Remembering Adam

It is amazing to think how life changes in 5 years. 5 years ago, I had just graduated high school, and was gearing up to head off to college. 3 years ago, I had completed my physical therapy assistant program up at Mercyhurst, and was now a college grad. 2 years and 10 months ago, I took my PTA boards (to become board certified) and passed! From there on, full-time PTA has ruled my life!

But, 5 years ago today, July 30th, 2006 turned into one of the worst days of my life. It started as a typical Sunday: church, little time off in afternoon, the off to the grocery store where I worked for an evening shift. Everything was normal, I picked up a video to watch that evening on the way home, and expected a calm, relaxing night.

My world turned upside down when I was walking up the driveway though. My mom and dad met me outside to tell me that one of my best friends, from the Christian elementary/middle school that I had gone to, had gone missing at a local state park. Instantly my heart sunk. "They need search crews," I said. "They have people already looking, Laura." my dad replied. He went on to tell me more news that would rock my world and faith immensely. Adam had fallen into the gorge and because of the high water levels, got caught in a whirl-pool. We didn't know if he was injured down-stream, unable to contact any rescuers, or if he had passed away. Ultimately, Adam did not make it.

So now, 5 years later, my friend is still gone. The friend that I met on the first day of kindergarten had passed away. Adam, the kid who tutored me in my state capitols, beat me in math competitions, and kicked my bum at ANY physical race/activity was no longer here on this world.

I struggled with the "why" guestions. "Why, Lord, must someone living their life for you be taken away so early??" "Why him?" Needless to say, I went through a very broken, empty, faithless time in my life where God was not a source of comfort. (Thankfully time heals, and my faith is stronger then ever.)

There still are days when I get really sad and miss what used to be. I miss not running into him while at the YMCA, or the grocery store.

But at the end of the day, Adam is safe with Jesus! Somehow, the friend who could run and never grow weary, beat me in the race to Heaven. He gets to rejoice in the majesty of the Lord. No worship service here on earth can ever compare to what Adam is experiencing up there.

I wrote a paper about Adam while in college, and this greatly helped in the healing of my broken heart and faith. Here is the closing sentence to my paper: "As much as I miss him every day of my life, I know that he would not want me to live my life in the yesterdays of the past, but to keep on doing what God has called me to do, and to do it to the best of my ability."

So, Adam Clair Elliott, may I continue to live up to the goal I set in that paper. May I continue to life my life for God, bringing blessing to Him. You were such an amazing influence in my life, may I turn around and be that way towards others.

I love and miss you...

Random Conversation....

Today, I had a very unique situation happen at work today (and because I don't know the lady's name, I can't break any privacy laws!)

So I'm standing there, working with a patient, when this lady I'd never seen before came storming into the clinic. She walked towards the secretaries, and I lost sight of her. All I heard her say was "Does anyone know where the DMV is?" (actually, she didn't say that...she YELLED it!)

So, I calmly said "I know where the DMV is..." and when she came around the corner, started giving her directions. Next thing I knew, I was getting yelled at by this lady because she "didn't know where to go" and was told it was located off "_______ Ave." (I literally was afraid she was going to slap me across the face, because I wasn't "getting" what she was saying!)

I told her that yes, there is a side entrance off of that road, but it is much more accessible from "_____ St." I was able to calm her down enough to give her the "most basic directions EVER" and she stormed out the door, headed for the DMV.

I looked at the patient I was still treating, looked at a coworker who walked out during the middle of this incident, and both of them asked me simultaneously "WHAT WAS THAT?!?" I honestly had no answer, and was just glad she was no longer yelling at me.

I then had another co-worker come out, and she goes "So, the lady in room 1 just heard what happened....and made a comment that the 'DMV closes at 5, but if you aren't in line at 4:30 with all the correct paperwork, they make you come back tomorrow'" (Gulp...) I looked at my watch and said "It's 4:32! (Double Gulp!)

Thankfully, this lady did not return to yell at me!

So here is what is confusing for me: Why do people freak out when they ask for help and someone is willing to help them?!? If it were me, I would NEVER storm into any building and DEMAND directions to some place. I would calmly ask someone for the directions and LISTEN to what they had to say, then asking for further clarification if needed. It still has me flabbergasted that some grown-adult would act this way.

Any thoughts, dear blog friends, why people act this way?!?

Cuz lets be brutally honest...does anyone really WANT to go to the DMV?? I HATE having to go there....

Music Monday

Ok...so for "Music Monday" today I've decided to feature a song by Bebo Norman.  It's called...'Here Goes'.  This song really reminds me to "let go, and let God" have control over each and every situation I face in my life. 

Now...for the cool part of this.  While I was looking on Youtube for which video I wanted to use, I found that someone uploaded him singing AT MY CHURCH!  It isn't the whole song, thus the reason for the second, complete video.  But how cool is it that someone videoed it and posted it?!?  (I'm pretty stoked, if ya can't tell :})   (Sorry for the non-Bebo people singing in the background)





So yes...Bebo came and sang at Obi last fall.  Talk about an amazing Christ-centered concert.  It really felt more like a worship concert, to tell you the truth.  While I was a Bebo lover before this concert, needless to say, now I really love his music!

Happy Monday Ya'll!!

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Ya know what they say..."Better late then never!"  Now, mind you, this birthday post is still coming on Kevin's actual birthday...just at the end of the day, rather then the beginning!

So...HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!!!


Here are some fun facts about us:

~You may be my younger brother, but you will always be my bigger, taller brother.

~I will always be 3 years and 4 weeks (exact) older then you!  I love how our birthdays are on the same day of the week, every year :)

~When you were born, story has it "I couldn't wait to show off my baby brother!"  I wanted everyone AND anyone to meet you :)

~I remember being young, 7 or 8, and when I couldn't sleep at night, I'd ask you to sing me a song from your room.  Somehow just hearing your voice, would lull me to sleep!

~Remember the time we broke the lamp with the babysitter?  How about when we broke the thermometer with another babysitter?

~I used to get so jealous at how quickly you would pick up on whatever we were learning about at school....I used to have to study for hours.  You hardly cracked the book.

~Finally, remember the time I was learning how to play the song "The Entertainer" and you went running throughout the house yelling "Mom, MOM...the ice cream truck is coming....MOM the ice cream truck!"  "I need some money for the ice cream truck!"  I just remember playing the song over, and over, and over again...til you finally realized that I WAS THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!  You were so mad at the time, but later in the day when the real ice cream truck came by, you already had the dollar from mom to get some :)


I hope you have (had) an amazing birthday!  May you always remember how much I love you :)

Wordless Wednesday :)

Ok, so one of the things I promised to do when I got home from Hawaii was to share some pictures from the adventures I got to do there....WELL, I forgot. So, for Wordless Wednesday, enjoy pictures from my adventure with Kevin...Parasailing!!

(Disclaimer: all pictures taken with a water-proof picture, sorry for the lack of quality)

Going up...

 Boats swirling around us

Looking at the row/line of resorts/hotels all along the coast :)

Looking south, towards the town of Lahaina

Kevin & I

Coming down for a landing :)  This was a dry-landing, so we took off and landed from the back of the boat!  It was pretty neat :)

Music Monday

Well...gotta admit, my "Music Monday" song is not the song I planned on sharing with you. I heard the "it" song on my way home from work today, and had to look it up on the radio's website to get the title. WELL...needless to say, this was the song BEFORE the one I was going to do. I didn't recognize the title, but love the singer, so after youtubing it, I have found a new favorite song! ENJOY!!!

The Help

If any of my readers are looking for a GREAT summer-read here is one of the BEST books I have ever read! (I know bold words...but it was an amazing story line that taught me something, too!!)

Now, you may have heard this title before, quite possibly because it is being released as a movie this summer :)

There is NO DOUBT that I will be going to see this movie, even though I ALWAYS say the book is better then the movie (I think you are able to become/relate better to one of the book characters, then you can at the movies.)

SO....if you can get your hands on this book, DO SO! And...if you get the opportunity to go see the movie, DO SO!!!

Needless to say...I can't wait :)

Music Monday!

Ok friends...it has been a few weeks since Music Monday has taken place, but alas, it has returned!  Here is my NEW FAVORITE worship song, that my church recently began singing, enjoy!!

Summertime in WNY!

I ventured out into my backyard tonight, and took some photos of my momma's awesome summer flowers! Thought you guys might like a peak at some of them, so...here they are :)

Wordless Wednesday

Here was my project tonight...so very yummy!!!! Can't wait for pie and shortcake with this stuff on top :)

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July! I found this picture online tonight...how cool is it?!?




So far, it has been a fun-filled weekend. We (Mom, Kevin, and I) drove to my aunt's cottage just south of Lake Ontario Friday night, and spent all day Saturday with the family. Got to sun-bathe, ride the pontoon-boat, eat tons of yummy food, and watch my 2yr old cousin eat his first ice cream cone! (Now as you may, or may not know, ice cream is a BIG deal in my moms family. "It was the 4th meal of the day at my house growing up" my mom would tell me, frequently!)


YUMMY!!

We came back last night, because today, the brother to one of my best friends, got married! It was such a neat ceremony. There is a little creek that runs behind our church, and they chose to stand in the water, where two tiny "streams" of water come together and continue flowing down stream, as one. I loved how this was a symbol to everyone that when marriage vows are spoken, the two individuals are no longer, for they are one, bonded together by the love of God. I wish nothing but blessings for this new couple....Congratulations Matt & Kalene!!


Well...that's enough ramblings for tonight. Tomorrow is another family party, and FIREWORKS!! I'm sure more details and pictures will follow :)