Let me start by saying that I haven’t always been a writer and I haven’t always been bold.

After the passing of my mother in February 2011, I felt a strong desire to start writing.  I had no idea what I was going to do with my writing, but I just sensed an urgency to capture what was going on in my life.  At first my writings were private musings in my journal and what I considered some pretty amazing revelations in my life.

As I shared these amazing things with family and friends, I repeatedly heard that I should write a book.  The book is still a work in progress.  Along the way though, an opportunity came up to submit a novella to a publisher.  That piece, “Walking My Mother Home” was published in August 2012 in the book, Journeys to Mother Love,* by Cladach Publishing.  This story is based on many of these amazing events and revelations.

My blog, Making Me Bold, initiated in September 2011, was born out of an idea to start flexing my writing muscle.  It was an opportunity to start sharing the leadings of the Holy Spirit in my life and hopefully inspiring others along the way.

I wasn’t always this bold with my faith.  Although I have been a follower of Christ since my youth, I didn’t fully start to experience God’s love and acceptance until I started attending spiritual growth classes and Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-Step program, in 2004 for my addictive behaviors and co-dependency.  Step 12 calls us to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.  This site and my writing is my “12^th Step.”  I do this out of a grateful heart.

I am actually an introvert by nature, but the events of the last few years have radically affected me.  They transformed me from the inside out.  My passion for Christ has been ignited and with it came a boldness to help others learn to trust Jesus.  My desire is to encourage others to see God at work in their lives, to partner with God in areas that stretch them outside of their comfort zone and be molded into the person He created them to be.

I thank you for taking the time to check out my site.  It’s not an accident that you are here.

I hope you will journey along this road with me by following my blog or buying Journeys to Mother Love and embrace an opportunity to turn healing into hope.

Ardis A. Nelson
Author, Writer, Speaker, Mentor & Mom

First time at my site? You may be interested in some of my most popular posts:

• Acts of Service, Part 1 ~ Wash My Feet
• Kairos, The Ultimate Time for Change
• Life Lessons from the Seahawks
• A Love Letter to Mom & Annual Tribute
• Holy Week, Holy People

Want to read more of my writing?  I also contribute to my publisher’s blog, Journeys to Mother Love, and at the Celebrate Recovery ministry blog where I serve, CR on the Plateau.