Jonam
playing soccer
Evan
playing soccer
About Me
- Jean Campbell
- married for 41 years. Have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my Savior. Volunteer at the Lambton Pregnancy Center. Enjoy Photography,painting,card making,scrapbooking.
playing soccer
playing soccer
Neal, Kristina, Jonam & Evan Campbell
Our Family
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We celebrated our 41 anniversary this year.
The Day We Renewed Our Vows
April 2000.
Where do I begin...? We were married 32 years ago on February 23, 1968. It has been a long struggle, but with God's help, we have survived.
I was very young emotionally when we married, not fully understanding what the vows we said really meant, and for many years we lived together, but were emotionally separated . So often our perspective of love is tainted by the worlds view of it, whether we realize it or not.
As life went on I turned my back on God and accepted the lies of Satan, that the things of this world would satisfy the emptiness inside of me.
I had always felt inadequate, unloveable, with no self esteem, and over the years tried to fill the emptiness with relationships and material things. These too were empty.
I also felt a void in the lack of family on my father's side, and in my search, became involved in genealogy, searching for family I knew nothing about - my Grandma Hamilton. Even in this God had a hand. I now have a better understanding of my earthly father, and we have a better relationship, due to questions I asked, and answers I received from Dad. For the first time I understood my father.
Over the last few years God started to speak to me in a still small voice, showing me that the life I was living was not what He had planned for me.
I gradually started seeing everything in a different light, my children, grandchildren, parents, friends, nature, and even Rob. I had a greater appreciation for each, and knew deep down inside I did not want to destroy them.
In March 1999, Rob and I took a trip to Florida, and I really noticed a change in how I saw everything. Rob and I did some serious talking for the first time in our lives.
When we returned, Karen Archer invited me to the Ladies Northern Reflection Weekend in April, and I said sure, why not, expecting to go and have fun with some old friends. What a surprise I got. During the first session on Saturday morning, God spoke to me through a song, that talked of God enfolding us in His arms as a father.
I know my parents love me, care for me, and pray for me, but because of my personality, I needed that love demonstrated in the form of hugs and verbal reassurance. Our family, as many, were not demonstrative, and so I felt empty, misjudging my parents.
As Marion Ford sang the song, God opened my eyes and I realized that He could fill the void I felt in my life. God reached out and broke me, touching my life in a way I never expected.
That evening I called Rob, something that I never did when I was away. He was surprised, and asked me why I was calling. I had not planned on telling him anything about the weekend, but to my surprise I found myself opening up and sharing with him what God had done in my life that morning, how I had asked God to forgive me of the sins I had committed against Him, and Rob. I told Rob that when I got home we were going to talk. He seemed a little hesitant at first, but when I told him that I didn't want to be the negative person I had been, and that it would be a positive talk he agreed. I also said to Rob that I hoped he could forgive me for the way I had treated him, and his reply was already done. That just about blew me away. It was only in God's power and strength that Rob could say those words and mean them.
I thank God that through His strength, Rob was still here waiting for me.
God has put His hand on our relationship, healing hurts through forgiveness, and love. As the song said, He is still the healer of hurting families. Music still speaks to me in a way that messages sometimes don't.
I thank God for the prayers of our parents, family, friends, and Rob.
I am thankful for special friends, Flo & John Coles, and Karen & Rob Archer, who didn't judge, but prayed and were faithful friends.
I am thankful for my friend Terri, who encouraged me, telling me that she knew Rob loved me, and that I was not giving him a chance.
I ask that each of you continue to pray, that God will work in our lives.
Remember nothing is too big for God! He can heal your hurts, and help you forgive those that have hurt you. Relationships can be rebuilt. When I asked Rob to forgive me, his reply was already done.
Vow:
Rob:
I am so thankful for your faith in God, and your commitment to Him and your family.
With God as our guide, I promise to walk with you throughout the rest of our lives, no matter what life brings our way. Rob, I am committed to honor, love and serve you.
Thank you for being faithful, and loving me.
I love you Rob.
Jean Campbell
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