until I considered this question and realized that there are many elements of my personal experience in the story . I met my husband , Jamie , here in Florida . We also met in church , although there was not a Bulldog involved as there is in Charlotte and Tanner ’ s introduction .
Mainly , I wanted to write a novel about Christmastime in Florida and how different it is from the holidays up north ( I grew up in Kentucky ), mostly because of the climate . There are also many similarities , such as family , faith , fun , and food , of course . The character of Charlotte just came to me , and I started fleshing out her story on Post-it notes until I had the basic plotline .
From reading your blog , I noticed that you wear many “ hats ” ( very impressive ! * smile *). How do you balance a budding career , a previous career , and parenthood ? Most days , not very well ! No really , I love to plan and I love writing to-do lists . When I was a young girl , I had a problem remembering to bring my homework to school , so my parents introduced me to a planner and I was hooked !
These days , I make many lists of the things I need or want to accomplish in the different areas of my life , and I check them off as I go along . Raising a toddler , there are days when I can ’ t check off anything else except for getting both of us dressed and presentable . But , that ’ s just life as a parent . My husband is super-helpful about giving me margin time when he ’ s home on the weekends so I can focus on my career goals in music and writing .
Your testimony is one of repeated answered prayer . Can you give our readers a brief synopsis about your journey ? I have been a Christian all of my life , but have definitely grown into my faith as I ’ ve gotten older . Often , I can ’ t tell at the moment , but later , I see God ’ s hand in my life in unexpected ways . It was God ’ s hand that brought me to Florida . It was God who spoke to me in His still , small voice and told me I had met my husband ( Jamie ). It has been God who has sustained me every step of the way as I ’ ve been building this business , which can be crazy at times .
You are passionate about women rising up and being all they can be – including being authentic . Tell us more about your message and what fuels this passion . I think , as women , we spend so much time looking in the mirror , applying the makeup , just so people around us will think we are beautiful . Not that there ’ s anything wrong with makeup ( you ’ ll find my affection for lip gloss is shared by the main character in Sandals ), but God has already approved us ! He thinks we ’ re beautiful and we ’ ve got to stop discounting ourselves when He ’ s already given us his stamp of approval . This is a message that has grown more important to me as I ’ ve aged .
You say in your blog , “ I ’ m finished seeking the approval of others when I ’ ve already received approval from the One who created me .” and you describe a desire to help others be authentic . Why do you think that many of us seek more approval of man than God ? How can we become more authentic ? I think society sets an impossible standard that we ’ re all running around like crazy trying to meet . God is never pushy ; He ’ s not going to get in our faces and force us to listen to Him . And yet , He leads and guides us in so many gentle ways until we land on the path that He has for us . I think the path to authenticity lies in figuring out the gifts He ’ s given each of us , and then asking Him for opportunities to use them in our everyday lives .
What is next for Kristin King ? I plan on enjoying the holidays with my family first . But 2017 is already shaping up to be an exciting year . I ’ m working on several resources for singers that should be available soon . And people are already asking for a sequel to Sandals , so that ’ s running around in the back of my mind . Time will tell !
Faith Filled Family would like to thank Kristin for taking the time to do this interview . You are such a multi-talented individual , and we wish you all the best in your creative career !
We would also like to thank Gina Adams from The Adam ’ s Group for this inspiring interview ( especially at the last minute !) You always find exactly what our readers need .