by Mark DeBellis | Jan 10, 2024 | Inspirational, Visitor Submission
High schooler finds community acceptance and love in church family. Brittany was the typical teenager in 2020. She was just entering middle school when COVID hit, stranding her with in-home teaching and a veritable prison. There she was without an important support...
by Mark DeBellis | Jan 9, 2024 | Inspirational, Visitor Submission
World Champ Faces the Fight of a Lifetime. Manny Johnston grew up in Hawaii. Living in Hawaii is enviable if you are a true Hawaiian, with islander heritage. Manny was only “half Hawaiian,” leaving him open to the kids taunts of “Howlie” and “Half Breed.” Being...
by Mark DeBellis | Sep 23, 2023 | Inspirational, Mark's Story
Ever wonder where habits come from? For many, it’s early programming that stemmed from learned behavior experienced years ago. One of those habits for me is the reluctance to throw any edible food away. I can’t even allow a server to take a plate back if there is...
by Mark DeBellis | Sep 8, 2023 | Inspirational, Visitor Submission
Bernadette had gotten to a point in her life where seemingly everything was predictable and established, yet at the same time it was crumbling. “For most of my life, fear has ruled me,” she says. A constant barrage of negative thinking ruled her day. Things like,...
by Mark DeBellis | Sep 7, 2023 | Inspirational, Mark's Story
When I was aged 10 in the 5th grade, I attended a Catholic School. My mom actually was my teacher. (That is a topic for another story.) This school was an “Academy.” I’m not sure if by adding the word Academy to the end of the school’s name it meant a higher level of...
by Mark DeBellis | Aug 3, 2023 | Inspirational, Visitor Submission
I came to America when I was only thirteen to live with an uncle. My parents had just divorced. I didn’t speak much English and had never met this part of my family. After staying with me for a short period, my father left to return home. The first year was nice. I...
