Air Prayer

It’s been a busy two weeks at work.  I’ve barely had time to think much less do anything.  But the garage has become my place of solace and peace.  My son hasn’t helped every day but he needs a break some times.  I don’t want to burn him out on this project.  I want it to be as enjoyable as it is educational.  But we have made some progress by just doing something small each day.  Here is our progress so far.

It’s up on the wheels:

And we’ve begun installing the cockpit floor and rudders.

Angela stained the floorboard the color you see.

Scotty drilled the holes for the brake mount plates.

And he assembled the rudder pedals.

Next steps will be to install the rudder pedals and then brakes.

We’re making good progress and learning to understand eachother better.  Have I always been the best teacher?  No.  Have I always been patient?  Uh-uh.  Am I always good at involving him in the project?  Nope.  But I am what God has given him, and he is what God has given me.  And I think we will both be blessed because of God’s choices.

I work in a declining industry.  I work for a local newspaper and it is barely clinging to life.  There were an astounding number of layoffs this week at work.  Pretty much only a skeleton crew will be left to do the work.  I know have a staff of two to take care of three newspaper facilities.  I am working harder than I ever have.  My family life is still as demanding as ever as is my church life.

But through it all I am joyful.  It is a joy to have the airplane project to work on with my son.  It is the bright spot in my day.  But it is also joyous to have God’s promise.  His promise that He will provide for me.  Scripture promises that if I acknowledge God in everything I do, He will make my paths straight.

I’m also eager to see what this year brings.  I have God’s promise that He will provide for me.  I can’t wait to see how He does it.

Scotty and I did a bit more work today.  We practiced measuring and marking work.  Using a center punch to keep our drill from wandering, and of cours, drilling.

“This is where I want you to mark with the center punch.”

Right on the crosshairs.

A firm grip on the drill, centered on the punch marks, and we make short work of our project for today.

It doesn’t get any better than this.

Amen.

I’ve heard some talk about town about how rich I must be to be able to build an airplane.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, I sold an airplane that I had paid for in full over time to finance this project.  This aircraft is being purpose built to sell.  I repeat, this aircraft is being built to sell.  This is an apprenticeship for my son as I really have no other skills to teach him.  

Thanks for letting me set the record straight.  God  bless you and yours.