IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS POST ABOUT AN AWESOME KID I KNEW WAY BACK NAMED BRIAN THEN YOU WON'T "GET IT."
After writing about Brian, I decided to try to follow-up and see where he is, what he's up to, etc.
I am AWFUL about keeping up with people when they move away, and Brian's family moved away when I was 22. And I am just a smidge older now. :) So, I contacted Shawn (also mentioned in said post) and he was able to do a little research and found my old Coach. I decided to call him and check in. What an amazing man. He no longer coaches, but is now in full-time Christian ministry. It was great to catch up with him.
I asked about the rest of his family, then told a little about the blog and how I had written a post about Brian. He accessed the post and read it while we were talking. His voice started quivering a bit, and I was afraid something may have happened to Brian.
What a terrible ending to the story THAT would've been!!
Brian still lives with them, as his autism is at a level where he could never live alone or get a driver's license, etc. But he is healthy, happy, and doing well. Very Well.
In my post I mentioned that there are 4 things Brian LOVED. Coach assured me that 3 of the 4 are still Brian's faves, but now he has traded Hardee's Fried Chicken for Doritos. Every single day...he eats some Doritos. Sounds like a good plan to me! Probably saves alot of money in the long run!!
So I asked what does Brian "do" not sure I would get an answer. I almost cringed thinking I shouldn't have asked.
Coach said Brian has a full-time job for the State and Federal Government making more than Coach does.
huh?
That's right...Brian's love of MAPS as a 1st grader led to something much bigger.
When he was 16, a friend at church mentioned to Coach about a Co-Op program for High School kids (Brian finished his education through home-schooling) with the State Department of Transportation. He began the program when he was 18. His Mom had to go with him and sit with him to help him for the first 2 months. Since then, he has been going to work every day (always wearing a Navy Suit and Red Tie...gotta love that guy) helping with map-making and editing.
He was such a help that a co-worker sent Brian's name into the Federal Highway Commissions or whatever they are called, and they supplement his income also, as he now does work for them also.
WOW
I don't mean WOW look what Brian has done...
I mean WOW--- WHAT AN AMAZING GOD!
Not only that HE can use ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, in ANY SITUATION to make maps...
But that He can use ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, in EVERY SITUATION to serve HIM and BRING HIM GLORY!!!
If a kid who had some obstacles in his path can do what Brian has done...
Then Why Can't You and I____________. (fill in your own blank)
What is MY Excuse? Why do I get a pass?
I don't. WE DON'T!
I am PRAISING MY HOLY, LOVING, GRACIOUS, POWERFUL GOD today for how HE is using BRIAN not only to make maps, but using him to INSPIRE ME!
Hopefully, he will inspire you as well.
That's wonderful to hear! It's good to know that God is taking special care of Brian. A great sequel to a great post.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you tracked him down, so we could all learn the next chapter in Brian's story.
ReplyDeleteThis is also interesting to me because my husband used to have a job involving maps. He didn't exactly make maps, but he did make the first mapping software. Some of the very first maps that were made became the original article describing the 10/40 Window. (If you don't know what that is, try Googling "10/40 window" and click on one of the almost 15 million hits.)
I think God loves Brian. And I think He likes maps a lot, too. 8-)
(And by the way, I know of at least one more loyal reader. They just don't comment much.)
Love this. Love your blog. Keep doin' what you do! :)
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll let you know I have been enjoying peeking in here anonymously for a while... I just looked where Leslie is looking :-) What a blessing! Thanks for sharing.
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