What a Difference a Week Makes..

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:43

Exactly a week ago, 
our small area of 
Arkansas was having 
a normal day.  
I had finished my 
50k the day before, 
and actually went to 
Pottery Barn to get 
new bedding to take with 
us to Australia.  
Shopping feels silly 
now looking back.  
I was stressed because 
the house fell through, 
I needed to get ready 
for garage sale, 
missing Josh, 
worried about 
selling jeep and furniture, 
basically just thought 
I had a lot on my plate.  
Then the storm came...  

I quickly realized 
what I had on my 
plates were all 
BLESSINGS.  
At least I had 
all those things 
to worry about.  
God really grabbed 
my attention and put 
life back in to prospective. 
I feel with this move, 
I am having to be reminded a lot. 
We hear all about the bad 
things in this world, 
and really I started 
this blog to share 
about our adventures 
abroad, but we 
are all living an adventure 
every day of our life, 
why not start in Arkansas?

They say a picture is 
worth a thousand words, 
well these pictures 
do not do it justice.  
Wow! That is all I can say.  
That was a powerful storm, 
but out of the bad storm 
the amount of good has 
just been amazing.  If you 
want to see first hand how 
our 
God is alive 
and well today.  
Go to 
Vilonia or Mayflower.  

You truly will see 
thousands and thousands 
of people honestly 
being His hands and feet.
It is amazing the town just 
has tons of people buzzing 
around offering help, 
food, water, a smile.  
Yesterday every hour 
someone drove by us 
offering a drink or 
food.  At one point 
yesterday we had 
a man offer two bull 
dozers and tons of 
other heavy equipment.  
I have never in my life 
been so happy to see 
a bull dozer or a dump 
truck pull over a hill.  
The generosity of people 
is just a fresh of breath air.  
Everywhere you turned 
there was someone ready 
to lend their hand.  
It truly was amazing.  

  The reason I put the 
verse on top, is the 
main two communities 
hit have their high school 
mascot in common.  This verse 
is also written 
in chalk on one 
of the remaining 
houses in downtown Vilonia.  
They both are the Eagles.  
I do believe they will soar again.  
They truly are communities with 
God alive 
living in them.  

So while reflecting 
on all the devastation 
and amazing things 
I have seen this week.  
I am constantly reminded.  
Remember the small stuff.  
That smile to a stranger, 
may be what they needed.  
That good job or thank you 
that you meant to say, 
might have been your 
last chance to say  it.  
The hand you reach out 
to a complete stranger 
may be the only way 
they see God that day. 
Our God is strong 
and the smallest 
encounter with everyone 
was in his plan.   

Oh, and I almost forgot, 
while reminding my 
self yet again, 
to rely on His plan.  
Our house is under 
contract again.  
These people have cash, 
and are willing to let 
me stay until I move.  
Wow! Couldn't have 
planned it better myself.  
GOD IS GOOD, 
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

-EAT