earthly goodbye

Monday 12th of May 2008 - Dad C's funeral... seems so hard to believe that Dad was just his normal self just over a month ago.

The singing at the funeral was full of gusto - Dad was part of two choirs (Festival of Male voice Praise and the Amen Singers) - they just lifted the singing incredibly. Joshua read out what he had written (see previous blog - "Things I love about Grandpa"). David shared his Eulogy. Ian's long time friend, and pastor shared the message.

Although I thought it would all be ok - that I had dealt with all the teary side of things I am afraid I am a bit of an emotional mush ball sometimes... tears again...

Jennifer made a beautiful slide show with some pictures from Dad's life. Dad and Mum C are both singing in the background the song they sang at three of the grandchildren's dedication services. Dad left behind a beautiful legacy of faithfulness to Christ, tender love for his wife and an absolute delight in singing and playing music to His Lord. Plenty of opportunity for his tenor voice to praise to his heart's content where he is now!

You can view the slideshow Jen put together by clicking here (requires Adobe PDF viewer), and pressing down-arrow to move through the slides. Sorry about the lack of audio.

Home

I must admit I have dreaded putting this blog together - with all that has happened in our lives lately... but here it is:

This past Thursday evening David planned to visit Dad at the hospital. I expressed to David that I was keen to go along, too as I hadn't seen him since Sunday... though I wasn't sure how the kids would go with another late night. David decided we should just pack all the kids in and take them along. We gobbled down dinner and headed to the hospital. Mum had already spent the previous night with Dad in the hospital. She was outside the hospital having some time to think and pray while the nurses turned Dad (to make him comfortable). She was surprised to see us all there. She took us up to Dad. We sat with Dad, prayed, David read some Scripture, and we took turns to hold his hand. We occasionally saw Ian try to look around from a small crack in his otherwise shut eye lids. I think he wanted to look around but had no strength to open his eyes. His skin really made him look so very old. A very caring nun came in to talk to us and David had a great opportunity to talk to her about her faith (and was shocked to hear her openly admitted that she was quite a devil sometimes and later that she didn't believe all that the Bible said).

I will never forget just how tenderly Emilia looked after Ian. She felt his ears were a bit cold and would rub them until they were warm. She put some vaseline on his lips as they were becoming cracked. She held him and stroked his hair. She loved her beloved until the end - and most of all I was so touched that she never spoke of how unfair God was to take her beloved home - yes, she spoke of missing him, of things she would have to get used to doing on her own. She is still to face the sting of his death but she knew that the Lord would just have her to show tender love to him 'til' death doeth part....

Death did part Dad from Mum on Friday at approx. 4am. Mum had woken at about 3am as she couldn't sleep. She later went back to sleep and the nurse woke her to tell her that Ian had died.

And now? She is flat out - much has happened over the weekend to prepare for the funeral. An incredible amount of time, effort and even money goes into funerals... but apart from all the formalities, the business and sadness.... we believe that Ian has at last gone to be with his Maker - to worship Him in all His glory. Though we miss him sorely, we know that the sorrow is for us...
We couldn't wish him back for all the awesomeness of what he is experiencing with His Lord.

Battle Scars

Well it looks like Owen is in the wars again. This is how he came home from Prep. today.


Well - no, he didn't get tackled by another boy.... No, he didn't get bitten by a dog on the way home. Maybe I should let you submit your guess as to what on earth happened to him in those few hours of prep today.

Give in? Well as it turn out he fell out of a wagon. There is a lovely little wagon (newly aquired for the Special needs kids). Owen loves it - only he decided to jump out just as the wagon was about to take off. He was wearing his glasses at the time and they did a bit of damage above the eyebrow...

The funniest (and yes, it was quite funny - trust me!) part about it was that Owen was enjoying all the fuss that was being made over him. Suddenly he had a bad cough to go with it all.... he hobbled around like an old man and showed whoever passed by the sore under his nose. I had to keep from chuckling amidst it all. And what becomes of it all - well maybe I should just enroll him in drama classes!

Well if that was the funny side of my day - this was not! I have been trying so hard to teach Owen that he must not empty his drawers when he wakes up from a nap and that he must not pull all the tissues out of the tissue box when he finds it and empty them on the floor! Even after consistent discipline (yes, this has almost become a daily ritual).... I just about cried to my poor David - what am I to do with this boy??

Please... next time you see me... do not ask about the grey streaks through my hair. No, I didn't dye them - they are natural!

Mother said there'd be days like this!


Here is a verse I need to focus on:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25

Life stuff

I had a call from Owen's Prep teacher today asking to pick him up because he had some red spots/rash type thing. A visit to the doctor - turns out he had a reaction to something (likely an insect bite). So poor, red Owen has had his medicine and is now fast asleep... I do hope the doctor is right and that it is nothing else (ah but then we mothers can worry about everything can't we??)

Grandma kindly came over after dinner and looked after Rosa and Owie so the rest of us could be with Grandpa. I felt more prepared before going - having had a day at home... I came home from visiting Dad at the hospital feeling that I wasn't prepared at all. Emotionally it is still so hard to see someone you love dying... having difficulty swallowing, unable to tell you they are still chewing food, unable to really respond other than the occasional raising of eyebrows... Having said all that and felt all the pain all over again I am glad we went. Glad I could make sure Dad was tucked in and warm (of course the staff are warm and caring but I think it helps me to do something..), that he had company, that he knows that he is loved. His face seemed to light up when David gave his shoulders a bit of a rub. I found his eyes returned to David quite a bit - studying him and... I imagine he was wishing he could communicate his thoughts...



Almost pains me to put this photo here - to see the deterioration of Dad's condition. Perhaps if nothing else it should remind me of life - the shortness of it and just how important it is to spend our days in His service. Dad we thank the Lord that you are His. We rest in this.

He leadeth me

This morning Dad Campbell was rushed to hospital after having a seizure. Thankfully he was sitting at the time and Mum managed to hold him close until it passed. He is now being cared
for by a lovely Palliative care team. Mum hopped in the ambulance and went with him. Peter, Jennifer and Matthias joined Mum at the hospital. We were all keen to see Dad again - while Rosa went down for a nap I took the boys (eventually managed to get out the door) and up to the hospital. Dad seemed quite aware of everything but was only able to say a few, very simple words. Jennifer fed him his lunch. The doctor and a student came to talk to Mum. Other than that we just enjoyed being with Dad - giving him hugs, talking to him... Joshua has had a few sniffly moments and likes his top up of hugs through the day. The other two are just too young to even know something is going on. I just don't know how I am going to be able to explain to Owen where Grandpa is once he is gone. I am sure he is going to ask for him... - for wisdom Lord...

Tonight it is David and Rosa's turn to pick up Mum and head over to the hospital.

Here are a few verses and comments I have appreciated after reviewing a study (Heaven - John MacArthur's Bible Studies) I did with a ladies Bible study some years ago:

Our earthly tent is being torn down. I remember reading that when someone asked John Quincy Adams how he was doing, Adams replied something to the effect of, "John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well. The house in which he has been living is dilapidated and old, and he has received word from its Maker that he must vacate soon. But John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well." In the same way our earthly tent is being torn down. But when it's gone, we'll have a building from God, eternal in the heavens. Second Corinthians 5:2 says of our earthly bodies, "Indeed in this house we groan." We groan because of the infirmities of the flesh and the sin that permeates it. We groan because we cannot be what we long to be. We are debilitated in these bodies, so that we groan with the rest of creation, waiting "eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). We long to be clothed with a heavenly body.

...John described the city as having the "glory of God." The essence of the eternal heaven is that God's glory is manifest in it. Isaiah 60:19 says, "No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give you light; but you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory." Revelation 21:33 says, "The city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb." God Himself will light all of the infinite heaven, particularly the sparklingn celestial jewel called the New Jerusalem.

Something Josh wrote

Things I love about Grandpa
By Joshua Campbell

There are lots of things I love about Grandpa. These are just a few of them.

I love the way he takes me on outings like to the swimming pool. When we go to the pool he lets me ride on his back and even goes under the water with me. After I have had a busy day at Grandpa's place he often drives me home.

He invited us to go to the Gold Coast to visit him on his holiday there. He took us to the beach and enjoyed lunch with us.

He fixes things for me. He fixed my toy boat and explained to me that it needed to be cleaned out with a chemical. He put batteries in it so it worked again.

When he came back from America he gave me a little camera key ring. I have taken photos with it.

At my music concert, Grandpa played Edelweiss with me. He played beautifully. He also checks my music theory and plays piano with me. He has had lots of practise and he knows how to play well.

He lets me play with the electric lego train. He helped me fix it when it wasn't working.

He hugs me with warm hugs and he is cheerful and smiley.

Most importantly my Grandpa trusts the Lord.

I love my Grandpa and God loves him too!

Our long weekend

Over the long weekend we decided to go along to an Anzac Day service (the very first one for our suburb). We met a few friends there from church, let the kids romp around in the park and had a munch on a free sausage (or even two - my seven year old is constantly hungry).

We had lunch with Dad and Mum - and was finally able to get some photos of our Rosa with Grandpa (previously she just simply squirmed too much!). I think she might just enjoy these when she is older. Grandpa will not get to see our little ones growing up.

We joined some beautiful friends from Church for Pancakes in the park early on Saturday morning. It was so good to catch up again. We especially enjoyed your pancake flip Dominick (thanks for photos Wendy - must say you caught the moment well!) We are very impressed Dominick (I can see Josh trying this now:)

We have recently had a second hand cubby put up in our back yard. David and I spent a few mornings (getting up early) painting to prepare it. It is looking great. We had it built up high to make storage underneath for bikes, etc. We decided to invite some friends over to come and enjoy the cubby with our kids. On Saturday our friend Levi came and had a play inside while I was able to have a lovely chat with my friend Susan on the front verandah of the cubby house. Unfortunately I forgot to pull the camera out while they were here...

On Sunday we had a lovely family from Sudan come for lunch. We actually got to know the father through Joshua's friendly "hello" from the front window! It was good to get to know our neighbours a little bit more. Their boys have been coming along to our little church from time to time. Their boys jumped around and had some good old fashioned rough and tumble with Josh on the tramp. They found the cubby a great jumping platform for their stunts while the Dad's joined in with a few rib ticklings from time to time.

David spent some time over the weekend helping his Mum sort out some of Dad's work tools. A friend is planning to come and buy some for his business. David came home feeling somewhat saddened (to be losing Dad) but blessed by thinking of all the hard years his father had put into working in his business to support him growing up...

Well it has been a weekend of many mixed feelings and emotions - feelings of sadness mingled with the joy of friendship.

Dessert with Grandpa

It was with heavy hearts that we returned from our visit with Grandpa and Grandma tonight. Heavy in that we can see that Grandpa is slipping away. Tonight we saw just how much he has deteriorated since our family gathering last Sunday. We love him so much and it is so hard to watch it all happening bit by bit. We shared dessert together - we had our evening devotions with Grandpa and Grandma. Our precious ones all around. Grandpa prayed. He struggled to get the words out and Grandma helped him to finish his sentences. He prayed to His Maker. We all sat somewhat stunned to hear him struggle to put thoughts together. When he finished praying he apologised "Sorry that I wasn't very articulate!" Oh, Dad, if only you knew that we love you so much - we hate to see it all disappearing for you but we know you are in God's hands. We can only thank our Lord for these precious memories of late - that He has been gracious to let us have some pre-warning before things became too difficult... too difficult to communicate. We don't know how long we have Dad Campbell but things seem to have begun to deteriorate quickly of late.

Mum Campbell has served Dad so faithfully - she is just continuing to spoil him, to love him and
spoil him some more. She knows she must be strong. She realises just how many things she must begin to learn - how to operate the video camera/dvd player, learn the banking procedures, how to operate other technical things... and she picks it up so quickly. Her love for Dad is so evident and so precious. Tonight Dad burst into a little verse from some romantic song and Mum's face lit up. He would have continued only he couldn't remember the rest of the words.

Dad and Mum love others so much and so they have had numerous (that is an understatement!) phone calls each day to see how they are. You mean so much to so many Dad!

We are the next generation - so touched by your Godly example, Dad. I have so much to thank you for in the way you trained your sons. And Lord, that we too may train our children to pass on a foundation of Godliness for the generations after them.

We love you Dad.

Moments to record

Owen
When I tucked Owen into bed tonight and asked if he wanted a kiss he said "no.... cake." He was requesting the little nursery rhym "Pat-a-cake." I couldn't resist catching the moment on video. Enjoy.




Joshua
Yesterday Joshua was learning about recounts. We read through John 10 in our morning Bible reading and so this passage is the subject of the recount. This was quite a crammed lesson - and the first time on video - so it was quite a challenge! We know you were nervous, Joshua... you did a good job though and managed to keep going - so proud of you, our boy! Great job explaining with duplo, too!

Well done Bubble Gum!
(This video snippet is a bit longer - not sure, maybe 5 min?)

Crafty things

Here are a few craft projects (photos on request of my lil' sister) I have been working on over the last few months. Please feel free to skip over the details if it really isn't your thing.

I particularly enjoyed working on craft projects in the evening while David was away.

A handbag for a birthday girl:

A picture for the bedroom wall (I actually just printed out a black and white picture then coloured it lightly with pencil shavings, added a few shiny sticker jewels (can't see in photo) and had a framing shop make the matting. The black curly bit was just a rub - 0n transfer.) The frame previously had a rather hideous oil painting in it. I also made a couple of toille cushions for our bedroom (our doona cover and cushions finally gave in after 10 years of wear and tear...so bedroom needed some attention)

A couple of 'revamped' grubby t-shirts for Owen. I decided to use some bleach and alphabet stickers to add some words to a t-shirt. The bus shirt I made by cutting a stencil from contact paper (if you know Owen - he just loves song "Wheels on the Bus").

Some outdoor muck around slippers for Rosa... and so far they seem to stay on her very fast little feet! Ok...they are a bit 60's -ish but they actually work!