seminary kids singing. I soooo wish I taped it!! It was so amazing! We had them sing first. I watched each of them...all standing proud....sing with all their heart. It must have been so hard for them to sing the way they did. There was not a dry eye in the chapel because of the spirit testifying to us the truthfulness of what was being said and sung. I have to admit after them singing, I didnt think I would be able to go up and speak. I was so proud of them and how wonderful they sang. I thank all of them for making my Dad's funeral so special. They mean so much to us...each of them so much. They are such special kids born in this time for a special purpose. We love them. We pray for them. We are grateful for them and thank them.

My Sweet Wesley

Picture courtesy of Desiree Menjivar

My Brother

What a STUD my brother Garrett is!

What a hard job my brother has had this past month. For those of you who don't know, Garrett is my only brother. Alot has fallen on his shoulders. He is now the patriarch of our family...the Campbell family. I know he feels the heavy burden, but he IS prepared for it. Throughout our families trial we all leaned on Garrett for hugs, thoughts, guidance, and most importantly the Priesthood. I didn't have my wonderful husband with me, so Garrett served as one that I could go to for blessings and guidance. Garrett was absolutely wonderful! I was amazed at how when us girls would cry and lose it, he would come up to us and cry with us and just hug us...bear hugs...he just isn't as big as my Dad. (: Once at the hospital I had a melt down and he walked with me around the grounds outside. I talked with him what was on my mind and he shared with me counsel and several things out of the scriptures. He knew just what to say. He was perfect...just like my Dad. My Dad and Mom have raised such a wonderful, caring, obedient, kind, funny, witty, smart, awesome son. The list could go on. I am so proud of my brother and what he has done and what he will continue to do. I know my Dad is so proud him.

During the funeral services, Garrett was nominated to give the eulogy...wow! My Mom and him wrote it together and they came up with a perfect synopsis of my Dad's life and what he is about. I know it was hard for Garrett to do, but he delivered it with such brilliance and love. After he read what was prepared he gave an INCREDIBLE testimony. You could tell from what he said and how he said it that he knows of our Heavenly Father's plan WITHOUT a doubt. I was so proud of the MAN that my brother has turned into...not sure when he stopped being a young man...but in those moments I saw the man my Dad always knew Garrett was and IS. My brother also had the task of dedicating my father's grave. (These are the moments when I am glad I am a woman and do not have the priesthood..(:) He said a sweet sincere prayer. I know that must have been very hard, but again he was brilliant. It is hard at any time of your life to lose your Dad, I don't think it would ever be easy...I am not sure how he was able to prepare himself for these moments...but he did. I know he was very prayerful and he listens to the spirit. He keeps himself close to the Lord. He is an honorable priesthood holder. He is amazing.

I am excited to see the path that Garrett will take in his life...wife, kids, company, career, etc. I know he will do it righteously. I know he will love his wife just as my Dad loved my Mom. Garrett...all of us...have seen what a marriage should be like...we have the perfect examples. I know he will be a fun, caring, supportive husband. I know he will be such a great father...I hope he can handle it. (My Dad taught us what goes around comes around (: ) I know he will have a great life. I love Garrett and am so proud of him. He is the greatest brother one could have!

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The world is yours Garrett! Love you!! XOXOXO

The Plan of Salvation

This week for FHE I made donuts and we talked about the recent events that have taken place in our family. I have been a bit worried about Dylan...he was my Dad's buddy! Dave and I talked to them about the Plan of Salvation and Dave had them draw it out. To my relief the kids knew more than what I gave them credit for. After we talked about it, Dylan turned to me and said, "Mom, I think that Grandpa is teaching the gospel. And I think that he is teaching Michael Jackson right now." We laughed and told him he may be right. I bet that Dad is "moonwalking" with Michael right now....(:

Gotta LOVE kids!

My Mother

My Mom on the left...isn't she beautiful?, me, and my handsome husband

My Mother is simply the most amazing woman. At times in my life we have not seen eye to eye and I know I frustrate her and she does me. Lets be honest..mothers and daughters sometimes fight. But we never hold it against each other and we love each other very very much. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders. She gets excited for me and my accomplishments and my families accomplishments. She cries with me if I am having a hard time. She is wonderful! I cannot imagine being the mother of 6 and being able to be the best for each one...but she is.

My Father would be...no, I know he is so proud of her and will continue to be proud of her as she continues her life here on earth. She never gave up hope and had so much faith. She is truly inspirational. I had an increase in my faith because of her. She was my Dad's biggest cheerleader! He coded once with us there and she cheered him on..."Come on Rick, you can do it! We need you! We love you!" She wasn't hysterical. She was calm. She made sure my Dad heard her. He did. After they stabilized him I noticed her in deep sincere prayer as she held his hand and cried. I saw the concern and love she has for my Dad. I saw the way she prayed...for the Lord's will...yet still pleading to take care of my Dad. Shortly after, she was talking to my brother and together they cried and prayed. They then asked us sisters to come in and to be with them. Together as a family we prayed and asked for the will of the Lord. She told us how faithful we had been...and are. That it was time to turn our faith and to let our Dad go. Each of us stood there and cried as we held each other. The most amazing feeling of peace came over me and I knew that it would be ok. Each of us one by one went over and said our goodbyes. At that moment we had "angels" arrive to visit us...the Thurman's. They stood quietly in the corner not knowing what they had come in on. We needed them at that moment. I do not know if I could have ever led my family the way my mother did. She was so unselfish. She was willing to let her best friend go. She was willing to have a very foreign future because of her faith. During this time she led us in prayer, in scripture, in faith. All of us followed and tried to be like her. I think we did. My Mom lets others comfort her and she cries with them. That is not an easy thing to do. She is also so so strong. She knows the lords plan and she knows where she is heading. She knows my Dad is preparing a garden for her and is waiting for her arrival. It will be a sweet reunion. She talked of the time when she said goodbye to my Dad for two years as he went on his mission. She said it was tough but she knew it was what he was supposed to be doing. She said that it was a great moment when they were reunited after his mission and knows that when they are reunited again it will be just as great and sweet. It is amazing how she finds comfort in this time. I feel I fall apart and forget what I know. I really don't but some days are just tough. I know she has those days. She handles them with such grace.

My Mom is the meaning of grace to me. She carries herself in a way that is pleasing with the Lord. She tries to be the best she can. She loves others. She is a great friend. She loves her children. She loves her husband. She has lived a very unselfish life. She is a hard worker...at home and at her job. She has taught all of us to be like this. She has taught us the gospel and has taught us to apply it to our lives. She is a beautiful woman...inside and out. I watched my Mom closely in the days that I was with her and my Dad. She never got angry with our Heavenly Father, the doctors, others around her. She listened to the information and made the choice to be positive and hopeful. She knew that everyone around her was doing their best. She handled herself in such a beautiful way. My Mom is grace. I love her so much. I know she will be ok. What an example she is to me in my life...my whole life. I am grateful for her. I am grateful that she is my mother. I am grateful for the time she takes for me and my family. I don't know if I can ever repay her for all that she has done. I guess I do as I teach my family the way she taught me. I am grateful for her faith. I am grateful for her. I love my Mom.