Duck Dynasty at Lipscombs Evening of Excellence

Well.  Hey there.  It's been a while.  We've been busy.  So busy.  Getting into our new norm with new school, new commute, new house, new routines.  Change is hard for me, so it's taking me some time to get in the groove.  But, I think I'm on the right track.  Oh.  And Barn Sale.  Every free moment has been in prep for that.  Update on that later too.  Well worth the work.  For sure!   

We had a fun weekend!  I'll play catch up later.  For now, lets talk about Duck Dynasty shall we?! We were so graciously gifted TWO Dinner Tickets, TWO reserved seats and a Parking Pass to Lipscomb's Evening of Excellence, with guests speakers, none other than Phil, Kay & Si Robertson! Not to mention Don Meyer, who won the Jimmy V award at the Espy's a few years ago.  If you ever get a chance to hear Don Meyer speak...GO!  He's an amazing speaker!   

Back to Duck Dynasty.  Hold the phone!  I know!  GIFTED!  I about fell out too!  Three events SOLD OUT.  This was a much anticipated event! 

My mom works at Purity Dairies, has for years.  Mr. Ezell was given 20 tickets to Saturday night's shin-dig and she put a little birdie in his ear that if he had any extra, Lance and I would LOVE to go.  And God bless that man, don't you know he came through.  Kindest soul ever.

A little history.  Mom grew up at Purity.  I grew up there with her.  She's worked there since she was 20 or so.  I used to go to work with her on Saturdays and I'd clean out my room the night before and I'd have a 'yard sale' in the office and all the nice folks would buy my junk.  So, most of these folks are like family.  To her for sure, but to me as well. 

So anyways, her asking Mr. Ezel wasn't out of line- she was just letting him know if he'd had extra who might want them.  In her words, they're like GOLD!

After 3 days at the Barn Sale and a babysitter for Easton (thanks Aunt Kathy!), we were off to the show!

To say I was excited would be an understatement.  Lance was keeping his cool pretty well, but I think we were both pretty jazzed for this opportunity.

We had a wonderful dinner, with wonderful dinner guests at our table.  I felt honored to sit by Mr. and Mrs. Ezell along with other members of their family.  We ate dinner and had a brief Q&A with Phil, Mrs. Kay & Si. 

I think my favorite question of that event was to Mrs. Kay.  Someone asked what she thought was the most beneficial thing she'd done for her kids was?  They let Alan answer the question first.  Alan is the OLDEST Robertson brother, who will be on the show next season.  He's a preacher.  And has no beard.  He says he's the rebel of the family.  Alan's answer was that she was the tender one.  She was there to offer compassion and comfort to them at any moment.  Then Mrs. Kay answered.  She said the first thing was to be consistent, and the second was that she loved and respected their father even when he was unlovable.  What an impact that one statement had on me.  It's obvious that she's the heart of the family but that radiates out to all of her family members, starting with her husband. 
Phil wasn't always the Phil Robertson we see on TV.  He had a rough start in their marriage but the Lord changed his heart. 

I read an article in our local newspaper about the Robertsons and thought this last portion was worth quoting: "Christianity doesn’t become the spectacle of the show, it simply becomes an element of authenticity. And that would certainly appeal to anyone who is a Christian."

What an example.  Christianity without spectacle.  I like that.  A lot. 

After dinner, we heard Don Meyer speak.  I'll say it again.  Incredible speaker.  Read his story sometime.  Pretty fabulous.  Then another Q&A with Phil, Mrs. Kay & Si along with a visit from the Tennessee Game Warden, who presented Phil with a plaque and even some Tennessee Titans came on for some duck calling practice.  The night ended with Phil preaching.  And, no.  He didn't offend me.  It was straight out of the Bible.  Truth is Truth.  He had some pretty powerful things to say.  And he's right.  On all of them.    And yes.  I took notes.  On the whole event.  They're in my purse.  And I'm too tired to get up.  But these are the high points.  The stuff that stuck. 

 

An incredible night.  I love the Robertsons even more now than I did.  They are real.  They are genuine.  They love the Lord.  They are good people.  They live in the country.  What's not to love??I'm so thankful that we were given those tickets.  Kudos, high fives and toe touches to Mr. & Mrs. Ezell for the tickets!  Much appreciated!  MUCH!!!

Do you watch Duck Dynasty?  Do you love them as much as we do?  How was your weekend?  Did you do anything fun?

Duck Dynasty @ Bass Pro!!! {Embrace the Camera}

Last Sunday was no different from the rest.  We went to church then headed to Bass Pro to run off some steam, look at Duck Hunting gear, play on the boats and possibly get a picture with Santa...They have the best Santa and winter set up in town.  The whole right side of the store is set up for the kiddos.  Easton LOVES it.

Anyways, we pulled up and there were cars...everywhere!  I ran in and let the boys go park.  I headed to the Customer Service desk for a return and struck up conversation with the gal behind the counter.

 

'I can't believe the store is this packed!  I thought we'd be ahead of the game for Santa pictures, but this IS the best place for Santa so they've come to the right place!'

 

'Aw, thanks hun, but this ain't for Santa.  This is for Duck Dynasty.  They're here.  400 people been camped out overnight for tickets.  Tickets were gone by 9am!'

 

SAY WHAT????  Duck Dynasty at Bass Pro?  Are you kidding me!?  Well we've just died and gone to Heaven.

 

They were going to be signing their book from 12-2.  Of course, all tickets were sold out, but you can bet your biscuits we'd find away to sneak a peek of Willi and Kori!  We're huge fans!  We've been watching Duck Dyansty since before it was the cool thing to do.  We're ahead of the game like that. 

 

So, we hunkered down.  For an hour.  In the same spot.  With a 2 year old who just wanted to 'go look at the boats'.  Which is outside.

 

So, we sat.  In the Home Decor section of Bass Pro by the door where we knew {Because Lance gets the inside scoop} they'd be coming out of.  And yes...Bass Pro does sell home decor.  Curtains, rugs, shower curtains, switch plates.  All camo.  I suppose this isn't for your tricked out deer stand or duck blind either, some folks really do put this in their homes.  That's where I draw the line.  I'm all for a man in camo, or even my boy, but my home.  Nope.  Off limits.  However, when the day does come, I'll proudly hang a deer head or antlers on the wall...but THAT is really where I draw the line. 

 

Anyways.  40 minutes we waited.  And of course, I didn't have my big camera...someone who parked the truck forgot to bring it in...so grainy cell pictures will have to do. 

 

And the time finally came!  Out comes Willie and Kori!  To say we were excited is an understatment.  Of course, Lance is always calm, cool and collected, but I tend to get a little overly excited.  That's why I'm on camera duty...that way I don't act a fool. 

 

Lance got a high five right out of the gate from Willie.  Super nice guy!  And Kori, she's just as beautiful in person as she in on the show.  We didn't stick around to try to get a formal picture, but we did hear a little of his talk befor we left.  And he's just as real and kind and normal as I'd hoped. I love that they are a family of faith and they are open about it.  They are influecing so many in such a positive way!    

If you don't watch Duck Dynasty, you're missing out!

 

 

 Head on over to Emilys blog for the scoop on Embracing the Camera!
She's got lots of great bloggers linking up!

 

  Happy Thursday!