Welcome, Friend!
Hi friend. I’m Sanda—gardener, writer, and ministry-hearted woman learning to grow slow.
I didn’t set out to become a gardener—or a spiritual coach. But after years of serving in ministry, navigating burnout, and walking through seasons of depression, I found myself kneeling in the soil, planting tomatoes and prayers side by side.
And something began to grow—not just in my garden, but in my soul.
Southern Soil Sunshine was born in that sacred in-between space: where faith meets compost, where perfection falls away, and where God’s presence is found not in striving—but in stillness.
Rooted in Grace: My Story
I grew up watching my parents garden in Romania—not for beauty, but for survival. They grew cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic… always with intention, always with sweat, and always with faith.
Back then, I didn’t understand it. I longed for something prettier. Easier. And for years, I kept moving forward—through college, ministry, motherhood, and over two decades as a pastor’s wife.
I served faithfully. I poured out. But quietly, I began to run dry.
After a string of moves—four homes in three years—and a season of deep personal exhaustion, I found myself staring at yet another empty backyard. One part of me wanted to start over. The other part just… couldn’t.
But I picked up a shovel anyway.
I planted a few tomatoes. Watched the sun. Wrote a few lines in a garden journal. And somehow, in that quiet rhythm, I began to feel God’s presence again—not in the outcomes, but in the process.
Gardening became more than practical. It became sacred.
I began to see that intuitive gardening—slowing down, observing, responding with care—isn’t just about plants. It’s about life with God.
That’s how this journey began.
How I Help You Grow
Whether you’re just starting a garden or standing in one that feels a little wild—this space is for you.
I believe your garden can become a place of healing, not hustle.
A space where your hands are in the dirt… and your heart is open to God.
Through my book Rooted in Grace, I share a simple, Spirit-led framework that’s become my way of navigating both the garden and my soul:
✨ Attentive Stewardship — the practice of noticing, listening, and honoring what’s already growing
✨ Faithful Response — the courage to act, adapt, or rest when the Spirit leads (not when hustle demands)
✨ Covenant Relationship — the quiet trust that God is with you, even when the harvest is slow
I share these rhythms in everything I create—from free journal templates and devotionals, to my podcast (coming soon!), to one-on-one coaching rooted in real life and real presence.
You don’t need another checklist.
You need rhythms that restore.
I’d be honored to walk with you.
Start Here
If something in your spirit is whispering slow down, pay attention, start again—this is your invitation.
Inspiring Your Home, Garden, and Kitchen
At Southern Soil Sunshine, we believe that the most life-giving spaces aren’t perfect—they’re present.
Whether you’re tending a backyard garden, harvesting herbs for a simple family meal, or writing quiet prayers in the margin of your garden journal, this is a place for you to slow down, listen deeply, and grow what matters.
Through intuitive gardening, seasonal rhythms, and faith-rooted reflection, we help Christian women cultivate homes and lives that nourish both soil and soul.
