This is my story…
Beginning
I was born in 1979 to an unwed teenage mother during her 16th year of life. I have a biological half-sister who was born when my biological mother was 14 years old. She made the courageous decision to place me for adoption instead of aborting me. This is the first powerful woman in my life. The identity of my biological father remains a mystery
Adoption
Two weeks after my birth, I was adopted by Marlan and Freida Bird. Unable to have children themselves, my adoptive parents made the sacrificial decision to open their home and lives to a child who was not their own. I always grew up knowing I was adopted. It was apparent that by 10 years of age, I already towered over my adoptive dad. They provided for me as though I was their own, took me to church from the earliest age, and showed me the world I continue to explore.
Freida is the second powerful woman in my life
Divorce
My parents made a life altering decision to divorce when I was 6 years old. My mom suffered from severe mental illness and separated amicably from my father out of fear of burdening him with her disability. I grew up spending one week with my mom and one week with my dad. They always kept their relationship amicable. However, divorce has unintended consequences for children. I grew up lacking the stability of a traditional family. Consequently, I chose to turn to alcohol and pornography as a coping mechanism for the hurt I nurtured.
The third powerful woman was my grandmother, who prayed every day for my salvation. Her perseverance in the faith no doubt contributed to the context of my salvation.
Salvation
At the age of 18, it became apparent that I was living a life of hypocrisy. On one hand, I attended church and participated freely in youth activities and missions. On the other hand, my personal life had already taken on sinful habits that defined who I was. In addition to drinking and pornography, I had started a relationship with an unbelieving girl. It was in this context that Jesus sent my friend Jeremy Odegaard to confront me. That led to reading a book titled “An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount” by AW Pink. I read the section on the beatitudes, knew I wasn’t blessed by God, and cried out, confessing my sins, repenting of who I was, and receiving the grace and forgiveness I knew were available in Jesus. This is my second adoption experience. I became a child of God.
Remarriage
Around the time I was saved, my Dad remarried. Rose came into my life as a stepmother. I responded the way most 18-year-old males would. I was a nuisance. However, Rose loved my dad, and I learned to love her for that. A move out of the house to attend college greatly improved our relationship. By the end of college, we had become a family. With my marriage and the birth of my three boys, her expansive love for all of us earned her the right to be called not a stepmother but just mom.
It was during this time that my adoptive mother, Freida, died of lung cancer. To her I owe my zeal for life, penchant for trying new things, and my ministry of Biblical Counseling.
My Life
After being saved at 18 years old, I attended the Master's University, where I met Amy Staley. I was attracted to her physical beauty but captured by her heart. She was a passionate lover of Jesus and His Word. We could not be more opposite in personality; she prizes safety, stability, and security. I value spontaneity, adventure, and a sense of constructive chaos. I call her my Princess Peace, and myself King Chaos! We are raising three successful, Christ-loving young men, two of whom are in college pursuing aviation and firefighting. My third child is a junior in high school. All have served regularly in the church from their youngest days.
My wife Amy and I celebrate 24 blessed years this August 10th.
In Short