Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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On longing & belonging

April 2, 2018 by Kristin 7 Comments

After more than 15 years of marriage, three children who were adopted as infants, having friends who are like family, and witnessing the work of God right here in my own life, I realize I’m at home when I’m with my people and my Savior. That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be – and God isn’t finished preparing us and our home for eternity.

In “A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging,” Kate Motaung tells her story of growing up with her home divided through divorce and later across the ocean while her mother battles cancer and she becomes a mom. Through it all, she discovers her home in Christ and the promises that come from him.

I started the book thinking I’d read just a little at a time, but I couldn’t stop reading it and finished it in a weekend. Biblical truth is woven throughout the personal story as Kate invites readers into both the hard seasons and the hope that remains through it all.

In telling her own story, Kate touches on many topics including divorced parents, moving frequently, feeling unsettled, longing for more, dealing with cancer, grief, loss of her mom, and living cross-culturally.

Adoption both of a country and a son resonated with me. Our faith journey is a story of adoption, and Kate’s words reminded me of our inheritance that will bring an eternal home.

“I saw afresh the way He stretched out His arms on the cross to welcome me, His adopted one, as His own. He didn’t just clean up a spare bedroom in the basement for me to squat in for a while, nor did He build an addition onto an existing structure to make space for me. He gave me himself as my home.”

– Kate Motaung in “A Place to Land”

“A Place to Land” is Kate’s story, but who doesn’t have their own story of longing and belonging? {Tweet that.}

About the book

“A Place to Land” is a globe-spanning memoir that wrestles with the question, ”Where is my home?” Kate Motaung watched “home” slip away again and again – through her parents’ divorce, a foreclosure, two international moves, ten rental homes in ten years, and her mother’s terminal battle with cancer. Add in the challenge of a cross-cultural marriage, and Kate was constantly adapting to a new environment. Through her experiences, you’ll realize – as she did – that no matter where we go or what we do, this world is not our home.

This 208-page paperback is published by Discovery House (April 2018).

About the author

In addition to “A Place to Land,” Kate is the author of “A Start-Up Guide for Online Christian Writers” and “Letters to Grief.”

She is the host of Five Minute Friday, an online community that encourages and equips Christian writers, and she blogs at Heading Home. Kate also serves as publishing consultant at Fistbump Media and is the owner of Refine Services, a company that offers writing, editing, and digital marketing services.

Kate has a degree in Bible, theology, and cross-cultural missions from Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an honors degree from the Bible Institute of South Africa. She loves writing creative nonfiction and memoir. Her desire is to point readers to the hope found in Jesus and to urge people to long for eternity with Him.

Giveaway

So who wants a signed copy of this book? I’ve got one for one of you! Just use the Rafflecopter below between now and Sunday, April 8 to enter to win. I’ll randomly choose a winner on Monday, April 9.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****

I received an advanced PDF and complementary paperback of “A Place to Land” (which is the one I’m giving away) for serving on the launch team and agreeing to share a review. These opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: books Tagged With: giveaway, review

Comments

  1. Tara says

    April 2, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    It’s so so good. I think and believe Kate’s words will bless many.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 4, 2018 at 7:01 am

      I think so too, Tara!

      Reply
  2. Joanne Viola says

    April 4, 2018 at 5:54 am

    Home is where I am most comfortable and know I am loved. It may or may not be my house, as it most often seems to involve the people rather than the actual place. “Home” is an interesting concept to think on 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 4, 2018 at 6:59 am

      Yes, me too! I’m glad you entered to win this book, Joanne! xo

      Reply
  3. Kate Motaung says

    April 5, 2018 at 4:22 pm

    Thank you so much for being such a supportive member of the launch team, Kristin! Grateful for you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 6, 2018 at 8:49 am

      I’m so glad I got to be a part of your launch team. I love your book, my friend. xo

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Place to Land Reviews, Reader Responses, and Appearances says:
    April 9, 2018 at 6:46 am

    […] On Longing & Belonging with Kristin Hill Taylor […]

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

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