Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Live generously together

October 26, 2016 by Kristin 15 Comments

bake-sale-live-generously-10-26-16

One afternoon at the pool a few months ago, Cate and her friend Norah started talking about having a bake sale. Norah loves baking, especially cupcakes, so I think her hobby prompted the conversation, but I’m not even sure. I just remember sitting in the baby pool with Rachel and my best friend Jaclyn when the girls were telling us about their idea and asking about when and where they could have it. My favorite part was when they started discussing to whom they could give the money they earned.

That was July, probably. And here we are in October.

But since that initial conversation, they recruited another friend from church, Violet, and nailed down specifics. And us moms figured out a time and place for them to have it. Jaclyn hosted a baking day. Then the girls individually decorated the cupcakes and cookies closer to time and baked some brownies.

Well, the much-discussed bake sale happened Saturday.

The girls raised $96 to send to Bethel Ministries International, the ministry with which we served in Guatemala in July 2015. Bethel serves families throughout Guatemala by distributing wheelchairs, food, and clothing; building houses; and sponsoring children who can’t otherwise afford to go to school.

With $96, one elementary-school aged child can attend school for about four months. That’s the kind of investment I want my kids and their friends to realize makes a difference.

I want my kids to notice other people.

{Tweet that.}

I want them to see their friends’ and strangers’ hurts and needs so they can help them. I want them to realize our lives are better together – and sometimes that means taking the first step. I want them to love Jesus and love people.

And, let’s be honest, I want that in my own life, so I might as well teach my kids as I’m learning myself.

I don’t want service to be a part of our lives,
I want to default to living generously.

{Tweet that.}

How do you teach your kids about giving? What are you some service projects that have worked well for you?

*****

Here are some other ways I’ve tried to teach my kids about living generously.

Operation Christmas Child
Compassion International birthday gifts & sponsorships
Collecting diapers or other supplies at birthday parties
Jesus Birthday Party
Treats for fire and police departments

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - 3 Word Wednesday
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Packing what matters {into a box}

October 12, 2016 by Kristin 17 Comments

Photo courtesy Samaritan's Purse
Photo courtesy Samaritan’s Purse

Raising kids in a self-absorbed culture is hard work. I’m an imperfect mom who sometimes has great ideas and sometimes struggles with my own selfishness. One of the best ways to keep us all focused on what matters – loving God and love people – is serving others.

Thankfully, there are ways to do that and existing ministries to partner with. We don’t have to reinvent anything here. We just have to be willing to come alongside those things we are called to be part of. Of course, what I believe I’m called to be part of may not be the same thing you’re called to do – and that’s okay.

But I wanted to use my blog space today to share one way you can serve, if you’re looking for an opportunity to give to others.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, demonstrates God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. We collect and send simple shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to children affected by war, poverty, disaster, famine, and disease. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories.

My two big kids are 9 and almost 7. They’ve been packing shoe boxes each fall for long enough that they know when we buy extra toothbrushes and school supplies what’s happening. I like creating that kind of tradition with our family and community.

Serving others helps us focus beyond ourselves. Operation Christmas Child is one way to do that.

{Tweet that.}

Our church has long been a supporter of Samaritan’s Purse – both through packing and sending shoe boxes as well as other relief efforts. But this year we are doing things a little bit differently. One lady is our church has become more involved with Samaritan’s Purse and has shared many create ideas, including collecting items for shoe boxes well in advance of the November packing party we’ve traditionally had. During recent months, we’ve focused on collecting on particular thing. August was for school supplies. In September, we brought in “wow” items, like soccer balls and dolls. Most recently, we’ve collected plastic bowls and cups along with silverware.

National Collection Week is Nov. 14-21. You can find a list of where shoe boxes are collected in your town right here. If you’ve never packed a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child before, here are some helpful links to get you started …

How to pack a shoe box
The Greatest Journey follow-up study
Coloring/info sheets to include with boxes

We have a packing party planned at the beginning of November. Typically it’s been organized chaos and we’re shooting for a little more organization this year with stations for each of the types of items and then people – including kids! – can move around the room and fill their boxes for boys and girls who will receive necessities, toys, and a gospel message.

Have you packed shoe boxes before? How do you incorporate giving into your family life?

*****

crowder-giveaway-10-10-16

Speaking of giving, I have something to give two of you! I’ve got two copies of Crowder’s new “American Prodigal” CD plus a signed vinyl of his “Run Devil Run” single. You’ve got through tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 13) to enter to win, so come on over to do that! Be sure to subscribe so you can stay informed of fun stuff around here.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - 3 Word Wednesday
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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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I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let heaven and nature sing” twice this week. I may not be singing Christmas carols anymore, but I still felt the depths of winter this week. The sweatshirt seemed right. 

The sun didn’t shine much this week, although seeing on Friday as we wrap up the work and school week was welcomed. It’s mostly been cold and gray. It’s felt like winter. 

A lingering tension needs resolution and understanding, but honestly the gap between seems so vast. I crave slow time at home and meals around our table. I miss some friends and was reminded of the heartache that can come with community, but I also felt the deep appreciation of friendship and remembered the beauty of sharing this life with others. I was excited for an invitation and easily accepted it. I started a new habit (hopefully) walking with a friend. 

While driving through my days, I remember how uncertainty is what makes me look up. I remember my Creator when I am slapped in the face with the reality I’m not actually in control. I remember (again) to surrender. 

Goodness happens in the gray of winter. Life may look and feel different, but new life is always preparing to break through the cracks of the ground. The gloom that tempts us to look down doesn’t last long when we believe the sun will break through the icy trees and the fog will lift. 

This is hope. Even in winter. Thank God for it all. Let’s let heaven and nature sing. 

#countryliving #latergram #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #reallife #weekending
I heard mixed reactions about this book from two d I heard mixed reactions about this book from two different friends, but I enjoyed it! 

I liked the backward timeline, although I was uncertain about how it would work until the end. Some of the twists and connections were so good! 

I also liked the bigger ideas Gillian McAllister tackles: We miss things when we are living our life at our normal pace. What if we could go back? What would be notice that would change our reality? And, of course, perhaps, there would be unintended consequences. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It did get a little slow in the middle, but the end and beginning are quite good! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindleoasis #readersofinstagram
This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in the middle rebounding and playing hard and little sister photobombing the moment! 

Honestly, parenting has been hard lately. Nothing major. But so constant and always adjusting. 

Even so, I love watching them on the court and in life. There is so much excitement and goodness among the repetition and exhaustion. 

This is real life. And those are our 10-0 Lady Lions out there. 🦁💛

@ncca.lions #momlife #reallife #basketballseason #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #girlmom #firstborn #thirdchild
I finished studying Colossians today with my Prece I finished studying Colossians today with my Precept group. Paul wrote this letter to an established church that was still growing and learning and maturing in the faith — like us all.  I really loved this study because it spoke right into my life with encouragement for knowing Christ, walking in wisdom and truth, praying continually, letting peace rule, and giving grace. Plus Paul deeply loved his people. 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:6-7

Too often I step out of God’s presence for two minutes while are loading up the van in the morning or I’m rushing kids to bed. Too often I don’t surrender my fleshy desires and feelings to the One who holds this whole wide world in His hands. Too often I think my plans are worth holding onto tightly. Too often I think I can bring peace to my household, minivan, or dinner table. 

But real peace passes all my understanding. It rests in God’s wisdom and knowledge alone. How amazing we have access to that, thanks to Jesus. How easily I forget where I’m rooted. 

I want to let peace rule — in my home, in my head, and in my heart. 

Today while I was driving, I noticed how lovely the road, land, and sky looked. But today was really windy, like feel-it-move-my-vehicle and knock-over-trash-cans windy. It almost felt deceptive with the beauty before me, but, really, that’s like life. 

Sometimes it seems I have it together. People know my gifts of organizing information and people. I show up on time and am responsible. But so many thoughts and feelings are swirling in my mind. I replay conversations and fight against the same insecurities from the previous day. 

I feel both lovely and like my swirling mind could knock me over at any moment. And that’s why I needed God, particularly through His words through Paul to the Colossians. 

#livingfaithfully #faithlife #churchlife #reallife #countryliving
This girl has been complaining of a sore throat th This girl has been complaining of a sore throat the last couple of days, but she hasn’t had a fever or any other symptoms so I kept telling her she was fine. Truth be told, she a bit of a hypochondriac and generally happy, so it’s hard to tell if she sick sometimes. 

The folks at Aligned Health took care of her this afternoon and are treating her for strep or whatever bacteria is making her throat look and feel rough. 

I’m thankful for access to medical care and an unexpected night at home.

#momlife #thirdchild #reallife #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #sickday
I really loved this book! “Life is the stuff th I really loved this book!

“Life is the stuff that happens in the cracks between your plans and expectations.” — from “One Night on the Island” by @josiesilverauthor 

The writing is excellent, the setting works well, and the story unfolds in some predictable but sweet ways. I also think it was the right book at the right time for me. 

#KHTreads #romcom #romcombooks #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #readersofinstagram
What a fun night at the Racers’ game! Welcome to What a fun night at the Racers’ game! Welcome to the rafters, @campayne! 💛 

#racernation #basketballseason #momlife #boymom #girlmom #weekending #choosingJOY #MurrayState
We are four years into basketball at New Covenant We are four years into basketball at New Covenant Christian Academy and I’m not sure when games and wins and teamwork are going to stop making me emotional. I’m just so proud of these girls. They’re building something together — yes, it’s a basketball program, but it’s the bigger picture of a school and a community. 

These girls are going first — in the classroom and on the court — so other kids can come behind them and build on what they’re building. In 2012, when I enrolled my oldest child at a school that was just a couple of years old, I had no idea these were the blessings we’d get to experience. 

And having these Lady Lions sitting at 8-0 is just icing on the cake. 

#momlife #basketballseason #girlmom #firstborn #livingfaithfully #classicalschool #privateschool #choosingJOY #teamwork @ncca.lions
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The first book of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

The first book of the year for me gets all the stars! “Everything Sad is Untrue” by Daniel Nayeri is beautiful and heartbreaking. But it’s a story meant to be heard. (I’m sure it’s lovely to read, but good audiobook for this one!)

My story is so different than Daniel’s, but this is what I took away: Stories are counting memories in the parlor of our minds. I’m thankful he counted his memoirs aloud for me. 

#KHTreads #audiobook #booklover #bookstagram #Audible #memoirs #bookreview
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