Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Four years of contagious joy

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Dear Rachel,

Our lives have been more joy-filled since you were born. You love life and everyone we meet. You give strangers hugs and adore your brother and sister. You laugh easily and, really, are the funniest kid I know.

You’ve asked almost every day since we got off the Disney cruise ship last October — almost a year ago! — to go back on the “big, big Mickey boat.” We don’t have another cruise planned (yet!), but we are going to Disney World in a few weeks. You’re going to love it! You love all things Disney, characters in costume, and whatever adventure comes your way.

You’ve given me some scares with your fearless independence. You don’t like to go to sleep at night because you’re afraid you’ll miss something, so there’s been a lot of ushering you back to bed lately.

You’re going to “school” three days a week at Mother’s Day Out and love it. Somehow you comply with naptime there, but not without talking to your friends first. You’re eager to learn and love being around your friends. Right now, you like to find Rs all around you because you know that’s how your name begins.

You’ve talked about your birthday for a long time, and we’re excited to celebrate you today and again at your rainbow unicorn party on Sunday. Truly, we like to celebrate you all the days. Plus you’ve made me appreciate rainbows and unicorns in a whole new way. (Also, you call them “un-i-corns,” which is so funny because it’s not like you can read quite yet!)

Rachel Elizabeth, your joy is contagious. I pray you continue to love life and all God has for you. I know you’re going to embrace all the adventures in front of you and probably create others along the way.

I’m forever grateful for your birth mom who chose life for you and picked me to be your momma. God knew we needed you! Happy (fourth) birthday, sweet girl!

Love, Momma

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In honor of my girl’s 4th birthday, I’m going to give away FOUR COPIES (!!!!) of my book, “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & Family.” This book released in September 2017, when Rachel turned two, so it includes some of her birth and adoption story. {ENTER TO WIN HERE or below.} I’ll randomly choose four winners on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A tween novel where mystery & truth meet

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My two kids who know how to read have been reading all summer. I love raising readers and I love finding books that fit into our family culture. I’ve got a new fiction book for tweens to share with y’all.

“The Case of the Missing Person” is a fiction mystery geared toward tweens. The main character, 12-year-old Sera Craven, learns the joys and responsibilities of having a family after she’s adopted from Colombia, how social media can be both helpful and hurtful, and the truth that life’s mysteries don’t always go as expected. Author Kathleen Guire also does a good job incorporating realistic transitions that come with adopting – both for the new kid in the family and the ones who are making room for a sibling.

My own tween, Cate, who is 12, enjoyed reading this book too.

About the book

When Sera is adopted from Colombia, there’s a whole new batch of mysteries for her to solve. In “The Case of the Missing Person,” this Nancy Drew-loving tween and her best friend Mandy are itching to solve a big mystery. Join them as Sera attempts to navigate social media and discover some clues about her long lost Colombian friend, Isabella. Celebrate with her as she learns the joy of having a family. You don’t want to miss the plot twist at the end!

About the author

Kathleen Guire has a heart for orphans, hospitality, and encouraging women. She and her husband, Jerry, have a big family with seven kids – four of whom were adopted as a sibling group from Poland. She writes at The Whole House and has other books available on Amazon. Keep up with her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Cate and I read an early version of this book and are happy to review it now that it’s available. These opinions are our own.

Glory is just around the corner

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“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (The Message)

Adoption built my faith and my family.

As I became a momma in this way I didn’t expect, I prayed for God to use our story to encourage others. While we were navigating the adoption process the first two times, I knew hardly anyone who had adopted or was adopted. Now, a momma of three kids who came to us through private, domestic adoptions, I also have a community of moms who understand.

This online community is the answer to my prayers. Yes, it’s one of the ways God is using our story, like I prayed for, but it’s also been a blessing to me as I navigate parenting. Within this community, I’ve often quoted 1 Peter 4:13 from The Message: “This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

Regardless of where people are in the process, I want these other moms to remember we’re in these adoptions and this life together. And the glory really is coming. This online community has been a safe space where we share prayer requests, resources, and updates. Some of us get to gather around real-life tables for lunches and watch our kids befriend one another.

That’s how I began the devotion I contributed to “Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive and Foster Parents.”

About the book

Are you a foster or adoptive parent needing hope for this complex and sometimes lonely journey? Do you love your kids but feel discouraged? Are you misunderstood by people around you?

In “Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive and Foster Parents,” you’ll find real, often raw, stories from adoptive and foster parents in the trenches; scripture and faith-filled hope, pointing you to Jesus; and honest reflections speaking courage to your soul and reminding you that you are not alone.

This devotional is written by 30 authors, all foster and adoptive parents, who offer a window into their own lives and families. You’ll recognize yourself time and time again in their words. “Faith, Hope, & Connection” is a treasure-trove of wisdom and grace for foster and adoptive families.

This 141-page paperback was independently published by The Adoption Connection for The Refresh Conference in February 2019.

About the editors

Melissa Corkum is an adoptee and adoptive mom. She and her husband are parents to six kids by both birth and adoption. Their open door policy has blessed them with lots of honorary family members along the way. They are Empowered to Connect Parent Trainers. She hates cleaning and loved extra-crispy fries. Find her online at her website, The Cork Board.

Lisa Qualls is a birth mom and adoptive mom. She and her husband have 12 kids by birth and adoption and even more through foster care. As a Trust-Based Relational Intervention practitioner, she walks alongside families with kids from “hard places.” She loves hosting big family dinners but hates grocery shopping, which is a problem. Find her online at her website, One Thankful Mom.

Together they host The Adoption Connection, which includes a website, podcasts, and Facebook group to support adoptive and foster families.

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I received a free copy of this devotional for being a contributing author, but I’ve already recommended it to others because I believe we are better when we encourage each other with our stories. If you’re looking for other adoption resources, I compiled a list of those too.