sandra heska king

My parents named me Sandra. But I also go by Sandy, or even Snady (as in lady)–the result of a typo that stuck.

I grew up in northern Lower Michigan, on a lake surrounded by woods where I spent a lot of time alone. I almost always had a book in hand as well as paper and a pencil.

Words in. Words out.

I dreamed of writing my own stories.

We were not a churched family. But I had a great-aunt who was a nun. I often wrote her long letters, and though she could only write once or twice a year, her words always pointed me toward God.

My mom admonished me to follow the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule, and I’d “be okay.” It was years before I realized that was impossible in my own strength.

I occasionally went to church with my friends and even went to VBS and camp one summer. When I was still in elementary school, or maybe junior high, my friend Patsi prayed with me when I asked Jesus into my heart outside behind the gym.

After I read a book about a missionary nurse, I dreamed of becoming one–in Africa.

So I went to nursing school. And shortly after I graduated I met the cutest guy in the OB/GYN office where I worked. He was a pharmaceutical sales rep at the time, and we married six months later.

We lived in New Jersey, Illinois, Georgia (three times), and Florida before returning to our home state.

It was not until Kay Arthur taught me to study the Word inductively that my faith flourished. And over the years I’ve led Precept classes, taught Sunday School and Bible studies, and spoken at retreats.

I’ve worked in intensive care, office, operating room, and public health nursing as well as community health education.

I’ve been a medical transcriptionist, editor, mentor and educator.

I was a church secretary and even sold life insurance, water filters, and some kind of cosmetics–each for a very brief time.

My neighbor once shook his head. “Sandy,” he chided, “you have a terrible work history!”

My Sissy has a better take. She says I’m a woman of many interests.

I keep my nursing license intact, though, just in case. I can still give a great shot, and who knows if I won’t be called to give immunizations in some far country–like Africa.

Today we live on 50 acres in the same 150-year-old renovated money pit of a farmhouse my husband grew up in. My writing room (that used to be his childhood bedroom) overlooks a field of corn, wheat, or soybeans depending on the year.

I’m also mom to two grown adopted children and “Nama” to two grand girls.

As I look back over my life, I’m ever awed by the way He’s woven my way to bring me to this place. I’ve not yet found my way to Africa, but we do sponsor a girl from Kenya through Compassion International.

For now I spill words I pray bring hope and healing as far away as Africa. And I’m overwhelmed with how He connects hearts even here in cyberspace.

Lately I’ve felt a pull to go deeper and to see deeper. I see Him best in His Word and in His wonder-world. What I see through my almost-big-girl camera lens, often by surprise, sometimes astounds me.

I love what the poet Mary Oliver says. “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

And so it is still.

Words in. Words out.

I’m honored to be able to do spill some words and share some stories here at BibleDude

You can find me at my website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

~Sandra Heska King (AKA Sandy/Snady)