Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

a process, indeed

October 22, 2008 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I think about Cate’s story, which Greg + I whole-heartedly embrace as our story, every day. Different days I think about different aspects. And generally I always end up thanking God for her, her birth mother and the way God was weaving all these details together.

But there were a lot of lessons learned in the adoption process, from the moment we began pursuing this way to have a family to the first nights we spent together in a hotel room off Exit 2 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Really, there are lessons every day, but I’ve especially been thinking about the ones God taught me through the adoption.

I remember one time I told Greg me he didn’t understand what I meant when I said I had a “good conversation” with someone. “Good conversation” probably doesn’t do the exchange justice most of the time. But, sticking with the vague description, I had a good conversation with an old friend Monday evening. It was encouraging + real. He and his wife are considering adoption + he wanted to hear our story.

Yeah, you know me, no hesitation to share Cate’s story. Our story.

And it got me thinking.

Cate is only 1 1/2 years old. But I enjoyed reminiscing about the details of the process I consider a blessing. The outcome is obvious, but there’s a reason people refer to “adoption processes.” It’s a process. And for me, it was a journey of faith.

We’re hoping to have a second process underway … at some point. We’re waiting to be led to a birth mother.

But until then, I thought I’d share a few of the lessons learned along the way.

I don’t memorize much. But some of Paul’s words to the Philippians have remained pretty clear in my heart: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

I thought I got it. But it wasn’t until I traded our desire to “get pregnant” to pursue adoption that I really got it. I experienced that peace, the one that transcends all understanding. I felt free. I wasn’t questioning why my body didn’t make enough of the right horomones. I wasn’t wondering if this was the month. I felt at peace at a time people were surprised I was so OK with the realization that I probably wouldn’t have a biological child.

I’ve never been pregnant, obviously, but I don’t feel like we settled for something less. I believe with all my heart and mind that our daughter is our daughter and she’s the daughter God meant for us to take care of. That may be a simplistic view, but to me that’s God’s peace in my heart because I don’t have any doubts, hesitations or worries when it comes to raising this beautiful girl.

If you know me, you know I’m naturally a worrier of details and plans. This peace, that transcends all understanding, is much more comfortable. Even if it did take me awhile to get here.

Greg + I (and our friends) prayed for a long time to “get pregnant.” I cried about it. I got mad about it. I was frustrated about it. Looking back, I see that God heard our prayers. Even if we weren’t praying the “right” words. He heard the meaning of our prayers. He heard me cry out because I wanted to be a mother. He heard Greg’s longing to have a baby in our house. He knew we wanted a family.

So while I was wondering when + how we’d get pregnant, God was orchestrating an even better plan. He answered my prayers by leading us to adoption, then to Cate’s birth mother, and finally to Cate. And I learned like never before that God does care about the desires of heart. And he does hear us. Just don’t be surprised when he works because it may not be like you expect.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: adoption, Cate, faith, friends, quotes

Comments

  1. Peggy says

    October 22, 2008 at 11:25 am

    You are a wise woman and I am enjoying watching God move in your life. What fun it will be too to see the surprises God has in store for you. He always has the best surprises.

    Reply
  2. Life as I know it says

    October 22, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    You are so right – God’s peace and plan is the best. I’m excited to see where the next phase of this leads you guys.

    Reply
  3. Shelley says

    October 22, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Your story is such an inspiration and your faith is amazing.

    Reply
  4. tish says

    October 24, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Such a fantastic way to “tell” your testimony and story. I believe whether through pregnancy or adoption, you become and mother and father through the raising and upbringing process – not through the method of how the baby comes to you!

    Reply
  5. Bethany says

    October 25, 2008 at 3:23 am

    I love not only what you say but how you say it, obviously you are a great writer. You are so right about the peace that we feel when we are doing what is GOd’s plan for us. I cannot wait to hear the journey of your newest addition!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • How to enjoy motherhood
  • How & why to travel with kids
  • From snow to sand
  • Books of 2022
  • How to enjoy winter days at home

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

I needed this weekend. The UK Wildcats didn’t I needed this weekend. 

The UK Wildcats didn’t win this afternoon like I had hoped. But following our house full of people on Friday night, I’ve spent a lot of time on my couch, under a soft blanket, with a book, while I watch #MarchMadness. 

Yesterday I pulled “When We Left Cuba” by @chanelcleeton from my to-be-read stack and then realized it was the second in a series about the Perez family. Thanks to @libby.app, I was able to get “Next Year in Havana” immediately. 

I finished it today during commercials and timeouts. And now I’m going to start “When We Left Cuba” as another basketball game also gets going. 

#KHTreads #basketballseason #weekending #bookstagram #reallife #booklover #librarybooks #KindleOasis #Kindlebooks #favoritethings
What a fun night! Basketball is best with friends What a fun night! Basketball is best with friends and food. So thankful for all these provisions and others in my life. Oh and a Cats win is icing on the cake. 

#MarchMadness #weekending #basketballseason #bettertogether #choosingJOY #BigBlueNation
You know it’s #MarchMadness when Greg Taylor pos You know it’s #MarchMadness when Greg Taylor posts on Facebook — and a picture at that! — and puts his radio/TV degree to work figuring out how to improve the viewing setup. 

#reallife #basketballseason #wifelife #choosingJOY
I had no idea just how deeply I would be affected I had no idea just how deeply I would be affected while studying Genesis 1-2. Going back to the beginning and seeing how God created, ordered, and filled the earth has been exactly what I didn’t know I needed, especially as a mom. 

For quite a while now, I feel like I’ve been living a day at a time. I used to be able to see my life in larger chunks of time and anticipate and prepare accordingly. Now, I slap things on the calendar and then deal with them as they come. Navigating life with two teenagers and a first-grader is the best and hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Honestly, this moment-to-moment living has been good for me and helped me rely on the God who created the stars and rivers that still exist in our world. Focusing on where I am helps me take slower steps, trust God to provide, and remember I’m not in control. I’ve felt an internal shift with my relationships — with my husband, kids, and friends. I’ve felt behind on laundry and dishes and piles of papers. But I’ve also felt a refreshed nearness to God. 

I’m going to rest here while believing God created life and light when there was only darkness and continues to order my days. 

#livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #momlife #faithlife #preceptstudy #genesisstudy #genesis #beginnings #reallife #PorchStories
My friend @ashleelyoung told me about this memoir, My friend @ashleelyoung told me about this memoir, but I knew nothing about Sutton Foster or her story beforehand. She’s a TV actress and Broadway singer and dancer who processes her life — complicated family life, love, loss, spotlight, infertility, adoption, motherhood — by creating. She creates in the kitchen, on stages, with yarn, with paint, with her hands, and with her mind. But her story really is all the experiences and emotions that inspire her creative work. I enjoyed this one. 

#KHTreads #memoirs #bookstagram #booklover #audiobooks #audible #bookreview
Also from the weekend: Shout out to @lifehousemurr Also from the weekend: Shout out to @lifehousemurray for putting on the fabulous @beautiful.you.conference with @meggpam from @shelivespurposefully. My girl and her friends had a great time together and my momma heart is thankful this is how they chose to spend a Saturday morning. 

#momlife #girlmom #teenagers #weekending #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #latergram
Yesterday was one of my favorite kids of days with Yesterday was one of my favorite kids of days with some of my favorite friends. Kids played inside and out, the TV was never on, and new memories were made with old friends. Plus we ended the night with our ninth year of Little Hands Trivia Night. It was our worst finish ever, but we still had such a fun time! 

#bettertogether #weekending #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
I’ve told you about Cate’s basketball season, I’ve told you about Cate’s basketball season, but we celebrated it (and the other middle and high school players) last night. What a joy, truly! She was surprise with the Lions Award for her overall approach to the game and her teammates. 

This context is basketball, but the bigger community and broader learning that happens are ultimately even more important. And, hey, middle school boys, you were also so much fun to watch! I’m so thankful Ben was part of that team. 

Shout out to the Schroeders for Tim being the coach of four teams and all the family time sacrificed as well as the other coaches and families who made it all possible. 

Give me a little break, and then I will be ready for more Lions and Lady Lions basketball to come! Scheduling for the fall and winter will start soon. 

I’m so proud to be part of New Covenant Christian Academy! 💛 @ncca.lions #momlife #girlmom #boymom #basketballseason #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
Once again, I stayed up too late finishing a book. Once again, I stayed up too late finishing a book. 

“Half Way to You” by @jennifergoldauthor was my #FirstReads choice from Amazon this month and I dived right in. I loved it! This is a multi-generational story full of love, heartbreak, friendships that span decades, and travel. The story is told as a reclusive author shares her real story with a young podcaster who has personal and professional interest. The way the lives is woven together is brutal and beautiful. 

#KHTreads #AmazonFirstReads #bookstagram #booklover #KindleOasis #kindlebooks #readersofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM