Still Here

I’ve missed you.

I briefly considered moving this blog to another platform, such as Substack or Medium, but I couldn’t quite get the technical details sorted out. So for now, I’m still here. 

Monday was my birthday, and what a year it has been.

We’re mostly settled into our new state of Georgia, and life feels more contented here. It’s not really about the state itself; it’s about proximity. Being closer to family and friends. Finding my people. That makes all the difference.

I’m working, and I love it. While many people my age are talking about retirement, that feels very far from my mind. I want to work and earn for as long as I have something meaningful to give.

With this season, more space has come for passion projects. I don’t think of myself as a fountain of wisdom, but there are areas where I’ve learned enough to give back and help those who are coming up behind me. I’ve also found ways to lend my voice to local causes, which has been grounding and energizing.

Life, of course, isn’t all roses. But even when the thorns appear, I find that I have deeper faith and a greater sense of peace to handle what comes my way.

I miss my parents, but I especially miss my mother. I miss my mother-in-law. Spending time with my one and only grandchild has stirred feelings of longing for grandparents I never knew. I’m learning just how much presence and availability matter. I wish I’d had grandparents for whom I was the center of their world, but I’m grateful for the chance to be that presence now.

Life continues to humble me. I’m deeply grateful for the relationships and connections I’ve built. Like most humans, I sometimes take them for granted, but when I catch myself doing that, I try to be more intentional about nurturing these blessings. Healthy relationships are a gift. A recent sermon reminded me of how central relationships were in the Apostle Paul’s life. In 2 Timothy 4:9–21, we see many of those connections - some good, some painful, but all of them woven into the fabric of his story.

As Christians, we never really “arrive.” Still, I believe the 17 years I spent in California taught me what I needed to learn for whatever comes next. That season humbled me and drew me closer to God. It prepared me for my next move. I've been listening to Pastor Robert Madu, and his word for the year is planted based on Psalms 92:13-15. At the end of this year, I feel more planted while bearing fruit in my old age!

I’ll keep writing here until I figure out what that move is. I hope you’ll keep reading.

God is good. He is the center of my life, and I hope that comes through in my words.

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,

To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Psalms 92:12-15 NKJV

Season’s Greetings.

--Nylse

Thanks for reading. Please take a moment to share using the buttons below. Like my Facebook Page and follow along on Instagram. Don't forget to subscribe. If you're reading my new book, The Comfort of Night, please leave a review on Amazon or the publisher's site. Stay Encouraged!

When Life Looks Messy

One summer, my mum decided to teach my sisters and me how to embroider. She thought it was a useful skill we needed in our arsenal, and it was something to remove any boredom we supposedly thought we had.

So, embroidery classes started at home during the hot summer. My mom bought white pillowcases, thread, and a pattern. The pattern showed us what we were trying to achieve, the thread was the right weight and color for the pattern, and the pillowcases were a blank canvas.

She then explained how each stitch produced a certain pattern;  satin, knot, and chain stitch are some that I remember. But there were many more. The thing with each of these stitches is that they produced a beautiful pattern on the right side of the pillow, but the underside was not so appealing. The underside is where you could correct mistakes without starting over. It's

Handling Weapons

Life can be a lot. It’s messy, complicated, and honestly, exhausting sometimes. There are moments when it feels like everything is working against you: a boss who seems to have it out for you, a friend who talks behind your back, or even someone you trusted taking you to small claims court. Yeah, it gets real.

When I feel like I’m being dragged through the mud, there’s one verse that always comes to mind. It’s one of those go-to scriptures people quote when things get tough:

Surrender, Connection, and the Gift of Learning

It’s a peaceful Sunday morning. Raindrops are gently falling; not torrential, just enough to cool the air. I step outside my front door and take in the view: grass as green and lush as a carpet, shrubbery shaped like small balls, full of promise and growth. If peace had a form, I imagine it would look like this.

No swirling thoughts in my mind, just the quiet joy of basking in God’s creation. Surrounded. Surrendered. Humbled. Grateful.

Sleep When the Baby Sleeps - God's Gentle Reminder

Motherhood brings with it a flood of emotions — joy, wonder, exhaustion, and sometimes uncertainty. In the middle of it all, there are bits of timeless wisdom passed down through generations, whispering reminders of grace and care. One such piece of advice deeply shaped my early days as a mom.

This Easter......

I've heard it said that Easter Sunday is like the Super Bowl for Christians. It's the big event of the year; there's lots of excitement, kids learn about the Easter bunny (whatever that is), and you might actually make it to church for an Easter service. However, I find this analogy lacking because Easter and all it represents are so much bigger than a one-day, overhyped event.

This Easter, my heart hurts for all the human rights abuses that are happening right under our noses. This Easter, I'm saddened by what seems to be the inhumanity olympics in our country. This Easter, I think about the impact our choices have on us.

This Easter, I'm also thinking of close relationships and wishing some were different than what they are.

This Easter, I'm melancholy.

Unbelievable

Image source 

I've been settling into my new home state. 

When I moved to CA over 15 years ago, knowing no one but one person, I did what was recommended - seek out groups with similar interests online and join meetups. It was uncomfortable, but I did it, hoping it would eventually pay off. I can't say that it did, but I gave it my all.

Forging Ahead

It's been a while since I've shared anything in this space, and recently, within the past weeks, I have been convicted to write more. It's not just a simple conviction; writing is where I learn to submit, surrender, and share. 

I'm not alone when I say the external factors that comprise our lives have seemed chaotic on a daily basis for the past months. There's political upheaval, which shows up in new policies daily, mass firings, natural disasters, plane crashes, need I go on? And yet, in the midst of this, we must live.

Anchored in Peace, Resolved in Love

January 2025 felt like an entire year! Whew!

Here's what I'm learning and relearning - the more time I spend with God, the less I am disturbed by the circumstances around me. The Peace that passes all understanding takes on a new meaning. There is a resolve that comes from surrendering to God. It dictates my thoughts, my actions, my words. Over time I hope it is producing a calmness in my spirit.

Though I was very jaded and cynical after the results of this years' election, I am reminded that I still must show love, must be love. This is where I am as we start February - restful, present, peaceful, resolute in love.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

What are you learning in this new year?

--Nylse

Thanks for reading. Please take a moment to share using the buttons below. Like my Facebook Page and follow along on Instagram. Don't forget to subscribe. If you're reading my new book, The Comfort of Night , please leave a review on Amazon or the publisher's site. Stay Encouraged!