Overcoming Fear One Flight at a Time

The plane landed just within view of Tater. First, the plane bounced and settled down onto the grassy area next to the runway, and then drove with ease over to the fuel pumps. The fifteen-year-old class clown wasn’t laughing. Tater swallowed with a gulp as his lunch was flip-flopping in his stomach.

“Come on, it’s your turn.” Tater’s friends pushed him. Tater slowly got up and walked toward the plane. “He’s gonna puke!” a boy yelled. They all laughed. Tater couldn’t think of anything witty. Instead, he grabbed his stomach. He heard their laughter trail off as he approached the plane.

“Ready to go?” Pilot Bill asked.

“I’m not sure.” His eyes watered. “I think I ate rotten food.” He grabbed his stomach.

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We Can Soar With Christ

“My mommy says I can do anything.” The young eight-year-old girl said as she climbed up and into the aircraft with authority. She fixed the seat belt around her and looked forward, seeing only the yoke. “I can’t see!” she pouted. “Here this will help.” Jenna held her up and slid a seat extension under her. Lena sat down and a big smile covered her face. “Much better,” she said. “I’m ready.” “Let’s get this plane in the air, Lena.” Jenna gave instructions to all the girls at Aviation Boot Camp. “I like your confidence, Lena.” Jenna smiled as she lifted the plane off the ground and started the downwind leg of the flight. “I like your confidence too, Miss Jenna.” “Since you can’t touch the rudder pedals, I’ll do...

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Don’t Be Afraid to Fly Your Plane

“Don’t be afraid to fly the plane, Catlin.” Mike coached her gently. Catlin felt like she was always late, always wrong. Her self-esteem was low, and any nearby adult could spot it. Her parents allowed her to attend Aviation Boot Camp at the last minute when they had heard a scholarship was available. “Here do like me, make your hands like mine.” She looked at Mike’s hand position on the yoke and copied it. “Good Job!” Catlin smiled and started to relax. The troubles of her teenage life were far below as the plane climbed to new heights. “Jesus says in Jeremiah 17:7 ‘But blessed is the one who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him,’” Mike said. “I believe you can do this.” He removed his hands from the yoke. “I’m...

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Aviation Boot Camp—Soaring Like an Eagle

Jaxson was in a wheelchair, and he waited alone for his turn in the airplane. He wanted to fly and feel a different excitement that he hadn’t had in his life. He was ready for a life of adventure. He was coddled and often stopped from taking risks by his parents but they gave him this new opportunity and he was not going to waste it. The instructor lifted Jaxson from his chair and cautiously set him in the airplane. “Ready to spread your wings?” he said excitedly. Ned was an Aviation Boot Camp pilot and loved teaching kids the joy of flying. Jaxson nodded his crooked head. Jaxson suffered from Spina Bifida. His earthly body would find joy in life in a different way than the other boys his age. Jaxson understood that nothing could stop his mind from soaring...

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Aviation Boot Camp Daredevil

James was an aviation boot camp daredevil. He wanted excitement and action. He was ready for a life of adventure whatever that meant. He imagined that the pilot could see his body rhythmically bouncing to the strong banging of his heart. His adrenaline was at full force in his small body. “Ready to do some G force maneuvers?” The instructor said excitedly, only adding to the pump James already felt. Danny was an Aviation Boot Camp pilot and loved teaching kids the fun of flying. “This is great!” James shouted into the headset microphone. “No need to shout, You’re right in my ear.” Danny smiled. James lifted off his seat after a steep climb and then a sudden drop as the plane headed toward the earth with a force. “Your seatbelt kept you from hitting...

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Write Right

What NOT To Do When Your Mom Is The Proofer By Bradley Rosenfeld and Sue Rosenfeld Sometimes I feel like I’m being watched. Is there a Grammar Ninja crouching in my closet, a Spelling Commando sleeping under my bed, or a Writing Super Spy peering through my window?  Actually, it’s just my mom making sure my writing is correct. She has hired some of the best spies in the business. Since then, I have been on a mission to discover as much as I can about her spies and to learn what NOT to do when my mom is the proofreader. Here are five things I’ve learned: If you misplace a comma or use a period incorrectly, the Punctuation Prodders (PP) will reveal it. For instance, my mom’s glasses give her special x-ray vision. She notices if I mistakenly use a period...

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