Billy-Bob, the Less

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Jeanette

FLYING EXPERIENCES 1

Jeanette Berry, May 1974

I have been threatening to write a book on the many flying experiences with my husband. Our "unusual" situations read like fiction, yet every one is real, and every one carries a truth from the Word of God.

We made our first trip as a family in Tom's 1947 Stinson (a "tail-dragger) the day after Tom received his private license. I love to fly when you can see, but as we flew over Indianapolis it was extremely hazy. I developed a headache searching for other planes that might collide with us in midair. Soon I heard the radio call our number and tell us to watch for traffic, giving the location. I realized that although we could not see them, Indianapolis tower could see us on their radar and would tell us when another aircraft was near. I was so relieved. I thought of Hagar in Genesis 16:13, "And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God Seest Me." Since that flying experience Hagar's name for God has become mine.

If haze and thoughts of midair collisions were frightening, I had greater things in store. On that same trip it began to rain. I had only flown on beautiful sunshiny days (still my preference). Flying in the rain left me petrified. I had never realized that small planes fly in the fain. During that time I wrestled with 1st John 4:18, "Perfect love casteth out fear." I certainly searched for perfect love because I was scared to death. The worst was yet to come.

It is one thing to be on the ground watching lightning in the sky. It is another matter flying the in the sky with it. After haze, then rain, it took only a slight flicker in the distance to put me in hysterics. Tom actually landed the plane to allow me to pull myself together. Flight service assured him weather was suitable and somehow I made it.

I look back on that trip now with a smile (and a little ashamed). One of these day---in Heaven we'll look on our most trying times and realize how foolish we acted. We will see that the dangers were not as real as we supposed and that God was getting us ready for greater things.