Salt, Soil, and Surfboards: 90 days in Florida

WOW. This month held so much.

Not just in milestones — but in movement.

In surrender. In celebration. In sacred rhythm.

It’s wild to think we’re already here — nearing the end of July, over halfway through the year… and just over 90 days since we moved.

Three months.

That’s it!!

We arrived in Florida on April 17th. And somehow, in what feels like both a blink and a lifetime, everything has shifted.

And when I zoom out, all I can think is: God’s been moving.

Because July wasn’t just full…

It was faithful.

This Month Held So Much

The official launch of a dream that’s lived in us for years — Salt + Soil — something we’re not just building, but becoming. Including our co-facilitators confirmed. <3

Mom's Birthday Dinner

🏖️ A visit from my mom and niece — two whole weeks of laughter, deep talks, beach days, and birthday dinners (happy birthday, Mama 🧡).

🎤 The RISE 12 lineup dropped — a rebirth moment, returning to Appleton this September with more impact and intention than ever.

The return of RISEconnection — a training we first created in 2019 and launched in 2020. After pausing to reorganize our org, we finally relaunched this month. Our first open virtual cohort begins today with 9 incredible people — and we get to walk through five powerful weeks of healing and connection together.

Quiet days working from home, in the sunshine state — not in burnout, but in building. Dreaming into fall and winter offerings. Rooted, not rushed.

But most of all, it held faith.

Not the kind I can explain in bullet points.

So before all that...

Before the announcements, the surfboards, the sacred Sundays —

we were simply supported.

At the beginning of the month, when we unknowingly needed it most, we were invited to Orlando by our dear friend Jessica. She’s someone who’s been with us through it all — the thick, the thin, the highs, the lows, and the unspoken chapters in between. We stayed at her condo with her daughter Kianna, and it was one of those weekends that just felt good for the soul.

We went swimming. Ate good food. Rested. And played. We remembered what ease feels like when you’re with people who see you.

Jessie didn’t just open her condo — she reminded me what safe friendship looks like. The kind where you don’t have to prove or perform. Just be.

Full of laughs, connection, and good conversation. The kind that makes you exhale and feel at home, even when you’re away.

And looking back, I believe that’s what made everything else this month possible — starting with softness. With slowing down. Thank you, Jess and Kianna. We love you <3

A Sunday We Didn’t Expect

Then, last weekend, we went to church — just a normal Sunday. Or so we thought.

It was our first time visiting this little beachside church, invited by our new friend Kimberly, who was leading worship that morning. The music washed over us. The message was simple and profound.

Then something unexpected happened.

For the first time in 19 years, the pastor opened up an invitation for anyone to be baptized.

No pressure. Just presence.

And Anthony stepped forward.

My partner. My best friend. The father of our son.

Anthony baptized.

Choosing — in front of everyone — to follow Jesus. Right there. On the beach.

It was holy ground.

Not just because of what happened — but because of how it happened.

No agenda. No performance.

Just a man responding to a pull deeper than words.

Bold. Brave. Barefoot.

I cried the entire time — not out of sadness, but reverence.

Tears of joy. Of awe. Of God’s timing.

We’ve been attending and serving at churches together for a decade, but this one… this was different.

The Holy Spirit moved through the space like a wave.

The worship blasted like a concert.

And by the end, Aidyn ran around with snacks like he owned the place.

It was beautiful.

Unplanned. Unforced. And exactly what we needed. We felt at home for the first time since New City. Iykyk. <3

Salt. Soil. Surfboards. Spirit.

As if that wasn’t enough, this weekend we picked up surfboards for the first time — together — and attended a local surf camp hosted by Canaveral Surf (yes, Anthony takes photos for them too!).

I paddled out with shaky legs and an open heart — and stood up for the first time. 🏄‍♀️

I stood up!!!

Growing up in Wisconsin, I never imagined I’d surf. I’ve done wakeboarding, skiing, jet skiing, even motorsports — but surfing? That felt like another world.

Especially for someone who once nearly drowned in middle school while playing chicken in a pool. That fear still whispers sometimes. But this? This felt like freedom.

The ocean didn’t just hold me. It moved me.

Nadine on a surfboard for the first time in her life!

If you’ve never tried surfing — I mean it — try it once. You might surprise yourself.

Living More Integrated

While some might say I’m juggling too many things…

I’d say I’m living more integrated than I ever have.

Because all of it matters:

The quiet planning. The sacred pause. The storytelling. The faith.

The gritty, glorious becoming.

In September, I’ll share from my book publicly for the first time — live at RISE 12.

But this month? I’m just letting the story live in my bones. In my breath. In my being.

What’s Still True?

What I’ve been sitting with lately are these questions:

• What’s still true?

• What’s still anchoring me when everything shifts?

• What’s still worth building when things move fast?

• Even more important, what's worth building when things slow down?

• What do I want to carry forward — and what can I leave behind?

These questions have shaped everything.

From how I show up online to how I wake up in the morning.

From what I say yes to — to what I’m finally saying no to, even when the people-pleaser in me tries to interfere.

The truth is: I’ve done a lot of becoming this year.

But I’ve also done a lot of remembering.

Remembering what I’m about.

Remembering what this space is for.

Remembering why I started sharing in the first place.

And it’s not for aesthetics or algorithms.

It’s for impact.

For reflection.

For connection.

For you.

And for me.

So Here’s Where I’m Starting From

As we head into August — a new month, a fresh page —

I’m not coming back with a launch or an announcement.

I’m coming back with intention.

To write more.

To share the now, not just the polished after.

To speak truth again — even if it’s not perfectly packaged.

To remind you (and myself) that your voice still matters.

We don’t have to wait for the new year, or a retreat, or a perfect moment to realign.

We can pause.

Right now.

Take a breath.

And ask: What’s still true for me?

That’s where I’m starting from.

Thanks for sticking with me through the messy middle and the becoming.

There’s more to come. And I promise — it’ll be real.

With love + roots,

Nadine