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Memorial Day

We enjoyed a day together as a family! It started with a trip to the pool with our good friends, the Bundricks. A nap followed, and then a trip to Greenville to have dinner at Chipotle and shop at Trader Joe's. Woodruff Road was so quiet ... I think everyone was on the lake. Perhaps it will be our new tradition to hit Woodruff Road on Memorial Day!

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Lots to catch up on, but just one thought for now. This morning Daniel woke up at 4:00 a.m. This used to be the way it was when he was first born, but he has mastered sleeping through the night. I must confess I was a bit irritated. However, during the sleeplesness that occured from 4:00 a.m. until about 5:30 a.m. God brought things to mind to pray for. One of those was in relation to a friend of a friend who had been missing since Tuesday. I found out today that he was found, safely around 4:00 a.m. this morning. May I learn to see the "interruptions" in life as part of God's plan. He is working in bigger ways that I can imagine!

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It's Monday morning. I really should be getting ready for work. I still have time to get ready and be on time, and well, it's Monday. On Mondays it takes a few extra minutes to get moving!

Last night we sang several songs that I just love. The choir sang God Chose Us. One of my favorite lines is "Before the law had made it's first demand ... God chose us." In my reading through the Old Testament, the Law has become such a beautiful thing to me. When you cross reference to the New Testament and see that the purpose of the Law was to show that we could not keep the Law, it shows so clearly the grace, and mercy of Christ. That He, who knew no sin, became sin for us ... took my sin upon Himself. "What a love, what a cost we stand forgiven at the cross."  What a great thought for this Monday morning!

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A very sad moment when Matt drove away in that big yellow truck. Tears. Not tears of joy, in case you were wondering :). A new chapter begins for the "Clan." Exciting days ahead!

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Rach and Matt's truck is packed and ready to go. The day has come that we knew was coming...sad as it is, we are thankful too for how God is using them in the camp ministry. We will miss them tremendously, but with technology the way it is, they really are not as far away as it might seem. We have skype all ready to go.

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Tonight we celebrated our anniversary. Since life continues to happen on the actual dates of certain events like anniversaries, birthdays, etc. we just celebrate when/if it fits into our schedule. And tonight it did! We ate at Ruth's Chris in Greenville. What a treat. Lobster bisque, filet, creamed spinach and bread pudding. I remember as a child that Grandma and Grandpa Campbell would take us to Ryans, and I would eat so much I almost felt sick. I sort of had that feeling again tonight. It was just so delicious that I couldn't stop eating. They sent home a piece of chocolate mousse cheesecake for us since it was our anniversary. We were seated in a semi-private room, which was a nice "extra." The best part was spending a few hours just with my best friend reflecting on the last 5 years. What a wonderful adventure!!!

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5 years ago today I married the most wonderful man, and I am so so grateful. If you know about our dating history, there is every reason in the world Dan should have just given up and said "forget this." But he didn't.  God was so kind to direct our hearts to each other, and never have I doubted that this is His perfect plan for us. It's so neat to look back over these years and see how God has continued to lead us. His plans are so much bigger and better than our very own! I can honestly say that I know my Savior better and love Him more because of the work of grace He has done in our lives as a couple, and how that grace has been displayed through my husband's life. Marriage is amazing! God's plan is perfect! We definitely aren't perfect, but He is, and He uses His plan to make us more like Himself. I still have a lot of growing and learning to do. In fact, the more I learn, the more I learn that there is to learn. God is very kind to help me realize that, and to remind me when I forget. And Dan is very patient with me too. So, this journey continues...and I am enjoying it tremendously!

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I am blessed with a wonderful group of piano students! They played so well for the recital this evening!

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A few months ago I shared a few of my favorite things. I should have added my cardiologist to that list. Dr. Raunikar is a wonderful doctor! I am so thankful for the wisdom God has given to doctors, and for a doctor who seeks wisdom from Above! Our times with him are always encouraging. There is nothing like ending a visit in prayer together, seeking God's wisdom. I treasure those times. I do wonder why I allow myself to get all worked up about going to those appointments. It's been that way for 28 years. I am trying...I promise! My blood pressure is back to normal :). Today I had a routine check-up. All is well, in case you were wondering.

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Last night Dan and Daniel went shopping to get a present for me for Mother's Day. Dan recounted the events of their trip. As they walked through Wal-Mart Dan would show Daniel items, and he would respond with a "yes" or "no," and when it was no, it was an emphatic "no." Apparently Daniel disapproved of items such as jewelry, water bottles, and mugs. Before they had gone on their trip Daniel told me he wanted to buy me a truck. I ended up with a very nice red jeep, matchbox size. He also thought a bag of dark Dove chocolates would be appropriate, and a bright yellow t-shirt with the words "world's coolest mom" on it. The final gift in the bag was gum, the "spicy" kind. And then there were flowers...pink ones...Daniel's orders.

I would have loved to have seen this shopping trip! He had so much fun giving me the treasures he had chosen. How blessed I am to be a mother! What a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

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On this weekend last year, Dan graduated from seminary with his M.Div, we celebrated Mother's day, and Dan's ordination service was held.

This year, Matt graduates! We are going to go to Greenville in time for pictures and to celebrate with him and Jon Ledbetter afterwards. It is a bit quieter of a Saturday morning than last year's festivities, but just as special!

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Daily blogging is an ambitious goal, I do realize. One goal that I have failed at. Nonetheless, I will do my best to put a few thoughts down for you....starting with today and moving back. By the way...I think I am off on my days now. Perhaps when I have more brain power, I will go back and check :). Until then, we'll pretend...

124 - 5.6.11
Today is our piano party. Rachael has been teaching in Clemsons, and doing our recitals and activities together has been so much fun. I am going to miss her new ideas and fresh energy when they move this summer. We are going to Glazed, a paint/glass studio in Clemson. Pictures to come!

123 - 5.5.11
The last day of lessons for the semester is always bittersweet. I only teach for 6 hours a week, but the amount of energy teaching takes is amazing! I am so thankful for my own piano teachers, and my school teachers as well who expended a ton of energy on my behalf!

122 - 5.4.11
Did you know that today was Star Wars Day - "May the 4th be with you." One of my piano students shared that info. with me!

123 - 5.3.11
Prayer meeting is becoming one of my favorite times of the week. Tonight we began with salvation testimonies. What an amazing thought that God opens our eyes from darkness to light!

122 - 5.2.11
Spaghetti for supper. It's always a welcome menu item in our household!

121 - 5.1.11
April showers bring May flowers. How quickly the month of April went by. I love the month of May!

120 - 4.30.11
We had a going away party for the Kopps and Wilsons. It was super fun having so many of the young couples over. There were lots of kiddos! God gave us a beautiful day to enjoy outside!

119 - 4.29.11
We met up with the fam in Greenville to go to Huntin' Creek BBQ. It was an adventure. Great good. Especially the hushpuppies!

118 - 4.28.11
:) Hair cut days are always fun.

117 - 4.27.11
Our Tuesday staff meeting got canceled, so we had a quiet evening at home. Sorry Catherine didn't feel well, but we enjoyed some quiet rest!!!