Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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God’s forever on our side

January 18, 2019 by Kristin 4 Comments

“Oh I don’t know / What’s around the bend / Oh, all I know / Is that my love / It knows no end / All these pieces they fall in line / Because I’m forever on your side / Take my hand when you can’t see the light / Cause I’m forever on your side / I will carry / You every time / Because I’m forever on your side”

– Needtobreathe’s “Forever On Your Side”

My mind hasn’t wanted to turn off this week. I’ve been processing news in lives of people I care about, parenting three kids in different seasons, and navigating a hard conversation. So many perceptions and feelings can influence my mind, distracting me from all the good around me.

One evening this week my mind was dwelling on this and that and this again. I couldn’t shut it off long enough to fall asleep so I got out of bed and folded five loads of laundry while I watched “New Amsterdam” on the DVR. The show had a storyline that made me think of a friend of mine. But instead of letting my mind spiral into all the stuff again, God influenced my perception. He reminded me to be still and trust him as God.

I have hope & disappointment side by side in my hands. I know joy and grief at the same moment. I truly believe God uses it all when we love him and are called to his purpose (Romans 8:28). In a world of factions and sides, conflict and change, surprises and distractions, I’m grateful God is forever on my side. And I’m grateful for the ways he brings his truth into our lives through others who follow Christ. That’s the kind of influence we all need.

*****

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday writing crew with this post. The prompt this week was INFLUENCE.

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What everyday balance really looks like

December 7, 2018 by Kristin 6 Comments

Yesterday was one of those days I was out and about the whole time my kids were in school. I took care of a couple of things for myself, lunched with a friend whose story overlaps my own in many ways, walked with another friend who is honest and real, and addressed some Christmas cards in the grocery store parking lot because I had some extra time after I ran in for a few things.

It was a soul-filling day for my 63% extroverted self.

Today I met my best friend for a morning walk – reminiscent of what we used to d0 before our kids starting growing up and she went back to work full time. And I don’t have much else planned today until the same friend and her family come over for dinner and Settlers of Catan.

I also anticipate being at home, working at a slower pace through my to-do list, will be good for my soul.

I don’t believe balance truly can be achieved, but I believe we can recognize no two days are truly the same and find some balance in that. Balance can be defined as “an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.”

While I was driving around town yesterday, I listened to Banning Liebscher on Annie Downs’ That Sounds Fun podcast. I had to jot something down when I got to a red light because I want to let it sink in my soul: “We have to slow down a little bit and be okay without constantly amazing people with some new something that he showed me or did with me or I’m trying to blow you away with this revelation or this funny thing. Let God do something with your life.”

Let God do something with your real, unbalanced life – and then we’ll find the only balance that matters because God is actually bearing the weight to keep us upright and steady.

*****

I actually started mentally writing this post in my head last night, so it’s fitting the Five Minute Friday prompt is BALANCE. I’m linking up with the FMF crew. Join us as we set the timer for five minutes and just write.

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Let the seasons repeat

November 2, 2018 by Kristin 6 Comments

Traditions are one of my favorite parts of fall. College homecoming. Friendsgiving. Thanksgiving. School pictures. Preparing for Christmas. Basketball season beginning.

There are some dates on our fall calendar that remain every year. I like the repetition. We share tradition meals with people we love. And we root for our Racers – who happen to be playing some decent football this year leading into basketball season.

Since moving to the country 2 ½ years ago, I especially the colors of fall that surround me. The leaves were perfection this week. I’ve had a million things running through my mind, but then I look at the colorful leaves and God reminds no season on our calendars or in our lives is forever.

I’m 63% extroverted. I don’t like being the center of attention. I don’t like speaking to crowds. But I am filled up by vulnerable conversations around a table. Even when this activity is repeated, it’s never the same. The traditions I love are centered around the people they involve.

This week that looked like meeting with a couple who is ready to pursue adoption but wanted to ask questions of someone who has walked through that; being with my Bible study girls after too long of not seeing them; inviting myself over to visit with a friend who has be part of several seasons of my life; lunching with one friend; and catching up with a friend over nachos. My personality means I’m looking forward to an early Friendsgiving with my best friends this weekend because that is how my soul rests.

This world can be overwhelming with its headlines and conflicts and brokenness. But those situations won’t last forever because God promises this is not the end of the story. Until then, he gives me people with whom I love sharing a table and shows his glory in the leaves.

Let’s mark the traditions on the calendar, still be aware of spontaneous goodness, and repeat it all over with each season that comes.

*****

It’s been a long while, but I’m joining the Five Minute Friday writing crew with this free write on the prompt REPEAT.

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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.

Learn more about my story here.

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We are having fun — and some forced sibling love We are having fun — and some forced sibling love — at @wildernessresort in Wisconsin Dells. We’ve played at four water parks here since we arrived yesterday afternoon. 💦

#WildernessWI #WeAreFamily #WildernessResort #roadtrip #88daysofsummer #TeamTaylor #reallife #wisconsin #wisconsindells
Nothing like starting a road trip by finishing an Nothing like starting a road trip by finishing an @elinhilderbrand book. I’d held off reading “Winter in Paradise” because the premise that a father’s death exposes his secret life hits way too close to home. But, really, fiction books can be therapeutic. 

I appreciated the raw emotions of a wife, two brothers, and others learning of tragedy and processing the ripples of that moment. Of course, who doesn’t love a story set in the U.S. Virgin Islands? AND it’s this the first in a three-book series, and I’ve got the next two ready to go on my Kindle. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #roadtrip
My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And ki My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And kids today don’t know how to sign yearbooks. Cate, my rising sophomore, says it’s because they have phones to take photos and text each other. She’s probably right. 

But the whole conversation and experience took me down memory lane. So much so, I got these yearbooks from my high school days off my bookshelf and read notes. Admittedly, I can’t remember a few people who proclaimed what a great friend I was and I never called some people who wanted to KIT — that’s Keep In Touch, kids — and left their phone numbers (and pager number in one instance!)! 🤣 

I also proceeded to text the three friends (well, really, five, because two girls married two guy friends of mine) with whom I do actually KIT. I have their numbers saved in my iPhone, thankfully. We have made grown-up memories together. We message and try to see each other. My husband knows their maiden names. 

Truly, how has it been 25 years since I graduated from Oldham County High School? I’m sitting on the porch now, rememebering how faithful God has been and thinking about how high school seems like a lifetime ago but also like yesterday. 💙

HAGS, everybody! 

#memorylane #highschool #livingfaithfully #yearbooks #choosingJOY #reallife
Cat nap! 💕 #catsofinstagram #thirdchild #napt Cat nap! 💕 

#catsofinstagram #thirdchild #naptimeshenanigans #PorchStories #reallife #88daysofsummer #summerisbest
A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domesti A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domestic thriller. I’ve always seen @diane.chamberlain.author’s books, but this was the first one I read. I’ve already downloaded others to my Kindle. 

Living with a secret is all Eve Elliot knows. Her life unravels when she confesses to what she knows and there are ripple effects for her husband and two daughters. I thought I had it all figured out and then there was another surprise right at the end! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #booklover #weekending
Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️ Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️

#poolpeople #thirdchild #88daysofsummer #choosingJOY #PorchStories #weekending #momlife
Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honest Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honestly, it’s hard to believe two-plus years later, and COVID is still interrupting all kinds of things. I know it’s a privilege to travel, but there’s still disappointment. Regardless, we can’t board a cruise ship in Canada on Monday to go to Alaska when my boy tested positive for COVID last night. (Yes, twice. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

But the real point of this post: we are regrouping and going to Wisconsin Dells next week. I’m excited to see somewhere new, even if it’s not what I’d been planning. Let’s be honest, the logistics to get to the cruise were already a lot, so maybe this closer-to-home trip is meant to be right now. 

Anyway, who has been to Wisconsin Dells area? We found a condo and have a list of things going, but I’m accepting all entertainment and restaurant recommendations.

#wisconsindells #reallife #covid_19 #covid #momlife #88daysofsummer #summervacation
I don’t really want to get into an abortion deba I don’t really want to get into an abortion debate here, but I will always champion the unborn, advocate for life, and support mothers and families. When I say “choose life,” I mean in and out of the womb. Choosing life begins with not having an abortion, but it continues to advocating for adoption, foster care, support for moms in lots of different situations. 

Western Kentucky is blessed with resources that do this, including @lifehousemurray in Murray and @_hopecenter in Mayfield. Those are great places to send your money and diapers, recommend to moms expecting or raising little ones, and keep in your prayers. 

If you know someone fostering, we have Partners In Care Foster Closet that offers clothes and supplies to western Kentucky foster families. No strings attached. 

I will forever be an open book about adoption, so I’ll be happy to talk about that with anyone who desires to know more. I even wrote a book about our adoption stories: bit.ly/PeaceInTheProcess #linkinbio 

My three kids have life because three women chose it for them. Those decisions changed my life for the better, and that’s only one piece of a much bigger story. 

#prolife #chooselife #adoptionislove #momlife #authorlife #livingfaithfully #PeaceInTheProcess #reallife #unplannedpregnancy #adoption #family #sisters #siblinglove #currentevents #roevwade #lifematters
Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I've read 40 books. That pace is well beyond my usual number for the year. Last year I read 62 total. I don't join challenges, plan what I'm going to read next, or even have a goal. But I still love keeping track. 

Some things to know about my reading habits: I like actual books, but I've been reading often on my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. I introduced audiobooks into my life this year and especially enjoyed some memoirs while I was driving around while the kids were in school. I will quit books if I can't get into them, and I've done that a few times this year. I almost always have a book (or books, hello, Kindle) with me, you know, just in case I happen upon some time to read. Here are some other tips for making time for books and reading more.

Today #ontheblog I'm sharing the list of the 40 books I've read so far this year. #linkinbio What else do I need to read this year?

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #librarybooks #bloggerlife #amreading #favoritethings #choosingJOY
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