Happy Thanksgiving

Hello Friends -

Although I was not in the states, I was still able to enjoy one of my favorite holidays! THANKSGIVING. We ate turkey, mashed potatoes…the whole deal. We sat around for hours talking, laughing and lo and behold, we were able to watch the Bronco game…for which Mike was thrilled.

As we sat around and shared what we were most thankful for this year, my answer was technology. Strange, I know. But during a year when Mike and I are so far from home, it is amazing to be able to stay in touch with friends and family! I love it. I love your emails, calls, pictures and notes that allow me to have a piece of you with me wherever we go!

Mike and I have been loving our adventures in Oxford. We feel blessed beyond belief at the people we have met and the things we have been able to do. Mike is about to really hit a busy season with finals coming up, but then we will be taking a much needed break to the slopes of Davos, Switzerland. We can’t wait to hit the slopes! You can keep up to date on all we are doing through www.mcfaddenplace.com.

Hugs to you all this holiday. Hope it was wonderful for you. And please see below the latest reason the McFadden/Campbell family is thankful. Uncle George has been taken out of the ICU. Although there is a long road left, we have taken a step in the right direction.

Love, Kelly Mc

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Subject: George Porter Update
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy Thanksgiving! We certainly have much to be thankful for — namely, that George has shown marked improvement over the past two weeks to the point that he has left the ICU for an intermediate care room. He is now on track to be moved out of the hospital and to a physical rehab facility in North County. He is very aware of his situation and maintains his trademark positive attitude and a desire to get well.

We also give thanks to all of you — for your support, kind words, thoughts and prayers for our family — it has meant more to us than you could ever know. Be assured that your many phone calls, e-mails and letters have been appreciated, even if we have not been able respond to each one of you personally. Please continue to pray that the antibiotics and his immune system destroy this infection and allow him to heal. With his continually positive attitude and all the love and prayers from you, we believe all things are possible.

The origin of Thanksgiving is giving thanks for abundant blessings in our lives — and even in the midst of trial, we have so much to be thankful for
– our family has never been closer, our friends have never seemed more valuable, and our love has never been so strong.
We give thanks to God for these blessings, and look forward to seeing the rainbow on the other side of the storm.
Love,
Jan, Greg and Jenny

p.s. eat double the turkey this year for George — he likes the dark meat with lots of gravy.

p.p.s. laughter still remains to be the best medicine (50 times more powerful than morphine!) — so if anyone has a good joke for George, send it our way and we’ll read it to him — he would love it!

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Life’s Road Map…


As some of you know I write devotionals for HomeWord.com. This one felt as if it fit in with this page, so I thought I would post it here…

Life’s Road Map

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.” — Psalm 119:18-19

With bus routes, maps, directions in hand, we were ready to go to England. We stepped off the plane in Heathrow and joined the crowd moving towards customs. The signs then sent us to platform B to rent our car. It was easy. Everything was exactly where the signs pointed, bags arrived and we were off. We were out of the airport within 30 minutes of landing.
We hopped into our rental car and were on our way. Since we were in England, a sign on the dashboard pointed to the left reminding us what side of the road to drive on. We followed the red highway line straight from London to Oxford. From there, we sought out the well-marked signs and route markers to navigate through the city, arriving at our final destination. We made it easily.

I can’t imagine what our travels would have been like if my husband and I had ignored the map or street signs. It probably would have taken us twice as long to arrive, or perhaps we would have given up looking and stayed where we were. It surprises me that there are times I don’t ask for directions or carry a map when I am traveling. There is wisdom found from following a route guide and knowing which way to turn. If I can have this understanding with something as simple as traveling to a new city, why do I often ignore the road map for my life? Sometimes I forget I am a stranger in this world. As Christians, our home is the Kingdom of God.

God gives us a wonderful gift of the Bible to act as a road map through our journey of life. The Bible points out the best route to take during our life travels, helping us avoid bumps, bruises, and obstacles along the way. The first step to using this map is to admit you need one. Like the psalmist realized, we are strangers in this land. Without our map, the Bible, we are destined to wander aimlessly and possibly miss the great destination the Lord has for us. If we use the Bible as our guide, we will be headed in the right direction with assurance of where we are going and a life God wants for us. A life filled with the fruit of the Spirit and with fulfillment. A life that leads you to experience all God has offered.

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Campbell On 10th Anniversary Team

Kelly would kill me if she knew I posted this (I figure it will take her at least a few weeks to notice). That being said she was nominated to the Big XII Volleyball 10th Anniversary Team.

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Nov. 8, 2005

Big 12 Announces Volleyball 10th Anniversary Team

DALLAS, Texas — Former Colorado setter Kelly Campbell has been named to the Big 12 Volleyball 10th Anniversary Team, the league announced today. The team was selected by a combined media panel and an on-line fan poll. To be eligible for the team, a candidate had to be an All-Big 12 First Team selection.

Campbell, a native of Corona Del Mar, Calif., was a member of the All-Big 12 First Team all four years (1996-99) she played at Colorado. She was also a four-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 Team. Campbell is the Buffaloes’ career assists leader with 6,228 and owns four of the top six positions for single-season assists.

Campbell was an All-American on and off the court. She was a Volleyball Magazine selection three years (1996, 1998, 99) and was a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1999. She was named the Big 12 Player of the Week on four occasions and was named the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week on Nov. 8, 1999.

Player School Position Years of All-Big 12 First Team Selection

Kelly Campbell Colorado S 1996, `97, `98, `99
Greichaly Cepero Nebraska S 1999, 2000, `01, `02
Amber Holmquist Nebraska MB 2000, `01, `02
Nancy Metcalf Nebraska RS 1998, `99, `01
Demetria Sance Texas OH 1996, `97, `98
Mira Topic Texas OH 2001, `02, `03, `04
Stacy Sykora Texas A&M OH 1997, `98

http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=211810

http://www.big12sports.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/110805aaa.html

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Kelly In California

Wanted to let you know…although I am sure you already do - that I made it on the direct flight (LHR - LAX). Yae! I was the last one let on, but I was on and in business class no less. I only had one scare when I was asked to change seats. Thought they were going to move me back to economy. I was ready to fight for my full reclining chair and my Mimosa. However, I was just moved a few rows forward in business class to switch with a man who’s audio/video was broken. No TV for me, but who needed it?! Plus they sent me home with a bottle of wine for the inconvenience.

I think my seat was more comfortable than my bed in Oxford! Plus with the delicious food, wine, snacks, United socks & vanity kit, my book and reading lamp, I was set for the journey. I wanted to take a picture so I would never forget, but alas Mike has taken so many rainy golf pictures our digital camera is on the blink. But the experience is now etched in my memory. I know one day I will have to go back to economy, but I will never forget the greatest flight of my life.

Kelly Mc

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