Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Being a summertime girl in the winter

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You probably know I’m a summer girl. I like the longer days, the sunshine, and freedom to let routine go. I love being on my porch and in my pool.

But the reality is summer is a season. It comes and goes and comes again. I’ve been reminding myself of this as the temperatures are cool, the daylight is short, and the skies gray. Plus we had a snow day on Sunday! (And I thank God for every random 65 degree and sunshiny day we’ve gotten this month!)

I turn 40 this year and I’ve spent a good portion of the year before this learning to appreciate seasons. I can long for summer while still enjoying winter. I can look back with fondness on summer while I take joyfully what spring and fall have to offer.

I’m no expert and am still learning the value and relief of seasons, but here are some ways I live faithfully in the winter as a summer person:

1. Read fiction books set on the beach or in lake towns. Often reading fiction is like a miniature vacation for me, so why not choose a setting I love?

2. Live with the mentality that the to-do list doesn’t have to be finished by noon Monday. Naturally, I am a work-before-play girl, but for some reason I’m easier going in the summer. I’m trying to bring that mentality into all the other seasons.

3. Have social plans that bring people in. The porch isn’t always suitable for these short, cold days, but we can still have friends over to play board games or watch basketball. We can meet friends for dinner and carpool to watch our alma mater’s basketball team. Even when it’s not the holidays, establish traditions that bring joy to a season that may not otherwise be your favorite.

4. Remember summer is coming. I can enjoy the present season, reminisce about past seasons, and look to the ones to come with a grateful heart. Likewise, I can remember God’s faithfulness through them all.

So here’s the winter, at least temporarily, because I don’t want to miss what God has for me in each season on the calendar and in life.

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I’ve got a new installment of Hospitality Matters coming out to my email friends next week. Be sure you’re signed up so you can be included with this seasonal series. Plus all subscribers get a FREE guide to serving your community with your family.

And while you’re clicking around, make sure you enter to win a copy of the beautiful, encouraging (in)courage Devotional Bible.

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Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories

#PorchStories Party

Stories from the Porch in August

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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.}

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Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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A prayer as seasons change

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Dear God,

Thank You for these eighty-seven days of summer. This season has been sweet and fun – and exactly what I needed. And, yes, I’m thankful we have one more week before I have to set an alarm, help the kids’ pack lunches and finish homework, and dive back into a routine of piano lessons and soccer practices. Of course, You know that because You orchestrate it all. You made our mission trip and vacation possible. You allowed the pool days and porch stories with friends. You provided opportunities for other nearby adventures.

Father God, You’re the keeper of time and seasons. I praise You for that – even when I think I have good plans and manage time well. I really do believe You are leading us where You want us – as individual people and as a family. I’m realizing if I do believe that then I have to (once again) let go of my own timeline.

I say I don’t want summer to end, and I don’t.

But I’m also excited about the kids learning and growing in a school we love with other families we love. My baby is turning into a big girl and will go to Mothers’ Day Out a couple days a week. I already know some of the ways You want me to spend my kid-free time and I have no doubts You’ll lead me to other people and projects I don’t even know about.

If I trust You like I say I do, then I want to welcome this back-to-school season. I want to rejoice in the new things You’re doing and will do. I want joy and peace and goodness. You promise You’ll work together all things for good for those who love You. I really don’t want the changing seasons to dictate my mood. And I certainly don’t want to obsess over my own selfish ways, insecurities, and worries when I know God has much more for me.

I bring You my grief of this season ending
with excitement for the one to come.

{Tweet that.}

I was recently reading a devotional by Elisabeth Elliot and she quoted a letter a missionary wrote to her father. Those words were what I needed to remember about You, God: “ … but with one look at self we must take ten looks at Christ. … We are in the thick of facing powers of darkness who are determined to rob us of Him and rob God of us, and you and I, my brother, have just got to hope in Christ and rely on Him for His Spirit to direct our thoughts, our ways, and our works so that it is not us but Christ in us.”

I’m remembering to look toward you, God. Let me hold onto that perspective while carrying the freedom summer gives my soul into the coming seasons.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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I’ve been journaling prayers like this lately, and I thought maybe it would encourage someone else. Surely I’m not the only one who is slow to process seasons changing! Feel free to share in the comments or in an email to me how I can be praying for you – regardless of what season your August brings!

I’m no stranger to resisting change, so I also wanted to share some resources with y’all, in case you need encouragement in that area:

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