Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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How January has changed me

January 12, 2015 by Kristin 21 Comments

Ask me what my favorite month is and I will tell you May. I love that it’s my birth month and the month I became a momma. I love the weather and how it changes from the beginning to the end. I like that it’s the month when the doors to summer open wide.

But it’s been January that’s changed my life.

Nineteen years ago, I became a Christian on a weekend that epitomized God’s love in a way I’d never experienced and breathed the beginning of true transformation into my heart.

Thirteen years ago, Greg surprised me with a marriage proposal. I said yes, obviously, and we were married later in 2002.

Life-changing news isn’t always good, but I was diagnosed with diabetes 11 years ago.

And then there were two big adoption-related moments. In 2007, we met Cate’s birth mom for the first time in a doctor’s office waiting room. We saw our girl, thanks to the ultrasound. And then we all committed to this adoption plan. In 2010, Ben’s adoption was finalized.

Talk about January and I think back to these things. Perhaps I should stop giving May all the favorite-month credit and realize I wouldn’t be who I am without so many Januarys.

In honor of this, “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” will be on sale for 99 cents, starting today and continuing through the end of the month. This ebook is my story. It’s the story of so much brokenness redeemed in ways only God can do.

Yes, it’s about adoption, but it’s also my faith journey. People who have no desire to adopt have been encouraged. I hope you will be encouraged too. {Did you know you can also gift ebooks? Anyone can read a Kindle book with a free app for mobile devices and computers.}

Yes, January is cold and dreary. But God redeems and makes new. And that’s reason enough to celebrate.

___________

I’m joining others for the weekly Soli Deo Gloria Gathering as well as Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart and Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory.

I’m also linking this post with Hearts at Home’s Blog Hop at Jill Savage’s place. This month she’s talking about starting fresh, which is what January reminds me to do. 

Want more stories? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. 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.”

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Filed Under: adoption, Coffee for Your Heart, diabetes, ebook, faith, Greg, life, Soli Deo Gloria

Comments

  1. Glenda Childers says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:00 am

    January is one of my favorite months, but I think you have better reasons. I haven't seen your header for awhile … it is so great.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Reply
  2. melody hester says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:06 am

    Ohhh I loved reading your adoption stories just now! We are living through some of the negative side effects of closed adoption right now. It sounds like ya'll did at least semi-open if not open. I see the wisdom. We love adoption.

    Reply
  3. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    Thanks for your email the other day, Melody. I haven't been on the computer much lately to read yours posts and respond. I'm looking forward to reading more, though! Ours were open, although it's not what I expected to want. Of course, God had a plan that was so good for us and these kids.

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    Thanks, Glenda! Glad you're here!

    Reply
  5. Britta says

    January 13, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    Feeling dreary today, overwhelmed with so many things to do…so many things left undone yesterday. I so need this reminder: Yes, January is cold and dreary. But God redeems and makes new. And that’s reason enough to celebrate. Thank you sweet friend!!

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 13, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    I'm glad you were encouraged, Britta! I have to remind myself regularly that seasons change.

    Reply
  7. Stephanie Hinz says

    January 14, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    I love this! You wouldn't be who you are without those January's. I will keep your eBook in mind if God lays on my heart someone who it might encourage. Blessings! (Visiting from Coffee For Your Heart)

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 14, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    Thanks, Stephanie! I'm glad you visited.

    Reply
  9. Christen Ridley Price says

    January 14, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    I loved your post this week! I am one of the co-hosts for Family Fun Friday over at http://www.happyandblessedhome.com and each Friday I share six encouraging posts. This Friday my theme is 2015 Goals and I picked this post as one of my features. If you want to link up, feel free! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 14, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Ah, thanks, Christen! I need to learn more about this Family Fun Friday because it sounds … well … fun. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Becky Keife says

    January 15, 2015 at 12:00 am

    What a fantastic way to reflect on so many of the milestones that have shaped your journey most. Three cheers for Januaries! And the way God has used them to stretch you and bless you. May this month be one you also look back on with fondness and thanksgiving. Glad to visiting you from #TellHisStory

    Reply
  12. Jen Ferguson says

    January 16, 2015 at 1:22 am

    I am beginning to appreciate January much more, too. Because January is a dormant month for most things. And dormant means rest. It's a good reminder for me to look outside and see most everything resting because this is the season God keeps telling me I am in. And I am one that needs lots of reminders. Good thing I have a lot of windows! I just love how all these things happened to you in January! What a cool story!

    Reply
  13. Jennifer Frisbie says

    January 16, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    I loved reading here today, Kristin and learning a little more about your story. So good to have bumped into you on the interwebs through #ThreeWordWednesday and I hope we can bump into each other in real life soon. Blessings to you!

    Reply
  14. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 16, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    Thanks, Jen! I'm glad our paths crossed too. You're a sweet encouragement.

    Reply
  15. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 16, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    I really like the image of windows, even in this dreary time of the year. And I love you being here, sweet friend.

    Reply
  16. Caroline says

    January 17, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    I started reading your book, and I was riveted. I'm purchasing it, and I can't wait to blog about it. I loved this post and the amazing things that have happened in this month for you! 🙂

    Reply
  17. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 17, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    Thanks, Caroline! I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Please let me know when you write about – I'd love to hear what you think. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Beth says

    January 28, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    Not sure how I missed this post. And I'm realizing maybe I've missed a few. 🙁 But I saw your link on FB regarding Diabetes so it brought me here today. Cheers for January!! Every time I read your diabetes story it makes me want to write about my son's journey. I started a list of topics to write about so I must add. Love you, friend.

    Reply
  19. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 28, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    I've heard bits of your son's story, but you know I'd love to hear the rest of it. 🙂 Yeah, January has been quite the month in my life! I'm always glad you're here, Beth. Love you, sweet friend.

    Reply
  20. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 28, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    Hi, Mindy! I'm just seeing your comment for some reason. I hope you enjoyed your blogging break and you know I'd love to have you back for #ThreeWordWednesday.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. {8} Things {I Learned} in January says:
    February 1, 2017 at 6:00 am

    […] I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 13 years ago. Ben’s adoption was finalized seven years ago. {Here’s a post from last January that shares why a month with a reputation for being dreary is special to […]

    Reply

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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 eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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I drive the same routes over and over. I know wher I drive the same routes over and over. I know where I am likely to see deer — even if I have to look closely. God sure did camouflage these creatures for this time of the year when trees are bare. 

I think about how everyone is going through some things. We are journey through lives, our paths crossing as we navigate circumstances and feelings people can’t always see. But we should know they’re there. 

Maybe we are waiting to fall in love or have a baby or get a new job. Maybe we are in the midst of grief from a friendship falling apart or a business decision providing in ways we never expected. Maybe decisions are haunting us or stumping us. Maybe we are anxious about the future or facing our past. Maybe we aren’t sure what’s next. 

There’s a million little and big things we face that not everyone we meet can see. The situations and emotions are camouflaged while we survive daily tasks, caring for our people, and figuring out how to adjust once again to whatever life throws our way. 

I don’t know what you’re facing, but I am certain you’re not alone. Your story won’t be camouflaged forever. The seasons change. New life comes. The deer usually travel together through the woods along my routes, and I’m convinced our lives are best when we journey together too. 

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