A "Brief" History
Some people know what they want to do, some people have to work at figuring it out. I was four years old when I figured it out. I knew I wanted to be an airline pilot. My great Uncle was an airline pilot, my dad and his 3 brothers all flew for the airlines, so it really wasn't all that hard to pick what I wanted to do. I don't remember my first flight because I was too little, but flying has always been a big part of my life. It took awhile to get there, but eventually I did fly for the airlines. God, however had other plans and my carefully crafted airline life came to screeching halt on Oct 29, 2001. I got furloughed (laid off) due to 9-11. My world collapsed. I had built my "house" upon the sand and the storms came and destroyed it all. God, however, was just getting started.
Even though I had been a Christian for many years, I had allowed flying to take the throne of my heart and one thing; God doesn't share His throne with anyone or anything. So He removed the idol that I had created. It took awhile, but slowly He rebuilt my life. In 2004, I married my best friend and most awesome woman in the world, my Angela Joy. While we dated and in the first few years of our marriage we talked a lot about a family our own. The idea of adoption came up many times and I was all for it.... in theory, as I have come to realize. God blessed us with 2 amazing kids in 2010 and 2012, so I thought adoption was off the table. God had other plans. Again. Angela started bringing up the idea of us adopting more frequently. I was always ok with the idea, but continued to focus on the more immediate future and pushed away the adoption stuff. We had lots of talks about it and I was actually starting to get a bit nervous as to why this was all happening. You see, I always liked the IDEA of adopting, but more planned on simply giving money to an orphanage or even doing a mission trip to an orphanage. I even prayed that that was what God wanted us to do. God said, "No, I have something else planned for you."
Which brings us to today. I am still a pilot, but flying for a corporation rather than the airlines, that's a whole other story. (The picture on the blog, I took while flying west from Cleveland at 30,000 ft.) Through my wife, extended family, and a bunch of close friends, God has brought me and my very reluctant heart to starting the journey/adventure of adoption. I would love to say that I jumped in right away, no that would be lying. Frankly, I tripped, stumbled and backed my way to this point, but God's been gently drawing my heart to see His heart for the orphans of this world. His Word even declares in James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows"
We have just begun this journey. I am FINE: freaked out, insecure, nervous, and emotional about all that may happen. From what I hear, this is crazy. The paperwork involved would kill a small forest, the incredible amount of money we will spend before we even get to start looking for who God has for us, the emotional roller coasters, stress, etc... But, my Father in Heaven goes before me. He will lead, He will come behind, He will walk with me through out this, I need simply to obey, put my hand in His, and walk each step with Him.
Way to go Andy - thanks for writing this!
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