I always wanted to sing Christian music

As a young boy, I would put on my dad's Southern Gospel quartet records and try to sing all the parts. Being the son of a pastor gave me opportunities to sing special music in the small churches he pastored. Later, when my father entered evangelistic ministry, our whole family traveled and sang at revivals, conventions, camp meetings, and concerts.

The day everything changed

Only eight months after Sheila and I were married, we went to my parents' house for my brother Tom's eighteenth birthday. Later that day, a drunk driver traveling over 90 miles per hour ran a red light and struck my parents' car broadside.

At the hospital, we were told that my father had passed away, my mother was not expected to survive the night, and my sister was receiving treatment. Sixteen days later, my mother went home to Heaven.

After the funerals, my younger sister and youngest brother moved in with Sheila and me. We had been married only eight months, and suddenly we were caring for two kids.

A different kind of blessing

In 1993, Sheila and I learned we were expecting our first child. After Brittany was born, the doctors told us they believed she had Down syndrome. I was devastated, disappointed, worried, and fearful. I wanted the typical, beautiful, "normal" little girl. God had another plan.

Over the years, Brittany has taught us more than I could ever put into words. She participated in dance, played baseball for more than twenty years, and has overcome challenges that would discourage many people.

Two years later, our son Austin was born. Today, Austin is married to Alana, and they have three children: Zane Michael White, Sawyer Rose White, and their youngest, Oakley Mae White.