Who am I? That is a question every person on the planet should wrestle with at one time or another. Today is my day!
I am Wanda Hummel MacAvoy. I grew up in a middle-class family in the beautiful mountains of north central Pennsylvania. My father was a part–time farmer (if such a thing exists) and a machinist, and my mother was a secretary. So, I grew up on a small farm where many lessons of life just happened as we lived.
Our home was a happy place–my life: normal- and when I later became a pastor’s wife, I realized what a rare treasure I had been given! How many fathers would build a camper on the back of a utility truck so their family could go on vacation? How many children receive a pony for Christmas or raise his or her own pig? How many kids today get to sit in between Mom and Dad every Sunday at church?
Although Christ was in our home and we were faithful to the church, by the age of seventeen, I knew something was desperately wrong with the way I was living my life. I had a split personality: the good girl who most people knew me to be, and the bad girl who was involved in sinful secrets. When a young man attending Bob Jones University sent me a letter containing a Gospel tract, for the first time, I saw my need for a personal Savior. I had always “known God,” but that night alone in my room, I met Jesus face to face. (If you want to know more about salvation, please read What Is Salvation.)
Early on in life, I came to realize that I excelled in one subject: music. That took me to Susquehanna University, where I double majored in church music and music education. That is also where I spied a handsome young man in the tenor section, who would later ask me to marry him! He is the love of my life, and I am so glad that we get to grow old together!
Throughout our marriage, we have moved several times, but in each place, we built a home and a strong family unity. After two children and seven years of wedded bliss, my husband, Tom, was called into the ministry. Since that time, we have been involved in four ministries, and our family has grown to include our three children and their families (which now includes fourteen grandchildren!)
Several years ago, the Lord not only shook our nest, but dropped it out of the tree; and after twenty-six years away from my home area, we are once again living in north central Pa.
My life is full as I serve the Lord. The desire to write has consumed my free time. God continues to put ideas into my head for stories that not only entertain but encourage my readers to take a look at life and see if there’s not some changes that could be made to walk a better walk, talk a godly talk, and live life with one all-consuming purpose: glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus. Christ.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 112:1-2 (NKJV)
Beyond Common Sense 
Hey, I want to get to know you better… much better!
Love, Your #1 fan Mot
LikeLike
Congratulations! You are my first, my one and only fan!!! 🙂 I love you dearest! Thank you for your patience! I know I’ve been consumed with this lately, but I think the worst is over!!
LikeLike
We have been so privileged to know you and Tom for many years. I remember fondly all the good times we have had and all the times you both have helped us in the past when we needed help. I know our children also have been blessed by you. God bless you in your ministry there. Love you.
LikeLike
I think I wrote you a note by email, but my “dashboard” keeps telling me I need to respond to one more comment! Can you tell I’m new at this? So, is Barry going to make me a big cake with the 12 gems on it?!! 🙂
LikeLike
Well count me in as fan too! Yay 🙂 I’m adding this to my RSS feed 😉
LikeLike
Hi Chelo! Thanks for “coming on board!” I’m new at this, but believe that God is in it!
LikeLike
I like the way you tie gardening lessons to God’s word. I found your blog through green light lady. Hope to see more on gardening and God from you!
LikeLike
There are times when I think the only reason I DO garden is for spiritual fruit! 🙂 Praise the Lord that you wre blessed!
LikeLike
A wonderful book! I’m buying more to pass around to family and friends.
LikeLike
Wanda, I found an old email 12/10/2013 where you contacted me through my blog .. I don’t know but I’m glad I didn’t trash it before I caught up with myself! I have followed you on Twitter and made a note to myself about your blog. Hope to remember to visit often 🙂 I remember reading your About before .. it’s memorable. ~Joyce
LikeLike
I don’t remember the email, but I see you write reviews. 🙂 I’m a novice, but would you be willing to review any of my books? PS I love your email address!!!
LikeLike
Wanda,
This is David Delbianco – Jane Evans’ husband (from the Shavertown Ed Johnson side of the family.) I read your first and loved it – but I had no idea you had written more! I found you on Goodreads, where my daughter Abigail Rae is starting to get reviews on her debut novel Rough Animals. Good to see there are many writers in the extended family. Give my hello and best to Tom and the gang.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for the encouraging remarks! When we were with Aunt Betty last fall she told us that Abigail not only writes but was getting published! How exciting! I got burned a bit with “Twelve Smooth Stones.” A publishing company affiliated with a well known and respected company did publish it as an ebook, taking 90% of the royalites but not doing much with it. Since then, I’ve self-published, which is a lonely road! But God is faithful! Thanks again for commenting and best wishes to you all!
LikeLike
Congratulations, Wanda, on winning First Place recognition at the writers’ conference! I’m sure you qualify and deserve it. Be encouraged to continue writing, informing, and inspiring.
I bought and read your book, Spirit Rock, after we stayed at your VRBO last month, and have its sequel, Cleft Rock. For your blog family, let me recommend the books to anyone who loves the First Nations, American history, and frontier missions. Spirit Rock is exciting, informative, and hard to put down, a proverbial ‘page-turner’. I learned much that was never included in my history classes in school. Of course, there is the fictional component to acknowledge.
Having lived in the same area in north-central Pennsylvania where the story unfolds, I was thrilled to learn the histories of local place names, mountains, creeks, rivers, islands and peoples. Wanda portrays the home-life and hardships in great detail of our First Nations brethren, especially those who became “Praying Indians”. I highly recommend reading these 2 books for entertainment, inspiration, and education. You’ll see why Wanda won the First Place award for her writings. Join the crowd of admirers.
Ken H.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for your kind words! You’re the first person to pick up one of my books at our Airbnb! “Spirit Rock” took a lot of researching but that’s why I write Christian historical fiction–to peak into a different time and place and understand the struggles and victories people faced. I usually come away thinking that there truly isn’t anything new under the sun and we serve an eternal heavenly Father who gave us His timeless truths in His Word.
LikeLike
Good morning dear Wanda: Our friendship with you and Tom goes way back to your days, and ours, at church in Mechanicsburg, PA. Those memories and you and Tom continue to be so very sweet to Ken, me and our girls. Ken and I are in our late
80s and now are living near Phyllis in central North Carolina. Our two other girls are living in South Carolina.
One of the girls, knowing how much I enjoy reading, in the past has gifted your books to me, knowing that I especially enjoy biblical history and stories that require that level of research… you certainly answer that desire in your books. Have watched your career over social media platforms and am so delighted at how God has blessed your mind with an amazing talent for writing. We’ll be praying that publishers recognize the benefits of having you on board and your books as a part of their wealth. Give our love to Tom and keep serving the One who gives all good things.
Love, Fran Cunningham/Ken, too
LikeLike
Thanks so much for your sweet words. Yes, Emmanuael will always hold a special place in our hearts. I didn’t know you and your family were in the Carolinas.
God has a plan. I just must keep reminding myself of that!
Love to you and all your family!
LikeLike
Hi Wanda,
I would like to get to know you better. I just happened upon one of your articles about the inchworm. While doing my devotions this morning, a little inchworm inched across my path and God whispered in my ear that I should ponder on him for a while. As I googled, “What can we learn from an inchworm”, your blog popped up. I have been writing in journals for many years about walking with the Lord and what He has shown me. I am feeling led to share some of that in some way or another. Do you have any suggestions?
LikeLike
Sorry I’ve been so long in replying. That is so sweet that you found me through my inchworm. He just seems like the perfect mascot for going “Beyond Common Sense!” Do you have a blog? If not, I’d start by sharing short thoughts on Facebook.
LikeLike