The times they are a changin'

Hey hey hey! I'm back again....after I swore I wouldn't take this much time off from my blog!! I've spent the last 3 weeks out and about...Atlanta, NC (twice), and now about to head to Mississippi for the weekend!

As I was talking to a fellow musician yesterday....it really hit me in our conversation when he said "I'm just doing all I can to keep my head above the water." I also feel like I've had to "strong arm" myself into staying positive....when things (especially in the media) seem to be draining the life out of people.

I know many of us are facing the summer without steady work....but, I'm gonna choose to make the most of it. This no-strings attached time will be used to hone in on those things that I never seem to have time for....the list goes on and on. I was talking to a lady this past week that recently retired from her job...I asked her what she was doing now that she was retired and she replied, "Doing the things I've been waiting to do my entire life." It made me think---I'm sure there are things that I can wait to do, but most of the things on my list need to happen NOW, matter of fact, yesterday if I'm being honest.

As Dylan wrote "the times they are a changin".....so let's make the most of it!

A new blog title paired with coffee and dark chocolate

Just nibbling of a piece of dark chocolate and sipping on some iced vanilla coffee at my desk. What a great combination of flavors. You should try it if you haven't......

Anyway, I was thinking of how annoying it is to be constantly cleaning up my hair out of the floor today. Inside I was just about as antsy as my stomach gets when I'm on stage and can't find my guitar pick....or when my bangs have tickled my nose one too many times and I can't seem to locate a dadgum bobby pin to save me from my perils. And then I remembered......why I created this blog. Maybe I should change the title to: Guitar picks, bobby pins, and hair everywhere. Not quite as catchy, huh?

This past weekend was FANTABULOUS! My friend Tracy and I went out for a "one day getaway" on the outskirts of Columbia, TN....we stayed in an extremely cute renovated smoke house (a 10x15 ft. one room loft). It was just what we needed! I walked outside to enjoy some alone time and I stood on a stump in view of the hills, trees, and a field full of cows (that were jumping around and playing the entire time), and watched the sky fade into a shade of dark orange as the sun went down. And it didn't come to me until Sunday morning as I was listening to the pastor @ Mercy Hill church on 12th Ave speak about Acts 4. Topic: Dealing with pain. It hit me.....In my mind I went back to that stump and sunset scene. When I was standing there watching the sky unfold, with tears in my eyes, I asked God to show me what he wants for my life....what I'd missed that day was that He WAS showing me. Then and there on that stump. The display before me......was exactly what God was showing me.....I am loved.....I am not alone.....and my life was created by the One who made that beautiful sunset. Isn't it beautiful when moments come together to complete the picture...like two strings to tie a bow. Like, well, dark chocolate and coffee.

We will meet again soon.

Change is good....but it hurts!

Change....oh, change. We say we want it, but when it comes....OUCH! Like a kid that gets their first bloody wound kind of ouch. I'm trying not to be sappy and pouty....but this readjustment is really getting to me! It really seems like we all experiencing this "uncomfortableness"...you know, like a pair of jeans that are just a little too tight around the waist. Thankfully, the jeans I am currently wearing fit just right. :)

Here's what I marvel at and am thankful for at this point: Had my circumstances remained the same...I would've remained the same. Nothing would've changed, so in some way I am grateful for all of this pain. And, since all of this has been out of my control, it is evidence that through "taking one on the chin" God is growing and resetting my focus on the real issues.

So, groan with me, if you will. "This too shall pass" they say, and trust me, I want it to pass, but not too fast. I want to come out on the other side....with the wind at my back.

SO BEHIND....

Hey!  I am so behind on keeping up with this blog!!  Eeeekk!!  I've been "readjusting" to life....or rather, just adjusting to the plans that God has for me the past few weeks!  Since I posted last, I picked up a temporary job at High Five Entertainment....in the video production world, so I am getting acquainted with that environment.  And am trying to balance music around my work schedule, which usually makes for late nights.  BUT.....Things are good and I will continue on and persevere.  

I wanted to tell you about a tour that Kelleigh Bannen and I are going on in May:  Ladies & Lyrics (don't you love that title?)  We'll be kicking it off on May 7th in Knoxville, TN and continuing on thru NC until May 13th.  Cities include:  Knoxville, TN, Greensboro, NC, Raleigh, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, and Greenville, NC.  Specifics on the venues/times are on my Myspace page.....www.myspace.com/jessicaleecampbell.  PLEASE COME!!  

I promise to write more soon!  I'm still reading in Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver.....ladies, this will change your life!!  Oh Wow!  I'll post a few quotes in the next day or two!  This is my 3rd time reading the book....and it never ceases to move me!  

LOVE YOU GUYS!!  :)  

Tomorrow night....the 90th Show!!!

I'm excited to be a part of the final show of Kelleigh Bannen's "90 in 90" Tour on April 1st!  Kelleigh has been working so hard and will cross the finish line at the Exit In---show starts at 8pm!  

She has been traveling the country raising awareness about the importance of the first 90 days of the recovery process.  The tour is a tribute to her brother Grant, who passed away from an overdose last March.  

All of the proceeds from Kelleigh's Tour go to addiction recovery.

Come out if you can!! 

www.90in90.com

Growing up....

Why is pain so much a part of growing?  I know we all have "growing pains"....but this is different.  I mean growing as in healing from hurt, taking it on the chin and getting back up to face adversity, being let down...again, and having tough-but-needed conversations.  I can't possibly name all of the situations---nor do I want to---but do you ever feel like sometimes things happen at the most unique times in life?  When I think back to the times I've been in the valley---I can now look back and realize how crucial those times were to molding me into the woman I am today....shaping my opinions....building my character.....and on and on.  

As I'm reading what I just wrote---I want you to be sure and know that I don't mean all of this in a negative way.  It's kinda like taking your vitamins....or like nasty tasting medicine as a child....you know it's good for you.  Some people embrace change and others enjoy being settled, but either way, sometimes we are forced into adjusting....and sometimes that is uncomfortable.  

I am thankful that God is continuing to teach me life lessons.....and speak in challenging times of uncertainty.  When I say that I believe God is the Most Creative One....I am usually talking about music or art.....but I also believe that he is just as (or more) artistic in the way that he shapes our lives through the process of pain and healing.  How beautiful was the the last conversation you had with someone who really understood you?  How restoring is a breathtaking sunrise?.....or an orange canvas sky at dusk?  There is color in the broken....and beauty through the pain.  I am sure of it.

Austin....what a BLAST!!!

After walking the streets of Austin....and playing a great showcase for the Red Gorilla Fest....we are exhausted!!  We had a GREAT time in Austin....we actually just pulled back into West Monroe, LA.  I have many stories.....and will punctuate them in a day or so after I can get enough rest to think straight.  Fun stuff.....catch you up soon!  It's back to Nashville tomorrow....