Author: Wendy Johansson
Located in: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Submitted: September 05, 2013
Tell us a little about yourself. I was born and raised in Calgary where I still live with my husband and four kids. I graduated from the University of Calgary with a Master of Science degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I'm a stay-at-home Mom and I also work part-time as a fitness instructor, property manager, and finance consultant. I love to dance, sing, and play guitar and enjoy worship through the arts.
What was your motivation behind this project? I have thought about writing a book many times before but really becoming an author was really on the 'maybe someday' list. In 2010, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and died in a span of ten weeks and it was a profound experience. As God walked me through the illness, death, and grief, sheltering me with Grace and holding me close, the idea for this book came to me through the Holy Spirit. I felt called to share my story and give thanks to God...so I did :)
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I hope that people will read my story and feel more connected to God. I hope that people will feel more assured of Heaven and the afterlife as they embrace my experience. I hope that people will embrace the miracles in their own lives more openly and willingly. I hope that people will have more hope and peace and assurance of God's love for all of us when they read how God has touched my life.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? I felt that writing and publishing this book brought me closer to God and helped me to grow as a person. Publishing this book felt like publishing my diary or personal journal and required a willingness to be very vulnerable and courageous in the face of that vulnerability.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? My biggest influences have been my parents. I have had many sources of inspiration, especially from my most important relationships. My most important relationship and inspiration has been from MSL...My Sweet Lord (that's one of my nicknames for our wonderful God:)
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: If you've ever experienced the death of a loved one, you can rest assured that they are in Heaven and know that they still love you, just as God almighty does.
