Stepping off our sidewalk curb, I check both ways for traffic on our busy street. I quickly cross to the makeshift lemonade stand in our neighbor’s driveway. Two young boys stand behind a table on which sit large paper cups, two pitchers of lemonade, and a big bowl of popcorn. “Hi, Oscar! Hi, Samuel! What are you selling on this warm, sunny day?” “Lemonade and popcorn. D’you want some?” In all my years while attending boarding school in Nigeria where…
While I stood at the kitchen counter chopping veggies for a salad, I tapped the icons on my phone to call my mom. She and I often feel lonely at dusk, so I’ve started calling her around suppertime while I prepare dinner. Mom’s voice sounded weary. “Hi, Honey.” I was a little concerned but began with my usual question. “How are you doing today?” “Well, right now I’m feeling depressed. I don’t like that the radio station plays Christmas music…
No prayer is too small or too big for God to answer. Do you feel like God couldn’t possibly care about your prayers? Take heart. He cares about every detail of our lives! My story of a miraculous college graduation gift I received from God when my parents were a continent away in Nigeria was published in Abba’s Answers. In this devotional book by CrossRiver Media, you’ll find thirty uplifting personal accounts of how God answered prayer. The interview was…
A heartfelt “Welcome” to my many new subscribers! During the past month, the 500th person signed up for my blog. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you. Your companionship on this journey encourages me to keep writing. In November, my short story, “Lost in the Crowd,” was published in the Inspire Community anthology. As a thank you to Diane S., my 500th subscriber, I’m sending a free copy of this collection of inspiring stories by fifteen authors. For…
While living in a boarding school for ten years as a child and youth, I developed many necessary coping mechanisms. They got me through hours of loneliness, confusion, and grief. With the threat of a bad report card being sent home to my parents at the end of each term, I was motivated to measure up in my classes. At Kent Academy, I also got a Dorm Report Card covering my attitudes and actions throughout the day. Each week I…
Dear Friends, I realized the last devotion I published on my blog had no reference to my childhood in Nigeria. So, I rewrote it. Mainly I wanted to post something—anything—on this day, August 12, 2021, my 62nd birthday! Let me know what you think of the additions. Warmly, Debbie At a yard sale this summer, I bought a Bible for young children for fifty cents. What a bargain! When I flipped through the heavy cardboard pages depicting thirteen short stories…
Hello, Friends, I’d like to give a warm welcome to my new subscribers. It’s great to have you on the journey with me! I hope you enjoy the stories about my life in Nigeria. Please feel free to respond to my posts directly on the website. Or, you can email me privately and let me know how you’re doing. This month, it’s taking a little longer to write my next childhood story. In the meantime I’ve written a short devotion…
In my last semester as a Business Major at Fresno State, I dreamed of having my parents fly home for graduation. But they weren’t due from Nigeria for a furlough for another year. The gals in my Bible study group said they’d pray, but could God really help? Did He even care?
For many years I dreamed of doing extraordinary work for the Lord, but felt relegated to living an ordinary life. Then I found my tribe.
Sitting in a women’s Bible study, I looked around the circle at the smiling faces. Am I the only one who has trouble with forgiveness? I wondered. As a six-year-old, my heart shattered when I was sent to boarding school for several years. When I returned home for vacation, I couldn’t express to my parents the homesickness, rejection, and abandonment I experienced. I felt hurt and angry. The many instances of abuse I saw from people who were supposed to…