My Brave Story- Fallon Wentz — In the Wild+Wonder

After reading Fallon Wentz's Brave Story, I was reminded of something I read by Christine Caine:

"Sometimes when you're in a dark place you think you've been buried, but you've actually been planted."

There's so much wisdom in Fallon's words, WAY beyond her years. And proof that if you raise you're children in the way they should go, they shall not depart from it (Good job, Mama & Papa Wentz!) When life gets hard you can turn to the world's way of doing things, or to God and Fallon chose correctly!

Can't wait for you to meet this amazing and sweet girl who's light shines so bright. Thank you Fallon for sharing your Brave Story with all of us!

Candace

I was brought up on a ranch in Prosser, Washington, where my family raises bucking bulls. On our ranch, I assist my dad with the care and maintenance of our bulls, as well as flanking, and helping select which ones will travel to events. My name is Fallon Wentz, and I am nineteen years old. I originally attended public school, but I later became homeschooled my sophomore year of high school. I am now a student at Columbia Basin College, where I am working towards receiving my Associate’s of Arts Degree.

I am extremely blessed to have a tight-knit, loving family who supports me wholeheartedly. My dad is an excavator, and a stock contractor and my mom is an elementary school teacher. Both have always managed to provide their best for me. Wyatt, who is my older brother, plays college baseball in Portland, Oregon. He is also actively involved in the bull business. Growing up, I had a best friend who lived next door to me. I looked to her as an older sister, as she, too, was raised in a Christian home on a ranch. We had spent our entire childhoods together, as well as most of our birthdays. Matter of fact, most of my childhood pictures include her in them. We always pinky swore to someday be each other’s maid of honors at our weddings. And as we got older, we would keep in touch with one another, every day. Early in my childhood, I was taught who God was, by my parents. I had attended Sunday school, vacation bible schools, and continued going to church as I got older. Over the years, I perceived God as being a close friend who was always alongside me. Whether I was riding my horse, sitting in the passenger side of the pickup, or unable to fall asleep at night, He was someone I could talk to, and I knew He would help me solve any problems I came across if I asked for His guidance. I saw God as my heavenly caretaker, and I craved His love. For many years, I was comfortable in my relationship with God. I enjoyed reading scripture and always searched for deep quotes regarding Him. I spoke to God often and I had established a solid foundation with Him. However, in my young life, I had never questioned His ways or experienced distress. Until one day, I did.

On October 3rd, 2015, my best friend took her own life. Losing her was an immense tragedy, as I still recall her lively and humorous spirit, each day. But it was also such a pivotal moment in my relationship with God. Prior to that day, we had been together, laughing and driving to get lunch, in our small town, just like any other fifteen and seventeen-year-old girls would. The next day, I was in a hospital room with her family, surrounding her bed as the nurses took her off life support. In the final moment we had spent with her, through so much agonizing pain and heartache, I realized God had safely taken her into His arms. She was now in Heaven, and she was safe. But, how was I to handle such a heavy, life-changing situation at the age of fifteen? Suddenly, I feared for myself. I was afraid that I would fall into deep depression, as I had just lost someone who had been a huge part of my daily life. I feared the Devil would start to view me as a weak link, and I was terrified he would start to work on me. And part of this became true because I soon discovered that the Devil doesn’t sleep. Just like God, he is always there. During the first few days, after losing my beloved friend, I didn’t have the energy to rise from my bed in the morning, and I wanted to isolate myself from the rest of the world. I felt a sense of remorse, and I missed my best friend deeply. I cried for many days and nights in a row, as I felt heavy with burden from her loss. I was hopeless and weary, but I also knew God was listening.

During this time, I was never angry with God. I was simply confused and hurt. Even though I had originally prayed to God and read scripture, prior to losing my best friend, the situation nearly sent me into overdrive. I started praying harder, and more often each day. I asked Him
for comfort and understanding, and I closed each prayer in asking Him to give her a hug for me in Heaven now. I began searching my Bible for more of God’s words and what scripture said. Honestly, I almost became addicted to scripture. I found it to be comforting and powerful as if it
were my medicine to repair the pain and brokenness I had inside of me. One verse that left a significant impact on me through this difficult time was Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint.” I realized my faith in God is what would carry me, all I had to do was trust Him.

Over time, through my constant use of prayer, I would ask God for help and guidance. I can now say He has returned the energy I had once lost. My sleep schedule had become regulated once again, and I had regained the energy to rise each morning and face the world. God also
repaired each of my broken heartstrings, as He continues to today. Additionally, God stopped me from feeling a sense of overwhelming emotions that would come over me when I would least expect it, and I began to feel normal again. But most importantly, God silenced the Devil for me. God heard my pain, apprehended my concerns, answered my prayers, and restored me. He rescued me, and saved me, the same way He did my friend. I was aware I would never fully overcome her death, but truly, I didn’t want to. Rather than continuing to mourn for her, I would read my Bible, and recall our millions of memories we had once shared together. This would bestow me with instant gratification.
My relationship with God almost became more genuine. I had never hit what I had considered to be rock bottom, or truly known what it was like to be saved by Him. From this, I discovered a new depth of God’s love. Though my life had been tragically changed by once losing someone so close to me, my relationship with God became transformed. I once talked to Him as if He were standing in front of me listening, but now, I felt the closest I had ever been to Him. My prayers strengthened, and I continued my deep level of communication with Him. Still, to this day, I miss my friend. I think about her every day of my life, and especially when I talk to God. But through this tragedy, I have learned to never underestimate the power of prayer. Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.”