The best part of being an author/speaker/writing coach is that you get to meet lots of new BFFs (Blessed Friends Forever). Well, maybe you don’t exactly meet all of them, but at least you sometimes get to know a thin slice of their heart through the lovely letters, photos and prayer requests they send.
Since two of my Too Blessed to be Stressed books have been translated into Spanish and released in Central America, South America and parts of the Caribbean, I’ve been thrilled to receive some super sweet correspondence from my new calypso chicas. My salsa sisters! Mis muy bendecida amigas!
Just this week, I received not one but TWO heart-warming notes via my website contact page from the Latin American sweetie I’m proud to call my first Argentine BFF (I left the little translation boobarini’s in because they were so charming):
Hi Debbie,
My name is Flor; I’m from Argentina. I’m 28 years old and my English is not very well. But I was write to you anyway because I have your book, Muy Bendecida Para Estar Estresada (Too Blessed to be Stressed). I bought it at the Miami airport when I was returning from my honeymoon in 2016.
It is for me a great gift of God in my life in this moment. I wish talk to you … why not be friends from a distance? When I get back to Miami one day maybe we can drink a coffee and eat chocolate. 😀
I was so excited to hear from sweet Flor, my brand new fragrant Argentine flower, that I pushed everything else aside and replied to her right away. Two days later, I received this:
My heart was filled with joy when I saw that you had answered me in my email box, dear Deb!
Today after a few days I finished reading your book. It’s one of those books that you never want to end. So tomorrow I start it again hahaha!!
I love your books, at least each of their titles, but I’m sorry they are not all in Spanish. I would love to read them and be blessed as I was with this one. I will have to improve my English to read them.
Dear Deb, today I thanked God for your life. [Okay, here’s where I broke down into a weepy, snotty mess draped over my computer chair arm. How did this gal halfway around the world know this was exactly what I needed to hear at that very moment? Somebody was thankful for my life??? But I digress; on with the letter …]
God used your life to bless mine. Every shared experience in your book helped me a lot. When I read it, I laugh, I cry, I praise, I sing.
I wish with all my heart Deb that we continue to write to each other! I would love to be your first BFF in Argentina. Cheers to Chuck, your mom, your sister. I hope to return to Miami some day and why not meet us personally!
Always your friend, Flor
Just. Whoaaa.
We each one of us need to be blessed all the way to our unpainted jagged toenails some days, right? Unexpected blessings are the best! Thank you, Jesus!
I hope something has lit your heart this week half as much as this little ray of sunshine lit mine. Now it’s your turn. How about sharing it with all of us BFFs?
Hugs, Deb
P.S. I’m thanking God for your life right now!
Deb, I am thankful for you and your friendship that has spanned 4 decades! Are we really that old? Thanks for your delightful way of bringing sunshine into so many lives!
Blessings, Sandi
Dear Deb,
My blessings came this week in the mail. It was a note from a little girl I have sponsored in Guatemala since she was three years old through Childfund International. Her name is Kimberlina (isn’t that a beautiful name?). She turned 10 in February! Because of Covid, I have been so concerned for her and her family because the mail has been almost nonexistent for months. I opened her letter and read “It is a pleasure to greet you my dear friend, Thank you for being part of our family. Thank you for the birthday card you sent me. Despite the situation my family and I are ok. I always think about you. I hope to know from you soon. Blessings” . There was a picture of little Kimberlina holding the birthday card looking happy and healthy!! God is good, my many prayers have been answered.
I love notes because you can take them with you and cherish them over and over again. Is this a little girl you sponsor, Paula?
Oh, yes, I see it is when I reread your message, Paula. We, too, sponsor a little girl in Kenya and a boy in the Dominican Republic. It is a special honor to pour into a child’s life as a sponsor, isn’t it? God bless you and your generosity to Kimberlina (it IS a beautiful name!).
You do bring joy to many lives, Debora! I do not remember how I discovered your blog and books but I am glad that I did.
Me too, Patricia! I’m glad too!
How wonderful and how timely – the treasure of praise and encouragement in written form is a perfect gift. So glad your books are touching so many, Deb. And the humor makes them all so memorable, too. Keep writing!!
Thank you soooo much for the encouragement, Cheryl. I know you’re in the perseverance mode through a touch situation these days and I want you to know I’m lifting you in prayer. Encouragement right back atcha, girlfriend!
Special. Thanks for sharing this Love reading/hearing about Good things in these crazy troubling times we are living in. God is Great
Thank you for allowing me to share it with you, Mary Lou! What good things is Papa God doing in your life right now, dear sister?
So thankful for you Deb! You have been such a blessing in my life! The encouragement and prayers mean so much! Praying that you will be blessed for all your kindness to your BFFs!
A BIG ole hug to you, Crystaleen Joy Grace – oooh, I love your name! How can you NOT be blessed with a name like that? Anytime anyone calls your name, they’re reminded of the most awesome attributes of Papa God. Pausing to pray for you right now, dearest BFF.