Spring Greetings from the Nichols’ Nest!

I’m so proud to announce my book SEARCHING FOR THE SONG was just released. And I'm really proud that the book cover is from an oil painting Bill did from photos he took on our trip down the Danube three years ago. I cannot take you to Austria if I haven't been there myself to wander the streets, see the sights, smell the apricot blooms, and taste those indescribable pastries. Such a beautiful trip and sweet memories--and now the 5th book in the Rockwater Suite as Caroline's story continues. (See photo below.)

This book stretched me, not just the writing of the four hundred pages of it, but the struggles of some of the characters to find “home.” As Caroline is settling into her new home as Roderick’s wife, she and Roderick decide to fulfill Gretchen’s dream of returning to Austria to reconcile with her past and to find the family she abandoned for her chosen good reasons. Will her yearning for home be stronger than her fears of what she will find there? This story will take you to Vienna, through the castles and cathedrals of the Wachau Valley, sailing the Danube, and walking the cobblestone streets of historic European villages. You’ll be allured by the aroma from the coffee shops and the smell of baked bread and pastries, which I describe in detail and offer a couple of recipes. And your heart strings will be pulled as the story takes some turns and twists. I hope you’ll take a look at the book trailer on my website.

We thought 2020 was the year of all years, but even our winter this year was one for the record books. It rarely gets below freezing in South Texas, but we had a week of two snowfalls and below freezing temperatures that flirted with near zero on the thermometer a couple of nights. We were blessed to have water and only periodic power outages, but I went into panic mode about my lemon tree and the three rufous hummingbirds that had decided to stay for the winter. I would refill the bottle, and they’d show for a brief visit before the water in the bottle froze again. We weathered it all, and the hummingbirds have returned, and my Meyer lemon is in full bloom.

I had two important life lessons in the last few weeks. The first came with a knock on my door during the winter storm when the ground was covered in four inches of snow, and many were without water or power. A young neighbor who works for Homeland Security walked through the neighborhood checking on his neighbors, offering to bring in firewood, or pick up groceries, or whatever we needed. When I expressed my thanks and told him that his visit and offer were a first for me, he responded, “Ma’am, that’s what I do. I take care of people.” Almost taking my breath away, his answer was a powerful reminder that there are good people in this world who are good neighbors.

The second lesson came from a cheerful young woman who made my usual Friday afternoon grocery delivery. I haven’t been to the grocery store in over a year. I am so grateful for HEB and their system of on-line ordering and delivery, and they do an equally superb job in hiring top-shelf people. As this young woman was bringing my bags of groceries to the front porch, a glass jar of Bulgarian yogurt fell out of the bag and broke on the sidewalk. I had no knowledge of this until she had cleaned it up and texted me when she was making the four-mile drive back to the grocery store to get another jar. When she returned, I explained that she really didn’t have to go to all that trouble. This young woman looked me straight in the face and said kindly, “It’s a matter of integrity. Mrs. Nichols. You see I’m a Christian, and when I know what the right thing to do is, I try to do it. I don’t ever want to embarrass my Lord Jesus.”  This was the second time I lost my breath in less than a week. Embarrass my Lord Jesus? That’s worth pondering.

We seem to hear only the dreadful stories about the pandemic, the hardships, the loss, the devastation, the border crisis, and I could go on, but there are good people doing good and noble things, the right things, every day. Look for them. My list of Every-Day heroes is getting longer and longer.

One of my greatest joys is hearing from readers. So many of you who downloaded the SCRIPTURE SCRATCHING calendar have written to say you’re using it every day to write God’s words on your heart, and you tell me your stories of how God used a particular verse for you at just the right time. This guide is still available on my website if you’d like to get it or share it. One click for the download and it’s free. So far since January 1, we have copied ninety-seven scriptures about joy, God’s peace, His love, and this month, humility. Wow! Writing that much scripture in your journal and on your heart is bound to make a difference.  It’s on my website:  www.phyllisclarknichols.com

I love growing things, especially things from seed. Sometimes it’s the seed of a thought which grows into a book like SEARCHING FOR THE SONG. Sometimes it’s the seed from a Medjool date I’ve eaten that is now a two-foot high palm tree in a pot on the deck. You can see the picture below. And sometimes it’s the seed of Truth that calls me to write something different. I will be releasing a devotional book this summer entitled SACRED SENSE IN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES. After nine novels, this book is my first non-fiction book. I’ll be sharing more with you later about it.

Meantime I pray there is a seed of something good sprouting in you and that springtime brings you the fresh breezes of new life and growth. And I surely hope someone knocks on your door and renews your faith in humankind.

Always with joy,
Phyllis