Be Real: The Need for Christian Authenticity with Ebie Adkins

In this moving episode of Stories From A Woman's Heart, host DeAnna Byrd sits down with award-winning actress, producer, and educator Dr. Ebie Adkins. Known for her lead role in the faith-based series Gone on Echo TV, Ebie shares a powerful testimony about the beauty of "being real" in a world that often demands perfection.

From her roots in Eastern Kentucky to her unexpected journey into the film industry, Ebie discusses how God uses our unique backgrounds—including her work as a teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing—to create a niche for ministry. This conversation dives deep into the heart of Christian authenticity, exploring why our greatest impact often comes from our vulnerabilities rather than our successes.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Power of Vulnerability: Why letting down your guard is the key to true connection and ministry.
• Navigating Personal Struggles: Ebie’s journey through early adulthood challenges and how she found complete healing and peace.
• Redemptive Storytelling: The mission behind Echo TV and how media can be used to reach people outside traditional church walls.
• Recognizing "God Winks": A glimpse into a "monumental miracle" on Ebie’s farm that provided undeniable confirmation of her calling.
• Building Your Circle: The importance of finding a small, trusted community of like-minded believers.

Whether you are navigating a season of doubt, seeking your purpose, or simply need a reminder that you aren't alone on this journey, Ebie’s story offers a beautiful perspective on God’s personal and persistent love.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation filled with spiritual insights, encouragement, and the simple, profound truth that Jesus loves you.

Connect with the Show

• Watch Ebie Adkins in the Gone Series: Available on Echo TV.
• Follow Stories From A Woman’s Heart: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring real stories of faith and encouragement.

Transcript

DeAnna 0:03

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Stories from a Woman's Heart. We're so glad that you're joining us today, and we've got a real treat for you. As you probably know, on our podcast, we talk about how God reveals his purpose and presence in our lives. And our guest today lives that out every single day. Ebie Atkins is an award-winning actress, and you might recognize her from Echo TV's Gone series, but she's also a teacher, carries a PhD, and she has such a servant's heart in Eastern Kentucky, where she's from. She's someone who truly sees storytelling as a way to share God's redemption. And I know we would be blessed by the stories Ebie shares with us today. Hello, Miss Ebie. I'm so glad that you decided to come on the podcast. I'm so thankful for you. I would like for everybody to know how we met.

Ebie 0:51

So we met on the set of a short film, a comedy, Sheepshed with Catherine. You were taking some behind-the-scenes pictures. So we just started to chat. And I was like, this lady is real. And that's so huge because that's one of the things God has really been speaking to me about. We have to be real as Christians, as women, we have to be real.

DeAnna 1:13

I think we have to.

Ebie 1:14

Maybe that's one reason that I really clicked with you.

DeAnna 1:17

I know when we first met, I'm like, I feel connection to you. Right. It was just like, okay, my spirit agrees with your spirit. And that's how I'm like, okay, this is somebody like absolutely connected to. I find that in this time in my life, my circle stays very small. I consider you to be in that circle. And then we've stayed in touch from that time. And then here we are.

Ebie 1:38

It f eels like we've known each other for years and years.

DeAnna 1:41

God brought us together, and I call us like soul sisters, you know. So I want you to share your testimony, kinda a little bit about who you are. Give us a little bit of information about yourself.

Ebie 1:51

Yeah. So I am from eastern Kentucky, about an hour east of Lexington. I'm married to a wonderful man who I call my prince, Adam Adkins. And he was the only guy I ever really seriously dated. So there's a whole story behind all of that. But I don't often tell this, being real, he's the only guy I've ever kissed.

DeAnna 2:12

You know what? And that's okay.

Ebie 2:14

It wasn't planned like, oh, I'm not going to kiss until the altar. It was never like that. It was just, I knew God had somebody for me. Right. And I was uh in my later 20s when I got married, and God just sent him for me. We're just soulmates. So that's exciting. He is a huge cheerleader for all that I do and a huge part of who I am now. So we have a tiny toy poodle named Mr. Tumness.

DeAnna 2:38

Sweet.

Ebie 2:39

And to Adam's dismay, we also have a cat now that was found under the hood of his car. And we're not cat people, but now we're cat people. So yeah, the Lord has taught us things about being judgy about people Oh, you're a cat person. I am one, apparently.

DeAnna 3:00

I'm more of a doggy person, I think. But you know, it's okay. I've had a cat before. I am okay with them. We had one for years, but once he went wherever cats go. Right. That was it for me.

Ebie 3:13

Right. Yeah. And I don't know what it is. It's just like in your heart, you feel like you're a cat person or a dog person. And I was always a dog person. And now I'm like, so then how do I have room in my heart for this cat? Right. It's tough.

DeAnna 3:25

It is tough.

Ebie 3:26

So we've worked, we're working through that as a couple. Okay. Um, trying to move forward in our marriage with now the cat. Uh work with kids that have hearing loss. And what's great about that job is I get to see these kids grow up. I keep the same kids. Generally, they keep hearing loss, they don't get better. So we just grow together. And that's and what's been so cool is another thing I do is filmmaking and acting. And I've been able to pull these kids into that. And I'm so excited about that.

DeAnna 3:54

That is awesome because you know, yeah, not only that you're working with them and teaching them, but you're bringing them into something where maybe they can find their niche or their place in something that will just, you know, bring them some excitement or creativity. Again, I'm so glad that you're here. And whatever God lays on your heart to share, I just want you to feel free to share it because there's going to be women out there that are listening and they're wondering, how am I going to get through this or what am I going to do? And when they hear someone that they can relate to, they connect to that. And that's what it's all about. It's just encouragement and sharing testimonies and letting women know and knowing what God can do. Because whatever you've been through, whoever is on here, they're there to help for the women listen to their story and hopefully get a relationship with God. Can you go ahead and share what you would like and what's on your heart?

Ebie 4:38

So speaking of being real, I met Jesus as a child, and I have just never fallen out of love. So I became a Christian when I was 11. I was always brought up in church, and my parents modeled what it was like to be a follower of Christ. And I'm so, so blessed. So blessed because not many people have what I had. Right. I was watching cartoons, I think, and suddenly I felt like if I die right now, I'm gonna go to hell. And it wasn't like we were brought up in a fire and brimstone church, and you know, and my parents were not like, you know, you're going to hell. It was just I knew the Lord was speaking to me. And so as an 11-year-old, you don't have a ton of sins, right? Probably. You're just really starting to become accountable. I always thought a lot about stuff, but the Lord really revealed himself to me, and I knew that I had to make a decision. It didn't matter what my parents did, didn't matter what my friends did, didn't matter about anything else that I went to church. It was about me having to walk with. I remember sitting there and I was watching my cartoons. And so my mom said, Well, at church in the morning, if you feel the Lord, you know, because she wanted it to be something that was my journey alone, because it really is. We're gonna stand before him alone, right? Right. So she could have prayed with me then, but she said, wait and see in the morning. And listen, on Sunday morning, about halfway through the service, I remember walking back and saying, Mommy, I just don't think he's gonna give an altar call today. I don't think he's gonna ask people to go up there. And she's like, Go back and sit down, you know. And so, and so I sit, and of course he does what he always does, and he asks if somebody wants to pray. So I walked my little self up to the altar by myself. Wow. And that was important. And you know, there were no fireworks that went off, and there wasn't any like monumental thing, but I can pinpoint that day as the day that I said I'm gonna commit my life to Jesus. And there's been nothing else, DeAnna, that's been anything like it. No, nothing attractive enough to pull me away from him.

DeAnna 6:45

I was raised in church, I'm a preacher's kid, and I still don't think, even with all that I knew, even at 11, I totally understood. So for that to happen to you and God to use a cartoon, you know, that is huge for you to understand that at the age that you were. So from that point on, how was your teenage years? Tell us a little bit about that.

Ebie 7:07

Since I was a child and understood what sin was as a child, I've learned that it's anything that separates us from Jesus. And sometimes I think we try to make it complicated. And what we've been taught, and this is sin, this is sin. You know, maybe something is a sin for you because it keeps you from God. Whatever convicts you, whatever. Yeah. So we can't be so black and white in it. Right. Um, and I think that's what happened through my teen years and growing up is I was learning how to connect more with Jesus, how to get closer to him. And it came some through just conflicts with peers. I don't fit in. I don't really know if I have any friends. And I think everybody goes through something like that growing up and through puberty in your teen years. But Satan knew that sin, and I'm doing some air quotes, um, wasn't what was going to get my attention. He knew that my weakness was myself. He knew that my desire was really to do what the Lord wanted. And so he used that. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders a lot. I felt like I had to talk to everybody and make sure everybody got saved. And that that was on me. And now I know, of course, that you know, I can't do God's job. Right. Like he's kind of got it covered. He's got it covered. He can do it, girl. Right. But that's what Satan can do. He can use something you have a heart for, you know, yeah, and turn it. One of the biggest things in my life that was a turning point for me was when I was in my early 20s, I developed an eating disorder. I just stopped eating. Maybe I was a few pounds too heavy by some standards, but I mean, I was losing weight like crazy and I just wouldn't eat. My life at that time, my my parents' health was declining some. We had a family business. It was really hard to manage, and just a lot of things that were so great in my early childhood and even teen years. I had a car accident when I was 14. It just was a lot of things started to unravel. And I think that eating disorder was a form of control. I could have control of my body. I could not have control of this. So, so textbook and Satan was like, yep, yep. And he pushed into that and that need to be perfect, look perfect, act perfect. You have to do everything perfect. And what is perfection outside of Jesus anyway? Right. Right. But that was his method of torture for me. And of course, it didn't just hurt me, it hurt my whole family, my friends. People would be like, What's going on with you? And I was very much, unlike my normal self, I was very stoic. So I felt like I had to keep a hold on this thing. And that if I just let go at all, something was going to get out of my control again. So I just tried to shut people off almost. And that was the time I really understood more than really any other time in my life, especially young years, how powerful Satan is. But I also learned just how amazingly more powerful that Jesus is, that Jesus is. Yeah. Yes. And that God can take this thing that Satan was going to use for destruction and turn it around. So my parents prayed with me one night. It was before I met Adam. I was dealing with the singleness. I just felt so empty and I wasn't eating and I just the depression, you know, all of that, and still keeping that weight of the world on my shoulders. And they prayed with me one night, not that they had hadn't prayed before, but we prayed together. And I really just said, I'm done carrying this around. I can't do it anymore. And eventually it probably would have killed me. You know, I would have become too malnourished or whatever. Um, heart damage and all the things that happened. But I felt, and I've never had this happen before since, but I felt like a heavy evil presence removed. Oh, yeah. And so I was like, okay. And it wasn't that I snapped my fingers and everything was perfect and give me a cheeseburger, but it was that I started to slowly get healthy to the point that now I can say I am completely healed. I don't have an issue with food, other than I don't like to cook. But I think that's another issue. Sorry, Adam, but I hate to cook. I'd rather be doing something else, you know. But he healed me. And when people say I've been healed of this or that, you know, in the back of our mind, we're like, well, maybe you are, or maybe there's some residual effects or whatever. But I feel so healed and he's helped me manage my weight so that I don't feel like that's an issue. And I mean, God is just so good and powerful, and he will use that thing that Satan was trying to use for destruction. And now I understand people that I would have never understood before. It may not manifest as an eating disorder, but they are feeling completely helpless and hopeless. And that's how quick Satan can just take off with stuff.

DeAnna 12:02

Right. And you know, Satan, if he can't get you one way, he'll get you another. And I know in my own life, if he can't get you through maybe a relationship or he can't get you through your marriage, or he can't get you through you know this, he'll try to get you through your health. Yes. And he tries to do those things. I know God has healed me of things in my life, and it's a complete healing. But sometimes the enemy will try to come back and bring that back up to you. But then I reclaim my healing in the name of Jesus. And when I pray that Jesus is faithful, he's faithful, he's healed me, and I'm gonna stay healed. So I I feel like when we're in those situations that we have to claim and speak the word over our own selves and just reclaim that in the name of Jesus.

Ebie 12:43

Yes, and we learn as we heal too. I think that's huge. And you grow, yes, in the moment, in the time, in the season that you're dealing with stuff. You're like, God, why? Why is this happening? And sometimes we will ask that question, you know, what am I supposed to learn from this? And then later you see, this is why, and this is what. You were supposed to go through this so that you would understand this situation. So I've learned a lot, and that was sort of the beginning of me letting my guard down a little bit. It happened more as I approached 40 and turned 40. You know, that people don't want to see your airbrushed self. They don't need to see that.

DeAnna 13:26

They want to see authenticity, yeah, authenticity. They want to see, because I think as believers, people have this idea of who Christians should be or what they should be. But honestly, we are just very humble before the Lord. You know, I try to stay humble before the Lord and Lord, I'm a vessel pour into me. Yeah, but people look at us and think we've all got it together where you're a Christian and you don't have any problems, you don't have any any issues, you don't have any struggles, but that's not true. I think as Christians, we have more of that. Yes, we have more struggles, we have more trials that we go through or more battles. I know for myself, I have struggles, I have battles, I have things that I go through and deal with, but I also have a confidence in the Lord and I have a trust in Him. And I I'm like, Lord, help me with this because I don't know what to do. I don't know how to do this. I'm I'm like, Lord, I'm trusting you and He's so faithful to put people in your path or messengers to help you, or He may bring up passage of scripture that may pop up somewhere and in some way. And so I think people have the wrong idea sometimes about who we are as Christians and believers. And so I think it's so important that we do share our testimony so they know, hey, well, you know, they they're like they're just like real people. Yeah. Because you were talking about being real. It's like, yeah, they're we're real people, you know. We don't walk around with a halo in our head. Right. And we don't walk around like just singing, you know, Hallelujah everywhere we go. Right.

Ebie 14:48

But I think we add to that misconception sometimes because I know I did, because I was a Christian at a young age. I didn't turn from the Lord, like He was all I needed, but I still struggled, but I never wanted to show that. I didn't want people to know. Now, with my eating disorder, they could see something was going on, right? But anything I could conceal, it's almost like you really shouldn't show your weakness because then either you don't have enough faith or you're not relying on God or something's wrong with your salvation. We don't feel free and vulnerable to show our weaknesses and our struggles. And so only after I started to kind of let that wall down a little bit did I see that that's what God was calling me to do. Don't try to portray everything as, you know, God is good. I just got a flat tire. I'm, you know, no worries about anything. Like that's not realistic. That's not realistic. You know, you don't have to, you know, kick the car and go crazy, but we have struggles, just like people who don't know Jesus. I honestly don't know how they handle it without.

DeAnna 15:55

I know. I tell my husband, I'm like, I don't know how people go through this life without having a relationship with Christ. How do they even make it through? I know I couldn't, not in this day and time anyway. And I'm so thankful for the relationship that I have. And I'm so thankful for the things that I've been through because you were talking about going through things and you grow from them and the things that I've been through in my own life. I grew by leaps and bounds because he was all that I had. And yes, you know, I think to myself, sometimes it's like I wish that didn't happen. I'm like, no, I'm kind of glad that I went through the things that I did because it wouldn't have made me who I am today had I not gone through them. And like you were saying earlier about why did this happen to me. And then you realize, like fast forward, it might be a week later or two weeks later, even five years later, then you realize, oh, this is what it was all about, Lord. This is why you allow me to go through these things. And this is why I am where I am today and what I'm doing for you. Yeah. So once you went through all those things, and how did you then jump start to where you are now?

Ebie 16:58

As I started to share my weaknesses and struggles, I noticed that more people would reach out to me because of that than any success I had. Right. You know, even if I just would casually mention, like, oh yeah, I yeah, I have some anxiety, so I can't sit still for very long or whatever. Casually mention something, and then somebody's texting me, like, I heard you say you had anxiety to, you know, and because we're not as forthcoming as we could be. Now, I'm like you with the inner circle, like not everybody has to know all your business. Right. But at the same time, we can't walk around as I really tried to do. Like, everything's perfect, everything's great all the time. I don't know if that's culture, I don't know if that was just my own pressure on myself, but that's not real. And people, you can't help people unless you're real. So that's what I'm really starting to lean into as I get older, that we have to be real, which is ironic because we're doing all this fake stuff on the city. Right, right, right. Exactly, exactly. To try to make it look real. Like, I did this look real. Like, but in that, so in in acting and then helping produce some things, we're trying to portray real struggles and real experiences. And that's what we've tended to do more of with Echo TV that I work with Dave Siriano and the whole team is we want to show the struggles of life because people need that connection. They need to feel seen, they need to know that we all go through struggles, but it's how you handle those and whose hand you're holding as you're walking through.

DeAnna 18:31

Because they're watching you. Yes, because they're watching you on the films that you are in. Yeah. And you know, they're watching, they're gonna, and they're gonna know after listening to this a little bit more about you, and they're you know, they're gonna be like, oh, okay, so I went through the very same thing, and look what she's doing now. And I can beat this. Maybe they don't have a relationship with Christ, and maybe they'll, oh, well, she has a relationship with the Lord, and maybe I need to do that. And so, what has been some of your biggest challenges you think in your life that you've gone through and it's really taught you a lesson that maybe God taught you through those those challenges?

Ebie 19:07

Well, my family, mine and my brother Andy's uh parents, uh were so phenomenal. God just gave us exactly what we needed, and then things started to fall apart when we had a car accident. I was 14, it broke my collarbone, my mom almost died. She continues to have pain and problems from it. That was the first time I felt like everything's not great. Like she couldn't take care of us as a family anymore. And then sort of from there, my dad started to mentally decline. I think the trauma was very hurtful for him. And so his mental health and what what I've seen my parents go through has been the hardest thing because I was used to counting on them for everything. And then I see, oh, he's really struggling and I I can't count on him anymore. But what God did through that is he said, Well, this is. Why I gave you this childhood so you could understand who I was, and then when you needed me, because your earthly father just can't do it anymore, can't carry that guidance and all that that you still need, then I will be there. I am there, I am the father. He modeled that, but I've always been your real father. But just watching my parents suffer and struggle has been one of the hardest things that I've ever dealt with. But again, it's helped me understand God more and it's helped me understand people who may be in something that I don't understand why they're responding that way. Because unless you're in something, going back to being real, like you don't know. You think you would do this.

DeAnna 20:40

Yeah, but you don't know until you're walking through it.

Ebie 20:42

No. And we're too quick to judge people. And I think that's one of the things that as Christians, we gotta work on. There's one thing to say, here's your fruits, and I'm gonna go by that, and maybe I'm gonna guard myself. That's one thing. Another thing is just to say, Well, I know why they wore that to church, or you know, that's a judgment. You think you know their motivation and who they are and what they're doing, you don't know. Maybe they wore that because that's all they had clean. Right. So, so that's that's one of the things that is really weighing on my heart that we are gracious and kind to people and that we walk together in an authentically real way. When I turned 40, I hated it.

DeAnna 21:24

Okay.

Ebie 21:25

And I was like, no, I'm now I'm getting old. And I've never wanted to grow up. I've always wanted to be just a big kid. So that was like, oh no, I'm 40. This is terrible. And I remember, you know, talking to God and saying, God, my life right now is not enough. It's just not enough. So there was something in me that needed to create and do. And, you know, not having kids, uh, you know, biological kids. We have our school kids, Adam and I, he's also a teacher. There's a little bit of uh an emptiness, I guess, there. Um, we chose not to have kids. So it was it just that's not God's call for us. So it it wasn't like I had that grief from that, but it, but there's still like, what am I doing? I I need to do more. I can do more. Like, show me what I need to do. And then shortly after that, God started opening up these doors in media. I've always been interested. I've always felt like we could reach people in a different way outside the church walls through their screens, through um through media. And so I've never felt in more community with the body of Christ and in more peace with how I'm using what God has given me for him than I do now. It's been incredible. And the people that are walking along with me in this journey.

DeAnna 22:43

Well, I've watched you in the gone series. And let me just tell you, knowing that that's you up there, I know you as a person, but then watching you on there, and I can tell you, you're so good. You just blessed me in this whole series. When I was watching it, it made me think. I've done a little bit of a study on revelation and what that's all about. But then for it to be brought to life, I can't see how somebody can't watch that and not be moved by it. Just the way that you brought it forth. I felt like I'm hearing you. I'm seeing you, I'm feeling you. I felt like you're so authentic in what you were doing because you were trying to portray a message. And there's so many people that are not ready to go. And I am a Christian, I am a believer, but it really made me stop and think a lot more about okay, what do I need to do to make sure that I can bring people with me to heaven?

Ebie 23:27

Yeah.

DeAnna 23:27

What can I do to share the lamb, to share that message? Well, you're doing that in media and in film and in this series. So, what things have you seen God do in that? That's kind of like, oh, that's absolutely 100% God.

Ebie 23:41

Well, the process of our filmmaking has been just as important as the product. And I honestly can't believe the way God met my need for community and meeting people like you. I don't know if it was just self-imposed or what, but I just felt really alone as a woman and again without kids. So I wasn't connected really in an intimate way with people. And part of it was maybe also me kind of putting that wall up. You must, you know, kind of keep your distance. And then when I just decided, you know, God's not using me like he could, I've got to bring the walls down and really connect. And so through this filmmaking, I have so many friends that have just jumped on board, people that were not friends, and now I consider some of my closest because they're like, this is this is working. This is making me think this is something that we can do outside the church walls, because we have to do all kinds of things to reach people for Jesus. And when you feel that sense of urgency and like not only are you not ready for heaven, but you're missing out right now, today. If you don't know Jesus, you're missing out on everything he has to offer. So there is this passion for sharing Jesus and who he is, who really Jesus is, not maybe who he's been portrayed to be, or who maybe some people who've been hurt by their church, maybe who they think he is, and those of us that have failed him, you know, how we have portrayed him, but who he really is. And that's what we want. We want people to get into the scripture. We don't know what's going to happen at the end of time. And we don't say this is the for sure what's going to happen in the only way. It's just a point of conversation.

DeAnna 25:23

It's like this is what could happen. And honestly, it's really a good way that it's being portrayed. And for me, when I watched the last scene, I was at home and I was watching it by myself, and I just squalled. I just cried because I just thought I just can't imagine not telling other people to come back, like my children or my family. You don't know when the day or nor the hour that he's going to return. And I feel like you guys doing this, Echo TV, putting out content like this, and this is such a good way of reaching people because you're portraying a message. We're not trying to scare you or anything, but this is what could happen. This is why we want you to be watching, and this is why we want you to hear the word. But in that, what things in your acting has God taught you? And what have you seen in it? Is there been like an aha moment? Can you share that?

Ebie 26:09

There are there are several. In a big way, he met the need that I had for Christian community and friendship. He met it almost instantly. As our crew and cast has built, it's like it's one more person in the family. We have people that you've met, you know, coming from out of state to join in what we're doing because they believe in the message and we believe in each other. You know, we're not perfect. We're gonna mess up, we're gonna get on each other's nerves, but that's part of the fun. Yeah. You know, we're gonna fail, but we're gonna keep pointing to a God that never fails. And so that community and that friendship and that teamwork to me has been one of the best ministries I've ever been involved with because it's different. But so many of us have talked about how our mental health has improved through working together on these. It's like you've got all this stuff inside and the world's so bad and all these things. But if if you're working on something and you have this purpose, then it's like I'm doing what God's called me to do. Right. And I can keep going and I cannot feel so hopeless having that purpose. That's been a huge uh huh. All the way uh I will share that after our first two seasons have gone, we're released, we did a little premiere in our town of Frenchburg. And one of the kids, one of the cast members afterwards said, Dad, is you know, is that kind of thing? Can that happen? Like he's like, Yeah, I mean, you gotta be ready. And then he started asking about family members. Well, what about this one? And what? And so it was like, even in a child's mind, God could speak and work, and he is. And so, even to those of us that are Christians, working in these projects has made us dig into our Bibles, made us study up on things, made us think, what are the messages that we're not portraying very well as Christians that we might need to touch on? What is something that people need to hear if they are out there feeling hopeless? And there's so much of that. There's so many people that just want connection, they just want to be seen, they just need a little bit of attention and there's out there struggling and feeling so alone. So we want to offer a message of hope and togetherness. We're so much stronger together. And God has really taught me that.

DeAnna 28:28

Yeah, we are. And I feel like too, when we worked on that project together, God just connected us. It's no coincidence. I don't believe in coincidences. I believe that everything I call them God thinks because my husband works in the film industry. And so we come to a lot of the film festivals and a lot of the conferences, and we get to meet other people and he begins to lock arms with those people. And I feel like I've locked arms with you. Yes. And it's wonderful. And I'm just thankful for what God's doing, so many things in my life, so many good lessons, so many things that I can take with me that I can share and take. And I always go to my scripture, Proverbs three, five, and six. Do you have a favorite scripture that you go to that you just pick that up and you know I gotta read that today? Or when you hear it, you get I get excited. Like when I hear my scripture, like somebody stay at, or if I read it somewhere, or is there a scripture that you go to that's just been one that has just resonated with you through the things that you've gone through?

Ebie 29:25

Well, Romans 8: 28, that all things work together for good. To those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose, has always been a comfort for me. And then I like Romans 10:9. It's a reminder that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. And so that's what I want people to hear and know that just call on him. He is there, and he does answer. And I will give you this example of a pretty monumental, it was a miracle for us. As we're preparing to film Gone Season Three, we have a scene that involves an open casting call. So for everybody that wants to come, okay. And it's gonna be heaven, it's a heavenly scene. And my brother and I are working a lot to prepare the property. It's gonna be on our farm, and we're just trying to get all these things done, and we're exhausted, and there's so much to do, and we're trying, you know, working, working, working, and we're thinking, why are we doing this? Do we are we doing this? We want everything to look good. Is this pride? And you're doubting yourself. Like, are we even supposed to be making movies, you know? And you're doubting because that's who that's who I am, right? Um always questioning myself. Yeah, yes, okay, biggest weakness is me. So he's working one night mowing, so he's bush hogging, as we call it, in this field. And along his path walks this big white bird. So he's telling the story later and says, Well, I'm looking around. He talks real country. I'm looking around and um I I see, okay, I need to mow over here and I need to go back up here with the tractor, and there's a white peacock, and then I need to, there's a white peacock. And it is in the field, right beside where we're gonna film the heaven sea. Wow. On this bridge that he built. Wow. And immediately he knew what that meant because he and I had been talking, and all of us, you know, like, are we doing the right thing? Is this what we need to be doing? Or, you know, is all is our motivation right? Is all this? Yeah. And God sent that bird. Wow. He sent that white peacock that that some people use as a symbol of Christ himself. Yes, Jesus is gonna be here. Oh wow, they get that gets in gone much. Oh, yes. And it was like, God, you know, thank you because you have to scream at me sometimes for me to hear because my own voice is so loud. My own opinions and thoughts just wreak havoc. And immediately he sent, I was at a graduation ceremony, he sent those pictures, and I said, I I I'm shook. Shooketh because there is no explanation, and we still don't have one for why that bird was there. We kept it. So he's currently building a pen for it.

DeAnna 32:02

Oh wow,

Ebie 32:03

and bought it a mate because he don't want him to be alone

DeAnna 32:06

Right, exactly.

Ebie 32:07

Just the wildest thing

DeAnna 32:08

that's amazing.

Ebie 32:09

God knew that would be confirmation. We needed that, and it's crazy to anybody else, and I know that.

DeAnna 32:15

No, I get it. I absolutely get it because there's times I've said, Lord, I need for you to confirm that it's of you and not of me. Yes. I love the way that when God brings confirmation, he doesn't bring it a little sprinkle, he comes in like, let me just give you the whole shebang. It's incredible. That way that removes the doubt that you have, and you're not questioning yourself anymore. And then you know that it's confirmation, and you're like, okay, Lord, I've got that confirmation. Where do we go from here?

Ebie 32:41

Yes. And some of us need that so bad because it's not that we doubt God, we doubt ourselves. We do, we do. And maybe that's not bad to question and make sure we're discerning the spirits and all that, but for some of us, he has to, he has to yell. Yeah. I just so appreciate that because he's such a personal God and he cares enough to send something as crazy as a white peacock.

DeAnna 33:04

I mean, that in itself is amazing.

Ebie 33:07

I love peacocks. I yes. I had feather girls instead of flower girls at my wedding. Yes, yes. I I have peacock feathers already decorating my house before this bird came by. I mean only God.

DeAnna 33:18

Only God because okay, there you go. There it is. It's like, what I don't what else do you want me to give you, Amy? What else do you need? What else do you need? What else do you need?

Ebie 33:26

Okay. God just gave so much confirmation about the filmmaking we were doing because so many people got on board and friend after friend and stranger who then became a friend, you know, got behind what we were doing, and we've become a family. And it's like all these different needs that people had, God is using to help us help each other. So it's been incredible. So, what people have said about how God is using the filmmaking and just the community that we are building together has been all the confirmation I needed. The white peacock was helpful too. But yeah, well, absolutely. He shows us, and I'm so thankful for that. He shows us that we're on the right track instead of making us guess. And I and that's what I would say to people who uh maybe don't know how to really communicate with Jesus or don't really know how to get to him, or he's not playing hide and seek. Like if you seek him, he will be found because that's his job. That is his game. That's his game. That's his game. He wants to answer your questions. And sometimes it's a journey, but you have to go through that journey to get where you need to be so you can hear and you know it's him. And then you're armed with all of this knowledge that you've built through the struggle to be able to conquer whatever's coming next or to be able to reach that person.

DeAnna 34:50

Absolutely.

Ebie 34:51

Been through something like you have.

DeAnna 34:52

Yep. And he brings everything that you need as long as you are being obedient to the call, yeah, he brings provision. I'm excited to see what more that God's gonna use you to do. I'm excited to see what more things God is just gonna put you in.

Ebie 35:07

He's doing it,

DeAnna 35:07

he's gonna lead you to the next place.

Ebie 35:09

He's doing stuff, and I'm just along for the ride, and I'm so thankful. But I just would say to people that maybe have doubts or they're in a place like I've been in before, I would just say you're not alone. Right. And if Satan is telling you that you're alone, he's lying. Yes, and connect with people. Maybe you have to be like me and let your guard down. Maybe something has to happen to kind of smack you in the face and let you know that you're not on this journey alone. Right. There are like-minded people that are people that want to encourage you. And God designed us like that. He designed us to need each other. Yes. So don't be afraid of that. Right. Be careful, be careful who you trust. Yes, your circle doesn't have to be huge, but you will need a circle.

DeAnna 35:50

Use that. Well, you know, of course, God gives us discernment. You don't have to eat. Please use your discernment. Yes. There's been a time if I had paid more attention to my discernment, I could have saved myself a lot of grief. Absolutely. But you're right. The enemy tries to lie to us and tells us, oh, nobody wants to be around you. You're gonna be alone and you're not gonna have any friends. And then God just brings you such wonderful people in your life. Well, I'm so thankful for you. And I'm thankful that you did this podcast for him because this is my calling. I'm like, Lord, I'm out of my comfort zone, but I'm willing to be whatever God wants me to be in this.

Ebie 36:24

I love this. This is fantastic.

DeAnna 36:25

And I want to reach women out there who have gone through things and hear stories of other women.

Ebie 36:30

We need to hear it from each other. We have to. Yes, we do. We we need to to help each other and encourage.

DeAnna 36:36

We should. Yes.

Ebie 36:38

This is so needed.

DeAnna 36:39

Is there anything else that you want to say before we end our episode?

Ebie 36:42

Well, I will say what I wanted to say when I first got interested in media. I told my mommy that I wanted to be on the news and I would just get on there and say, Jesus loves you. So Jesus loves you.

DeAnna 36:54

And that is a message in itself. That's right. That's enough for everyone to hear. That's perfect words. He loves you.

Ebie 37:00

He loves you like you can't even imagine, and I don't even understand still.

DeAnna 37:04

So I'm so undeserving of his love, but man, am I so glad that he loves me. Again, I'm so thankful that you took time here at this purpose conference that we're both attending. Thank you for making time for me. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for blessing me. I I hold you in such high regard. I love what you're doing. I love what I see in you because I see the heart of the Father.

Ebie 37:26

Praise God.

DeAnna 37:27

And I know that you're touching lives and you don't even know that you're touching them. You've touched mine. I just want to tell you how much I love you and I appreciate you so much. And I can't wait to see what God's gonna do. Do you mind leading us in prayer before we go?

Ebie 37:39

Yes, you've made me cry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry. It's it's good tears. Oh, thank you, Lord, for thank you for DeAnna. Thank you for her listening, getting out of her comfort zone. We want to do that more for you, God. So anybody that's listening that doesn't know you, please, please speak to them, Lord. Help them to see the real Jesus because you are everything. You are all we need. And you're not you're not gonna just take away all of our problems, but Lord, you walk with us through them. And we just want people to have what we have. It is it is so purposeful when we are living for you and walking beside you. And we just pray, Lord, that you would cover all of our dumbness and cover, cover all of our just incompetence. Yes, help us to seek you, to see that you will do things through us if we will be obedient that we couldn't possibly imagine or do ourselves. Yes. Help us to be able to trust each other, to be able to help each other, help us to be others focused and you focused, to not ever let pride get in the way. Yes, Lord, help us guard against all the ways that Satan tries to come in. Yes. And we trust you in that. And we know, God, that you are gonna give us a home in heaven.

DeAnna 39:06

Yes, amen.

Ebie 39:07

We know that you are gonna walk us through this earth.

DeAnna 39:10

Yes, Lord.

Ebie 39:10

Yes, Lord. And and we thank you for that. And we thank you for people who are walking with us down here, and we praise you for that. And and we just, Lord, the Holy Spirit is just here, and we thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

DeAnna 39:25

Amen. Amen. Thank you, Ebie, again for joining us today and sharing your stories with us and sharing your heart with us. And thank you for praying such a beautiful prayer for all of our listeners out there. And to you listeners, thank you for joining us today. And I hope that you have a blessed week. And until next time, God bless.