Autism& Jesus & Chicken Nuggets & My New Book Series for Children

Hi from Bunmi. I've been traveling with my family in East Asia! One of my teens started a very cool overseas program and we decided to turn in into a trip. I mean, if you're going to be on planes for 21 hours, you might as well see what's around.

I would not consider myself a "traveler" type person as I VERY much enjoy being home and in my routine with my familiar bed and foods (and products I'm realizing as my skin isn't too pleased with new lotion), but this has been a lot of fun.

Was I extremely nervous about each step? Yes. But I prayed and knew God was with us, with me, helping.

The same God I need to help me get through Walmart on a Friday afternoon is the same one who helps with international travel, keeping tack of passports, boarding passes, and walking unfamiliar streets with many people around.

There was a time when I needed headphones and a 30-minute pep talk to go into the grocery store. And even then, sometimes, I'd give up and drive away, grocery-less. It's hard to describe to someone who doesn't get, but I'm not talking about nervousness, I'm talking about sensory overload.

The lights, the MULTIPLE sounds competing for attention and forming a sort of chaotic aggressive, messy symphony jambling jingling -whatever the opposite of music is- the decisions, the floors which looked weird, bumping into people. It was like the worst kind of amusement park.

"Order online." I did at times, but that takes foresight.

Anyway, when I became a believer in Jesus, I didn't think He had any solutions for my whole brain situation that had gone on since I was a child. I'd had testing, lots of different schools, learned that books and stuffed animals could be friends. I'd had lots of labels; "neurodivergent" being the most recent.

But one day in my kitchen, I felt Jesus, who has a soft presence that carries a beautiful authority that is both loving and gentle, ask me to trust Him, even with this. Even with this brain stuff. I was scared, but He'd hadn't let me down yet so I said yes.

Over the. next months, I came to understand Psalm 23, the one that talks about Jesus being a shephert and guiding one's every step, teaching one how to rest, giving us water when thirsty, making a meal for us in front of people who never thought you'd amount to anything, leading us through dark and scary things (Walmart), and I realized....He cares about everything.

He's my friend.

It was around that time that my youngest child, my son, had really gotten into reading. He loved stories and I couldn't keep him in books. He'd fly through Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dog Man in a way that was financially annoying. It's hard to get the newest ones in libraries. It was during COVID, too.

At one point, I decided to write him a book. He'd had his own challenges and was being evaluated at the time and I wanted to encourage him.

Over a few weeks, I wrote a story about a little boy named David who I modeled after my favorite David, the very imperfect shepherd turned king, runt of his family who went on to make some serious mistakes, but always chased the heart of God...the author of the Psalm 23. Kind David.

What would King David, the emotional, brave, kind of chaotic, songwriter & poet in the mountains, be like as a 9 year-old? Hilarious probably. Impulsive? Brave. He'd make mistakes and learn from them. People would be embarrased by him by him sometimes. But he'd keep going, trying, praying, and growing.

He'd have a best friend. Just like King David, did (the prophet Nathan, I mean, they must have kind of been besties). One who advised him, who he helped, too.

I wrote a story called "The Summer Camp Disaster" with David & Nate determined to have the best summer of their lives as they navigate unwelcome pickles on burgers, friendship dilemmas, and all kinds of fun kid stuff.

I made sure to make it funny, because kids love to laugh. I printed it out and had it bound at Staples.

Fast forward six years. It's now a real book. A series, actually. I wrote five more.

Who did I write David's Diary for?

I wrote it for all kids who are a bit different and need to be reminded that they're not alone. There's help in friendship, parents, community, and of course, the shepherd who never leaves and always helps, Jesus.

I never mention labels in the book, not that labels aren't helpful. They help kids get the support they need, but it's written in diary format where a kid is just being a kid.

Your kid will see David learn how he's creative, brave, yeah a bit impulsive, but is learning that there's grace and growth for those who struggle.

Your kid will see Nate, a kid who eats only a few foods in the beginning of the series, who tends to be pretty quiet but runs deep, learn how to stand on his own two feet & challenge himself in new ways. You'll see Nate have quick witted responses, give wise counsel, and learn that he wasn't born to just be a sidekick.

I want kids who face unique challenges know that that the way we start doesn't have to be the way we finish. There is healing, there are wins, there is fun, there is friendship, and there is victory.

Anyway, here are some chicken nuggets that my family has tried on our trip.

Taiwan: No phot of the ones we ordered. But this is the kiosk you order from. They were pretty good. They don't taste exactly like western ones, but still good. I read that in Taiwan people eat 200 million chicken nuggets a year. Respect.

2. South Korea

We only spent 7 hours here. Long layover. But we did exit the airport and have chicken nuggets. It wasn't at a McDonalds, but it looked like some kind of local version of Burger King. These taste like the ones I make in an air fryer when I'm in a rush or stressed. A bit soft and strugglish. Points because they came with a sweet & sour sauce that tastes like McDonald's sauce.

3. Japan

You have to order these in a 15 piece. There was no smaller option. But it's ok because these were the best. I put a filter on them because they deserve it. They tasted the most like home nuggets. They have only bbq and a mustard sauce to go with them, but they don't need either. Fantastic job, Japan. They're from McDonalds.

I can already here someone asking if we're eating regular non-nugget local food and yes! Here's proof:

This was really good and a deliberate decision stretching myself as the menu was not in English and I still don't know what each thing was. It was good, though. I do know that these are soba noodles (buckwheat).

But like Nate, I do like eating familiar foods, especially when in unfamiliar environments. There's nothing wrong with that.

I hope you love David's Diary.

Here's what the first cover looks like:

That's David on the left and Harrison, someone he decides is his enemy of the moment (over a misunderstanding), Harrison.

David's Diary comes out on June 30th. More deets, book summaries, and preorder info here:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/17S/davids-diary/