The Power of Words
I’m often asked how I knew I wanted to become an author. It all began when I was in the second grade and my teacher asked the class to draw a picture of a moth. Knowing I couldn’t draw well, I wrote a about a poem to go with my picture. After class my teacher called me up to her desk and pointing to the poem, she said, “Wanda, I think you have a talent for writing.” From that moment on, a seed was planted. It wasn’t until I was married and my two children were in school that I became serious about writing. After taking a writing course for short stories and articles, I submitted my first story, which was eventually published with a Mennonite Sunday school children’s take-home paper. For the next several years I wrote stories, articles, poems, and puppet plays published with numerous Christian publishers. Then, after taking another writing course, I submitted my first novel, “A Merry Heart,” to Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents Bookclub and it was accepted. Since that time I have written more than 60 books, which includes novels, novellas, devotionals, cookbooks, and children’s books. I enjoy using my ability to write and consider it to be a ministry, as I often hear from readers that something they have read in one of my books has helped them through a difficult time or helped them in some way. I believe that everyone has been blessed with a special talent or gift. What talent do you have and how are you using it to serve the Lord?
I am a caregiver to my Autistic adult daughter and disabled hubby of 27 yrs. The thing most people ask me is how am I so strong in my belief in God. I’ve been so much in my life and struggle daily with 2 disabled adults, working, housekeeping, homeschooling my kid and more. I always have Faith and a smile. This August I graduated as a CNA from college 4.0 GPA.
I love reading all your books. I read maybe half. I loved The Tattered Quilt, Indiana Cousins, KY Brother’s and a lot more. I share with others about your books and suggest your books all the time. Thank you so much for become the writer that God had in mind.
My believe is if you are worrying/fretting….. you are not fully trusting in the Lord.
If you have a disappointment, it was God keeping you from something bad and in his time will show you something bigger and better than you can imagine.
A merry Heart is one of my favorite ! It is on my Christmas list. I love children. I worked in early childhood for 12 yrs and now I homeschool my kids. I also work in Sunday school. But I am not at this time.
We are in New Zealand, and because of me picking up a book at the local library (A Merry Heart) many years ago, I went in searching of your books Wanda. I have your full collection, and love to travel to Ohio and recently returned there, went to “The Half-Stitched: show in Sugarcreek, had our photos taken with you…. and have now brought a home in Berlin where we will be settling to live, retire and enjoy the peaceful lifestyle of Amish Country!! We just love the slower pace of life, and to be able to enjoy nature at its best (and worse we are told its cold in winter..) So Wanda, thank you so very much for all your writing, your thoughtfulness and respect you show our Amish friends… and soon to be neighbours. Our lives are changing – many many thanks to you!!
I believe that uplifting reading allows us to refocus our thoughts and lives. I agree that your writing is a ministry and a gift. I truly hope that more and more people will find their way to your novels and those of other authors. It’s a blessing to read for pleasure and be lifted up, not torn down.
I seem to be gifted ion the greeting card ministry. I’m the outreach leader of our Sunday School class and part of the job is to send out greeting cards for members who have birthdays or celebrate anniversaries. Also try to keep up with those who are sick. I try to do visitations to shut ins and make phone calls . Also I enjoy doing journaling and keep 2 different ones. In the Bible it says we are to serve others and I feel the Lord would have me to do this to keep me humble.
God Bless
Shirley
Wanda, I have read every single one of your books and loved them. The highlight for me was when I met you and Richard at a book signing in the LaGrange County Library, LaGrange Indiana. I have never met two nicer people in my life. Your love for God and each other shone through. I have never forgotten that.
I have a gift of being an encourager and a gift of service. Whether it is preparing a meal for a shut in or preparing a dish for a funeral dinner.
Blessings!
Judy B
I enjoy the Holidays as it means getting together with family and of course so much good food.In the past we would have Thanksgiving with our daughter and family in Des Moines then on to Las Vegas for the winter with our daughter there.Now we stay in Michigan.One tradition is Grandmas cranberry salad.My sister-in-laws pumpkin pie.We have so much to be thankful for and so blessed.
I love to read, especially books about the Amish. I have to read when i’m by myself because when I start to read he starts to talk to me. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, I am thankful for my whole family.
Hello Wanda. I love the Pennsylvania Dutch words and meanings when I read the Amish books.
I have always wrote poems too, but never a writer. But, I have always loved to read. I love how the teacher planted the seed for you writing. Yours were the second Amish books I read after I had discovered the Amish books by Beverly Lewis. So guess I could say I started with the best with the two of you. At one time I had read all of your books, but now am falling behind, but do own a lot of your books. Thanks for giving us these good books to read. Maxie Anderson.
I would like to wish you a happy Birthday November is a great month as I also will celebrate a birthday this month on the 15th. I have read everything you have written and wait anxiously for new books to come out. Since I have had my own wonderful experience with the Amish in Lancaster County I only read books about the Amish and Mennonite. Keep them coming and I will keep reading them.
Wanda, i started writing novels when i was 12 years old, in school the teacher asked us each to write a small paragraph about what interested us the most. I wrote a whole book called, Indian Blood, White Soul, about a young indian boy who was kidnapped then ran away and ended up with a missionary family. Well needless to say, i got a “C” for my grade, because i went beyond what i was supposed to do. just thought you’d like a little humor. lol. Well what i really want to say is, i grew up with the Amish, but i did not like them at all. (good reasons) i won’t mention anything bad here. Thru’ your stories, and Beverly Lewis’s i completely got a better view of the Amish, how they really do follow after God and try to serve Him. I do thank-you for writing such good stories about theses people. Now since growing up with them, I am writing my first book about the good ole days with my friends. Oh i’ve written several other books, but never about the Amish way of life as i see it. Thank you for your encouragement in your writings. I will try to visit some of my Amish friends and get a better look at them now.
My talent and gift is teaching. I have been working with special needs children for 14 years and for the past 3 years have been in the High School level. There are many different types of needs in the children that I have contact with but the most important is emotional and social need. I have realized this is my ministry to help these young adults and hope that just by listening and by example they will see Jesus.
Hi Wanda- I love your journal and used to get it but for some reason was dropped off but I volunteered for 8 years for the county when i lived in California it was sad most days but 1 day stood out to me and it was a day i picked up a girl who had a very sheltered life and that was 22 years ago she moved and her mom reformed for awhile well this girl got married this year I pray for her all the time and I hear from her so little. She is a teacher which makes me so proud as when we spent afternoons together she knew i was a teacher before i became so disabled . Since i can’t drive and we live in a rural area by ourselves i do read the bible and pray alot i do think of her so much as she is living such a happy life and i am glad she found someone she could be happy with I hope and pray he realizes how special she is and treats her that way forever. I hope that you Wanda had a great Thanksgiving with family and were able to relax and do things you like such as cooking!
For me all your books have seem to help me one way or another. It makes me think more of what I have and not what I want.
Sorry just deleted my comment by accident. So many of our goals are the same and yet how God teaches us how to get there can be so different. For the most part it has taken many losses of life in my family of beloved family members to really get the “slow down” God wants to use you and let you really live your life” lesson. I pray that without further loss He continues to give me opportunities and that I don’t miss them because of the rushing through life and the perpetual “to do list” Nothing is more important that time with another person and a listening ear. You are so wise Wanda and I thank you for sharing your heart.
Hi Wanda. I’m from Tasmania, Australia. I found one of your books at my church and loved it .About to buy another. Thank you for such wonderful stories.What a beautiful way of life but are the Armish only of Dutch descent or are there other like minded/hearted communities that God loving and God fearing people can join? Touched by the lovely hearts of the Amish world, Bridget.
My talents are singing, teaching and encouraging. I have noticed that God opens the door to use these to His glory without a struggle to “make” them happen. It also gives me joy to know that God was so kind to give me these specific areas and that these were not talents I produced out of thin air.
God is good! I love Him!
Reading uplifting books is a passion of mine and yours are a pleasure to me.
IT WAS AWESOME TO MEET YOU AT SHIPSHEWANA,IN. LAST SUMMER. YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL SENTING ME E-MAILS. GOD HAS RICHLY BLESSED YOU. MAYBE WE CAN SEE YOU AT SHIPSHE THIS SUMMER.
I suppose my talent would be painting murals. I have done this since I was a freshman in high school. I’ve painted murals for libraries, restaurants, homes and offices. I felt as though God had given me this talent to bless Him so I started painting in churches, Sunday schools, nurseries and church offices, free of charge.
I also sew for weddings, plays and do alterations for others in need. I am teaching my grand daughters, who are home schooled,
how to sew and paint. My most enjoyable “talent ” is fishing”. Ha I LOVE teaching my 12 grand children how to fish. And as we’re fishing we talk about God and His wonderful creation. We talk about living for Him and learning how to listen to Him.
I have just begun to teach them how to CLEAN the fish and cook them. The part THEY like the best is the EATING! Ha ha