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Living in The Icebox of the Nation, a Minnesota girl, living by the grace of God, knowing that no matter how bad my choices or however bad the circumstances are, God is always good. I get to share my real life on the radio with a one minute feature, Everyday Matters and from that beginning in 2006, I was asked shortly thereafter, “Do you speak?,” I paused and replied, “Yes. I think I do." Everyday Matters is now heard on over 100 radio stations, which in turn gives me opportunities to travel nationwide to speak hope, bring perspective, and share God’s active love for you.
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“There is no stronger way to build relationships than taking a genuine interest in other human beings and allowing them to share their stories. This is Debbie. She takes the time to really listen to you because she’s sincerely interested in what you have to share. Before you know it you’re sharing parts of your life you’ve barely whispered to a close confidant, but yet suddenly you’re telling Debbie everything, because now she’s your new best friend. Debbie’s ability to create instant connection and a shared understanding of what it means to be human is uncanny. “Yes, the earth experience is hard,” she’ll say, “but God is so good.” She overflows with joy, enthusiasm and fun and wants you to experience the same. Debbie motivates you to see the blessings of life and how God’s grace makes all the difference.
because I want you to know you’re not alone and
God loves you.
Also laughter, laughter is key. Laughter attracts joy, releases negativity and leads to miraculous changes for you and those around you. A college BA in Theater/Communications, along with a teaching degree comes in handy as a communicator, but I feel like I was born to be on stage. You’ll hear different characters with accents and songs from Broadway musicals (with changed lyrics) that I use to bring a message of love and truth. Using props, rather than power-point gives you tangible ways to apply what you’ve heard to live a life that is full of hope and purpose. Yes, a stage on Broadway was my dream, but throughout the last ten years I’ve had a deep experience with God’s grace and He opened my heart in a profound way. The dream now is traveling around the country, as the crazy character I am, stepping on stage to help you understand that your identity is in Christ and not in other people, your position, or how many followers you have on Instagram. When you know how loved and treasured you are, everything you do will be selfless, rather than selfish. Because, without the grace of God the good deeds you do will be trying to prove to yourself and others that you're okay. Yet, you are a unique and beautiful creation and God has your dream in His hands ready for you to live it out, too.
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Failures through the journey of life are inevitable.
It is actually part of the journey, for through it, I recognize that my worth is not so much in my ability to run, as it is to being led by the One who enables me to run.
It is actually part of the journey, for through it, I recognize that my worth is not so much in my ability to run, as it is to being led by the One who enables me to run.
My childhood was spent growing up “in the woods” in Northwestern Minnesota, hauling sap buckets with my parents and brother, where we heated our home with a double barrel wood stove, and my mom cooked all our meals on a “Little House on the Prairie” blue enamel cook stove. Bath time took place, as a family, in a little sauna built by the lake. Years later, the sap trails would become ski trails and grow into what is now Maplelag X-C Ski Resort and the lodge where we’d hold talent shows for guests, was also the place where I would practice my “Broadway Belt” up until I left for college.
But now here I, in the Icebox of the Nation, living in a small town community of people where if I don't know what in the world I'm doing, everyone else does. I have a love for where God's planted me. It's been the place my husband, Dan, and I have raised four sons (only the baby remains at home) and it's been good, of course not perfect, but good. It's often cold, too cold. But joy is found from knowing Christ uses ALL things for the good and happiness is found in circumstances. In January we have Icebox Days and Turkey Bowling down main street. It's a place where it's 23 below zero and the "real feel" is 62 below. The DUI season of my life in 2017 led me to find a job I could walk to when one of my sons wasn't driving me to a speaking event. I'm currently still a Server Girl at the authentic Mexican restaurant in town. Who knew God would use that season to being me such a blessing and "Dream Plan" for me? But it is. I go to the radio every week and record the feature, Everyday Matters. I'm involved in our community, love to travel and speak all over the country. I also love to connect with the person I'm serving a chiles relleno to.
I read somewhere and wrote in my journal, "We’re made to believe a life in Christ should be edgy, exciting, and a bit dangerous if it is to be authentic. As a wise monk once said, “Everybody wants a revolution. No one wants to do the dishes.” The problem is that most of us spend the vast majority of our lives doing very ordinary things like waking up, brushing our teeth, and, well, doing the dishes. But when seen through the eyes of faith, these ordinary activities are transformed into luminous moments. Tish Harrison Warren’s book, Liturgy of the Ordinary reminds us, “God is forming us into a new people. And the place of that formation is in the small moments of today.”
Jesus is gentle with sinner girls like me. He sees my heart behind my stinkiest self, defensiveness and pride. His grace helps me to give grace to others and listen and not just talk. We weren't born to be famous with fans, but to live in freedom by discovering real friends and being one. I want to be your friend and share stories that encourage you. Our experiences should make us better and not bitter because God is always good, even when we are not.
Jesus is gentle with sinner girls like me. He sees my heart behind my stinkiest self, defensiveness and pride. His grace helps me to give grace to others and listen and not just talk. We weren't born to be famous with fans, but to live in freedom by discovering real friends and being one. I want to be your friend and share stories that encourage you. Our experiences should make us better and not bitter because God is always good, even when we are not.
(Debbie shares more about living a purposeful life as a server girl at a Mexican restaurant... keep reading)
Ministry is serving the one God puts in front of you, each day. Christ loves YOU personally, no matter what background, culture or perspective you come from. You don’t have to work at a church or go abroad on a mission’s trip to be in ministry. Jesus’ answer to a world frantically searching for meaning; learn to serve. Seek to lighten the load of others and you’ll find fulfillment, you’ll find fun and freedom. Serve right where you are and how you are, even if it seems not to fit “the dream.” Guess what (and no pun intended)? I’m a Server-Girl too. Wait? What? Yes, as in, I’m a waitress. In my home town of International Falls, MN I serve customers at our local and absolutely authentic Mexican restaurant. If you’re in town (and I’m in town) it may be I’m the gal to serve you a Burrito Loco or Enchilada Yolandas.
In summary, I love Jesus. I love people. Connecting to hearts is one of the greatest gifts I’ve been given an opportunity to do, whether as a speaker, writer, radio girl, high school teacher, an entertainer, actress or theatre director. I wasn’t brought up religious or boxed into a church denomination, but grew-up, knowing at age seven, that Christianity without, Jesus would just be another religion. I have a personal relationship with a God who is real, who cares and never lets go, even if I do. No matter where or who you are, I want you to know Jesus personally, too. I hope to see YOU soon! Yes, you who is reading this right now, let’s connect. I’m ready to serve you a plate full of love, grace and laughter. I’m certain we’re gonna be best friends. |