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Writing prompts

The Movie Moments

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What’s a moment in my life that felt like it was straight out of a movie?

 

My siblings and I often played together in our backyard. We did what we had always done since we were little children—”make something,” as we put it. In other words, pretending we’re in another time and place and we are different people or creatures.

As I have said before, one of my favorite childhood subjects was Kirby and still is to this day. We would often build our stories based on the anime, but develop it. . .whether it be Dedede falling ill with a mysterious malady and Starmonia and her friends discovering the truth behind Escargoon’s schemes, or Tiff and Meta Knight having an honest, heartfelt talk about whatever’s bothering them.

Those were the times—especially the beautiful, raw, emotional scenes we portrayed—that felt as if it could come right out of a movie.

Books

Book 4: Every Life is Beautiful

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Chapter Two: Baby Birds

 

“Mommy! Mommy!” shouted Cloudy, tearing down the last few feet of the stretch of road, a sense of furious urgency and panic revolving in her mind. Turning, she leapt the pasture fence and crashed hard to the ground, feeling a ripple of pain in her left shoulder, but she dismissed the injury and picked herself up, hurrying to her house.

Meanwhile, on the porch sat Springtime and Liloy, Meta Knight’s foster daughter. They had been contentedly chatting about the unpredictability of the weather and Liloy’s unborn baby when Cloudy’s shout had sliced the stillness of the air like a sword. Springtime looked in the direction of the road just in time to see her youngest child barrel the fence and fall hard on her shoulder.

“Oh my gosh!” cried Springtime, alarmed. She was relieved when a moment later, Cloudy picked herself up, closed the gap between herself and the house, and made a flying leap onto the porch, landing directly in front of the two women. “Hi,” she panted breathlessly.

Springtime and Liloy stared at her unkempt appearance, her tousled fur and askew bow. “What happened to you?” Liloy inquired.

It took Cloudy a full minute to catch her breath. “We need to take care of the baby birds!” she blurted out at last.

“Baby birds?” repeated Springtime. “What baby birds? What are you talking about, Cloudy?”

Cloudy tried again. “The baby birds whose mother was killed in the car accident!”

Liloy shook her head in confusion, her brow furrowed. “Maybe you should go back and start at the beginning, Cloudy,” she said gently.

At that moment, Star and Meta Knight arrived at the scene, the latter still clutching the nest. Springtime cast a bemused gaze upon the nest and then at the soldier. “Meta Knight, can you please explain all of this?”

“Magnus?” Scazzarda, Meta Knight’s mother, opened the front door and stepped outside. “What’s that in your hand?”

Meta Knight sighed and set the nest down on a lawn chair. “We happened to take a shortcut from Whispy Woods to the main road, and we saw a cardinal who was gathering food for her babies. Unfortunately, she. . .she. . .” The knight stopped talking and looked off to the far corner of the pasture.

Star, realizing his predicament, came to his rescue. “The mother cardinal was injured by a passing automobile and died on impact.”

“Oh, no!” Liloy exclaimed, putting her hand to her mouth, eyes wide. “How horrible!”

“Yeah,” Star agreed. “It was awful. Anyway, we dug a grave for the mother and buried her, and then Meta Knight took the nest and we brought it back here so we could raise the babies.”

“Now wait a moment, Star,” Springtime gently broke in. “I’m not sure that will work. First of all, we need to provide a proper housing environment and hydration, feeding, stimulation, monitor growth, and development for these birds, not to mention the healthcare and security they’ll need. Besides, I’m too busy raising you kids. Your father and I just don’t have the time to raise baby birds.”

“You have enough time to raise us, but not enough time to raise these orphaned babies?” Cloudy shot back, her voice rising with fierce determination. “So you’re saying if a poor, starving, abandoned child showed up at our door one day, you would turn him out? Huh? Is that what you’re saying?”

Springtime was momentarily startled. “N-No, that’s not what I’m saying at all! I just meant that. . .” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t know how to respond.

Scazzarda rested against one of the porch pillars, her green eyes sober, her face clouded with uncertainty. “Springtime,” she spoke. Springtime looked up at her. “I think we should give it a try. These baby birds at least deserve a chance to live, don’t they? Every life does.” She smiled slightly and quoted James 1:27, “‘Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.'”

Springtime mulled over Scazzarda’s words. She’s right, Springtime realized. All life does deserve a chance to live. She sighed. “All right,” she said, “we’ll raise the birds, Cloudy. We’ll try our best to make sure they thrive and live happy lives.”

Cloudy beamed her thanks. Then she frowned a little. “But we have to have the proper supplies and nutrients for the birds. I just don’t know if we can wing that, though.”

“I’m sure we can rustle up something, maybe from the attic,” Springtime smiled, chuckling inwardly at Cloudy’s pun. “In the meantime, let’s get the birds inside and set up a glass cage in the parlor. Then we’ll figure out what we need for them.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Cloudy said.

Scazzarda tenderly picked up the delicate nest, opened the door again, and they all stepped inside, with the exception of Meta Knight and Liloy, the latter asking to wait outside and speak with her father. When the door was closed, Liloy perched on the lawn chair and smiled at her father. “I’ve got the most exciting news!” she sang.

“Your baby will be born this month?” Meta Knight guessed, leaning against the porch railing.

“Well, yes, but I meant my other exciting news.” Liloy giggled in happiness, purposefully stalling just to heighten her father’s impatience. “I went to see Tilry today, and he’s doing much better; in fact, the doctors believe he may even fully recover and will live a healthy, full life!”

Meta Knight couldn’t believe it. This was the first he had heard about any of this. Still, he was overjoyed to learn of Tilry’s possible full recuperation. But he wasn’t about to show it. “That’s marvelous, Liloy,” he said, trying to sound composed and yet exuberant at the same time.

Liloy burst into laughter at his tone. “Oh, Father, stop trying to act all serious about the whole thing! Deep down, I know you’re really very excited, so why not just show it!”

Meta Knight had to laugh at her impudence. “As usual, Liloy, my daughter, you are right!” He scooped her up in his arms, lifting her clear off her feet. “I am very pleased that Tilry’s condition is improving rapidly.”

“Oh, so am I!” Liloy grinned and heaved a sigh of happiness. “I can’t wait for Tilry to see my little baby once it’s born. He’s going to be a dad, you know—and you’re going to be a grandfather!”

Meta Knight rested his hand on his daughter’s, and both embraced each other for the longest time. Liloy felt his grip tighten on her the slightest bit. She understood how much he hurt inside—over his abusive past, over his father Nightmare refusing to act paternally toward him and his sister. She knew it had taken a toll on him, physically, emotionally, and mentally. She wished she could help him, but knew that only God helped those who couldn’t help themselves.

 

* * * * *

 

“Okay, here we are,” Scazzarda announced, bringing into the parlor a sturdy glass aquarium and positioning it upright on the table. “This should be big enough to hold five wriggly, restless little hatchlings.”

“Now we need the heat lamps. I know we have three or four in the attic,” Springtime said.

Just then, Cloudy’s brothers descended the staircase and spotted the nest and aquarium on the coffee table. “What’s going on in here?” Sharkell asked, creeping forward and peering into the nest at the helpless, naked birds bundled together. “What are these?”

“Baby cardinals,” Star explained. “They were in an accident,” and she proceeded to tell them the entire story about the unfortunate death of the mother cardinal and how they were attempting to rear the babies. Sharkell and his brothers listened, fascinated, from beginning to end. But Sniper was unemotional, his face cold.

“Survival of the fittest, I guess,” was his unfeeling response to the heartrending story.

Star glared at her brother, disgust growing on her face. “Sniper, how rude! If your mother was killed in a car accident, would that be your reply?”

“No, of course not,” answered Sniper in a haughty voice. “But then again, I don’t have a bird for a mother, either. Good thing too, ’cause I couldn’t stand eating worms for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

Yodi, ever the peacemaker, broke in, “Oh, forget him. Let’s just get these birds settled in and comfortable.”

Springtime arranged some clean towels on the bottom of the tank. “Sniper, can you go to the attic and hunt for those heat lamps your grandma gave us a few years ago? They’re in the gray box marked 2GX4.”

“Aw, Mommy! Why do I have to do it?” Sniper complained. “I do everything! Make Waffle do it; he never does anything!”

Springtime looked like she was about to retort, but then a sly smile spread over her face. “Hey, Sniper, what big event is later this month?”

Sniper raised an eyebrow. “Um, well, it’s my birthday—as well as my other siblings’.”

“Exactly,” Springtime declared. “And if you don’t bring those heat lamps as requested, you’re going to be spending a very unpleasant birthday cooped up in your room, along with no presents, no cake, no fun. . .”

Sniper swallowed hard. “Boy, you sure drive a hard bargain, don’t you, Mommy?”

“Take it or leave it,” ordered Springtime.

Sniper thought it over for several seconds, then released a dark sigh. “Okay, I’ll bring them.” He vanished upstairs and was gone for several minutes. After a time, he reappeared with the heat lamps and handed them to her.

“Good, you got them,” Springtime said, relief evident in her voice, taking them, plugging them in, and positioning them over the aquarium in such a way so that all three beams of light merged into one. Then Scazzarda took the birds and tenderly lowered them directly in the spotlight. Their little bodies twitched as they settled together, trying to get warm in the lights’ glows.

“What do we need now?” Cloudy asked eagerly.

“Since they’re not yet fledglings, we need some sunflower hearts, seeds, insects, and mealworms. These can probably be purchased at a local pet store,” said Springtime. “I’ll send Showerstorm into town for it later, but for now, we can probably feed them soft fruits. Star, go look in the pantry and bring me some strawberries and blueberries. Bring a kitchen knife too.”

Star did as directed and soon returned with the necessary accessories. Scazzarda cut them up and then put them into a tiny dish, which next to she set a shallow pan filled with fresh water. “They should be fine now,” she said with a smile. “We’ll have to keep checking on them several times a day, but it’ll be worth it if they survive and live normally. Every bit of effort counts if we want them to grow and thrive.”

Meta Knight and Liloy then entered the house. “Hello,” Liloy called. “Sorry we’re a little late. Are the birds okay?”

“They’re just fine,” Cloudy said. “They’re sleeping.”

Meta Knight walked over to the aquarium and glanced down at the vulnerable chicks. His eyes flashed dark green in anxiety. “They’re so small,” he murmured. “And defenseless.”

Liloy walked over to Meta Knight and placed her hand on his arm. “They’ll be just fine, Father,” she told him. “Just fine. They’ll grow up to be beautiful, healthy birds. You’ll see.”

Meta Knight didn’t seem convinced. “I don’t know,” he said. He shook his head—rather vehemently, Cloudy thought, as if trying to dispel unspoken, dark thoughts lurking within the recesses of his mind. “I just don’t know. They’re so young to be separated from their mother.”

Liloy rested her head on his shoulder. “They’ll be all right.”

Cloudy couldn’t figure out her friend. One minute he was so determined to take care of the birds and make them well again and the next he was uncertain, hesitant about their health, not knowing whether or not they would survive. Why was he always so guarded and pessimistic, she wondered. Why couldn’t he just learn that sometimes a positive attitude was the best medicine there was?

Or is something else going on? Cloudy suspiciously wondered as she watched her friend standing in front of the aquarium, head bowed, one hand clutching the corner of his cape. Liloy stood beside him, her gloved hand on his arm, a warm but worried smile on her face.

Was this a persistent whisper of. . .foreshadowing?

If so, what did it mean?

Books

Book 4: Every Life is Beautiful

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Chapter One: Accident!

 

“Hooray!” Cloudy cheered as she joyfully skipped and hopped through the daffodil-dotted grass in the little clearing in Whispy Woods. The golden sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, and the fuzz of the dandelions whirled about in the occasional breezes. Her friend, Meta Knight, and her older sister, Star, were not far behind. “The sun is shining, the sky is clear, and it’s a beautiful day to walk in Whispy Woods!”

“Slow down, little sister!” Star hollered, racing after Cloudy and tripping over a well-concealed root, tumbling headfirst into a dandelion patch. The seeds and fluff flew in her face and circled round her in the wind. Star sneezed and spluttered, laughed, stood to her feet, and shook the fuzz off her glowing gray-and-white fur, once again taking off after Cloudy.

Meta Knight had to laugh as he watched the two romp about together, playfully snarling, pretending to fight, laughing as they wildly zigzagged out of the clearing and down the trail. A rush of nostalgic memories returned to his mind—back when he and his little sister, Tourmaline, were younger, playing just as Cloudy and Star were now. His eyes grew gray with sadness, recalling bitterly how she had been forced out of the house at age ten. He had never seen her again since that night. Sometimes at night he dreamed about her, wondering if she was all right. He didn’t even know whether she was alive or dead.

“Hey, Meta Knight!” shouted Cloudy. “What are you being so slow for? Hurry up!”

Meta Knight snapped out of his depressing thoughts, quite a contrast to the peaceful, sunny day. “Sorry.” He hurried up to the two sisters, who had called a truce in their play-fighting. Then the trio continued on together, their feet crunching the soft blades of grass.

As Cloudy hopped and trotted along, her thoughts drifted to her family. Her parents were Springtime and Showerstorm. Both were loving, funny, supportive of their children, and hardworking. Springtime was a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed cooking and watching her children live out their dreams. Showerstorm was an author and worked at Passion Bank. he mostly enjoyed spending time with his wife and children and reading the Bible.

Cloudy’s mind then went to her siblings. Her five older brothers—Sniper, Sharkell, Yodi, Pancake, and Waffle—often teamed up together to make everyone miserable with their ridiculous, petty pranks. Azalea-Star, her older sister, was kind and enjoyable to be around, hut could sometimes be bothersome and generally annoying.

Then Cloudy thought about herself. She was strong, brave, compassionate, spirited, empathetic, and had a heart of gold. She also possessed the rare title of the Prophesied One, or the Star Warrior who had been prophesied by Photron to banish Nightmare’s darkness and evils from her beautiful country, Dreamland. She would one day bring about Nightmare’s end. She wasn’t sure she really enjoyed being a soldier, but if it meant the world would be spared from submitting and bowing the knee to Nightmare, she would fight to the death.

Cloudy was startled out of her reverie when she heard a loud honk. Star grinned at her sister’s alarmed expression. “It’s just a car, Cloudy,” she explained. “We must be getting near the road. Right, Meta Knight?”

“That is correct,” Meta Knight answered. “We must be coming to the intersection near Adela Turner’s place. We must have taken a detour that led off the trail to my cabin.”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter,” Star said quickly. “It’s lovely on Cardinal Road. You know, with all the azaleas, delphiniums, and whatnot.”

“Yes, it is,” Meta Knight agreed. “Let us walk it.”

The three companions swung onto the road and began walking on the grass so as to stay out of the way of passing cars. At first it was calm and peaceful, with the three friends walking in harmony and enjoying nature together. But soon Cloudy started to get frustrated because Star began often to stop and sniff the roses, azaleas, chrysanthemums, tulips, and whatever else she could get her nose on. It was causing a lot of delay getting home.

After Star had halted for the sixth time to sniff a sunflower, Cloudy groaned. “Star, will you please stop lollygagging and hurry it along? We’re going to be late getting back to the house, and Mommy and Daddy will be furious!”

“Oh, cool it,” Star said offhandedly. “There’s plenty of time. I just wanna smell the delicious scents of spring, is all! There’s no harm in that.”

Cloudy managed to contain a choking outburst of anger and looked to the sky to calm herself. As she did, she spotted a beautiful brown cardinal with reddish-tipped wings flying into a nest in a palm tree. Her eyes widened as her ears caught the faint sounds of high-pitched chirping. No doubt there were baby birds!

Meta Knight too heard the chirps and gazed upward at the tree. Cloudy’s face was full of amazement. Star just seemed puzzled until she saw a tiny bill peering over the edge of the twisted mass of straw and grasses.

Star let out a gasp. “Baby birds! They’re in the nest!”

“I hear them,” Meta Knight said calmly. “They’re hungry.”

The mother cardinal, hearing the hunger cries of her babies, chirped as if to say, “I will bring you food!” and flew out of the nest and down to a bare patch of earth. She burrowed into the dirt with her sharp bill and grasped hold of a plump earthworm, then soared with it back to the nest. The baby birds were soon quieted as they ate contentedly. When one of the babies began to argue with one of his siblings, the mother stepped in and quieted him.

Meta Knight had to smile. The mother bird reminded him much of his own dear mother, Scazzarda Stellarum. She was so kind and loving yet stern when things got out of hand in the family. She never stopped at anything to make sure her family was never anything less than happy and safe.

“Nice,” Star said in a bored tone after a few minutes, “but we really need to get moving. There’s a long way to go and I’ve still got a bunch of flowers I want to sniff.”

“Fine,” Cloudy sighed. “Come on, Meta Knight. Let’s go.”

Meta Knight turned away from the tree and walked after Cloudy and Star. Star skipped happily out in front, snuffling at the waving flowers and rustling bushes. The sky turned from a periwinkle-blue to a dusty navy as the sun began to get lower and lower. Late afternoon was coming fast.

Then tragedy struck.

The mother cardinal flew out of the nest to get some more food for her children. She flapped across the road and managed to find another earthworm trying to bury itself in the dirt. Then she took in her beak and flapped back across the road.

But as she did, a car came speeding down the road, its engine roaring. Star did not hear the noise, but Cloudy and Meta Knight, who were farther back than Star, heard the engine and turned around to see what was going on. As the bird flew back across the road, the car struck it head-on. The mother bird let out a piercing chirp of pain and dropped to the ground, lying inert. The car revved down the road, ignoring the bird.

Meta Knight gasped, horrified.

“No!” Cloudy shrieked. “The bird! The bird got hit!” She turned and shouted loudly at the top of her lungs, “Star! Star! The bird got hurt!”

“Hm?” Star looked back and saw her sister and friend running in the opposite direction of where they were supposed to be heading. “What the. . .” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, I guess something else has come up. Wonder what happened this time?” She ran after them.

By the time she caught up to them, the two had already reached the accident’s scene. Meta Knight was kneeling by the bird and gently cupping it in his hands. Blood seeped out of the wings and spilled upon his gloves. The bird did not stir.

“Is she okay?” Cloudy whispered.

“Is she alive?” added Star.

Meta Knight sorrowfully shook his head, tears filling his eyes. His glance went to the nest still sitting in the trees, to the baby birds waiting for their mother. But she would never come. And they would never understand why. The image of the palm tree blurred before his eyes as he sighed heavily.

“Meta Knight?” Cloudy spoke in a soft tone. “Are you all right?”

“I am fine, child,” was the reply, though Cloudy could tell it was a complete, flat-out lie. His trembling voice gave it away. Cloudy’s ears drooped and she looked up at the palm tree. The mournful chirps of the hungry chicks stabbed at her heart. What would become of the baby birds? They would never survive without their mother. Sooner or later, they would die from a fall out of the nest or be eaten by a snake or something else. There was no way she was leaving those helpless baby birds by themselves.

“We have to bury her,” Meta Knight said quietly. “I feel it is best.”

Cloudy nodded. As she looked around for a final resting place for the bird, her gaze landed on the base on the palm tree. “Why don’t we bury her beneath her home?” she suggested. “That way, it’s like she’s still here, even though she’s not.” She realized her last sentence probably didn’t make much sense, but Meta Knight seemed to understand her viewpoint.

“Let’s do it,” Star said determinedly.

So they did. They buried her beneath the palm tree, with only a smooth granite rock as her headstone. Cloudy thought about how beautiful her grave would be in the summer and fall, and especially in the winter when it snowed. But Meta Knight didn’t seem to share the same thoughts. His mind was on the baby birds. Where would they do without their mother’s tender care? What would they eat? How would they find shelter in times of bad weather?

Meta Knight felt like he had to protect the baby birds. Ever since he was a child, he had always wanted to guard and care for those less fortunate than himself. When he became an adult, he felt a paternal tug toward young, orphaned, abused children. His heart broke for those who were alone and helpless in the darkness of this evil world.

Meta Knight slowly released his breath. He had made his decision. “Children, wait here. I will climb the tree and get the birds.”

“What?!” exclaimed Star. “Are you nuts? You’ll probably fall and kill yourself doing such a dangerous thing.”

“I will not leave the birds to a cruel fate,” Meta Knight replied, and without another word, instantly began to climb the tree. The puppies nervously watched him as he inched out onto the thin, delicate limb on which the nest was located, praying he wouldn’t lose his balance and come tumbling to the ground. Thankfully, he succeeded in grabbing the nest and carefully climbed down the trunk, the nest gently gripped in his hand.

“We need to get home, pronto!” Cloudy said, realizing how vital this situation was. “The birds need to be kept warm and moist in a chamber or tank. Let’s hurry!”

“Right!” Star chimed.

The three friends began to run as fast as they could down the road toward Cloudy’s home. Cloudy was worried about the fragile orphans, as was Meta Knight. Could Cloudy’s family raise them and get them to safely hatch and come into the world as fine, healthy babies? Or would they die without their mother, no matter how much they were cared for? Every step they  took seemed to suggest a struggle of life or death.

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Post Review: “I Am Just The Vessel. . .” by Willie Torres Jr.

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Today, I need to speak to all you readers about a post that really reminded me of me: “I Am Just The Vessel. . .” by Willie Torres Jr., author of the WordPress site https://beingcrazyforchrist.com/

Post link: https://beingcrazyforchrist.com/2026/05/26/i-am-just-the-vessel/

 

I, Starmonia, am an author, artist, and blogger. Like Willie Torres Jr., I have always loved writing. As a little child I would write silly stories. As a middle-aged kid I would write sensible, well-crafted poems, plays, and even songs. As I got older, I became more skilled at writing and really enjoyed doing it. I still do, in fact.

The main reason I write is not to earn money or become famous; it’s simply because I love doing it. I find pleasure in doing it. Another main reason is because I believe, through God, I can change the world. And I am changing the world even now, though I cannot see it. I am planting seeds that God will water and they will one day sprout into something amazing.

 

In his post, Willie knew he was not perfect. He also knew he was one of the least unlikely ones anyone would have chosen to change the world through his honest and amazing writing. But God is not just “anyone.” God is God, and He can choose anyone he wishes to fulfill His plan for creation. He chose twelve unlikely men to change the world in big ways. He chose a young virgin girl to carry His Son. He chose a little shepherd boy to be one of the greatest kings in Israel.

 

I am a very bright girl. I am very smart, intelligent, and spirited (perhaps too much sometimes). I am protective of my friends and family and hate seeing others bullied or cut down. I am empathetic, compassionate, and beautiful. And I am not bragging on myself; I’m merely speaking the truth. God says I am everything I mentioned above, and I believe I am.

But sometimes I really don’t know what exactly I’m supposed to be doing with my life. Sometimes I don’t see myself as a follower of Christ. Willie says it all in his post:

“Do I enjoy writing? Yes.

Do I love building friendships and relationships with others? Yes.

Do I see myself as a disciple?

I am supposed to… but only God truly knows. And if I am being honest, I hesitate to even carry that title, because of the weight it holds.”

I see myself the same way. There are times I doubt whether I’m truly worthy to carry the title of “Christian.”

“Some may say disciples are just ordinary men. And that is true. But they are also followers of Christ. They are called to go out and make disciples of all nations. Leaders. Servants. Messengers of truth.

They carry their Cross through trials, through struggles, through pain. They speak the Gospel for all to hear, without shame. Without fear of being mocked, rejected, spit on, or even killed for what they believe.

That is not a light calling.”

That is one of the truest statements I have ever heard in my life. I couldn’t have said it better.

“So I ask myself… am I worthy of that?

And the truth is, I do not see it in myself.”

I don’t see it in myself either. I doubt whether I’m truly good enough to accomplish the heavy task of walking and evangelizing for the Lord.

“I see my flaws. I see my doubts. I see the moments where fear tries to silence me, where I feel inadequate, where I question if I am enough.

But maybe that is the point.

Because being a disciple was never about being worthy on our own. It was never about having it all together, knowing everything, or standing without weakness. The very men Jesus called were imperfect, unsure, and at times afraid.

Yet they followed.

Not because they were worthy, but because they were willing.”

I have to admit, there are a lot of times I know I hurt Jesus with my wrongdoings. And it’s not that I wanted to do wrong, but nor was I willing to do right. I’m definitely not worthy to stand before Jesus, and neither is anyone else. But through Christ, I am made new. I am now able to stand before the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

I am willing to go wherever God has called me. And I know I am not worthy for the hard tasks He is placing before me, but I am definitely willing to do whatever He asks of me. . .no matter how hard it is.

I doubt myself from time to time, and I even doubt God at times, but I have never lost faith that God is watching out for me and has a plan for my life.

When I was five, I nearly drowned from falling into a river. I couldn’t swim and my family couldn’t see me under the murky water, but somehow, I floated back up for a second and part of my head was spotted, and that was how I was saved. When I was twelve, I was playing with a metal jewelry chain near an outlet into which was a plugged a nightlight, and like an idiot, I allowed the chain to touch the metal prongs of the nightlight. I burned my finger on the smoking black chain, but thankfully, the power went out before I was electrocuted and possibly died or anything caught on fire.

Looking back now, I know those rescues were not mere “good luck.” They were signs that God was telling me He had something great for me in store. And at this point, I’m still not certain what it is, but I know He has something wonderful planned for me.

“And maybe that is where I stand. Not as someone who has arrived, not as someone who claims the title boldly, but as someone who is learning… slowly, humbly… to follow.”

That’s certainly where I stand, no doubt about it! I am still learning to follow Him, and with God’s help, in time, the day will come when I will be able to face anything with no fear, for God is with me!

 

 

Thank you, Willie, for writing this spectacular post! You are truly a talented writer with a wonderful gift for words! I pray your books will change the world and show God’s love and conviction to all! God bless you, and keep writing!

Books

Book 3: With You Always

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A Word from the Author

 

Hello for the third time, my readers! I’ve learned so from this scary, sad, but hopeful story of faith, love,  and hope, and I trust you all have as well.

A few things here: One, this whole story is fiction, and it expands on the Kirby universe. This entire series is known as Christian fiction, meaning that one or more characters in the story are Christians and use the Bible to solve the problem(s). And I know that not everyone who reads this series is Christian. Tat’s perfectly fine, though; I don’t expect everyone to be. But something I do expect, dear readers, is that you learn something valuable from each story I write.

But while the story is fiction, the Bible is loaded with evidence that’s real and overwhelming. The Bible is the only Book that is authentic and valid and lines up with history and answers all questions about hefty topics, such as Noah’s Flood.

However, many people are puzzled by the Bible. They ask questions like: Does the Bible contradict itself? Who was Cain’s wife? How could Jesus die on the cross for me? If God loves us, why are we all suffering? Are angels real? What is my purpose in life?

These questions and more are answered by the Bible. False teachers and books (other than the Bible) can’t always be trusted. But the Bible can be. Why? Because it was given us by God—yes, Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Jesus is alive, and living, and real. If He had not been born. . .if He had not died. . .if He were not a real person and did not exist, then we wouldn’t even be here. We wouldn’t exist. We would merely be dust in the dirt

Joseph and his crew’s actions in this story may bother a lot of people. But justice is always served to those who hurt God’s people and commit moral evils. The Bible makes this very clear in Proverbs 11: 5- “The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.” I wanted to emphasize that verity.

God gave every single one of us a mind and a conscience. He keeps human depravity in check. He won’t let destruction run rampant. Yes, there are many evils in the world, we see. There are drunkards, murderers, rapists, and thieves. There are slave traders, those who abuse power, and even those who exploit their own people. But thanks to God keeping our depravity in check, we’re not all lying in our caskets right at this point.

By God’s grace, we are alive. By the Lord’s mercy, we aren’t struck dead by His hand, though we have every right to be condemned and die a miserable death in hell. We all have a choice to accept Him as our Savior. And if a true Christian truly accepts God in his heart, he will never regret his decision. Never.

The Romans Road of Salvation gives us three things we can do to be saved.

A—Acknowledge: Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of salvation and that you need Christ. You are not independent from God; you need God and learn from God. Without Him, you are spiritually dead.

B—Believe: Believe that Jesus died on the cross to save you and He was buried and rose again the third day out of that grave for YOU! Jesus conquered death and reigns on His throne in heaven.

C—Confess: Confess your sins to Him and ask for forgiveness. Beg Him to enter into your heart and be your Lord and Savior. He will govern your life the moment You ask Him to. You don’t need to pray in a fancy manner; just ask for forgiveness, confess your sins, and believe on Christ.

Dear readers, I hope you will respond to the truth of the gospel if you have not already. God loves all and wants to save all.

Next book is coming up, and see you then! God bless you all, my friends!

Books

Book 3: With You Always

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Epilogue

 

Two months later. . .

 

Dear Cloudy,
Prism Plains is the best! My new Christian school, Jehovah Elementary, is amazing! My teachers are so nice and my classmates are very kind. I even made a new friend! Her name is Alicia Flasher. She’s great at singing and even plays the organ at church!

Dad is making a lot of money at his job. He’s great at what he does. Mom is fine too. So are my brothers. She says they’ll be born any day now. I can’t wait!

How is your family? How are the Stellarums? And my other friends? I really miss you guys a lot, but God has provided so many new opportunities for me.  If ever I get too sad about you guys, I read Miss Scazzarda’s card and then feel better.

God is good! I truly love Him!

Say hello to all my friends back in Spring Breeze for me!

Your friend,
Miriam.

 

*   *   *

 

Dear Miriam,
Everyone is just fine back here in Spring Breeze! We’re all learning to cope with you being gone, but we miss you lots, though, and hope you come for a visit soon!

I’m glad to hear you have a new friend! I would like to meet her someday. I’m also happy your dad is doing well at his job and that your mother and brothers are doing wonderfully. I’m also glad you’re still trusting in God and that you read Miss Scazzarda’s Scripture card when you feel down about us.

Oh, by the way, I have big news! Do you remember Derek, who helped rescue you from Joseph Unswall? I went to the prison with my mom a few days ago and learned he became saved! He’s now a child of God! That’s so exciting, isn’t it? I’m glad he finally saw the truth and accepted Jesus as His Savior!

Another piece of news: A church is being built next to Oromo Thuli! Now we’ll have a church to go to on Sundays! I went to the construction sight with Daddy two days ago and saw the building materials lying all over the ground. It’s hard to believe those pieces of wood, brick, and metal will one day become a tall building with a steeple. Strange to think about, hm?

I’ll keep you updated on any news in the future! For now, farewell! I love you a lot and wish you the best in your life, sweet friend!

God be praised!

Sincerely,
Cloudburst (Cloudy).”

~   ~   ~

 

Thus ends another book, dear readers. But always remember: God is always with you. In the highs and lows, good and bad, dark and light, He will never forsake you. No matter if you’re a sinner or a saint, no matter if you’re an agnostic or a believer, He will always be with you and love you.