Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Living like sheep {and free books!}

March 3, 2014 by Kristin Leave a Comment

New Zealand. August 2009.

Holley Gerth taught me something about sheep this past weekend as a dozen of us gathered around tables with her and spilled our God-sized dreams into real-life conversations. Sheep are defenseless when they’re alone. They can’t protect themselves against predators unless the single sheep is disguised in a group that confuses the predator. They flee when they’re scared and band together because there is safety in numbers.

Photo by Nasreen Fynewever.

Perhaps we really can learn something from sheep.

I gathered with women I’d never met in real life this past weekend. While we shared meals and stories, my soul felt protected. The same goes when I gather with my friends in my everyday life. Protection comes as emails, texts, phone calls, lunch dates, trips to the park, and parties.

Life is best when we’re coming together and communicating. Like those sheep. I know my herd of people often direct my heart and soul right to the Shepherd himself, the one who gives dreams and grace.

Together really is the best way to experience life.

Jenn and I talked the whole 5 1/2 hours from Murray to Branson and then again, along with Sonya who joined us for the trip back, which took longer than usual because of some icy roads in Missouri. Sonya is an encourager who asks good questions. I stayed up later than usual talking with my roommate Kelli who quickly became my friend. Elise drew me in with her stories. Deb‘s quietness gave way to wisdom. Jennifer and Michelle gave us their time and perspective of the publishing world. Cathy cared for the details and our hearts. Kim cracked jokes at perfect times and shined a sweet spirit. Sarah gushed with excitement. Nasreen led us with love, truth and laughter. Holley opened her heart and her words both to the group and to us each individually.

{You can see more photos on Facebook.}

In addition to these ladies, the weekend was possible because of the generosity of Revell Books, DaySpring and (in)courage. And, yes, there were free books. In fact, I brought home two sets of the free books — one for me and one for you!

GIVEAWAY :: Use the Rafflecopter below for various ways to enter to win. On Friday I will pick five winners. Each winner will get one of the books — “You’re Going to Be Okay” by Holley Gerth, “A Millions Little Ways” by Emily Freeman, “Rethink How You Think” by Dr. David Stoop, “The Smart Woman’s Guide to Planning for Retirement” by Mary Hunt, and “Everday Confetti” by  Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer.

UPDATED to CONGRATULATE Holly C. Wyse, Jennie Woelpern, Beth Stiff, Stephanie Hoffpauir, and Chrissy Montes on each winning one of these books. Winners, you’ve been emailed, so let me know if you don’t have a message from me in your inboxes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

________

I’m sharing this post with communities I adore at Jen Ferguson’s Soli Deo Gloria party and Beth Stiff’s Three Word Wednesday. 

This post includes affiliate links. 

Want more stories? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”

  • 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: books, faith, friends, giveaway, God-sized dreams, life, Soli Deo Gloria, Three Word Wednesday

Comments

  1. Emily Simmons says

    March 3, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    I've had "A Million Little Ways" on my to-read list for a long time! I adored "You're Going to be Okay." Such practical, love-filled encouragement for my soul.

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 3, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    "A Million Little Ways" has been on my Amazon list for awhile now too. I'm glad to have it in my hands … now I just need lots of time to read! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Stephanie says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:21 am

    Oh my word! I started "You're Going To Be Ok" from the library and am so bummed that I can't answer the discussion questions in the book itself. Would love the opportunity to own this book. 🙂

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 4, 2014 at 3:43 am

    Thanks, Jenn. Your mom's ministry is so encouraging – I hope you found childcare!

    Reply
  5. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 4, 2014 at 3:43 am

    That's a good reason to own a book – I'm often underlining, highlighting or making notes. Thanks for entering.

    Reply
  6. Alyssaz says

    March 4, 2014 at 4:32 am

    Oh. my. goodness. These are some fantastic books! "Every day Confetti" is a book I need to buy in hard copy and "Rethink How You Think" would be an interesting read!

    Reply
  7. Mindy Ashby Estes says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    I am always up for new books! Even if I dont win I am writing down the titles to try and get!

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    I'm glad you're excited – I think they're some fantastic books too. I'm looking forward to reading more of them all! Thanks for entering!

    Reply
  9. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    I always am too. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Pamela says

    March 5, 2014 at 12:30 am

    Sounds like a meeting to feed your soul!

    Reply
  11. Tabitha Myers says

    March 5, 2014 at 3:00 am

    They all look great, but I think I would most like A Million Little Ways, Rethink How You Think, or Everyday Confetti. They look like things I would most enjoy. Glad you had a good trip!

    Reply
  12. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    When I realized I could bring home an extra set of books, I knew who I was sharing with! 🙂 I'm glad you entered, Mindy!

    Reply
  13. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    That is definitely true. Such a refreshing time.

    Reply
  14. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Thanks, Tabitha! Everyday Confetti is so you. 🙂 I haven't looked at the others as closely.

    Reply
  15. Elise Daly Parker says

    March 6, 2014 at 3:19 am

    So good to be with you Kristin…and looking forward to more! While we're on the subject of books, if you've got a favorite to share don't forget to linkup or comment with your latest favorite book at CirclesOfFaith.org. xoxo

    Reply
  16. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Good choice. Holley and her words are treasures. Thanks for entering!

    Reply
  17. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    So good to hug you in real life, Elise! So I know Cirlces of Faith posts reviews, butwhat is this link up/comment you mention about books? 🙂

    Reply
  18. Beth says

    March 6, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    Living like sheep…. well I just love that thought and it is SO true. "Together really is the best way to experience life." I've really come to know the truth of this through my writing friends (like you), church friends and others standing by me through this time without my husband. Love how we do life together! It's a beautiful thing. Your weekend sounds just FABULOUS. 🙂 Love you.

    Reply
  19. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    I wasn't sure where Holley was going when she started talking about how she had been reading about sheep, but I LOVE the point. Community is one of my favorite parts of life – both online and in my everyday real life. I'm so glad we're going to get that in-person hug and conversation sort of soon!

    Reply
  20. Melissa says

    March 6, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    I so wish I could have been there with y'all! I am so blessed to have those in my life that love and encourage me. Life is much better with other sheep. 🙂

    Reply
  21. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    I wish you had been there too, Melissa! Thanks for coming by here today!

    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

In a week filled with all the parenting emotions, In a week filled with all the parenting emotions, God has provided conversation with friends who understand, new mercies, a few walks and talks with a friend, and cinnamon rolls on a rainy Friday afternoon. I’ve been reminded when we are vulnerable and share our real lives, friends bring truth and goodness — often in ways we don’t expect but bless us anyway. 

#bettertogether #createdforcommunion #reallife #momlife #weekending #parenthood #choosingJOY #favoritethings #livingfaithfully
People ask when I have time to write. The truth is People ask when I have time to write. The truth is I like to make time to write, but sometimes it happens in the cracks of my days — at Panera, in the Notes app on my phone, at the library before I pickup my kids, or while I’m waiting on kids at activities. This week I edited my manuscript while Rachel practiced soccer. 

#momlife #writerlife #selfpublished #bloggerlife #authorlife #soccermom #thirdchild #createdforcommunion #bettertogether #favoritethings
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
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

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