Nothing Ordinary About An Ordination!

(sorry about the scratchy pictures in this post, i didn't want to use the flash!)

 

This past Sunday brought a very special time for our family and church family at Sovereign Grace Church of Fredericksburg: Adam was ordained as a pastor! The whole Campbell crew turned out for the day, and we had a blast.

 

This event marks the end of my man's "evaluation period" following the Pastors College, and confirms his calling to ministry. As "Wifey," I've witnessed God's work in his life, and seen the effectiveness of his ministry, so it very encouraging to hear others commending Adam and adding their witness to his godly character and recalling how he's been a blessing to The Church. Then Mickey Connolly gave a message directed at Adam about "watching his life and ministry," and finally came "The Charge," which is the coolest part. A list of (essentially) the 'Duties of Caring for the Bride of Christ' is read, and the new pastor is asked, "Do you pledge to...." and he answers, "I do" to each task. To bring it all to a close, the whole church prayed for our new shepherd. I didn't get a picture of that, because, well, I was praying, but it's a very cool picture. Below is a shot from that same moment during Ken's ordination two years ago. (photo by K. Sherbondy)

 

 

 Obviously, I'm bias, because I think he's super cute, but I really can unhesitatingly say this man is the right man for this job. Adam gives himself to Sovereign Grace Church with his whole heart. He does not take the work lightly or give anything less than his all. Daily, he's up early praying, reading, and thinking about what God's called him to, and he truly likes taking on the tasks given to him. Seriously, y'all, Adam was made for this stuff. Few things make him light up like talking about theology, hermeneutics, and a biblical worldview. (I try to keep up, but quite frankly, it's super boring.) Such a seminary nerd.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.

My man really is gifted for what he does. He loves preaching, and has a brotherly, teacher-like style that makes you feel like he's just digging into God's Word right there next to you. When you talk with Adam, it doesn't take long to see God has given Him unusual wisdom and discernment. He's also very steady, with deep roots in biblical conviction, that keep him from being swayed by emotion, trials, or sudden change. He's dependable, disciplined, and a man of contagious faith. 

Philippians 1:27a  Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The best part of all this is that, I've been not just a witness to these gifts in Adam, I've been the primary recipient of their blessing. And because of that, the highest commendation I can give him is to say that he first displays and acts in these things in our home. He prays for his family, thinks about how to care for us better, serves without being asked (I seriously haven't done more than 5 loads of dishes in the last 4 months), he's involved with teaching the kids in school, and helps me (mostly by example) to be wise and act in faith and conviction.

 

Job 4:4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.

I'm so proud of you, Adam Cana. It's a privilege to serve beside you and encourage your work. May God bless your labors for His Church. Love you deeply.



Isaiah 3:10

Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them,
for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.

Happy "Gotcha Day" to our Dre!

On August 23, one year ago, there were two earth-shaking events; a magnitude 5.8 earthquake shoot the east coast... and DeAndre Braddock became our son.

 

 

 

As expected, our little "quake baby" was a bit nervous with his new home and family...

...but it wasn't long before he warmed up to his new life.

 

And now we can't imagine life without him!

Love you forever, little man!

Ballet for my Baby Girl

 

Daddy's Twilight 5k

Eva Quote: Sunny

e: "Wow! We are havin' some ca-razy weather, aren't we, Mama?"

M: "Uh, it's sunny..."

e (fake deep chuckle): "Yes, with a few clouds. ... Do you think God uses the sun for His flashlight?"

Dre's First Birthday Continued!

That's right folks, your boy Dre here is one whole year old, and that means ....It's PARTY TIME! 

Ma made this green-lookin' thing called a "cake" and, get this...they lit it on fire, sang about it, and then presented it to me like I was supposed to be impressed or something. Everybody was all excited and watching, Sissy was cooing "Eeeeeat it, Dre," and I woulda hated to disappoint them, so like the southern gentleman that I am, I says, "Okay, I guess I'll try it."

"I'll just have a little bite..."

Yeah, my nose got filled with awesome.

Good job, parents, you guys can present cakes to me as often as you like from now on. And, sure you can light 'em on fire if that makes ya happy, but the singing I can live without.

I hear when Sissy got her birthday cupcake, she took an initially more delicate approach. Girls.

Now onto what I'm up to these days... which, of course, is nothing short of coolness.

12 Month Stats:

Height: 31.5 in. (70%)

Weight: 26.5lbs. (55%)

While doing The Worm was pretty rockin', it kinda slowed me down, so this month I've decided crawling is an option after all....okay, it's pretty sweet. Seriously, I can get from A to B in seconds flat! No surprise, I know. Oh yeah, and I am also the Stair Master.

I'm still working on my vocab - got a bunch more new words under my belt now, favorite being "PATCH!" Also acquired: "Cheese" "UmBA" (Eva) "Yesh"(Yes) "Ni-Ni" (Night) "Yay!" "Dutch" (No Touch) and "Boop" and "Butch!" (Book).

We've had a lotta different people here lately, Uncle Joe, Alan, Tay, Mimi and Grandpa, Yum-yum and Bumpa, those sweet Martino chicks, Patch....

and they were pretty cool, but I still mostest prefer Daddy. He's da man. 

Speaking of family, my auntie Eli is getting married next month, and I'm sure she's going to need me to help usher at the wedding, so I've been practicing my balancing. Today I showed Ma what I'm made of by standing straight up, no hands - she flipped. Just for fun, I did it again. Y'all shoulda seen the googoo-cooing and cheering! I got down pretty quickly though because, quite frankly, she was embarrassing herself. Look for me to be stridin' with my swagger on though in a month! I think I've almost got this walking thing about down.

Also to look forward to, if you're planning on seeing me soon, is my unmistakable sense of humor. You guys have already seen it in action, but, if you can imagine, there's more. My latest joke, when nobody is paying me any attention, is clapping then smacking myself in the eye. Hi-larious. Kinda hurts, but mostly funny. It gets Sissy, so that's all I really care about. "No, Dre! Ouch!" (Giggle) Yes, Sissy, ouch, but your laugh is worth it.

Oh big news! Ma finally got my memo about switchin' to whole milk! I may finally make my peewee football weight now - no more of that baby food and formula. (See me applauding the last jar of mush below) Now if I could just get her to feed me the breakfast of champions... 

Yup, I'm a big boy now. I dig high fives, ribs 'n steak fries, wrestling (watch out for my Russian Sickle), singing, growling, jumping, slamming doors, screaming at athletes on the TV, pointing at everything, and slurpin' juice boxes. Oh man is that stuff the nectar! World, you have been holding out on the Dre. 

Biggest news this month is.... NO MORE HELMET! Yup, Ma and Pa have decided my melon is the shape that it should be, and since that thing was getting a bit snug anyway, I'm done! This is good news as far as healthy physical development, sure, but also for mental development because Sissy won't be able to call me Skunkhead anymore. Now I can get to workin' on my Afro...