Faith for the honest and unfinished.
Welcome. This is a place to wander through writing about faith, healing, the natural world, and the stories that stay with us. You do not have to read in order. Begin wherever something speaks to you.
A GUIDED INTRODUCTION · FIVE FEATURED STORIES
Start Here: Five Stories to Get to Know Natalie in the Wild
Whether you’re here for faith, photography, a thoughtful story, or a moment of wonder, these five published pieces offer a path through the different parts of my writing. Begin with the first and follow along—or choose whichever title speaks to you.
1. A Small Beginning
Half a Block — A pair of shoes, a walk with Jonah, and the discovery that even the smallest step can be enough for today. Personal storytelling.
2. Grace at the Table
The Feast That Teaches Receiving — What a story about an extraordinary meal teaches a lifelong caregiver about accepting kindness and care. Faith & caregiving.
3. Seeing Beyond the Frame
The Grace of Leaving Room — A reflection on photography, open space, and the wisdom of allowing parts of life to remain unfinished. Photography & reflection.
4. Light Along the Gravel Road
Lone Rock Light — An unexpected visit to a prairie church becomes a story about history, quiet places, and finding wonder along the way. Nature & discovery.
5. A Shelter for a Season
The Crab and the Shell — An original parable about the comfort of familiar shelter and the courage it takes to grow beyond it. Original creative writing.
There is no single right way to begin. Read slowly, stay curious, and explore the other collections below whenever you’re ready.
New Here? Start With These Stories 🌿
A few pieces to introduce you to the different sides of Natalie in the Wild.
The Carrier — A short poem about Jonah, trust, and having somewhere safe to return.
A Week in Jane Goodall’s Shoes — An invitation to explore the world with curiosity, compassion, and wonder.
The Crab and the Shell — An original parable about courage, growth, and the shelters we eventually outgrow.
The Feast That Teaches Receiving — A reflection about caregiving, faith, and allowing ourselves to receive grace.
If something here speaks to you, I’d love for you to stay. Subscribe to receive new stories from Natalie in the Wild. 💛
Welcome Home — Finding Our Way Back
A book in progress about faith, caregiving, healing, and the courage to begin again. Welcome Home brings together the themes of returning, belonging, and learning to extend grace to ourselves.
Discover Welcome Home → Visit the book’s public introduction and follow a gentle reading guide through already-published reflections.
Faith & Healing — A Steady Place to Return
Scripture, honest prayers, grace in ordinary moments, and the patient work of beginning again.
Explore all Faith & Healing reflections
- Steady Light: A Gentle, Faith-Centered Way to Enter 2026
- Beginning Again Is Not Starting Over
- The Healer’s Paradox
Inner Life & Personal Stories — Learning to Become
Reflections on healing, identity, relationships, family, boundaries, and the courage to live more fully as ourselves.
Explore Inner Life · Explore Personal Reflections
- The Garden of Rewiring
- Learning to Receive: Healing the Habit of Over-Giving
- Inked Resilience: A Tattoo That Rewrote My Story
Nature & Photography — Small Wonders Along the Way
Wild places, unexpected encounters, photographs, and the lessons that arrive when we slow down and notice.
Explore Nature & Story · Visit the Photography Gallery
- Lone Rock Light
- Golden Hour Encounters
- Philozoic Love: What Animals Teach Us About Loyalty & Presence
Words & Music — Language for What We Feel
Unusual words, wisdom gathered slowly, and songs that give voice to the things we are still learning to name.
Explore Words & Wisdom · Explore Music & Soul
- Word of the Day: STEADY
- Kipuka: Finding Safe Ground When Life Erupts
- Pearl Jam: Music That Walks With Me
Looking for the newest stories?
The Blog holds the complete stream of published posts, with the newest reflections first.
Come as you are. Read slowly. Return whenever you need.