Bethany Myers

I met Lylah over the phone originally, and little did I know I would have the honor of spending time with her in person one day. I was working at a publishing company in Laguna Hills called Stampington & Company. As the blog writer, I would sometimes be assigned unique topics - for example, when I first contacted Lylah, it was to interview her to expand on her recent feature in our magazine, Women in Business. Instead of just featuring Lylah (and her business, The Simple Farm) in print, Stampington wanted to make sure her story was shared online. 

What I thought would be just another interview, was actually the start of a lasting and beautiful friendship. As I asked Lylah about The Simple Farm, what unraveled was a wonderful conversation with an exceptional woman of God. Even over the phone, I felt our spiritual connection grow. I remember getting the chills as we both discovered our mutual faith in Jesus. 

Over the years we stayed in touch. During some of the most difficult seasons of my life, I would lean on Lylah and her wisdom. She became a mentor to me, and I trusted her like she was a second mother. 

When I was in my 20’s, I experienced a life-altering and very traumatic event. My fiancé Ryan was diagnosed with cancer. I went through the entire process with him. After about a year of fighting the disease, I had to watch him pass away, as I lay with him in his hospital bed and gently squeezed his hand as I sobbed “goodbye, I hope I see you in heaven.” Not only did I lose my partner, but I lost all my dreams and aspirations we built together. I was quite frankly lost, confused. As a new believer, my faith was shaken. 

Again, Lylah was there with words of wisdom and comfort. It was during this time when I felt numb, that she invited me and my best friend, Adriana, to her farm. I was not prepared for what awaited me. A retreat. Restoration. Thoughtful intention. I can’t even begin to explain the transformation that took place for both myself and my friend Adriana on this farm. Lylah’s husband, Michael, was so welcoming and kind. Him and his beloved wife are a perfect pair - they compliment each other so well. I admire how they work so well together. You can see Jesus moving and living in them, as they pour out his same love to others. It seems like they really take to heart the idea that working hard unto the Lord is good for your soul.

I learned so much about myself while visiting. It’s not something that can really be put into words. It’s nothing that can be manufactured, and it’s too special to be advertised in any way. It was a coveted, sacred experience that I will always hold dear to my heart. It was an unexpected pocket in time that restored all the hope that the locusts had eaten. I often explain that, I felt like I was a garden bursting with life. When my fiancé died, it was like a storm blew threw and stripped away all the growth. Everything living was plucked up from the ground and in complete disarray. My faith was in trouble. At The Simple Farm, my roots began to grow and even start piercing the soil again. Little sprouts emerged from places I thought were dead. A new season of faith was upon me.

Thank you to Lylah and Michael for opening up your home and your hearts. I am eternally grateful for how you share God’s creation to serve others. 

*** Today, I am happily married to the love of my life - a full circle story that someday I'll have to share the details of some day."

Bethany Myers - bethany@contentsocialmediaqueen.com