Where it started...

Several years ago, I was invited to speak as an author during Reading Month at a private school near me. I have always loved writing, and whenever there was an opportunity to do so, I took it. I wrote plays, skits, devotions, and more.

The only problem with that request was that I had not written a book.

Not wanting to turn down an opportunity, I decided to use something I had written back when I did children’s ministry with my husband. In my much younger days, I used to dress up as a 5-year-old girl. I could maybe be a fairly convincing 5-year-old—with a lot of imagination on the part of my audience!

Her name was Eula Dee Ophelia. That’s the greatest name, right? It actually belonged to a much-beloved aunt, but I thought it sounded like a colorful character.

Eula Dee told the story of Zacchaeus, but she got his name a little mixed up and called him “Zactly Like Us.” Because, after all, we all have a little something in common with Zacchaeus—we all need Jesus to affect and transform our lives. If there is a story I think everyone needs to hear, it is that Jesus loves us, wants to be with us, and has the power to change us.

Well, I took that monologue and reworked it into a book. Pastor Kenny Cheeseman agreed to let me borrow his daughter to help me with some illustrations, and the first edition of Eula Dee and Zactly Like Us was born. That planted a seed in me that made me want to pursue writing and publishing a book.

If you have the opportunity to read or own this book, I hope you are blessed and reminded of Jesus’ love for each one of us.

He loves you. It’s truer than true!

~Donna Hicks