Living The Kindred Life: A Reader's Story
There’s nothing more I could ask for The Kindred Life book than for it to draw people together into authentic connection. For it to help you engage in your own beautiful life more.
There were a lot of challenges with my book release, but I continue to get messages over and over of what The Kindred Life means to people…and how it’s helped them change or grow. This is exactly what I hoped from the moment I tentatively typed out the first word of my manuscript! I hoped you wouldn’t just see this book as a story about a farmer in Tennessee, but you would see your own life in it.
A few days ago, I got an email from a reader named Jenny. Her story is just so wonderful, it honestly made me tear up.
Here’s an excerpt of what she shared, used with her permission:
“I just wanted to let you know what a blessing your book has been to me! Community and connection resonated with my heart, and your story reminded me of my best friend Naomi in many ways; although she doesn’t have a farm, she is gifted in creating beauty and connection. I ordered your book and knew right away that my friend Naomi and I were meant to go through the book TOGETHER. We have been friends for a long time and authenticity and vulnerability are characteristics of our friendship. She homeschools and her daughter was taking a math class near my home, so we committed to meeting weekly to discuss the book and soul questions. We also decided we would make every recipe, alternating recipes between the two of us. AND, we could not peek ahead beyond our turn. 😊 It’s been so much fun! The recipes have been great! And even though we have been friends for over 12 years, the weekly gathering and sharing our hearts has been a huge blessing to our friendship. This book... deepened our friendship more than we would have ever thought. We have found that it has inspired us to try new things and to be a part of making community and connection happen within our own spheres of influence. Thank you so much for writing this book!”
Here are some images from Jenny’s Kindred Life gatherings with her friend. I love all the special touches in these photos - they clearly used what they had to make it special. Not hosting or a performance, but welcoming and real.
Here’s what Jenny wrote the day she tried the Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta recipe:
“I rocked the heirloom tomato sourdough bruschetta! First time to make bruschetta and the recipe from this book was really good! I am enjoying this book so much….the recipes, the discussions, and the good soul questions. I am trying new things and having fun! Starting to see that fear of failure or feeling overwhelmed are challenges worth working through. I even felt overwhelmed at the idea of making bruschetta, but I told myself I should just go for it and embrace whatever comes from it. The tastes were worth the overcoming.”
Here are some photos from when they made the Signature Tea and Coffee Lattes and Charcuterie Board with a Story. These gals have been busy!
And here’s what Jenny shared after making the Easiest Bread Recipe Ever:
“I did it! I made homemade bread (not sourdough) in my dutch oven! It’s almost identical to the recipe photo….ummm, that’s never happened before. Those of you who have been following my journey with this book have seen me try new things. It’s not just food, it’s in other areas of my life. This is the recipe she makes for when she delivers a comfort meal to a friend or someone in need. I hope to add this to my ministry, along with the DELICIOUS honey butter.”
I swear I can taste that honey butter from this photo. I’m so proud of her about that bread, I wish I could hug her.
So my friends, CHEERS to The Kindred Life, to the power of story and how they draw us together, to going outside our comfort zones and finding freedom and joy.
I’m grateful for all the amazing readers I’ve met and heard from this year who have shared their stories with me. It’s truly is an honor that this book would find its place in your homes and lives.
