Nicole Chryst

Wellness Educator

Chasing truth, beauty, goodness, and all things naturally wholistic.

Faith over fear.

Ephesians 2:8-10

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart since 2003. Together, we have four amazing children, by birth and adoption. When I am not teaching fine arts to my favorite upper school students at our incredible classical Christian school, I spend my days on our 7-acre property where I try my best to love my family well and experiment with hobby homesteading. My favorite things to do are cultivate my ever-expanding gardens, wrangle chickens, ferment all the things, sourdough bake with einkorn flour, and figure out new ways to use essential oils. I believe God has tasked us to be good stewards of our spaces in the world, and I guide my children to do the same.

I am a board member of The Sparrow Fund and an Empowered to Connect Facilitator. I love to dig in the dirt, cook nourishing food, capture beauty through my camera lens, watch the sunrise on the beach, and spend time with good literature on my porch while sipping on a hot cup of coffee.

The easy yes

August 29, 2017

She asked if she could join me in painting as I worked on a chalk paint project on the front porch. I embarrassingly admit that my first instinct was to say no. Mostly because I selfishly didn’t want to be disrupted, and I wasn’t thinking about her sweet desire to work beside her mama. Mom fail #99,999.

I am so glad I chose the easy yes instead.

She quietly and methodically set up her temporary studio, arranging everything just so. And then we created together, side-by-side. Sometimes we were silent. Other times we both put down our work and just chatted. It was an ordinary afternoon that was transformed into a beautifully precious time of connection and togetherness. I am so thankful I didn’t miss it.