But with all this talk of; “I love what’s been given me,” I sometimes get stuck with a bad attitude and become crabby and discouraged by “who I am” and wonder, “What am I doing?” Just the other night as Dan and I were getting into bed I said, “Why does anyone want to listen to me anyway.  Who am I?"  And Dan replied, “Debbie you’re an everyday girl with everyday life experiences. Look at all the amazing ways God has used you in your everyday life. Look at the lives you’ve touched and many of them while still in your pajamas. (I’m actually in the process of designing an Everyday Manna Pajama to sell in a drawstring bag). Besides, Dan said with a smirk on his face, remember what you’ve always proudly proclaimed, ‘I don’t home school and my kids eat white bread.’  Debbie, you appeal to the masses of everyday women.” 
Yeah, I guess Dan’s right.  But more importantly God is right.  I really do love where I’m at and what I’m doing in life because it all seems to be so real and natural to the person God created me to be.  With everyone I meet, I want to be as open and transparent as I can.  I want to share my sense of fun and humor in life. But more importantly I want to relay that God is REAL and that through Him there is absolute freedom to be the best of who we are!  God says to me, “Be ye a fisher of men.  You catch them—I’ll clean them.” Yes truly, people are what life is all about because only people last forever.

Because people and relationships matter so much I want everyone hearing the manna I share to feel that they could be in my living room, sitting with me crossed legged on our green checkered couch amidst flea market furniture and decor while I opened up my journal and heart and they shared theirs. I’d feel comfortable enough to show them the 13 inch back scar from my scoliosis surgery and then minutes later I’d run to the bathroom to gather all my hair magazines to discuss hairstyles, cut and color. I’d have Jason Gray www.jasongraymusic.com and Sara Groves www.saragroves.com singing in the background and I’m sure I’d pass on some writing from Margie Haack at Toad Hall www.ransomfellowship.org/articles_margie.html, because of their transparency, vulnerability and love/passion for Jesus.

I can’t tell you the relief I felt knowing God didn’t make a mistake when He made me. Because after taking a spiritual gift test, I was not overly thrilled to discover that my gifts were leadership and exhortation, “Oh, great gifts, I thought, bossy and bossier.” But then I realized they were gifts, if God directed, could be used to lead people to freedom in Jesus and my mouth could exhort encouragement. And those are things I really enjoy doing.

What else About Me?

I don’t sew but am thankful for all the church ladies that do and who’ve helped with the boys blankies, super hero costumes, Joey’s dance outfits, Awana patches, buttons and tears on husband’s pants as well as sewing breasts (basically foam cushions) in my pageant outfits…(just read the story). I don’t garden but I love the look and decoration of flowers especially Cosmos which is my favorite because it’s wild, has many color options and looks like a flower that would be open to the Gospel. I don’t bake (and am not crazy for baked goods except for a really good rhubarb, apple or coconut cream pie) and again if not by the graciousness of others my five males would be munching only on Chips Ahoy and Fig Newton’s as was the case one year for Christmas. I can cook and enjoy the creative process of making up sauces and pastas dishes.  I love salty snacks and three out of seven nights I am standing in the kitchen at 3:00 am eating one of my favorites, Lays plain potato chips, by the light of the refrigerator door as I drink a glass of milk to wash it all down.  I like tea but not coffee and every morning it’s a Diet Coke to get me started.