Back in the Land of Southern Hospitality

Friday, Cole and I traded our view of the Hollywood mountains and the insane rush of traffic with Prius' and Porche's for the laid back, no-rush-to-get-anywhere hassle free commute filled with trucks and camo.  Yep, we're back in Arkansas.

My mom picked us up at the airport so we could use her car while we are in town (and so she could be the first to see us!).  She lives 30 minutes south of Little Rock in the hopping town of Redfield, population 1,400.  They don't have a stop light but they are famous for the Big Orange restaurant.  After we left her house, it was so funny listening to Cole compare Little Rock to LA.  Things such as, "Man, they sure do drive slow here."  "I haven't seen a Porche since we landed."  "I can't believe there is no traffic."  "Why is this person driving so slow?"  Haha, welcome back to the South where the pace is slow, the tea is sweet and they don't look at you weird if you ask for cheese dip (we have yet to find a Mexican restaurant in LA that serves cheese dip.)

It is so nice to be home in my own house, in my own bed, with my own animals and snuggled in front of the fire.  Yowzers, I forgot how cold 24 degrees is....IT'S COLD!  But, I promised Spencer I would not complain and I wasn't; that was merely an observation.

My morning started early when I woke to the sound of gun fire.  I know what you're thinking and no, I honestly have never heard actual gun fire while living in LA.  But when I hear it at 7:30 a.m. and it is very close to my bedroom window, I am reminded that it is hunting season in Arkansas and my neighbor is probably standing on his back deck in his boxers shooting into the woods.  Argh, won't the objects being shot at be there around 10:00 a.m.?!?!

My entire family braved the cold weather and joined us on the mountain for lunch and much needed family time.  Oh my, how I have missed all of them.  We had tons of food and so much fun.

The kids kept themselves entertained after they finished eating.

After lunch, the kids wrote notes and packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  I love that I can involve lunch, a craft and a worthy project all into one afternoon!

It's only 6:30 and I am already in my pj's and ready to head to bed.  Guess I will try to stay up a little longer. :)

"The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still."

~Exodus 14:14

Looking for Answers

I have so many friends that are experiencing the same thing I am feeling, although some of their situations are more critical and dire than mine.  We are all looking for answers.  Answers to questions that elude us every day, that are beyond our comprehension or just an answer to simply a question of "Why?". 

My quest for answers has kept me so unsettled for the past two months.  Why do I do that to myself?  Faith and prayer, prayer and faith...with those two options in my corner, there should be nothing that keeps me awake at night.  "Should be" is the key word.

My need of constantly wanting to know what is going to happen and what God has planned for us at every second of every day is driving me crazy.  I really did think that I had relinquished that "habit" when we received Spencer's diagnosis 14 years ago.  I mean, you can't control ANYTHING about a brain stem tumor and all that comes along with it and there are never any guarantees.  

I realized this morning that God has been using my situation over these past two months to gently change my way of thinking.  To trust completely.  To be in His word.  To have faith that He has only great things planned.  To know that He is constantly working in the back ground, even when I don't see it.  To realize that everything happens for a reason, even when I don't understand it.

I love this passage from my devotional "Worship the King":

"One of the greatest ways to honor God - to demonstrate your trust in who He is and how He works - is to relinquish your dreams to Him.  Instead of asking Him to fulfill you according to your hopes and dreams, ask Him to fulfill you according to His hopes and dreams.  It's a pretty sure bet that His plan for your life exceeds yours, and in the end it will be more satisfying than you ever dreamed.  Trust Him with your heart.  He knows exactly what it needs."

Are you struggling today?  I am praying for our hearts to trust in the one and only true God that knows our hearts better than we do.

"Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."
~Psalm 86:4

Fun in Different States

Even though the Ewing family is split between different states, we all find fun things to do to keep us busy and this past weekend was no exception.

My brother (Uncle Dwayne) and Spencer attended the Hogs game on Saturday and had so much fun.  I love that even though Dwayne has such a busy life with work and his own kiddos, he still finds time to hang out with his nephews.

What cuties.

On Friday, Cole and I went downtown LA to the Pedersen Automobile Museum.  Both of us love cars and we were not disappointed with their incredible exhibits.

Out of all the cars we saw, this 2013 BMW prototype was Cole's favorite.

I couldn't decide on just one favorite but I LOVED this 1956 Cosmic Concept car.

Oh yeah, I need this.

Friday night, even though Spencer wasn't here, I attended Village Christian's last football game.  Before the game, I got to hang out with Kym Blazer and her amazing family and all her adorable animals.  Kym has all the animals I can only dream about; 3 cats, 2 chinchillas, 2 rabbits, 2 dogs, some goats and some sheep.  I was in HEAVEN!

Meet Samurai the chinchilla and Oliver the 13-year-old cat who lets the Samurai climb all over him without batting an eye.

Brad, I definitely NEED this sweetie!!!!

Saturday night, I was invited to a swanky dinner as a guest of Darin and Kari Shea, and even though I stayed out past my 9:00 p.m. bedtime, I had so much fun.  "Night of Magic" is a fundraiser for Burbank High show choirs and they are amazing.  I loved listening to great music, eating good food and visiting with fabulous friends.

After a late night Saturday night, Sunday morning found Cole and I at church at 8:00 a.m. so he could practice for praise band before church.   I love to watch my boys serve the Lord with their many gifts.

Today is a big day for Mr. Cole and even though I cannot divulge any details, we would definitely appreciate your prayers.  It is always nerve wracking/exciting to see what God has in store for us each day.

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.  Death can't and life can't.  Our fears for today, and worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away."

~Romans 8:38  

Remembering a Great Man

We all have someone in our life who has made a tremendous difference to us.  I have been blessed to have more than one; what can I say except my family is full of overachievers!

I don't know enough adjectives to describe the awesomeness of Grandaddy.  He and Grandma were married for 60+ years before he passed away in 2005 but not a day goes by that I don't think about both of them and the legacy they created in our family through their unconditional love and sacrifice.

When I couldn't talk with my mom about something, I went straight to my grandparents for a listening ear, for wisdom, for advice, for understanding; they were always there.  They taught us that in order to make a difference in someones life, you don't have to be a celebrity or a face known to millions worldwide.  All you need to do is show God's love through prayer and our service to others as we share our God-given gifts.  When I was young, it always sounded so simple; in fact, too simple to make a difference.  I thought you needed to buy something in order to make an impression.  But the older I get the more I realize that Grandaddy was right.  Most people want and need a listening ear, a warm hand to shake, a shoulder to cry on, a person to laugh with and a person to call friend.  You don't need money to give those things away.

As we head into the holidays, share your gifts with someone and make a difference.  You never know the impact and the lives that will be changed.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever."

~Psalm 118:1