Let me back up a little. This past couple of weeks has been really hard. I've started forgetting things that I simply do not forget. Work was a major stressor, a
nd I didn't feel like I was ever going to be caught up. Basically I have felt like a failure pretty much all the way around. Work was especially overwhelming with a LOT of changes taking place all at once. So I have fallen father and farther behind. So when Adam entered an essay contest to win tickets to a fund raising dinner for Chris Stewart, I'm not going to lie. I hoped (just a tiny, tiny, bit mind you) that he wouldn't win so that I could at least attempt to keep my head above water.
There was quite a bit of confusion surrounding this contest, and it turned out that Adam didn't win....and then he did. Because the rules about voting were unclear, they announced two fir
st prize winners. One for most overall votes, and one for single account votes. (any account that voted more than once for a single essay was discarded.) Adam won the single account votes. I cried a little on the inside when he told me, but I asked my amazing boss for the day off. GRANTED! Then there was the chaos of where to stay, what to do with the dog, how we were going to work everything out. It felt like I had a million pounds on my shoulders.
My wonderful Family was gracious enough to watch Herc, and in the meantime we decided to make a mad dash up and back in the same day. So yesterday morning we got ready as we could (you know it's important because I even blow dried my hair) and hopped in the car. I love spending time with Adam. He makes me laugh and ALWAYS makes me feel appreciated. We sang along with the songs on his itunes and talked and drove...and drove...and drove. Seriously. Do you know where farmington is? Do you know where Saint George is??? Look at a map of Utah. Look almost all the way to the top and you will find Farmin
gton. Now look almost
all the way to the bottom, and if you are careful, you will find La Verkin. Luckily the weather was good and we made really good time. I would like it to be noted that it IS possible to get lost with a GPS. We have found more than one way to do it.
So I wanted to look nice so I put on my sketchers. No, not these sketchers
That would have been sensible and intelligent.
The ones I wore were closer to these:
I had no idea what to expect, and I wore high heels. Wow. Genius. Now the reason I mention this IS actually important, so hang in there.
Anyway. There was a lot of standing involved before dinner. Mingling with people I didn't know and basically being "arm candy" for my husband. Then the moment arrived. You know, the one we had driven four and a half hours for. You know, the one where Adam got to meet Glen Beck. It was fast, cuz he had other business to take care of. But we did get to chat for a second. He asked Adam why he supported Chris Stewart. Adam told him that he supported him because of his stance on illegal immigration (among other things). Brother Beck then asked Adam what he would do to solve the immigration problem, in one sentence. Adam said two words..."end entitlements." A look of utter surprise came across Glen's face, and then as it sank in you could actually see the worlds turning in his head. He said "I'm impressed." I have never seen Adam look so proud. His chest actually puffed up. It was awesome to see someone whom he respected, and so much admired, give him that kind of praise! I loved it.
We lounged around for awhile and ate some appetizers. They were turkey themed. Turkey and stuffing wrapped in wontons and baked. Turkey stuffed Zucchini and Cantaloupe topped with turkey and cranberries. All three were delish.
After a few minutes we went upstairs to our table. We were seated with the other contest winner and several random folks. We chatted through our salads (amazing by the way. Craisens, pears, smoked cheese with the most fabulous dressing I've ever had) and then our dinner came and everyone pretty much stopped talking to eat. The food was that amazing. Pork roast (huge servings) fresh fruit, potatoes and sweet potatoes mixed and a mix of veggies I probably would not have tried on my own, but I was glad I did. Towards the end of the meal we started chatting again. Chris got up and introduced Glen and Glen asked Chris not to go to washington because he was too good of a man, and too good of a friend. He said some beautiful things about loving your neighbor and loving your enemies. It was very touching. We looked around and noticed that one of our table mates was gone. He we spotted him as he was announced down giving a beautiful painting to Glen. He was the artist. Adam's favorite artist. One of my faves to.
If you haven't seen his work check it out....it's AMAZING and full of meaning. http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/artwork/view_zoom/?artpiece_id=353 the piece I linked to is the one he gave to Mr. Beck. Anyway once we figured out who he was we gushed. We were both a little star struck. He was so humble. He acted like it was no big deal. It was a big deal. To Adam especially. We ate dessert quickly (chocolate dipped strawberries and a brownie with some freaking awesome toppings and drizzled with raspberries.) and before we knew it it was time to go to the actual event. Remember, the one that changed my life?
We had VIP parking, and VIP tickets. Guess what. The VIP parking was full. Meaning we had to park a bazillion miles away. Refer to previous images of shoes. Yeah. Not good news. We sat down, in the second row, and I was so grateful. My feet ached from all the standing and walking (and even a little running, I'm lucky to be alive) and it was a relief to get off of them. The respite didn't last very long. About one minute later the loud speaker demanded that we rise for the presenting of the colors. We all did gladly. I felt the sting intensify in my already aching feet. I waited with my hand over my heart while a woman did an amazing job singing the first two verses of the national anthem. We joined in on the third and I was shifting my weight from foot to foot quite often at this point. I probably looked like a little kid doing the potty dance. There was then an awkward silence for a moment prior to introducing the vet who lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
When I say vet I'm not kidding. This man was held as a POW in viet nam for 5 years. He was heavily decorated. Before he started saying the pledge, he took a moment and said a few words. I don't remember everything. I do remember a story he told about the first time he said the pledge of allegiance back here, in the US, after his POS experience. He said "I remember thinking: 'I'm not fighting this war alone anymore'." That was it for me. The pain in my feet no longer existed, and I could have stood for hours if I'd had to. I have NEVER been more proud to be an American. I FELT the Spirit of God as we reverently uttered the pledge. Thank you Father, for allowing me to be born in this great nation.
The next person on stage was Hillary Weeks. And l will never be the same.
Please take a moment to listen this song. It shifted my paradigm. Life is hard. The trials I go through, I would never have chosen. But, I want them. Because they make the happy times in my life that much happier. They are sacred, because Heavenly Father knows that I need my trials to make me in his image.
She did sing other songs but this was the moment that really got me. I cried for awhile because I was so overwhelmed by our Father's knowledge of what we need, and his love for us.
After that Chris Stewart spoke for a few minutes and then Glen Beck spoke to us again. Adam can probably tell you more about that than I can. He talked a lot about spoke about trusting God, even when you don't know what you are doing. Taking that step into the darkness and trusting that our father has the light switch and will show us the plan, when the time is right.
There was a while while Chris, Glen and Glen's partner (I'm sorry I can't remember your name!) were all on stage and making fun of each other. They were sitting on barstools. I leaned over to Adam and said "look it's the blue collar comedy tour! Only with white collars!" He laughed. Shortly after that Hilary Weeks came out and sang a couple more songs. Then it was time for the trip home. We left Layton around 9:30. The trip home was uneventful, except the part where I drove for about 15 minutes. Pretty sure I almost killed us more than once.
We got home around 3:00 and I went to sleep...only to wake up for work at 6:30. You know what? it was worth it. I've seen such a change in Adam. There is a fire in him, something encouraging him that I've never seen. Adam, I love you. Thanks for taking me with you.
1 Comment:
It was an absolutely, life changing, eye opening, spiritual event. I am so blessed to have had my best friend by my side when I went. I love you Christy.
Post a Comment