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 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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We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission trips and hope to go on more. They’ve served locally. We support missionaries. We want our kids to be open to wherever God calls them and incorporating missions into our small-town life is one way we, as parents, have hoped to teach that. 

I’m incredibly thankful @hardinbaptistchurch comes alongside us with the same message. The middle and high school @hardinstudents spent the summer looking at different aspects of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Youth minister @cbright2 spent the last Sunday of the series looking at nine practical ways that students – yes, even middle and high schoolers – could participate in and pray about going for God. 

Chase shared these 9 Ways to Go with students' parents, and I asked him for permission to share them with you because even as an adult I want to remember to live on mission – even right where I am. 

9 WAYS TO GO FOR GOD: https://bit.ly/9WaysToGo

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“Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, “Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, is how I feel I contribute to the world. Reminding people of what’s important. Letting them escape the harsh parts of life, even if it’s just for a few hours. Helping them feel happiness through watching happily-ever-afters unfold. Remembering truths. Recalling their self-worth. Loving others. Living well. Learning. I want to do that.” 

And, let’s be honest, love stories about writers make me happy too. “Meet Me in the Margins” was cute, predictable, and a good way to escape for a little while. 

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I’m getting ready to get in my van again to pick I’m getting ready to get in my van again to pick up a kid from basketball camp. It’s the third time today I will have driven from my house to somewhere else and back again. And this is still Summer Break, when things are supposedly a little slower. 

My friend @marycarver gets me. She knows us moms spend a million hours a week taxiing people to school and sports and church and friends’ houses and errands and appointments. And maybe we linger longer before coming in the house with arms full of groceries and bags and papers and books … because we just need a minute. Or maybe we answer some texts before we pull away from the store and catch up on phone calls while we drive or show up early to pickup to read a book that has captured our attention. 

We spend a lot of time and accomplish much in our cars. Mary knows this and is giving us the encouragement we need in her new book, “Prayers from the Parking Lot.” It’s a perfect size to keep in your car or purse. Each of the 50 reflections are practical and inspiring and meet moms on the go right where we are. 

Preorder this gem now so you have it the next time you have a few extra minutes in a parking lot, school pickup line, or waiting room. It officially releases next week and is available from @revellbooks on Amazon and wherever else you buy books. 

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20 years married. 💛 I’ve learned a million t 20 years married. 💛

I’ve learned a million things in these adult years, but I keep thinking about this one this today: Celebrate the good things. 

This world is so noisy, decisions and situations clutter our brains, and there’s so much heartache. But there’s also goodness. And our married life falls into that category and is a testimony to God’s faithfulness. It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been sanctifying and life-giving. 

(And it deserves a second post today.)

We celebrated today with a lunch date, some love notes, the two bouquets he surprised me with a day early, some chocolates I left in the car too long but rescued and restored them from their melted state, and dinner out as a family. I’ll take it. I will take every ounce of goodness on an ordinary day that marks what feels like a big-deal accomplishment. 

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In the past year, I learned Greg doesn’t like pa In the past year, I learned Greg doesn’t like packaged taco seasoning and bought my engagement ring on sale at a pawn shop. This after I’ve been wearing the ring for two decades and made taco meat more times than I could even begin to count.

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https://kristinhilltaylor.com/2022/08/20-years.html

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