America’s Most Wanted: Noah Ellenwood

I never had a real brother.  I blame my parents for that one.

Don’t get me wrong, Capt. Coolest has been an AHmazing Bro-in-Law for the past 10 years.  And he has set a precedent of what a brother should be: kind, protective, thoughtful, patient and responsible for the occasional beat down y’know just so that I know my place…as a girl.

Yeah! newsflash Tony, all of my sisters have beat me up- numerous times- and it’s normal for me to cry first, so your not blazing any trails here!

So 2 years ago when I first moved to Czech and little Noah started beating me up pretty regularly, I took that as a sign that 1) I am the weakest most feeble person I know 2) beat downs follow me wherever I go and

3) I have another brother… from another motha!!!and I have the bruises to prove it too!

But before I let you have the idea that Noah doesn’t like girls and likes to beat them up, I should make very clear that NOAH LOVES WOMEN! Let me submit to you Exhibit A:

Noah and all of his new ‘friends’ from the camp he just did in Slovakia a few weeks ago.  Obviously, they were loving them some Noah.

Let me get back to the aforementioned definition of being a brother: Kind, Protective, Thoughtful, Patient…

Noah is all of those things, which is pretty remarkable for a 14 year old guy!  This is how old Noah was when I first met him – 2 years old!

And 12 years later, he’s still adorable!  … and only 14 – so ladies stand back unless you want to inflict the wrath of this quasi sister (and his two other actual sisters).

We fight long and hard!...um, I guess that’s not as intimidating due to my previous disclosure of my fighting expertise.  Ok, Han, the ball may be in your court – Hayley and I can make scary faces in the background.

Let me give you a topline brief on why you would want Noah to be your little quasi brother:

• He respects authority and always gives me the front seat and has been known to throw a fit when other less attentive kiddos don’t defer to me.
• He protects me from awkward situations, like a good brother would.  Although he’s also been known to create those same situations – ok so 50/50
• He is not afraid to show affection.  This kid is a great hugger and shows no hesitation when he comes up to me in a crowd and gives me a hug
• He makes you really proud.  This 14 yr. old guy just led the worship and singing for our English camp.  Amongst a crowd of his peers that are a few years older then him, plus an American team of 20 year old college students, Noah led without hesitation.  Man I was so stinkin proud of him!
• Noah is full of a grace and maturity beyond his years.  This last winter when I took a huge step of faith and shared my story at the Polish snowboard camp Noah was sitting in the front row with his friends.  I worried what he was going to think of me, how he would process it all.  As soon as the program was over and the lights came up, Noah came right over to me, gave me a hug and said, “I love you Lo.” it makes me cry even now

I love this kid!  And I have to give credit where it’s due, to Mel and Amy.  You can’t get this cool of a kid without some solid foundations (and regular beat downs from the top!  Stay strong Mel, these next couple years will only get harder.)

So America, when you are in need of a little quasi brother you would do no better then to have Noah Scott Ellenwood, because he – is –

America’s Most Wanted! (I said it in the  TV-presenter-serious-voice…k?)