Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Stories from the Porch in August

August 29, 2018 by Kristin 16 Comments

Oh, August, you were fun and full – like most of this year has been! You felt like summer with a splash of fall before hot, humid days returned. You brought routine back to our lives but let us keep on swimming.

Highlights

We spent our anniversary weekend at the beginning of the month with friends in St. Louis. It was a fun time that included a delicious Italian meal at Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, a day riding roller coasters (and other rides) at Six Flags, and lunch and soda from Fitz’s.

Before school started, we spent an afternoon at Venture River Water Park and hosted long-time friends from southern Indiana who we hadn’t seen in too long.

My big kids went back to the school we love as a sixth-grader and third-grader and Rachel started Mother’s Day Out a couple days a week. She loves school so much she doesn’t want to leave when I get there to pick her up!

Lastly, Cate wiggled out her last baby tooth during an orthodontist appointment last week and I successfully dealt with NONE OF HER BABY TEETH. I felt like we reached a milestone! One of my mom goals is to let the children handle their own wiggly teeth. So that’s 20 teeth from one kid and another 8 from the middle boy down and out … and only 32 more to go.

Favorite things

Hospitality Matters series – I’ve loved working on this email series to encourage you to open your heart, your home, and your life – regardless of what season you’re in. Expect two emails each calendar season with devotionals and practical tips. (So be sure you subscribe, if you don’t already!)

Teva sandals – I’d been debating getting some Chacos and tried them on a couple of times in stores. But then I found these and haven’t regretted it. I bought them at the very end of July and have worn them almost every day since.

From the bookshelf

After a season of not reading many non-fiction books, there are several I’ve been looking forward to that I’ve been reading.

“The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us From Drowning” by Aaron Niequist – I really liked much of this book. It’s a practical guide to living out your faith and finding freedom in experiencing God is different ways. There were a few theological red flags that distracted me and the way the analogy of a river almost replaced God himself became repetitive. Sections of this book struck me deeply and encouraged me in what is happening in my own life and community.

“The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness Around You” by Shannan Martin – I’ve been excited for Shannan’s next book since I finished her first, “Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted.” And then she went and wrote on a favorite topic of mine. I’m grateful to be on the launch team for this one. I’ll be sharing a full review soon, but this book spoke so much truth into my life and encouraged me exactly where I am.

“It’s All Under Control: A Journey of Letting Go, Hanging On, and Finding a Peace You Almost Forgot Was Possible” by Jennifer Dukes Lee – This other favorite author of mine has this new book coming out next month. I joined her launch team as soon as I heard about it because this is a message God is always teaching me. Her words are what I need to hear deep in my soul.

“White Picket Fences: Turning toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege” by Amy Julia Becker – I loved her “Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most,” so I’m also excited to be on this launch team. I’m just beginning this book, which releases Oct. 2, but I have no doubt it’s going to make me think.

“Fearless Faith: 100 Devotions for Girls” by Melanie Shankle – This book is for girls about 8-16 years old. It’s lovely – inside and out. My sixth-grade girl is currently reading through it and I’m excited to hear more about what she thinks of it, see what she journals, and talk to her about fearless faith. Plus Melanie Shankle created a fun playlist we’ve been listening to around here.

Speaking of my oldest, Cate also read the whole Harry Potter series in July and August. She shared a review about her new favorite series on the blog earlier this month. Ben also reviewed a joke book, if you’re looking for some new joke fodder like we always are!

On the screen

I’m ready for some fall TV to start! I’m especially looking forward to watching more “The Voice” and “Survivor” with my oldest.

For now, it’s still been “Hawaii Five-0” and “Suits.” I recently started the fifth season of “Suit” after a particularly entertaining fourth season.

How’s your August been? Tell me a story from your month.

{Tweet that.}

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: Ben, books, Cate, motherhood, summer, TV

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    August 29, 2018 at 7:06 am

    I’m not on Jennifer’s launch team, but I did get the book, and I’m really excited about reading it–also wondering if it will be a great topic for Bible study group in the future.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 29, 2018 at 7:29 am

      Do you know she has a separate Bible study that goes along with the book? It sounds like it will be great too!

      Reply
  2. Barbara Harper says

    August 29, 2018 at 7:29 am

    Several of those books look really good! I tend to gravitate to fiction first, too, but I do enjoy non-fiction when I read it.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 29, 2018 at 7:34 am

      I go through phases with fiction and non-fiction. I hope you find some of these recommendations helpful!

      Reply
  3. Susan Shipe says

    August 29, 2018 at 8:34 am

    You, woman, amaze me. And, I love you.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 29, 2018 at 8:47 am

      You’re the kindest. xo

      Reply
  4. Joanne Viola says

    August 29, 2018 at 9:14 am

    I am jealous that you never had to deal with any baby teeth. Every one tested my brave although I had to hide my feelings. Love these monthly wrapups!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 29, 2018 at 9:29 am

      Well, there are still some baby teeth to go, so who knows, but I’m holding out hope! 🙂 Thanks for being here, Joanne!

      Reply
  5. Rebecca Jones says

    August 29, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    My August was spent blogging and doing housework, I managed to knock over a few cobwebs and dust bunnies and rearrange things.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 29, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      I always like to rearrange things once I decide it’s time to do so. 🙂 I’m glad you’re here, Rebecca!

      Reply
  6. Lauren Sparks says

    August 29, 2018 at 8:04 pm

    Now you’ve got me excited about the books you are excited about! laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 30, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      Add ’em to your list! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Tara says

    August 29, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    It was a good August! Mine has been too. I’m loving Shannons new book.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 30, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      I’m nearing the end and I don’t want to finish it because I don’t want it to be over!

      Reply
  8. Lisa notes says

    August 30, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    I’ve been seeing “The Ministry of Ordinary Places” pop up here and there and it sounds so intriguing. Thanks for sharing about it here, Kristin. I’ll have to look into it closer!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 31, 2018 at 4:36 pm

      It’s certainly a good one! Thanks for stopping by the porch, Lisa!

      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 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.

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🎶 All throughout my history / Your faithfulness 🎶 All throughout my history / Your faithfulness has walked beside me / The winter storms made way for spring / In every season, from where I'm standing / I see the evidence of Your goodness / All over my life … 🎶 @joshbaldwin in “Evidence”

I love summer. But my summer has started off busy: appointments, book edits deadline, establish new habits with the kids at home. All that’s necessary and good, it just cuts into my down time beside the pool. 

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I long for a little more white space on the calendar, but I also wouldn’t change a thing because the kids are only 16, 13, and 7 once. This summer will only be this summer once. And I’ve already learned time flies with big kids. 

So here we are finding out footing, singing praises with church friends on our porch, grilling delicious chicken, and squeezing in the wide-open spaces when we can. This is evidence of the good stuff. 

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