We were lucky to catch up with Amy Sun recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

It was my dream ever since 2nd grade to be an author. I used to write stories on napkins or offering envelopes (in church). I was brimming with ideas! Over time, life happens and dreams are set aside. I forgot about that long ago hope, but God didn’t. In 2010, my daughter prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior and I wrote a letter to her about her experience so it wouldn’t be forgotten, but I also wrote an allegorical story as a gift to her. Both were tucked away in a digital file, once again forgotten by me, but not by God.

I was a teacher for 23 years when I was called away from teaching and into women’s ministry with Legacy Ministries International. At one of our staff meetings, my boss tasked me with creating tools for parents to use in teaching their children about Jesus. I was told that I had taught children for a long time, so go and write books for them. I nearly had a panic attack! “I read books TO children, I don’t write them!” was my response.

As I brought my panic to the Lord, he brought to mind some random thing that I needed to search in old digital files for – and in the search I came across the allegory I had written for my daughter. “You’ve already written the book,” I sensed the Lord speaking to my soul. “All you have to do now is publish it!”

I didn’t know how to do that either! I embarked on a journey of publication, being told “no” or “impossible” many times before having a publisher dropped in my lap. I started doing writing classes with them and then presented my book, expecting to hear the same NO I’d heard everywhere else. Instead Sherry Ward of Square Tree Publishing caught the vision and said a resounding “YES, let’s do it!” Eight months later I held the completed book, Heart of the Kingdom, in my hands. Giving my yes to God’s vision allowed him to open doors of provision and bring quick completion to a lifelong dream I hadn’t even remembered I had!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Amy Sun, author, speaker, teacher, mentor and life coach. My most significant role is Mom. I’ve been a single mom to my three incredible kids (now young adults) for 14 years. I lived overseas for 11 years as a teacher missionary, working in Austria, India, S. Korea and Kazakstan. I have always had a passion for the world and I love exploring God’s creation.

I am no longer teaching in the classroom, but instead have stepped into my identity as an illuminator for the Kingdom of God. My greatest joy is illumninating God’s Word and helping others grow in understanding of God’s truths and receive a revelation of God’s love for them. My vision for ministry is to help other moms know why and how to raise their children in the Lord.

I do that through the publication of books. I currently have two children’s allegories published with a third in the illustration phase now. I also have a Bible study for parents called Parenting Unscripted: Off-Script Moments. On-Purpose Parenting. I love speaking at churches, schools and women’s events and sharing the messages God has put on my heart.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My primary goal or mission is to illuminate Jesus to as many people as possible through my books. I didn’t set out to be a writer of allegories, but they are the stories that seem to come out of me. An allegory is a story, poem or picture that has a deeper meaning to it. My stories on the surface are just a story – a fairy tale – that anyone can enjoy. But hidden inside is a deeper message that parents, grandparents or teachers can use to dig deeper and teach truths to children, or even receive for themselves. I also hide things in the art – like hearts, keys, doves and Bible verses that kids can have fun hunting for.

My first book is about a spoiled princess who is missing something – her heart. As she finds it, she is transformed. That represents Jesus, who is the only one who can fill the God-shaped space in each of us and bring satisfaction. The world tries to fill it with fame, power, money, friends, things – but remains unsatisfied. Only through Jesus can there be complete satisfaction.

My second book, Theo’s World, is an allegory based on John 1 about Jesus, who came to the world to be with his creation, but his creation didn’t recognize him. It’s a fun story set in the mountains of Arizona, with incredible art done by reknown fine artist Lia Bardin Bomar. My upcoming book is a Pilgrim’s Progress type fairy tale about three young men who are seeking the Kingdom of God but keep getting side-tracked by the world.

My hope is that the messages of the books would glorify God and help families to walk in righteousness. It seems as one book is completed, God gives a download for another so my creative journey continues!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Hearing stories from people who have read my books and experienced transformation through them is by far the most rewarding aspect of being an author. I love getting photos of children holding my books or hearing how they are dog-earred and worn out from being read so many times. It’s also pretty rewarding to hold the first copy in my hands after all of the effort, expense and time that has gone into preparing it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amysunauthor.com and https://legacyfamilyministries.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amysunauthor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090500509967 (Amy Sun Author)
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@legacyfamilyministries