Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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{God-sized Dreams} Something good coming true

December 31, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment

This has been a good year, mostly, even though it’s nothing like I expected. I really thought I’d get farther on my dream to write a book and be building my freelance writing resume. I figured out family would include another child through adoption. I also hoped my blog would be bigger by now.

As I type those dreams of mine that haven’t turned out like I saw them in my own mind, I am reminded they are self-centered wishes. I outlined some dreams at the beginning of 2013. And I spent the first half of the year blogging my way through what God was doing there.

Throughout the years, I’ve been part of this God-sized Dream Team that Holley Gerth assembled. It’s affected us in ways we didn’t expect. We have a Facebook group full of prayers and hopes and dreams and disappointments. But God is there too. And he’s built relationships as we chased after the dreams God called us to pursue.

I had dreams I was pursuing. And then as I chased God with them, he called me to lay down some. And now that I’m sitting down to try and digest some of it, I believe he’s called me to pick up other ones.

The relationships. The prayers. The dreams. The writing. The family. The freelance job that came my way and lasted seven months before I knew I needed to lay it down. The book idea that is still brewing and the new book idea on my heart. The adoption process that has been confusing and hard and really isn’t even a process anymore.

God has been using every single thing to draw me to him. And, really, shouldn’t that be my dream anyway?

People all through the Bible had dreams. And when God fulfilled them in his way, he was glorified. People were changed miraculously. And God was glorified. People made hard choices. And God was glorified. People left and followed and walked and waited. And God was glorified.

During advent, my kids and I read from “The Jesus Storybook Bible” most days. One day early in December, Joseph’s story struck my heart, especially this part …

“God had a magnificent dream for Joseph’s life and even when it looked like everything had gone wrong, God would use it all to help make the dream come true. God would use everything that was happening to Joseph to do something good.”

{From “The Jesus Storybook Bible“}

My dreams, at least as I outlined them to fit in this calendar year, weren’t going to glorify God. I’m not entirely sure why. But I’m certain God has a plan.

He’s got a plan for my family, whether or not we get to adopt again. He’s got a plan for me, as wife, mom and a writer, even if it all doesn’t unfold like I scripted. And like my dear friend told me recently: I know His plans for you are good. Not just in the future but in this very moment.

I know God was working this year. And I know he’s still working as the dreams in my heart shift and change. He promises to work everything together for the good when we love him and are called to his purpose. His purpose. Not mine.

God calls us to make him known. The way that happens is unique to each person. For me, I believe in this mission God helped me word through the God-sized Dream Team: I believe God has created and called me to communicate stories from my own life and others’ lives for families to know God as the author and creator of every detail through writing, promoting and serving.

The details of these dreams change as I seek the Creator of every detail. But I’m willing to keep going. I’m ready to see where he leads my family in this new year and experience the stories he’s scripting for us because we believe he’s doing something good.

_______

Do you want help seeking God in your dreams? My friend Holley Gerth wrote some books that do just that. “You’re Made for a God-sized Dream” has been a blessing to me this year and I want to pass along some of the goodness. So one person will win a copy of this book. 

Yes, this God-sized Dream Team was created as a launch team for this book, but the message truly is one that continues to speak to my heart. And this is an extra copy of the book I had in my gift closet. I’m thankful for the way friends, both in my everyday life and here on the Internet, have encouraged me this year.

Use the Rafflecopter below for multiple ways to enter the giveaway. A winner will randomly be chosen on Saturday, Jan. 4. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents.

{UPDATED 1.4.14} CONGRATULATIONS, Mindy! Your copy of “You’re Made for a God-sized Dream” is heading your way. Thanks, everyone, for sharing on this post. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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You can read all this year’s God-sized Dreams related posts here. Today I’m joining many other dreamers at the newly launched God-sized Dreams website my dreamer friend Christine Wright created. The rest of the crew there is inspiring too.  

And then I joined Jennifer Dukes Lee’s weekly #TellHisStory with this 2013 recap. 

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{God-sized Dreams} Summer To-do List

May 21, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Hematite Lake. Earlier May 2013. And I want to go back.

I’ve already let you in on how I was feeling weary of the school-year routine and commitments. Well, Summer is here. Yes, technically, as my rising first-grader reminded me, it’s not actually summer yet, but it’s been in the high 80s and school is out, so let’s call the rest of May “summer.”

So, Summer, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve got a little to-do list for us. Truth is, I’ve got a not-to-do list coming too. But, you know, I thought I’d start with this list of things I want to do with my family.

Pick strawberries
Go to the Louisville Zoo
Pick blueberries
Pick blackberries
Swim, swim, swim
Play in water in the backyard
Read “Beezus & Ramona” and “Ramona the Pest”
Watch Disney’s “Planes” (Comes out Aug. 9)
Hike at Hematite Lake
Play at the lake
Take the kids to a St. Louis Cardinals game
Go to the St. Louis Zoo
Eat at Belew’s
Play more board games
Host a neighborhood party
Participate in vacation Bible school
Go to Dairy Queen and snow cone shack {And I’m sure we’ll be back again and again}
Getaway with Greg while kids hang out with Gran-Gran

Some of these things are on my calendar, so they’ll probably happen. I’m sure nearly none of them will go like I expect. It’s mid-way through the Year of Imperfection. Summer, you’re my favorite time, so regrouping here with you makes sense. I want to enjoy the moment and make memories along the way to accomplishing these things come with you, Summer, and embrace unexpected adventures.

In an effort to embrace this freedom Summer brings and truly live with my kids, I wanted to write a not-to-do list. Balance, people. One time I wrote a list of things I don’t do even though lots of other people do. It was quite freeing for a perfectionist like me who many days tries to do too much.

_______

Perhaps it will help me not be so hard on myself and truly embrace this season. So here it is, my not-to-do list which has mostly been worded to really be a second to-do list. Yeah, I’m sorry, I’ve kind of confused myself.

Give my day to God before I get on Facebook
Close the laptop and be present
Don’t cry over spilled milk … or crushed cracker crumbs
Remember it’s not all going to get done today
Speak softer
Walk instead of drive when I can
Plan not to plan every minute of our days
Say yes when I can
Let go

This all has been on my heart, so much so I let Ben skip his nap yesterday — our first weekday of Summer Break — so we could go to the spray park and then have snow cones. And you know what? It was fine. His behavior is so much better when he can run and play and discover outside. Yes, he went to bed willingly before 7 p.m., but our napless afternoon was good.

_______

For our God-sized Dreams post this week, Holley asks: What part of your dream feels the riskiest? 

I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. Then I realized the par that feels riskiest is this hard-for-me-to-achieve balance of work and play. Just because my kids are out of school doesn’t mean my freelance job or lake house jobs stop. Here’s the thing about these jobs: I gradually added on-the-side jobs and now, as I’m working out a balance, it seems like I accidentally went back to work.

Accidentally in the sense that I never said, “I’m going to back to work.” But I did pray, “Give me opportunities to use what I know how to do.” I probably shouldn’t be surprised God led me here. The way it’s been gradual has been good for me. I sense God building a foundation for other things to come. I’ve wanted to use my skills and talents in a way that lets me stay home but still promote and write things I believe in. So here I am. A work-from-home momma who surprised herself a little when she realized she’s at the place she believes she’s supposed to be.

All of this to say, being here feels risky for me. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of gal, so achieving balance is a constant process for me. I want to be a wife and mom before I’m a writer. The hows of that change as often as the weather. But, really, isn’t that the beauty of seasons? 

For now, I’m here. And so is Summer.

Your turn. You’ve probably thought about what you want to do this summer. But have you considered what you don’t want to do? It’s worth thinking about. So, with that in mind, what are you going to do this summer?

________

Tuesdays are God-sized Dream days around here and I’m linking this post along with many, many other dreamers on Holley Gerth’s blog. I’m also linking up with the Soli Deo Gloria party at Finding Heaven Today, where I was reminded for the second time in one day not to be so hard on myself. 

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{God-sized Dreams} Right here, right now

May 14, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment


I believe God wants us to make a different where we are. I’ve been guilty of thinking I’ll make a difference … when I get to be a mom, when my kids are older, when our life slows down. But God finally convinced me of the important living out my faith right now, right here.

Now, whatever season of life you’re in my determine how and where and when you can serve. I finally got to be a momma and my kids are still fairly little, so some things would compromise the priorities Greg and I believe God wants for our family. But even then, while serving my family, while waiting for one season to end and another to begin, I can serve my neighbor and my God.

“… While I’m waiting I will serve You, while I’m waiting I will worship
While I’m waiting I will not faint, I’ll be running the race even while I wait
I’m waiting, I’m waiting on You Lord, and I am peaceful, I’m waiting on You Lord
Though it’s not easy no, but faithfully I will wait; Yes, I will wait
And I will move ahead bold and confident, taking every step in obedience …”

{From “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller}

This week’s God-sized Dream challenge from Holley: Share about your favorite nonprofit organization. They are all God-sized dream in action.

In last week’s God-sized Dream post, I shared about one of my family’s favorite nonprofit organizations. Compassion International makes sense to us because raising kids is where my husband and I are. My kids relate to the kids we sponsor. As I’ve learned about Compassion International, I’ve been impressed with how its staff executes its mission.

For this week, I thought I’d share about a more local project I’ve recently learned about and with which I’ve just gotten involved. The Needline Food Project is a way to incorporate regular giving into families’ routines in order to help other families in our community.

The idea is each week when we shop, we’ll pick up an extra non-perishable food or hygiene item and store it in a usable shopping bag designated for the project. The on the second Saturday of every other month, a neighborhood coordinator {in my case, that’s me …} will collect all the bags from the families on that coordinator’s neighborhood list.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

{Matthew 22:36-40}

I heard about this food project idea just before I heard Jen Hatmaker speak about missional-minded living and loving your neighbor. I was already thinking about ways to get to know the families who live near us. We live across the street from one of the two local parks, so there are often kids walking down our street. Sadly, we’ve done a poor job getting to know our neighbors and I’m ready to change that.

We have a neighborhood party on the calendar and I’ll be handing out flyers for that this week. This food project goes right along with what’s on my heart now: I want to know my neighbors. I want to teach my kids to help others. And I want to make a difference here in this community that is my home.

________

Tuesdays are God-sized Dream days around here and I’m linking this post along with many, many other dreamers on Holley Gerth’s blog. 

I’m also linking up with Jen at her Soli Deo Gloria party.




And on Wednesday, I decided to link up with Jennifer Dukes Lee, who is a master storyteller and asks others to #TellHisStory. 

Want more? Subscribe to get “Insights” in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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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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I’ve loved Cate’s school experience at @ncca.l I’ve loved Cate’s school experience at @ncca.lions, a small but growing classical, Christian school. I knew there were both advantages and sacrifices of keeping her in a small class for middle school and agonized over possibly moving her to a bigger school. I only considered moving her because I wasn’t sure what her classmates, some of who are freshman this year, were going to do for high school. But they stayed, and we stayed. Now she’s an eighth grader in a class of nine. 

A couple years ago, I prayed for more girls. God gave her class two. Sometimes people move on, and sometimes people move in. But this sweet class of eighth and ninth graders has been faithful — to each other, to our school, to an unknown future. They’re paving a way for the students behind them, including my other two kids. 

God has been kind to my momma heart and given me some assurances she is where she’s supposed to be. One of these provisions is a basketball team that has become competitive with the other teams we’ve gotten to play. It’s more than just some games, though. I’ve watched my 13-year-old daughter become more confident on the court and in life. I’m grateful for her friends and their shared love of this game. I’m thankful for where God has us. 

#momlife #classicaleducation #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #girlmom #momconfessions #bettertogether #middleschool #middleschoolbasketball
At a basketball game Thursday night, Ben told me h At a basketball game Thursday night, Ben told me he had a loose tooth and was going to go to the bathroom to maybe pull it. He pulled it. That’s #14, and he’s dealt with every single one, just as his older sister did with all 20 of hers.

Meanwhile, little sister has a loose tooth that she won’t wiggle, avoids using to eat, and won’t let her siblings pull. We’ve bribed, threatened, and failed to persuade.

#momlife #boymom #thirdchild #girlmom #reallife #momconfessions
I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it trimmed and colored this week. You know it’s time when the stylist takes before and after pictures. My friend @whitneyrscott at @blushsalon always does a good job. 

In addition to the much-needed TLC, I also got bangs. After a few days, I can say I love them. The resident teenager at my home doesn’t like this — and she tells me daily. I tell her I don’t care whether she likes them because I do and it’s my hair. She also didn’t like the tennis shoes I bought a few weeks ago. Again, I do, so who cares. 

Anyway, it’s Friday! So let’s do some #fridayintroductions around here. Tell me three things you’re loving these days. I’ve already mostly told you mine: 

1️⃣ My bangs. I’ve included a picture of the fun waves that Whitney gave me at the salon and the more likely normal styling — by that I mean blow drying and some minor straightening to train the bangs. 
2️⃣ New tennis shoes, which are gray & purple Brooks Launch 7, if you’re curious. My nail color accidentally matches them. 
3️⃣ The teenager in my house. I’ve been giving her grief about her dislike of my fashion choices, but I really love being around her. Honestly, she’s the easiest kid in my house right now. 

✨ Bonus current love: Who can tell me what TV character inspired my hairdo? If you know, then that’s also the TV show I recently binged and am eagerly awaiting new episodes. 

So, what are you loving — even if nobody else in your life does? #momconfessions #reallife #reallifeconfessions #momlife #choosingJOY
It’s been a night of basketball! First, my girl’s middle school game. Now, our favorite college team. Turns out they’re both navy & gold so that’s good for wardrobe choices. 💛 #girlmom #momlife #RacerNation #WeAreRacers #MurrayState
“The Chicken Sisters” by @kjda was a fun, quic “The Chicken Sisters” by @kjda was a fun, quick read this weekend. I added it to my to-read list recently and then saw it as a @bookofthemonth add-on.

I enjoyed the feuding sisters story unfolding while filming a realty show about their family’s feuding chicken restaurants in a small Kansas town. Of course, not everything is quite as it seems, so the reality show helps uncover some reality both sisters were missing.

#amreading #bookstagram #booklover #recommendedreads #thechickensisters #weekending
We needed to get out of the house today — even t We needed to get out of the house today — even though the sun barely peeked through the clouds into the cold air. #countryliving #weekending #choosingJOY #boymom #thirdchild
A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and t A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and these two have spent a lot of time together. Rachel encourages her and stays close. Peggy plays games and watches movies with Rachel.

Honestly, this #thirdchild of mine was probably my biggest concern with having Peggy recover from open heart surgery here: I didn’t want Rachel to hug too hard. I didn’t know if she’d understand that her Gran-Gran looks fine on the inside but hurts on the inside. She’s been booted from her room, but she’s been sleeping well on her mattress in the back living room. She’s actually probably not going to know what to do when Peggy moves back home.

For now, we’ll let them make memories together. That’s part of caretaking I hadn’t considered. #bettertogether #weekending #choosingJOY
I’ve been in a reading slump. I returned one lib I’ve been in a reading slump. I returned one library book I couldn’t get into and then couldn’t decide what to read next. So I went with this library book — and I’m glad I did.

“The Unhoneymooners” by @christinalauren is a funny romance novel that helped distract my mind from heavy thoughts. It also made me want to go to Maui. The dialogue is delightful, the story of quirky from the get-go, and I definitely found myself rooting for Ethan and Olive.

I also discovered by reading the acknowledgements (possibly my favorite thing about books!) that @christinalauren is the pen name for a writing duo. What fun to write novels with a friend! 

As always, I’m happy to accept your recommendations on what to read next. I may also be pondering what friend with whom to write my next book. 📚 #amreading #fiction #authorlife #bookstagram #bettertogether #romcombooks
My friend Delana called before she brought us dinn My friend Delana called before she brought us dinner yesterday and asked if we liked chocolate pie. Um, yes. Turns out both Peggy and I love chocolate pie. Delana gave us chocolate chips cookies too, you know, just in case we didn’t like pie.

My friends are loving on us so well this week with dinner & dessert, obviously. Yes, the food is good, but the way they saw a need and met it is even more gracious. (I wrote a book about gathering & nourishing your people!) Having someone provide dinner has freed up some mental space I’m able to use for taking care of Peggy and parenting my kids, some of whom have needed a little extra love and guidance this week. 

Peggy is nine days removed from open heart surgery with quadruple bypass and is doing well. She had a good check up with her primary care provider this morning. We’re thankful for our community of people who continue to pray for us, feed us, and provide help, like today’s impromptu preschool pickup when an appointment ran long. (Thanks, @katie_cunningham85 & @tstanger25!)

#bettertogether #momlife #reallife #morethangroceries #choosingJOY
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