The best thing we can do is face up to the changes in our lives with courage and faith

that God is involved in those changes.

And sometimes change is God's way of taking us on a different path.

One we may not choose for ourselves.

Hey Odyssey fans, I'm Bob, Senior Editor with PlugDin.

And I'm Jesse, Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse Magazine.

Today we're excited to have a podcast devoted to everyone's favorite inventor and ice cream

and boredom keeper.

Oh hi there, welcome to Odyssey, I'm John Avery Whittaker.

But most folks around here call me Witt.

Mr. Whittaker is the heart and soul of adventures in Odyssey.

To many of us he's like a grandfather or trusted mentor.

Of course he's the sort of grandfather who fought pirates, earned a purple heart in the

Navy, served as a secret agent and can make a mean raspberry ripple sundae de boon.

It was first brought to life by voice actor Hal Smith.

Hal had a long career as a performer.

From TV to radio, stage to screen, he might be best known for his role as Otis Campbell

in the Andy Griffiths show.

John Avery Whittaker first appeared before Adventures in Odyssey was launched.

He appeared in Family Portraits, the four runner to the program.

Hal remembers that time in this vintage interview clip from 1991.

Well originally this was called I think Portraits and Something and they called me

...