Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

God’s faithfulness in all seasons

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Here they come, second and fifth grades!

(Of course, they aren’t going shirtless or wearing tank tops! That picture is from yesterday, the last day of Summer Break, which we totally rocked. First, we swam in our pool that somehow has 80-degree water again … yeah, I don’t know what happened with August either. And then we went to a nearby water park with friends.)

Anyway, I want to tell you how I’m so sad Summer Break is over and how we loved our slower pace, often around the pool and on our porch. We liked the longer visits with friends. But that’s no secret if you’ve been around here – or social media – this summer.

So, let’s focus on how seasons are good. God does something with the seasons – the ones on the calendar and the ones in my heart. I want to take the freedom and pace of Summer Break into the beginning of the school year, when the weather cools for fall, and along wherever else God leads me in the coming days.

I want to remember what God has done
as we move along to whatever is next.

{Tweet that.}

Here are some specific ways I hope to do that:

  • Remember play can happen before all the work is done because all the work will never be done.
  • Spend time reading and studying God’s word.
  • Take walks with friends.
  • Read fiction books.
  • Continue to invite people over – for lunch, for dinner, for no reason at all.
  • Leave white space on my calendar.

Summer Break, you were exactly what our hearts needed. I hope the kids take what they’ve learned about being friends even though they’re siblings and welcoming others into our lives with them into their classrooms. I hope they’re the kids who play well with others at recess. I want them to be the kids who trust God as He writes their stories as they walk the school hallways and ride the bus in the afternoons.

And I hope we all remember God’s faithfulness regardless of the season.

*****

Part of what’s next for me is launching my self-published book into the world. There are some spots left, if you’re interested in joining me on that adventure. Sign up here.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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Three weeks {of summer} remain

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I have my kids’ school supply lists saved on my phone, but I’m ignoring them. But knowing they’re there has me wanting to cram more summer into the next three weeks.

Yep, three weeks from today my kids begin fifth and second grades. (Let’s not even ponder how this is even possible. Weren’t they just babies?)

Even in a swimsuit, summer is comfortable to me.

{Tweet that.}

Comfort is homemade mac and cheese, long conversations with those who know you best, songs that bring back the best memories, popsicles on summer days, and books with redemption. It’s a T-shirt, slow mornings, snacks on a road trip, and traditions.

Comfort can come through any of the senses, sometimes when least expected. It interrupts the hustle of normal life and calms a weary soul.

This summer has been particularly sweet when it comes to reminiscing. I’ve had my 20th high school reunion, a small college reunion with some friends who gathered at a friend’s 40th birthday party, a dear friend and her four kids who used to be part of our everyday life when they lived here come visit for a few days, and a host of other summertime memories that weave themselves into our days as I make new memories with my kids.

(And I know one day they will be glad I made these friends hold hands and jump into the pool together because, really, isn’t that pretty much a metaphor for life?)

We’re going to Sam’s this afternoon to stock up on paper plates and popsicles for these next three weeks and probably some afternoons when the temperatures still indicate summer even after my kids have to get back to school.

Of course, there are still things we want to do. Maybe visit a nearby water park. Try the still-new-to-us Bahama Bucks. And maybe drink another a milkshake.

Then give me my current fiction read with some more time beside the pool for the next three weeks. Let my calendar be filled with friends and the freezer with enough popsicles to go around.

Oh, and don’t worry, I will let the kids get their school supplies before Aug. 9 arrives.

*****

In case you missed it, I shared about knowing & trusting God deeply enough to dream alongside Him at God-sized Dreams earlier this week.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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Six Things I Learned in May

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Well, May, you were good to me. You were fast and fun, but you offered so many good moments that make me want to gather my people close. I feel like we’re in the thick of summer, thanks to a slower pace and less routine, but I want to pause and remember what May taught me.

In no particular order, here are Six Things I Learned in May …

1. Words really are my love language.

Greg gathered letters and cards from various friends (some he hasn’t even met!) for my birthday and put them together on a blessing board, which also included notes from him and big kids. I really loved it – like I loved having friends from all our circles of life at our wedding. That merging of memories and sweet encouragement fills me up so much.

2. Wyler’s Italian Ice popsicles are delicious.

I impulsively bought them at Sam’s last time I was there, and I’m glad I did because I want to eat them two at a time.

3. Having a pool in our yard is wonderful.

I mean, I didn’t need convincing this would be true, but now that we’ve been swimming in it for a few weeks I can say that with confidence. And we’ve still got the majority of summer to go!

4. Getting away for a good cause is worthwhile.

The annual conference Christian Alliance for Orphans hosted in Brentwood, TN earlier this month was good for my momma heart. I asked Greg to go with me and some Hope That Binds friends for my birthday because it was the two days after my birthday just two hours away. So we went, and I came home so encouraged by all the people and organizations who are investing in adoption, orphan care globally, and foster care. I took pages of notes and came home with ideas.

5. May really is my favorite.

Yes, May is crazy with the end-of-school programs and parties, but it’s also my birthday, my oldest’s birthday, Mother’s Day, the beginning of days that feel like summer, days are lighter longer, and when a break in the routine comes. Plus it ends with a holiday weekend.

With that, I also learned it’s okay to delay a birthday party two weeks after the actual birthdate. Cate wanted a pool party, so we waited two weeks after she officially turned 10 because we wanted warmer weather. It worked out well.

And all of that makes me very happy.

6. Porches don’t have to be perfect to welcome people.

The deck renovation project that began in April has continued well into May – and we’ve had a family baby shower, a birthday party, and an adoptive mom lunch. We’ve used a door we don’t usually use. We’ve had construction-related scraps and dirt piles.

And nobody has cared. I was reminded hospitality isn’t determined by the state of our house or porch or outfit but by the intention of our invitations.

{Have you joined my virtual porch community yet?}

Of course, I’ll be glad when the project is finished.

So, how was your May?

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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