This week’s blog post is a little different! I love the community of Christian women I’ve found since I started blogging, and Wendy Wallace has particularly inspired me through her openness and authenticity in sharing her story. Wendy and I started both started blogging in August of 2018, and we connected soon after through a blogging challenge group.

So I figured this week, I’d introduce you to Wendy and let you hear from her. Wendy is a wife of 28 years, and a mom to three adult children and one spoiled lab mix. She is a quadruple amputee due to contracting flesh-eating bacteria in 2011. She is also a child of God!

My interview with Wendy is below… and if you want to hear more from Wendy, you can visit her at OneExceptionalLife.com!

1. When and why did you start writing?

Wendy: “I actually don’t consider myself a writer. People have told me that I should write a book for a long time, but I never thought I would have enough information. Now I’m thinking, maybe someday. Last summer, my family decided it was time for me to be more adventurous and I finally agreed. I had really taken my illness and amputations hard and fell into a funk for about seven years. Then we came up with the idea to start a blog and write about the adventures of a quad amputee. My first adventure was tubing down a local river. It was such an outrageous activity that it was a perfect place to start my blog. My blog went live on August 21, 2018.”

2. How has your writing developed over time?

Wendy: “Looking back over my early posts, I’ve clearly improved. I’m more comfortable and fluid in my writing. I don’t write in short forced sentence fragments anymore. I don’t know if it’s the right way to write, but I write how I talk and I tell stories like I’m talking to a friend.”

3. What is a message you’re particularly passionate about sharing with your readers?

Wendy: “This is an easy question for me. The theme of my blog has turned into happiness and positivity. Many of my readers have challenges in their life. I want to inspire and motivate them to overcome those challenges. I think that if I can ride a motorcycle or go tubing down a river with no hands or feet, then they can get through their hurdles too.”

4. What is a Bible verse that has helped walk you through a difficult season of life?

Wendy: “My favorite verses are Proverbs 3:5-6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.’ This verse is my go-to for practically everything. I bring it to mind when I’m scared, worried or just don’t know what to do. The Lord never fails. We just have to trust him.”

5. What makes you feel most alive?

Wendy: “I feel most alive when I’m spending time with my family. I’ve been married 28 years and we have 3 adult children. I’ve been a mom for a long time and it’s been the best job ever. I have to add that accomplishing something that I never thought I could brings a lot of joy too. I have big plans for this year and I’m really excited about that.”

6. Have you ever followed God into something that made you feel scared or uncomfortable? What was the outcome?

Wendy: “I can’t say that I followed the Lord, but rather I found myself in the hospital with kidney failure, a tracheotomy, and both hands and both feet amputated, which is a challenge that I could never have gotten through without the Lord. I remember praying a lot during that time, and since then. He gave me the courage and strength that I needed to get through that time as well as learning to live under new circumstances.”

7. If you could have dinner with anyone (past or present), who would you choose and why?

Wendy: “It would definitely have to be Jesus Christ. He is my Savior! I know that when I meet him in Glory someday that I’ll be able to hug him and love on him. But to sit down and have that one-on-one time with him would be a beautiful blessing. I think I would have to ask him why I went through my illness and amputations. I know that so many blessings came of that experience and I know that ‘all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28). But I struggled with this for the longest time when I was first recovering and I should never question the Lord, he has his reasons. But to get an answer to that question would be just amazing.”

8. When do you feel closest to God?

Wendy: “I think that would be when I’m sad and need comforting. At that time, when I’m reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, I feel like he is wrapping his arms around me and telling me to trust him, that he loves me and I have everything that I need.”

9. What is one of your greatest dreams or goals for the future?

Wendy: “My blog has turned into an incredible blessing to me. As someone who typically stays pretty close to home during the week while everyone is working, I don’t get many opportunities for socializing. I have found a wonderful Christian community with my new blogging friends. I also see my blog as a way to create an additional source of income for our household.  My ‘why’ has always been to be able to pay off our home so that if anything ever happened to me, my family wouldn’t have that burden. I’m in the early stages of creating income with my blog, but plans are in the works. I’m in the process of writing a series of ebooks with a long term goal of sharing my life in a physical book. I think that would be just wonderful!”

10. Where can people find you if they want to learn more?

Wendy: “You can find me on my blog at OneExceptionalLife.com.” You can also visit Wendy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest! She’d love to connect with you.

Thank you so much, Wendy, for giving us a glimpse into your faith and your story.

And friends, never forget… you are onederfully created.

Love,
Becca