I had the privilege of meeting Patty at the 2007 FaithWriters conference. She could take the Sweetheart of the Year award! From the moment she signed up as a member, she jumped right onto the message boards and into the Writing Challenge, quickly working her way up to the Masters level. Join interviewer, Lynda Schab, as she chats with Patty about her former life as a Missionary's Kid and her current life as a writer and a busy homeschool mom.

LYNDA SCHAB: Famous first question: tell us a little about yourself.

PATTY WYSONG: There are people who see life, and understand it best, through the view finder of a camera—I'm one who understands it best and thinks best with a pen (or keyboard) in my hands. Almost every difficulty in my life is worked through the easiest by writing my way through it.

This past year has been all about stepping outside my comfort zone and obeying God, even when I don't understand the why of it all. The result has been great personal and spiritual growth. God has blessed me abundantly, far beyond what I could have imagined even a year ago, and I'm so grateful. His grace, mercy and blessings continually astonish me.

My husband (of 19 years) and I have five homeschooled children, our own contracting and remodeling business, and we're active in our local church. Writing is the lens and filter through which I see life, and it has become much more than a hobby to me—it's a way of life.

LYNDA: You were raised as a Missionary's kid. What was that like?

PATTY: What a loaded question!

My family went to Ecuador shortly after I turned 12 and I went straight into a missionary kids' boarding school while my parents continued on six hours south, to the province of Bolivar. Even though I was an independent kid, excited and happy to be there, there were still many nights I cried myself to sleep. I was a pre-teen, with all that entails (ugh), in a new culture and country, in a new school where I didn't know anyone, and my parents were, essentially, out of contact (circumstances, not desire). That tells you how my time as an MK started. Thank God it was all uphill from there!

I was at the Alliance Academy and the kids (and staff) became family. They took me in, helped me through many rough spots, and taught me so much. The tears soon stopped and I settled in—so much so, that now when I get homesick, it's for Quito and my 'family' from those years. It was there that God became real to me, vital to who I was, and am today. We had so much fun--and got in so much trouble! LoL—not big trouble, just the fun kind of trouble, but God, in His mercy, protected me from things that were going on that I had no idea about.

This past year stories have been trickling out about my time in Ecuador. Even though I fictionalize them, often using just a nugget of an event as a spring board, the stories are not easy for me to write. It's been a time of digging deep for me, which has been very good, but difficult. Missions is deeply ingrained in me. It made me the person I am today and I'm so thankful for those six years I spent in Ecuador. They were years that were filled to the brim of God's goodness.

LYNDA: Any particular memories you'd like to share?

Memories? Oh, wow, I have a gazillion! Let's see…there's the time we used a shoe lace to tie together the universal joint of a vehicle (me and my smart aleck ideas were actually helpful that time) and we made it the rest of the way up the mountain.

And the time we dug through a landslide with hub caps (yup, another smart aleck idea) until others arrived with real shovels and hacendons to clear a path for us.

Then there's the time when the river bank crumbled and we went into the river, on our side, in Martha's bronco (the same vehicle as in all the other escapades). I still remember my dad's face as he took what he feared would be his last breath. A busload of people helped us right the bronco with long bamboo poles and rope. Prayer and constant fiddling with the alternator got us up the mountain that time and the poor bronco bore the scars of those poles forever.

On a more serious note, the night Jacobo got saved, my dad bounced off the walls because we had prayed long and hard for his salvation. The last I heard, Jacobo is still active in the church.

My memories are full of how God protected us and provided for us, right down to the cast off bit of shoe leather that we needed to help tie up that universal joint. He's a God of detail, and He doesn't miss a single one!

LYNDA: When did you develop your love for writing?

PATTY: I fell in love with writing when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. My teacher handed out pieces of construction paper with a picture glued to each one. Our assignment was to write a story about the picture and I felt as if I had been let loose in an amusement park. While others moaned and groaned, I wrote about a robin named Suzie—she went on to become one of my best friends, and my sister still teases me about the birdie that sits on my shoulder, constantly whispering in my ear.

After that, I scribbled my way through high school. It wasn't until I lost a journal shortly after getting married, that my writing days pretty much ended, except for the start of a story every now and then. Those stories never went past a few handwritten pages and I saw it as a waste of time—nothing could come of it, and I had babies and a home that needed my constant attention.

For fifteen years I refused to pick up my pen and tried to forget about writing. If it had been left up to me, I would have forgotten. But God wouldn't let go. For several years, I ignored Him, but He kept after me until I was absolutely miserable. My whole hang-up was that I didn't know what to do with my writing. What good was it if it was just going to sit in my notebook? I don't have any formal training in writing (I'm just a mom!) and I had no idea where to turn. When I finally hit my wall, God led me here, to Faithwriters, and life has completely changed for me. Now, I write everyday, whether it's a short story for the Weekly Writing Challenge (and I can't say enough about how the Challenge has helped me grow and learn!), working on a longer project, writing a devotional or blog, or editing something. I've been known to write in the grocery store line and to dictate a list of memory joggers to whichever child is available as I'm driving through the many country miles we have to cross to get to civilization.

LYNDA: Speaking of FaithWriters, you quickly made your way up in the Writing Challenge. In fact, your very first entry earned a "Highly Commended." Since then, you've entered many more stories. Does one stand out as your all-time favorite, and why?

PATTY: Like everyone else, I agonized over that first story, and almost had to run for the bathroom when I submitted it. I was stunned when it came back with a highly commended, but saw it as confirmation from God that I was finally doing what He wanted me to, and that I was truly in the right place.

I think the one that stands out the most to me is 'A Fragile Balance'. It puts together some things I struggled with for years. My mind understood that godly people suffer, even as they give their lives completely to God, but it was the heart understanding and acceptance of it that was so hard for me.

Three or four things had just happened (godly people suffering) so it was fresh in my mind and heart. When I was desperate for a story for the 'split milk' topic (honestly, I had no idea what to write, not even a glimmer of an idea, and I was desperate to enter), I poured myself a cup of kool-aid (LoL--my comfort drink of choice) and did some brainstorming before heading for the computer to put something – anything - on paper. I decided that the china mug I was using was a good starting point because I knew one of these days it will get broken. From there, the story started normal enough, but when I saw the lesson that was coming out, I knew it was my entry for the week and one of my favorites.

That story has helped me come to grips with the lives I've witnessed that suffer even as they serve God whole-heartedly. I finally get it. That deep-down heart understanding and acceptance; not just head knowledge.

LYNDA: You have a successful blog, titled Patterings (http://pattywysong.blogspot.com). How did you come up with the name?

PATTY: One of the questions you have to answer to join Blogger is 'What is the title of your blog?' (or something like that). That question bothered me to no end. I didn't want just 'Patty's Blog' and I couldn't think of something witty, so I went for a play on words, and 'Patterings' came to mind. I plunked that in simply so I could move on and join the Season of Writing that Rick (Hoomi) had us going on, and it has stuck with me since.

LYNDA: What does your blog have to offer?

PATTY: What began as a play on words has developed into a ministry. The devotionals I post at Patterings, I also post at A Virtuous Woman  http://www.avirtuouswoman.org/profile/PattyWysong  (a Proverbs 31 women's site that has converted to a ning network format), where I have a devotional column: Patterings with Patty.

Patterings has more than just devotionals. Right now I'm wrapping up a giveaway to celebrate my birthday (it's a biggie this year!). I've had a missions emphasis going since the beginning of October (giving me 40 days of celebration) and it's been wonderful revisiting my missions roots as well as hearing from other people. Missions is an important aspect of the body of Christ, and one that is often forgotten about. I've had missionary guests at Patterings. In fact, our own Lynda Schultz was my first one! (Read Lynda's FaithReaders interview here: http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=47), I've posted book reviews of missionary books, and testimonies of how people have been involved in missions trips and many other aspects of missions. (This is going on until November 12th so come help me celebrate by telling me a missions related story! There are details in the Giveaway tab or just follow the Giveaway button—you can't miss it.) I would love to do more for missions with my pen, so this is something that I'm praying about.

LYNDA: Tell us about Fiction Friday.

PATTY: Fiction Friday popped into my head and I just felt God had plunked it there. We all have Challenge entries sitting around gathering dust, and since some of my wonderful friends were also blogging, I decided to invite them to join me in posting fiction every Friday. I stepped waaaaaaay outside my comfort zone, made the arrangements, and announced Fiction Fridays in every way I could think of (including in a few ezines and on Christian Women Online). My friends, being the supportive sisters that they are (<waving> Hi, girls!!) joined in my lunacy and we were off and running. I never dreamed it would still be going on after all these months! The trial period I had set in my mind came and went, and we're still growing, and we'd LOVE to have more people join us. We've been consistently running between 12-15, and it's not just Faithwriters participating anymore, which is fabulous and is increasing our readership circle.

Joining us is easy and there is no obligation. Simply post fiction on your blog on Friday, then go to where Fiction Friday is being hosted for that week (you can check Patterings on Thursdays and Fridays to find out where) and leave your name and the url to your story in the link gadget that is posted at the end of the Fiction Friday post. It's painless and fun. No submission jitters, queasiness, topic or judging involved! Just whatever you feel like posting.

LYNDA: Are there any specific rules for participating?

PATTY: There are very few Fiction Friday rules, and the ones there are, are similar to the rules here at Faithwriters (wow, imagine that! LoL). Keep it clean, but it does not have to be overtly Christian. Poetry is fine, and so are true stories (those that read like fiction are the best, though). And an important one: Have fun! Leaving comments on other stories is optional, but you all know what comments mean to people! Writing something fresh is NOT required!

Some people have started blogs simply to have a place to post their old Challenge entries (which is what most of us post), and some link directly to their stories here at Faithwriters, while they get their courage up to start their own blog. Any blog, anywhere, works (such as www.Godlinked.com!). It's not just for those on Blogger.

Overall, Friday Fiction is a great way to get some more exposure—outside exposure--for your old Challenge entries and to have fun. There's a Fiction Friday button you can post on your blog if you'd like, the code is at Patterings, in the sidebar.

If you don't write, but enjoy reading, come join us! There's always a great variety and we'd love to share a cup of coffee with you!

LYNDA: I know I've really enjoyed participating and hope many more will join in the fun!

On a personal note, you homeschool your five kids. Give us an idea of what a typical day in your house consists of.

PATTY: Zoo-ey!! Well, not all the time, but definitely on some days. At this point, I'm more of a facilitator and whip-cracker with all except for my youngest, who's in first grade. I make lesson plans and keep the kids working, then correct their work, explaining (or trying to explain) the things they don't understand. Once I'm done with my youngest, I usually have a few (scattered) hours to write, and my family does their best to co-operate with me, which is a tremendous blessing!

My days are spent at the dining room table—three-quarters of the table is filled with school work and often a child or two, and the rest has my laptop so I can easily slide from one spot to another. From my place at the table, I can monitor almost everything that goes on in the house, which has simplified my life and helped me be more productive.

LYNDA: Brag on your beautiful family.

PATTY: My family is wonderful! Usually. (LoL—truly, they are wonderful and I wouldn't trade them for all the time in the world to write!) My oldest will be driving soon, which means that life will be changing for me, yet again. He often works with his dad, and by the time he finishes high school, he should be well on his way to being a skilled carpenter.

My two teen girls both enjoy writing and are accomplished in the kitchen, which means they often cook supper for us while I work on either school or writing. (Which is a tremendous help!) I have an idea they may eventually write circles around me, and I couldn't be happier! They're growing into beautiful young ladies. My little boys (almost 11 and 7) enjoy stories too - hearing them and making up their own. Their imaginations are amazing! Since we don't really do tv, we're all avid readers, and the kids devour books—all kinds of books. I only wish I could read as fast as they do.

My husband, Jim, is the greatest. He's a very skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, and is now going into personal coaching, which he's excellent at! (I'm very proud of him and how he's stepped out of the carpenter's box and into something he's always wanted to do.) He's encouraged me and had faith in me even when I didn't have any faith in myself. He celebrates my smallest victories, and even the cool stuff that would only be considered cool if you're me. LoL. When he saw that sharing a computer that is tucked away in the office wasn't working well, he worked to get me a laptop (he said I was a computer hog! LoL Certainly not me! ) That was one of the best gifts he's ever given me. We've been married 19 years, and marriage is getting better with every passing year.

LYNDA: If you had a day all to yourself, how would you spend it?

PATTY: Oh my! Completely to myself? Once I got my mouth to quit hanging open, I'd sit and celebrate by spending uninterrupted time on the computer, writing, editing and (of course) chatting with my friends. Oh, and I'd eat a bowl of ice cream when I wanted a break and nibble on cookies as I worked. I'd also enjoy the quiet and relish the fact that there wasn't any other music playing in the house except for mine.

LYNDA: Sounds like great day!

Are you where you thought you'd be ten years ago? How or how not? And where do you see yourself ten years from now?

PATTY: I've blown past all my thoughts and secret hopes from ten years ago. Back then I was still in my pregnancy and baby days (the tail end of them) and to be honest, I wouldn't let myself dream or plan past making it through the day. I don't recommend that for anyone! We all need dreams and we need to reach for those dreams.

Let's see, ten years from now I could almost be an empty nester (that really wasn't me you just heard cheering, honest!). By then I'd like to have several full length manuscripts under my belt and possibly have something that's almost publishable. I know this is a goal that takes time, so I've begun working on it now. This is also one of those things that I'm not holding onto too tightly. If God wants me to do that, I want to be prepared, and although it's the direction I feel led in at this point, I realize it may just be a stepping stone to something else.

More than anything, I want to be doing what God wants me to, even if that means setting aside my pen. I have every confidence that if He asks me to do that, then He has something else in store for me and His plans will far exceed my own—every time.

LYNDA: What a wonderful attitude and an excellent goal – one we should all include in our personal goal-setting.

Patty, it's been so great getting to know you better. I look forward to seeing your ministry (and Fiction Friday) grow to gigantic proportions. Blessings to you in everything you do!

To read Patty's work, visit her FaithWriters profile here: http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=24808
Visit her blog, Patterings, here: http://pattywysong.blogspot.com