It only takes a glimpse of time to take someone's life and turn it upside down. October 31, 2013 was the day that Jen Elgersma’s life was struck by tragedy. Elgersma dropped her three year old daughter Autumn off to daycare like a normal day, little did she know that was the last time Autumn would ever go to daycare. May 27, 1943 was that day for Louie Zamperini. Zamperini and his crew were cooperating in a search and rescue mission over the Pacific when their plane suddenly lost power and lurched into the sea. In tragedy, we can find our life's purpose, and through that same tragedy, the path of redemption through brokenness can be found. October 31, 2013 was the day Jen Elgersma’s life was struck by tragedy. Elgersma received a text from…show more content… Thousands of people have been able to see the amazing faith she has in the Lord. Her faith has been a testimony to us all. She has been able to take a tragedy and turn it into something honorable. She has affected so many lives with her and Autumn’s story. During this time Elgersma could have shown anger and disgust, but she remained humble to her Lord and Savior and she knew that she couldn’t do it without him. She knew she needed to put her full trust in God and trust his plan. Louie Zamperini also became faithful to God during his darkest times. Zamperini's journey is one of faith — both in himself and, eventually, in Jesus Christ. The night of Zamperini’s plane crash, he prayed. This was significant because it was the first time Zamperini had prayed in years, his faith continued to grow as he spent 47 days dehydrated, exhausted and starved. God kept his promise by bringing Zamperini home alive, he stated that without God, he would have never made it home. Zamperini remained faithful to the promise he made to God throughout his whole life and he made good on his promise to serve God. Through these stories we are shown that God is still a God of restoration and healing. No situation is too far gone for God to…show more content… Jen Elgersma was able to find restoration in Autumn’s death by teaming up with Seasons Behavioral Health. Together they created a new program: Autumn's Center. It is used to keep abuse victims like Autumn Elgersma’s memory alive. "Our biggest thing is we don't want those kids' endings to be like hers. Knowing those kids will be getting help with their hearts, hopefully their endings will be better than hers was," said Jen Elgersma, Autumn's mother. Autumn’s Center is currently being used to help young people from birth to age 21 who suffer the effects of child abuse, substance abuse, bullying and many other conditions. Autumn's story is not easily forgotten. Through her name, other children will now be able to face the possibility of a happy ending, which you'd have to imagine would make Autumn smile. Louie Zamperini was able to find restoration by becoming an Evangelist Speaker. Zamperini spoke all around the world. He also started a nonprofit organization in California to help troubled youths rediscover their potential and purpose in life. Hillenbrand writes that Zamperini remained firm in his conviction that “everything happened for a reason, and would come to good.” Zamperini wrote. “Christ said, ‘Forgive your enemies and pray for them.’ ” In a final act of forgiveness, Zamperini wrote a letter to the Bird admitting to his post-war horrors and sharing his discovery of
