McEwen Farming and Family Stuff

Very much enjoyed Arnie and Lou Ann’s company. Lots of talk as we established where each fitted into the family geneology. It was interesting to hear Arnie explain to Stephen, his son how the relationship worked. He showed a photo of his parents and then photo of his father’s parents and said that his grandmother was Evelyn May McEwen, daughter of Tom McEwen who came from Granite, Aust in 1903. Tom was brother to William P McEwen, Ian’s grandfather!!!!!

He also told us that he remembered his grandmother talking of the sheep her father had at Granite and the steamship they travelled in and the train trip from San Francisco to Zion near Chicago . It is an amazing story. We shared details of Dr John Alexander Dowie, leader of the movement to establish a city in Zion that had a Christian foundation.

We found the valley so pleasant – green. The farmers were watering the lucerne and cutting hay and baling. Much of it is for export to Japan. A drive to the local reservoir was done in the morning as the day was very hot.

In the evening we had a visit from Stephen and Krista Studebaker (son) and littlies, Tucker and Hudson. We gave the boys a soft toy each – kookaburra and a koala. The computer was in the lounge so Arnie brought up kookaburras on the internet and the children heard the `laugh’ and then the koalas. We found the Utube video of the koala caught in the fires and the fireman giving him a drink of water from is drink bottle!!!! –always cute to watch.

We received a warm welcome at church today. Arnie is a much loved pastor. He brought a great word today, also shared his reunion back to Zion where he grew up for his high school 50^th Year reunion- ( since graduation).  Arnie and Lou Ann only arrived back last Thursday and we arrived Friday afternoon – 600 miles they travelled to be home for us.

As we sit in a different church , we think of millions of believers worshipping and praising he Lord around the world – mostly small groups who have a love for the Lord and the Word – it is such a privilege to share in fellowship.

Tomorrow we are off to Yellowstone National Park – great anticipation!