Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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How benches can become sacred spaces

March 21, 2018 by Kristin 20 Comments

My endocrinologist was listening to my heartbeat during a recent checkup and noticed my necklace. It had two charms: a silver circle that’s engraved with “Your Story Matters” and a bench.

“What’s the significance of the bench,” he asked as he pulled the stethoscope from his ears.

I told him about how I believe stories matter and I always want to be willing to sit down with someone, share mine, and hear theirs.

Sometimes our stories get to be
intertwined when we least expect it.

{Tweet that.}

My endocrinologist is from Guatemala but is raising his family here in Kentucky. In 2015, we talked about the mission trip I went on to his homeland. He told me about how missionaries like the ones we support are how people’s lives are changed there, especially in the rural villages outside Guatemala City.

I told him at this recent appointment that I was going back to Guatemala for a week this summer. He thanked me and asked about what we would be doing.

Like our trip in 2015, we’ll be spending most of our time in and near Chichicastenango in the mountains. This time we’re taking both Cate and Ben. We’ll help build houses, distribute wheelchairs, visit families in their homes, and distribute clothes, school supplies, and toiletries. We’ll see needs like education sponsorships and building projects that Bethel Ministries will continue to meet long after we’re gone. We’ll pray with them and for them to our God who works over our language barriers.

I haven’t even gone yet, but he thanked me for my willingness.

In the doctor’s office recently, we each shared a small piece of our stories and that brought understanding and gratitude – as if we were on a bench together.

Sit down on the bench.

Linger at the table after dinner.

Meet at the park.

Start conversations in waiting rooms and check-out aisles.

Be willing to share pieces of your story because that’s one way to be a faithful steward of your life.

Hear pieces of someone else’s story because, really, we aren’t that different.

Recognize that God meets us in those conversations and works all things together for His good and our good when we’re following Him.

When that happens, benches become sacred spaces.

*****

The necklace was a gift from my two best friends not long after I initially self-published “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” as an ebook in 2014. (That ebook has since been expanded to include more of our story and is now available in a paperback book as well.) I wear the necklace regularly, love the conversations it starts, and am grateful for the deep friendships it represents.

I’m sure I’ll talk more about Guatemala here as our trip approaches and once we return, but you can always read more about our trip from 2015 and how it changed our family. Until then, our family and team appreciate your prayers as we prepare to go.

Of course, #PorchStories is one of my favorite places to share stories, so thanks for being here. If you haven’t already I’d love for you join me on my virtual porch, where we can continue sharing stories with each other.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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Sharing more stories on the porch

April 28, 2017 by Kristin 7 Comments

I want more ways to hang out on my porch and swap stories with friends.

We are currently renovating our deck at our house so it’s bigger and opens toward our new pool. I’m excited to grill out and gather around that table while people swim.

Meawhile, I’m starting another way to share more #PorchStories online.

In these cases, more really is better.

I love how women connect at my weekly #PorchStories linkup and I’m looking forward to connecting more at my new Facebook group. You don’t have to be a regular at the linkup, and you don’t even have to be a blogger.

Stories connect us as we seek
God as the author of them all.

{Tweet that.}

I wish I could have you all over to my real-life in porch in Kentucky. Until that day happens, I’m hoping y’all will gather with me on my virtual porch. This is {another} place for women to gather and swap real-life stories. Let’s encourage each other to fix our eyes on Jesus and be changed from the inside out. Let’s choose joy wherever we are.

*****

It’s Friday! I’m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. Each week she has a one-word prompt and writers write for five minutes flat. This week’s prompt is MORE. Come join us!

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The Story Playlist

September 21, 2016 by Kristin 18 Comments

story-playlist-9-21-16

While seeking God as the author of stories, I find myself drawn to songs that help tell my story. You know the ones – the ones that as you’re listening you want to hold onto every word because it’s exactly what you meant to say; the ones that remind of that time when you made a decision; or the ones that remind of the people who helped shaped your perspectives.

Sometimes I listen to music when I write, and sometimes I don’t. It all depends on the day, my mood, what I’m writing, and what songs are on my mind. The playlist I’m sharing today is one for this season. As the weather flirts with cooling down, I remember life is made of transitions & adventures.

[bctt tweet=”These are songs for the journey. {The Story Playlist} ” username=”kristinhtaylor”]

As much as I overthink many aspects of life, with playlists I can just gather together the songs I want on repeat right now and listen. Typically, I listen to the same songs over and over again for a season and then gather new songs. Of course, sometimes I go back to older playlists and am remembered why those songs mattered at a given time.

For today, here’s my Story Playlist ::

  1. “Time of My Life” by The Afters
  2. “Follow You” by Ben Rector
  3. “Chain Breaker” by Zach Williams
  4. “Testify” by Needtobreathe
  5. “Be Kind To Yourself” by Andrew Peterson
  6. “The Wound Is There The Light Gets In” by Jason Gray
  7. “Wild Heart” by Urban Rescue
  8. “God of My Everything” by Bebo Norman
  9. “Greater” by MercyMe
  10. “Moving On” by Mat Kearney
  11. “My Story” by Big Daddy Weave
  12. “Pushing Back the Dark” by Josh Wilson
  13. “Come to Me” by Goo Goo Dolls
  14. “Bruises” by Train
  15. “Trust In You” by Lauren Daigle
  16. “Broken Beautiful” by Ellie Holcomb
  17. “You Will Never Run” by Rend Collective
  18. “Wanted” by Dara Maclean
  19. “Brother” by Needtobreathe
  20. “I Am” by Crowder

 Click here to listen to the Story Playlist on Spotify.

Some notes related to these songs ::

I’m giving away a copy of The Afters new CD, which includes this song “Time of My Life” that {almost} makes me want to dance, and I don’t dance. You should go enter to win a copy.

Speaking of music giveaways, I’m giving away three downloads of new songs from Corner Room Music. This is a new-to-me project, but one I’m enjoying. You’ve got through tomorrow to enter this giveaway.

I wrote a whole post last week about Andrew Peterson’s “Be Kind To Yourself.”

Needtobreathe is one of those bands that makes any playlist I make. Greg and I are going to see them in concert on Friday night. And Mat Kearney is opening. This will be our third time in three years. {2014. 2015.} And I’m sure it’ll be full of goodness.

You know I’m going to ask: What are you listening to these days? 

*****

Christina Hubbard is hosting a playlist link up at her blog. Playlists really are one of my love languages. I love seeing what songs people put together and I love making playlists for myself and others. Yes, I used to make mixed tapes too. Come join in the fun.

*****

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 eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool 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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A new book by a favorite author is always a welcom A new book by a favorite author is always a welcomed thing, and @kristinhannahauthor didn’t disappoint. Plus it was my @bookofthemonth pick. 

#TheFourWinds is set during some sad years with the Dust Bowl, migration to California, and the Great Depression. Yet this is a story of hope and belonging. Hope kept a mom and her two kids going, despite circumstances that destroyed. Hope led to this mom finding her voice, recognizing her worth, and discovering love that lasts.

Follow #KHTreads for more book talk. #recommendedreads #fiction #amreading #bookstagram #historicalfiction #bookofthemonth
Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, my mother-in-law moved home today. We were happy to care for her and we are thrilled she’s doing so well. 

I knew she was faithful and strong before, but watching her recovery from open heart surgery convinced me even more of her steadfastness and courage.

#TeamTaylor #livingfaithfully #reallife #choosingJOY
After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! H After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! Here’s to hope on a Monday morning for whatever comes our way. #momlife #reallife #choosingJOY #siblinglove
Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the sea Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the season to change, but I’m looking forward to Monday after three weeks of quarantine and sickness then snow. I’m looking forward to the snow melting away and eager for spring to bloom.

I’m grateful for health and family and home and a fresh start. A walk through the melting snow with the sun shining and temperatures in the 50s was a sweet spot today. So was gathering with friends we hadn’t seen in too long after church.

Just a few days ago I felt defeated and weary. Now I’m feeling ready and hopeful. Transitions can be rough, but ultimately I’m thankful for new mercies and new seasons.

#weekending #reallife #socialdistancing #countryliving #bettertogether #winterweather #springiscoming #choosingJOY #girlmeetschange #livingfaithfully
We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home basketball game of the season, but we are thankful we had some live winter entertainment. Of course, games looked and sounded different than usual, but the season isn’t over and we’ll be rooting for our blue & gold. 💛 #WeAreRacers #RacerNation #collegebasketball #TeamTaylor #weekending #socialdistancing #thirdchild
We all benefitted from getting outside today. Hone We all benefitted from getting outside today. Honestly, I was so bundled up I got a little warm because somehow I now live where 30 degrees (that feels like 21) is a heat wave. These three help me remember to loosen up and enjoy the moment. ❄️ 

#momlife #snowday #countryliving #socialdistancing #choosingJOY #reallife #winterweather #kentuckyweather
I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hop I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hope (Vol. 2)", which was compiled by fellow writers @kerilynnsnyder & @sarah_e_frazer. This devotional spends 31 days in the Psalms. 

I share about Psalm 68 and how God built a sanctuary for me at our house in the country and how I want to share that with others. I end the devotional with these questions and a prayer:

"Songs of Hope" offers encouraging truth to bring hope to your weary soul. The devotional is a digital product so you receive the PDF immediately and can read it on any device.  There's a #linkinbio to buy this devotional and more info #ontheblog. #bloggerlife #authorlife #amreading #psalms #psalm68 #bettertogether #hope #KHTreads
I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, truthfully, the first six weeks of 2021 have been weird too. Weird seems like a weak word, but I can’t think of another. These past six weeks haven’t been bad, have included plenty of great moments, and shifted so many things in our house. Through it all, my best friend Jaclyn and I haven’t gotten to hang out much.

I’m thankful Greg picked up her and her girls in his four-wheel drive truck yesterday after his short day at the office. We bundled up for some time outside, the kids had legit snow cones, we combined food to make dinner, and various people played various games. Jaclyn and her girls went back to their house this morning, but we are all thankful for old friends & new memories.

#bettertogether #winterweather #reallife #countryliving #snowday #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
So far we’ve busted two pool floats and broken a So far we’ve busted two pool floats and broken a boogie board. ❄️ #summerpeople #poolpeople #summerisbest #winterweather #countryliving #reallife #momlife
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