The Author

I was born Lynn Richard Bush on August 7, 1955, in Sacramento, California, the son of Richard Harold and Marilynn Joyce Bush. Both of my parents were blind, and together they had five children: Lynn Richard, Shirley Joyce, John Harold, Alice Elaine, and David Joseph.

Most of my early memories center around a row house in Chicago, Illinois, where I lived with my parents and siblings. Those memories are followed by one of the most defining moments of my childhood—a train ride from Chicago to Ottumwa, Iowa. It was there that four of the five of us were placed into the custody of the American Home Finding Association to be adopted into new homes. My sister Alice Elaine (Sally) was adopted separately by our aunt, who lived in Ottumwa.

I was the first of the four siblings to be adopted. In many ways, my life as I came to know it truly began in the summer of 1962, when I was placed into a new home that included a sister three years older than me. Years later, through two separate conversations with my adoptive father, I learned that I had not been their first choice. They had originally hoped to adopt my younger brother John, but due to agency policy, they were required to adopt the oldest child first—and that was me.

I never had the opportunity to say goodbye to my sister Shirley, but I was able to see my younger brother John before I left. He gave me a small beige plastic model horse with one broken leg—a simple gift that has remained a powerful memory.

For a more detailed, chronological account of my life, please see The Milestones. As I reflect on my journey, I am convinced that God’s hand guided each step of the adoption process, and that every decision along the way was under His direction.

I am one of millions who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. I also hold firmly that God’s Word is the ultimate authority, and that it is fully sufficient as our guide for faith and practice.