My Autobiography

Early Life and First Steps in Technology

My name is David Orlov, and I’m 23 years old. I come from a large family of nine: seven kids (including myself) and two loving parents. Growing up, I often clashed with my siblings because I could be demanding, and my parents considered me a “failing child” for a long time due to my struggles in school. Still, I always loved technology, and my dad actively nurtured that interest by bringing home gadgets from Inter-State, where I now work.

Around ten years old, I became fixated on playing video games, but my parents refused to buy them. Determined, I found ways to pirate games, which led to computer viruses that broke my system multiple times. Eventually, my uncle got fed up with fixing my laptop, installed Ubuntu, and restricted me from installing anything else—especially games. That limitation forced me to learn how to wipe the computer and reinstall Windows on my own.

During this same period, my uncle introduced me to coding through websites like Codecademy and Scratch. I first tried Batch scripting and XML, then later taught myself Java by reading a book. As I provided tech support for others, networking naturally became part of my skill set. Meanwhile, my fascination with music consoles—especially a massive Midas Pro 6 audio board at my church—sparked my interest in audio engineering.

Early Spiritual Pursuits

Despite my tech focus, I was also drawn to God from a young age. I staged weekly “kids services,” complete with prayer, sermons, songs, and even the occasional pizza reward to boost attendance. I jokingly called myself the “pastor of kids church,” but it was an earnest expression of my desire to lead others in faith. However, I noticed not everyone was interested in such gatherings, which taught me early on that many people prefer a carefree lifestyle over regular spiritual devotion.

Faith Crisis and Becoming “Stalin”

Everything shifted around the time I hit a rough patch in school. I had prayed hard for good grades, only to receive disappointing results. My father was angry, and I felt humiliated. Convinced that God hadn’t answered my prayers, I declared God must not exist. For six months, I walked away from my faith, referring to myself as “Stalin”—a man of steel. I canceled my kids services and publicly announced I no longer believed in miracles.

However, I still attended church to maintain appearances, especially once my siblings told my parents about my disbelief. I pretended to believe in God but not in miracles. Inside, though, I was torn and bitter.

A Pivotal Conversation on a Searing Rooftop

About half a year later, in mid-2016, my grandma mentioned that a prophet from Ukraine was visiting us, offering a chance to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. I was skeptical, but I went along with it anyway. We ended up working together on a project constructing a new shed to store hay bales. It was a tall structure, and we had to work on the roof in scorching 103-degree heat. While we toiled under the sun, I asked him if he was worried about going to hell. He replied, with absolute certainty, that he was bound for heaven.

That level of conviction shocked me, especially since I had drifted so far from God. Meanwhile, he noticed me listening to music and suggested I’d gain more by listening to the Bible instead. Intrigued, I started streaming audio scriptures the next day. Through our conversations—and the subsequent decision to fast and pray—a seed of faith was rekindled in me.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

On June 18, 2016 (just four days before my 15th birthday), I finally experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and received the gift of tongues. In that moment, it felt like a veil lifted, and I was drawn back to God. My sisters, who had doubted I’d receive the gift, saw my transformation and were inspired to seek the Holy Spirit themselves. The very next day, on June 19, they also received the gift of tongues.

Family Tragedies and Renewed Faith

In the midst of this spiritual revival, tragedy struck our extended family in June. One of our relatives was in a car accident, resulting in the death of a child and severe injuries to others. This heartbreaking event tested my newfound faith. Later, near the end of July, we planned a family vacation to Florida, but in early August, we learned my grandpa’s brother was nearing the end of his life due to cancer and kidney failure. We weren’t sure if we’d make it back from Florida in time to see him or attend any memorial service.

While praying for guidance, I experienced a supernatural wind in a closed room and a vision of Jesus promising to bless our trip. Encouraged by this prophecy, we traveled to Florida and returned safely, then continued on to Washington, where my grandpa’s brother was. Amazingly, he held on just long enough for the family to gather at his bedside and say their goodbyes. This entire season solidified my faith and showed me God’s hand at work, even in the darkest times.

Rise of Pride and a Painful Humbling

Not long after my spiritual renewal, I had a serious accident involving a four-wheeler that injured my back. The pain was excruciating, and for weeks, chiropractors struggled to provide a lasting fix. In desperation, I cried out to God: I grabbed a pillow, prayed He would heal me through it, and felt a sudden warmth coursing up and down my spine. I stood up pain-free, stunned at the instantaneous relief.

Rather than inspiring gratitude and humility, this miraculous healing fed my pride. I began to believe that since God had healed me, I must be an especially “good Christian.” My newfound confidence bordered on arrogance. People around me, even in church, started calling me “Святоша” (meaning “holy person”)—partly in jest, partly in frustration.

Seeing my own spiritual dryness, I approached my pastor for help. He listed off various sins, but never once mentioned pride. Hearing nothing that applied to me, I walked away even more convinced of my own righteousness. Little did I realize I was trapped in self-deception. That was when life threw me another curveball: a trailer ran over my foot, fracturing it severely and putting me on crutches for months.

Unable to walk, I was forced to slow down in every sense. During those long weeks, I wrestled with the truth that pride is a hidden sin—one often overlooked and unacknowledged. The more helpless I felt physically, the more I recognized my spiritual helplessness without God. Losing my mobility helped me see that I was not exempt from falling into sin just because I’d experienced a miracle. This humbling season was a painful but necessary wake-up call.

Further Injuries, Healing, and Water Baptism

Even before my foot fully healed, I started reflecting on how far I’d let my ego run wild. I saw that the same God who once healed my back was now using this injury to teach me true humility. It was a formative lesson, and I leaned on Him more deeply than ever before.

By mid-2019, I sensed another crucial step in my faith journey. In June of that year, at 17 years old, I was baptized in water—outwardly declaring my commitment to follow Jesus. This public profession of faith felt like a clean slate, washing away both the shame of my sins and the stubborn pride that had taken root in my heart.

The experience solidified a new perspective: walking with God isn’t about proving my spiritual worth or showcasing my “holiness.” It’s about surrender—acknowledging I need His mercy and guidance every single day. The pride that once fueled me began to dissolve under the realization that all I have, from healing to salvation, is solely by His grace. Although I still had more to learn, that baptism marked a turning point, grounding me in the truth that God’s strength is revealed in our weakness—and He is faithful, even when we fall.

Educational and Professional Journey

After finishing high school in May 2019, I started working for Elite Tech LLC as a subcontractor, serving as a network administrator for a local school. Though it was a good learning experience, I eventually moved on in March 2022. Immediately after leaving, I was offered a position as an onsite technician, which provided me even more hands-on practice in IT and networking.

By April 2023, I had the opportunity to work at Inter-State Studio—ironic since that was originally where my dad had brought home equipment for me to tinker with as a kid. Meanwhile, my passion for audio engineering led me to launch my own side venture, Elegant Audio, in October 2023.

Launching Elegant Audio

Elegant Audio is a Christian-based business that I run on weekends and in my spare time. My vision is to have a dedicated facility with a full studio, rehearsal space, photo/video studio, and a warehouse for gear storage. I hope to serve churches by improving their sound systems, as well as provide audio solutions for weddings and various events. My dream is to expand beyond state lines, traveling to help congregations everywhere achieve high-quality sound for worship.

I still attend church and want to pour into developing its musical talent, but as of January 1, 2025, I’ve stepped away from regularly running sound to focus on building Elegant Audio. Balancing work at Inter-State Studio and my growing business can be challenging, yet I find it rewarding to integrate my faith with these creative and technical pursuits.

Reflections on Faith and Future Plans

Looking back, my life has been shaped by both divine interventions and my own missteps. From the moment I first doubted God’s existence to the times He healed me from severe injuries, I have seen His grace at every turn. My struggles with pride, moments of tragedy, and humbling injuries have all played a role in bringing me closer to the Lord.

My ultimate desire is to keep God at the center of everything I do—whether that’s coding, networking, mixing audio, or leading a business. I don’t want to be so tied to worldly endeavors that I lose sight of my relationship with Him. Instead, I hope to keep building Elegant Audio as a faith-driven company, using it to serve churches, reach people through music and technology, and showcase God’s goodness.

I am grateful for every trial and triumph because they have each led me to a deeper understanding of who I am and, more importantly, who God is. My story isn’t finished, but I trust that the One who started it will guide me through each new chapter.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for taking the time to journey through my story. Each chapter—both the joys and the struggles—reflects the lessons I’ve learned and the grace I’ve experienced. I’m grateful for every twist and turn, trusting that they’ve shaped me into who I am today. As I continue moving forward, I remain confident that God’s guidance will light every path I take, no matter how unexpected.