Fly to Jesus

Woke up Sunday quite late, slept in till like 1pm. I had woken up the day before at like 7am. So, Sunday seemed to begin like any other: got some energy drink mix, checked my phone, saw I had a voice mail and that I had missed some calls. No big deal. I then proceeded to listen to my voice mail. It was from my brother Matt in Massachusetts. He said that my cousin Nathan (he's just turned 18) had just died in an accident. My brother didn't want me to hear about this on Facebook. At first it did not really hit me. Distance seems to make disasters like this not real, you know? I later sat at my computer and started thinking about Nathan and tears came to my eyes (even as I write this tears come...I can't imagine the pain my Aunt Roxy, Uncle Jim, Nathan's brothers Jacob and Walker are feeling, as well as Nathan's grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends are all feeling). Nathan was my first first cousin. I remember we were quite close when he was very young (like 3,4). As you can see in the photo attached to this post I really enjoyed playing with him at my grandma Sandfords in New Hampshire. Nathan grew up to be quite a free spirit which would get him in trouble at times...I remember when I was attending Bible School in New Hampshire there was at least one time when I was asked to keep an eye on Nathan as he attended the Convention going on at the Bible School(he stayed in my room and I would sleep by the door to make sure he didn't sneak out). I am so thankful that I got to spend that time with my cousin. Another special memory comes from when I was at my grandparents in New Hampshire and Nathan wanted to go for a run (he really loved running) so I went with him. I think I got to our relatives house (the E. Sandfords) and then turned around and headed back to our grandparents. He beat me and I don't think he was even winded. The last time I saw him was when we were at my Uncle Phils cabin in Maine (the summer of 2009). I took him, my older brother Dana, and Dana's son. We ended up getting a couple of movies from Red Box: Gran Torino and The Knowing...we actually ended up watching both...

So, now here I am, my oldest 1st cousin gone, just like that. Why didn't I get to know him more? Why didn't I ever call him? Spend more time with him? I can't do anything about that, I have to learn my lessons and move forward treasuring the times I did have with Nathan. I know with all my heart I will see him again (my dad led him to Christ and has the date written in his Bible). And right now Nathan is having so much fun in the arms of God. May we take this life that Nathan lost so quickly to inspire us to live life like each day is our last.Love those around you with the love of Christ, no matter what, life is too short for anger or hatred (Jesus was such an example of a life with Unconditional Love and even in His deep pain, He loved!).

I want to end this note with a prayer for those hurting as a result of this tragedy (especially Nathan's family)

Dear Jesus Christ,
First of all, thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of Nathan's life, thanks for all the precious memories. Right now, dear God, I pray You wrap Nathan's family in Your arms of love and comfort them somehow. God you understand their pain, You lost Your oldest son tragically as well and through Your loss, Nathan's family will see him again, comfort his family with this fact. And Lord, I pray that out of this pain You somehow bring life. Comfort all the friends and relatives that are grieving at this time help them all to know You are there with them in all this, Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age". Lord, help us! I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

May these words from the song Wrap Me in You Arms comfort you:
There is a God who loves me
Who wraps me in His arms
That is the place where I'm changed
And that's where I belong

And Nathan this is you:
And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and LIVE!

I love you Nathan...Go to God cousin...dance on those golden streets of Heaven...and when I get there to heaven, lets hang out and make up for lost time...deal? DEAL!

Your Cousin,
Adam Parker <><

I miss you