Called to Love: An Adoption Podcast for Christian Parents - Christian Adoption, Trauma and Healing, Foster Care, Parenting Adopted Children

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! Welcome to part two of this amazing conversation! We are continuing where we left off, talking with the amazing couple: Michael and Kimberly Klokus. Both having lost a parent as children and a child as parents, they gained a unique insight into grief. Their shared experiences fueled a commitment to dedicating their lives to providing hope and a second chance at childhood for children whose futures would otherwise be uncertain. That is the topic of our conversation today: offering a second childhood to these kids from hard places. Over the past two decades, Mike and Kim have cared for more than 25 kids in the past two decades. Currently, they have 13 children, a mix of international adoptions, state adoptions, and biological children. Their story showcases the transformative impact of compassion and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their mission is to equip more families to foster and adopt. They created The River’s Run County Cottage Home - a fully staffed home for children ages 0-12 waiting for placement for long term foster homes or adoption. Mike and Kim also connect churches and communities with foster children and families for support and relationships. If you wish to donate to their mission or learn more, check out their website: https://www.riversruncottage.com/ I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! Key topics in this episode: Their foster care and adoption journeyGod's sovereignty and plan in family lifeHealing trauma and providing stability for childrenConnect with Mike and Kim on Instagram and Facebook. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!Christian Parenting resource for you: Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide!And this year's edition is our best one yet! Whether you're honoring a loving mom, adevoted dad, or an inspiring grad, we've got you covered with meaningful gifts they'lltruly love. From Bibles and study tools to encouraging books, you're guaranteed to find something special for everyone on your gift lists this spring. Visit christianparenting.org/gifts to explore the 2026 Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide today!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I was joined by an amazing couple: Michael and Kimberly Klokus. Both having lost a parent as children and a child as parents, they gained a unique insight into grief. Their shared experiences fueled a commitment to dedicating their lives to providing hope and a second chance at childhood for children whose futures would otherwise be uncertain. That is the topic of our conversation today: offering a second childhood to these kids from hard places. Over the past two decades, Mike and Kim have cared for more than 25 kids in the past two decades. Currently, they have 13 children, a mix of international adoptions, state adoptions, and biological children. Their story showcases the transformative impact of compassion and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their mission is to equip more families to foster and adopt. They created The River’s Run County Cottage Home - a fully staffed home for children ages 0-12 waiting for placement for long term foster homes or adoption. Mike and Kim also connect churches and communities with foster children and families for support and relationships. If you wish to donate to their mission or learn more, check out their website: https://www.riversruncottage.com/ I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! Key topics in this episode: Their foster care and adoption journeyGod's sovereignty and plan in family lifeHealing trauma and providing stability for childrenConnect with Mike and Kim on Instagram and Facebook. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!Christian Parenting resource for you: Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide!And this year's edition is our best one yet! Whether you're honoring a loving mom, adevoted dad, or an inspiring grad, we've got you covered with meaningful gifts they'lltruly love. From Bibles and study tools to encouraging books, you're guaranteed to find something special for everyone on your gift lists this spring. Visit christianparenting.org/gifts to explore the 2026 Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide today!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I was joined by the amazing comedian, Tim Hawkins. Tim Hawkins is a big name in my household! In case you have never heard of him, he is a Christian family-man who does clean, family-friendly comedy shows and tours across the country. We have loved and enjoyed his comedy specials and songs as a family for years, so this is a special gift to have him on the podcast. Together, we are talking about the healing power of laughter. Family is not easy but laughter can get you through the tough times, as Tim himself explains with his own experiences. I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! Key topics in this episode: Healing power of laughterFamily life and parentingStaying true to faith and valuesConnect with Tim Hawkins on Facebook or check out his website to learn more. Watch his brand new comedy special, Fist Bump, on Amazon! To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!Christian Parenting resource for you: Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide!And this year's edition is our best one yet! Whether you're honoring a loving mom, adevoted dad, or an inspiring grad, we've got you covered with meaningful gifts they'lltruly love. From Bibles and study tools to encouraging books, you're guaranteed to find something special for everyone on your gift lists this spring. Visit christianparenting.org/gifts to explore the 2026 Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide today!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I was joined by a woman who I wish I knew 20 years ago - or at least, had her book 20 years ago! Her name is Janel Breitenstein and she’s the author of, “How to Stop Yelling Up the Stairs: Keeping Your Cool While Raising Your Kids” which is the topic of this episode. Long-time listeners may know some of my story and how I truly struggled as a mom with my littles and especially after adopting my precious little girl. The adoption-reality was completely different from the adoption-dream I had - countless sleepless nights and a traumatized baby who would not sleep and wouldn’t accept anyone but me. The external triggers were intense, but I realized many years later there were also things in my heart, too. I still carry guilt over how I yelled at my kids which is also a part of today’s conversation with Janel. I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! Key topics in this episode: Managing anger in parentingModeling emotional health for childrenCreating a gospel-centered home amidst chaosConnect with Janel on her website and blog: https://www.janelbreitenstein.com/ Buy her book, “How to Stop Yelling up the Stairs” by clicking here! To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!Christian Parenting resource for you: Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide!And this year's edition is our best one yet! Whether you're honoring a loving mom, adevoted dad, or an inspiring grad, we've got you covered with meaningful gifts they'lltruly love. From Bibles and study tools to encouraging books, you're guaranteed to find something special for everyone on your gift lists this spring. Visit christianparenting.org/gifts to explore the 2026 Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide today!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I was joined by the amazing author and parenting coach, Mary Van Geffen. Since 2011, Mary has coached over 1,700 moms of “Spicy Ones”, walking with them through the same struggles she once thought would break her. She now has a book titled, “Parenting a Spicy One: A Compassionate Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid” which prompts today’s conversation. As parents of foster and adoptive kids, sometimes we have a “spicy” child - a child who is very emotional, passionate, strongwilled, and maybe labeled as “challenging, difficult, stubborn” and any other descriptors. It can be extremely taxing and difficult navigating this relationship - what do you do when the kid refuses to brush their teeth or change out of their pajamas? It feels like one battle after another, and it can send our nervous systems into overdrive and survival mode, hijacking us into an overly reactive state because we are at our limit. Mary offers a ton of practical advice throughout this conversation – it’s almost like she’s an amazing coach! She has a lot of great insight for shifting our perspective on this “spicy” little one of ours and how to truly connect with them. I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! Key topics in this episode: Defining a spicy child and their temperamentThe importance of communication and connectionPractical tools for daily parenting challengesThe power of repair and forgiveness in relationshipsShifting mindset from control to compassionConnect with Mary on her website or Instagram, and get a copy of her book! To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I was joined by a mom who’s message spoke near to my heart and I believe many parents in this calling: Jamie Erickson. Jamie is the busy mama of five kiddos, ages ranging from college to 8th grade, and she also homeschools. She is also an author with a recent book that speaks to my heart, “Overwhelmed Mom: Quiet the Chaos, Mind What Matters, and Enjoy Your Life Again.” As adoptive and foster parents (and even just biological parents, of course!), we are carrying a very heavy load and I feel overwhelmed. Jamie’s book comes at a perfect time in my life and I hope you will also find it encouraging and practical. Key topics in this episode: Types of overwhelm: circumstantial, emotional, and self-inflictedThe importance of managing priorities and setting boundariesPractical tips for reducing overwhelm: analog life, digital detox, and community supportThe role of faith and trusting God in overcoming stressRecognizing physical and emotional signs of overwhelmConnect more with Jamie on her website. And check out new book and topic of today’s episode, Overwhelmed Mom: Quiet the Chaos, Mind What Matters, and Enjoy Your Life AgainTo submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I was joined by Dr. Kelly Flanagan. Dr. Kelly Flanagan is an award-winning author, international speaker, personal and relationship coach, and licensed clinical psychologist with two decades of expertise in interpersonal relationships. His thought leadership has been featured in The 5 Love Languages, the TODAY Show, Reader’s Digest, HuffPost, and Success Magazine. Kelly’s two non-fiction books, Loveable and True Companions.He has recently released The Road Less Triggered which is the topic of our discussion as foster and adoptive parents. Dr. Kelly discusses what it means to be triggered in the clinical sense and how we as parents can experience it and our children - biological, adoptive or foster. He also shares his own personal journey and how he overcame his own triggers which were causing destruction in his relationships. This is a great and practical conversation to help us in any stage of this calling. Key topics in this episode: Understanding the clinical and broad definition of triggersPhysiological signs of being triggered and interoceptionBalancing regulation and recognition in emotional responsesEmpathy and boundaries in trauma-informed carePractical steps for owning moments and teaching childrenConnect more with Dr. Kelly on his website. And check out his book, The Road Less Triggered. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I chat with the amazing Abbey Wedgeworth and through our conversation we promise you: you are not ruining your kids! Abbey is a wife, mother, bible teacher, and writer. She's the author of the Training Young Hearts children's book series, Held, a resource for women who have lost life in the womb, and most recently Help! I’m Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who’s Desperate for Change. Abbey and her husband, David, live on the South Carolina coast, where she homeschools their three boys. In our conversation today, we unpack some of the ideas in her latest book. Abby drops some amazing truthbombs for us as adoptive and foster moms. Sometimes we feel the pressure to “do it all” and forget that God is in control and sovereign. With this unnecessary pressure, we can feel like we’re failing and “ruining” our kids. Abby reminds us that human limitations are not sin. While our role as parent is a large one in our child’s life, it is not equal to or as big as God’s role. We are imperfect people trying to raise these broken kids and God knows exactly what He’s doing when He pairs us with them. It will not be perfect and that’s where He shows up. Abby says if our kids share their testimony and they share something we did wrong, then praise the Lord because it is part of their testimony! Connect more with Abby on her website and Instagram. Click here to buy her book! Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I was joined by the amazing author, mother, and ministry warrior Blair Linne. Blair recently wrote a children’s book called, “Yara the Brave and the Swirling Worry” and any time we have a resource for our adopted and foster kiddos, I want to talk about it! This children’s book is all about anxiety which sparks my conversation with Blair - what is anxiety, how does it manifest physically in us or our kids, what are some techniques to cope or calm down? Those are just a few of the things we cover and all from a Biblical perspective. Connect more with Blair online and Instagram! Click here to buy her book! Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest is so full of energy and passion for uplighting you as a prayer warrior: Shellie Rushing Tomlinson! Shellie is a multi-published author, speaker, and farmer’s wife known for saying “Life can be hard when it’s good, but it’s always better when you’re laughing.” She joins me today for a conversation about prayer, and specifically Shellie says, “Don’t pray like her!” It is easy to compare ourselves to others at church, in bible studies and such, thinking “Oh, she’s got it all together, her prayers are so nice and she knows what she’s doing” but Shellie reminds us that no one can pray like we can to our Father in Heaven! Shellie encourages us to embrace what makes us unique and our season of life. Instead of obsessing over “quiet time,” just pray right then and there when you feel led to do it. Don’t wait for an opportunity to pray - just talk to God! Shellie also gets into other practical tips and advice she has learned over the years on her walk with God and hopes you feel empowered to pray. It is especially important as foster and adoptive parents in this calling to be rooted in God as we face so many challenges. Connect more with Shellie on her website, Instagram, and Facebook. Click here to buy her book! Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest is a children's book author, public speaker, and a busy biological, adoptive and foster mom: Beth Guckenberger. Beth is someone I have seen speak in sessions at Christian conferences and my daughter loves her latest book! I am so grateful she is my guest today to speak into the lies our kids believe and even ourselves, and how we can combat this with God’s truth to build emotionally stable homes. Deception, manipulation, triangulation, aggression, even violence, these are just some of the challenging and problematic behaviors we may experience with our foster and adoptive kiddos but what if I told you these were symptoms? These behaviors come from a child’s fear and insecurity, and not knowing how to deal with it in a healthy way. Often these kids have needs which are unmet, and when you grow up not having your needs met by parental figures, it develops these unhealthy coping mechanisms or methods of getting what you want. While this is frustrating for us as the parents trying to love our kids (and then to feel like they’re angry at us or lying to us all the time) it is important to remember this is coming from a place of fear, insecurity, and not knowing any difference. This is the key to breakthroughs - addressing the roots and not the symptoms: overcoming lies with truth. Here are a few key takeaways: Understanding children’s emotions and thoughtsHow challenging and problematic behaviors are often symptoms to a child’s inner identity and thought-process, and that’s the root which should be addressed. Identifying lies and intrusive thoughtsRecognizing behavioral signs of struggleCreating emotional safety in chaotic environmentsMarriage as the concrete foundation for the home and how to protect itBalance between child’s needs and parent’s needs Understanding spiritual warfare in your homeEmpowering children with tools against the lies of the enemy Connect more with Beth on her website and Instagram! Check out her children’s book series, StrongHeart Series: The BRAND NEW addition to the series, “The Heart Who Wanted to Lasso Thoughts (A story about turning bad thoughts to good with prayers of gratitude)The Heart Who Wanted to Be Free (A story about finding freedom through admitting our wrongs)The Heart Who Wanted to Find a Way (A story about calming anxiety through resting in God)The Heart Who Wanted to Be Whole (A story about healing from negative talk through God's truth)Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest is an unusual one for this show but still speaks relevant truth to us as adoptive and foster parents–especially fathers. My guest is Trey Tucker, the founder and owner of Rugged Counseling, known for providing therapy without the fluff. He is a mental health expert and social media influencer, specifically targeting young men to help them live out their God given purpose. His counseling and videos resonate because they challenge passive, surface level advice and speak honestly about responsibility, identity, boundaries, and purpose. He is also now an author with a book titled, “Tough Enough: Hone Your Habits, Cultivate Purpose, and Forge Genuine Strength.” Our conversation today stems around how fathers can step up in their role with foster and adoptive children, and how mothers can support their husbands, too. I ask Trey a lot of questions around the husband and father’s experience, their mental health journey, and some of it parallels what we know traumatized kids experience: feeling isolated, purposeless, and unseen. Fathers are vital in the household but can be often misunderstood. This conversation benefits both husband and wife, father and mother, as they are united in this calling. Here are a few key takeaways: Defining Biblical manhoodThe insecurities many men face and don’t voice How men can be resilient and possess emotional strengthWhat wives can do to support their husbands  Trey Tucker’s new book: “Tough Enough: Hone Your Habits, Cultivate Purpose, and Forge Genuine Strength.” Trey Tucker’s websiteTrey Tucker on YouTubeTrey Tucker on Instagram Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is part two to an incredible conversation…In this episode, my special guest is an adult adoptee named Niemah Scherlacher. Niemah is currently working on a book detailing her incredible adoption story, but we are honored to hear her share pieces of this story on the podcast. She is now a retired and happy grandma, but her story begins in Israel, after being born to a fifteen year old Palestinian girl. As Niemah describes, God protected her mother and her during this tumultuous time between Israel, Palestine and even the United States, and He orchestrated everything so Niemah would be adopted at the age of two and brought over to the states. Niemah also shares her experience as an adopted child in her family, how the church community interacted with her, and the secular world. Niemah encourages parents to talk with their children about the child’s story because the child is always wondering those questions but might be afraid to ask them. Niemah had an unusual experience when compared to other adoptees because she primarily wrestled with God in her later years after more information was revealed about her birth mother… Here are a few key takeaways:●     Naima's story is a testament to God's divine intervention.●     Adoption can be a celebrated aspect of a child's identity.●     Open communication about adoption is crucial for children.●     Children often think about their adoption, even if they don't express it.●     It's important for adoptive parents to initiate conversations about identity.●     Healing from adoption-related trauma can be a lifelong journey.●     Understanding a child's background helps in parenting.●     Adoptive parents should not be too hard on themselves.●     Children's struggles can be transformed into hope for others.●     God's purpose is at work in the lives of adopted children. Niemah is still working on her book so follow her on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected!Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is part one to an incredible conversation…In this episode, my special guest is an adult adoptee named Niemah Scherlacher. Niemah is currently working on a book detailing her incredible adoption story, but we are honored to hear her share pieces of this story on the podcast. She is now a retired and happy grandma, but her story begins in Israel, after being born to a fifteen year old Palestinian girl. As Niemah describes, God protected her mother and her during this tumultuous time between Israel, Palestine and even the United States, and He orchestrated everything so Niemah would be adopted at the age of two and brought over to the states. Niemah also shares her experience as an adopted child in her family, how the church community interacted with her, and the secular world. Niemah encourages parents to talk with their children about the child’s story because the child is always wondering those questions but might be afraid to ask them. Niemah had an unusual experience when compared to other adoptees because she primarily wrestled with God in her later years after more information was revealed about her birth mother… Here are a few key takeaways: Naima's story is a testament to God's divine intervention.Adoption can be a celebrated aspect of a child's identity.Open communication about adoption is crucial for children.Children often think about their adoption, even if they don't express it.It's important for adoptive parents to initiate conversations about identity.Healing from adoption-related trauma can be a lifelong journey.Understanding a child's background helps in parenting.Adoptive parents should not be too hard on themselves.Children's struggles can be transformed into hope for others.God's purpose is at work in the lives of adopted children.Niemah is still working on her book so follow her on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected! Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest and friend is Cynthia Yanof, who has been featured on this podcast before. Cynthia is the biological mother to two kids who have flown the nest, one graduated from college and one just starting, and her family also adopted a son who is in third grade. Cynthia stays busy not just as a mom but as a podcaster, speaker, and author. Her latest book, “How’d I Miss That?” sparks a lot of today’s conversation. It is so easy to get distracted as a foster or adoptive parent by all the busyness and urgent tasks of life, and I wanted to take a minute with Cynthia to focus on what really matters in this calling. A lot happens in life, a lot of distractions or even too much information, so let’s get back to the basics. Somewhere along our journeys, God opened our eyes to loving children who are not our own. How do we do this well? Cynthia offers advice gained from her own experience, along with humor and gut-punches (the good kind!).Here are a few key takeaways: Understanding what really matters as parents is crucial.Little differences in our actions can lead to significant impacts.The urgent tasks in life often don’t have an eternal impact.Finding humor in parenting challenges can ease stress.If you’re going to laugh about it later, laugh about it nowCommunity and support are essential for foster and adoptive parents.Being a 'namer' helps children understand their identity in Christ.A reluctant 'yes' to God's calling can still lead to great things.The Lord is faithful and will reveal Himself in our journeys.Life is short; we must not miss the opportunities God gives us.You can learn more about Cynthia Yanof on her websiteYou can follow her on InstagramYou can check out MESSmerized with Cynthia Yanof click hereYou can find her book on Amazon or wherever you shop for books! It is called, “How’d I Miss That?: Gas Pump Confessions, Drive-Thru Obsessions, and Figuring Out What Really Matters”Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest and friend is Christie Erwin! Christie is an author, adoptive and biological mother, and Founder and current Executive Director of Project Zero. Christie’s deep love for children led her and husband, Jeff, to become foster parents in 1993, for a private, non-profit adoption agency. It was there that the foundation for Christie’s passion and driving concern for children in foster care was laid. After fostering for eleven years with the private agency, the Erwin’s became foster parents for the Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services in 2004. They fostered over fifty children during their twenty years of fostering. She wrote the book, “The Middle Mom –How to Grow Your Heart by Giving it Away.” In our conversation today, Christie shares part of her story in adoption and foster care. There is so much to tell, we couldn’t go over everything, but we covered a lot. Christie also offers advice for you if you’re saying “Yes!” to this calling. Here are a few key takeaways: Christie's journey into foster care began with a powerful calling from God.Maintaining a healthy marriage is crucial when navigating the challenges of foster care.The concept of being a 'middle mom' emphasizes the importance of loving children unconditionally.Grief is a part of the sacrifice when fostering and adopting children.Understanding a child's past is essential for effective parenting in adoption.Preparation for adoption includes understanding trauma and its effects on children.It's important to make God's voice the loudest in your calling.Community support and resources are vital for foster and adoptive families.You can learn more about Project Zero and Christie Erwin! Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my guest is Pastor Andrew Hopper. Andrew serves as the lead pastor of Mercy Hill Church, launched in 2012. He is the father of three biological children and one adopted daughter with downs syndrome. He is also a recently published author of the book, “Chosen: Building Your Family the Way God Builds His.” In our conversation, we talked about the theological foundation of adoption. We, as Christians, are intimately connected to adoption because God has adopted us. This should highly motivate us, if not compel us, to support adoption or even pursue adoption ourselves. Andrew talked about how churches can support members who are pursuing adoption and how the calling may have its challenges but is also rewarding. He also shares his personal story going through the adoption of his special needs daughter. Here are a few key takeaways: There is no love without sacrifice.Cute pictures and sad stories are good reasons to adopt, but the great reason is that we were chosen.No one should adopt alone.Chosen people choose people.The enemy hates Christian adoption.The deepest things come from the most sacrifice.Adoption is the single greatest metaphor for what God has done in our life on the planet.We have to prepare people for the spiritual war that comes with adoption.You can learn more about Pastor Andrew Hopper and his new book on his website. Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest is the amazing Nicole C. Mullen, a Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning American Christian singer, songwriter, actress, and author of the new book, “It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing: Courageous Stories to Inspire Godly Decisions”. She also has an incredible story of overcoming domestic abuse, adopting her two sons, choosing life for her daughter, and a story of choosing life from her grandparents. Our conversation spans stories of the Bible to Nicole’s own personal journey to how it is relevant for us as adoptive and foster parents today. We may not see the total impact of saying “yes” to this calling, but it can ripple through generations. Here are a few key takeaways: God is with you in the dark seasons of life, as Nicole puts it the “night seasons” and often He works a lot in the dark. The impact of choosing life may never been seen earth-side but it is full of rewards from God The impact of saying “yes” to life can continue for generations, like Nicole’s personal story and the story of MosesNicole worked through a dark season of domestic abuse. She encourages parents to children from abusive homes to model Jesus the Good Shepherd in being patient and gentle. Even if we are Christians, we are not immune to the hard things of this world. Nicole points out how God is with us even when we sin, suffer the consequences of our actions, or the consequences of other people’s sin and actions, and how He is good in that. You can learn more about Nicole on her websiteHere is her new book, It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing: Courageous Stories to Inspire Godly DecisionsConnect on instagram! Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning MinuteSubscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! Thank you for joining me on the very first episode of Season 4! It is a privilege and gift from God to be able to share the practical, clinical, and Biblical information with you every week about adoption and foster care, which is a calling so near to our Father’s heart. In this episode, I am sharing with you the power and significance of praying for your child, whether they’re with you for a brief season or a long one, and a list of prayers you can use. Here are a few key takeaways: The most important practice of the Christian faith is prayer.Prayer carries over the course of a lifetime.We need the power of prayer as adoptive and foster parents.More is caught than taught; let children see you pray.Prayer is about communing with God, not just asking for things.We should pray for our children's specific needs and concerns.Prayer is our greatest weapon against the enemy.Let's gather together in prayer as a community.In this episode, I also share some big and exciting news! I am working on a book! I have been working on a book based on my adoption journey for a few years now, so to finally partner with a publishing company to make this a reality is amazing. The book is coming in the Fall 2027, which seems far away but it will come before we know it. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is the end of season three. The team here at Called to Love are so grateful for you joining us every week to learn practical and Biblical tools and knowledge for adoption and foster care, a calling which is so reflective of God’s adoptive love for us. As we look forward to another year and a new season, we wanted to share with you the five top moments from 2025. #1 is from “Trusting God With What We Cannot Control: Waiting for Adoption” released on February 25th. The clip chosen is about how to wait with God for adoption. #2 is from “Tools for Self-Regulation, Anger Management and Coping Mechanisms” released on April 8th. The clip chosen is about helping regulate your child. Somer is joined by Kimberly Dubose. Kimberly is a Family Centered Therapy Clinical Caseworker with Connected Families.#3 is from “You're Not Too Late: Trusting God's Timing for Your Adoption Story” released on June 3rd. The clip chosen is about the challenge of trusting God’s timing. In this episode, Somer was joined by a special guest: Rebecca George, a dear friend, author, speaker, and host of the Radical Radiance podcast. #4 is from “Understanding Blocked Care with Lisa C. Qualls” released on March 25th. The clip chosen is about the result of high need care-giving. In this episode, Somer is joined with Lisa C. Qualls. Lisa is the proud mother of both biological and adopted children, twelve in fact, and is an accomplished author, speaker, and Enneagram coach with TBRI training.   #5 is from “Adopted By God: The Spiritual Healing in Adoption & Foster Care” released on May 20th. The clip chosen is about parenting while being broken yourself. In this episode, Somer is joined by author and adoptive father, Matt Lambert. Matt and his wife live in the UK with their two adopted children. Please join us in a prayer over Called to Love, that it will continue to serve and reach families in need of support, encouragement and resources. You can email Somer your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. Somer would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you her monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is the second part to my special episode where my husband, Corey, and I reflect on ten years as adoptive parents. We share stories from when God first placed this calling on our hearts, the messy beginnings to bringing our baby daughter home, the changes in our marriage, and how God always had a plan. Corey shares valuable insight from his perspective as the head of our household and a calming technique he uses in his practice as an occupational therapist. Corey says you will never be ready to say “yes” because there are simply too many question marks, so you have to take a leap of faith. He also encourages parents to equip themselves with two things while proceeding in this calling: wisdom and bravery. Here are a few key take aways: Adoption brings out both the best and worst in parents.Communication is key in navigating parenting and marriage.Faith is essential in parenting and decision-making.Every child has unique needs that must be understood and met.Parenting is a form of discipleship, not just a task.It's important to seek God's guidance in parenting.The journey of adoption is filled with challenges but is rewarding.Parents should not wait for the perfect moment to adopt.Learning to communicate effectively can strengthen a marriage.It's okay to not have all the answers as a parent. Seek the Lord and pray. Want to keep Christian Parenting going? The network is listener-supported! Consider giving an end-of-year gift that provides resources to Christian parents. Check out cpgive.org You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is a very special episode, split into two parts, where my husband Corey and I reflect on ten years as adoptive parents. We share stories from when God first placed this calling on our hearts, the messy beginnings to bringing our baby daughter home, the changes in our marriage, and how God always had a plan. Corey shares valuable insight from his perspective as the head of our household and a calming technique he uses in his practice as an occupational therapist. Corey says you will never be ready to say “yes” because there are simply too many question marks, so you have to take a leap of faith. He also encourages parents to equip themselves with two things while proceeding in this calling: wisdom and bravery. Here are a few key take aways: Adoption brings out both the best and worst in parents.Communication is key in navigating parenting and marriage.Faith is essential in parenting and decision-making.Every child has unique needs that must be understood and met.Parenting is a form of discipleship, not just a task.It's important to seek God's guidance in parenting.The journey of adoption is filled with challenges but is rewarding.Parents should not wait for the perfect moment to adopt.Learning to communicate effectively can strengthen a marriage.It's okay to not have all the answers as a parent. Seek the Lord and pray. Want to keep Christian Parenting going? The network is listener-supported! Consider giving an end-of-year gift that provides resources to Christian parents. Check out cpgive.org You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest is the founder of The Mission Driven Mom and creator of the MDM Academy: Audrey Rindlisbacher. Audrey’s world was turned upside down when she, at the time a mother to four kids herself, decided to foster her cousin’s four children, ages ranging from twelve years old to newborn. In this conversation, we unpack her story, this incredible experience, and how God led her to utter faithfulness. Specifically, I ask Audrey how to cope with the weariness that comes from this calling. When Audrey was at her lowest point, she turned to God like she never had before and was completely changed. Audrey encourages moms to seek resources, fill their needs, and especially fulfill their spiritual needs like prayer. Here are a few key take aways: Foster and adoptive parenting can be incredibly challenging and rewarding.Prayer is a powerful tool for finding clarity and strength.Self-care is essential for caregivers to effectively support children.The feelings of love often stem from actions of love.God's plan may not always align with our expectations, but it is always good.Community support can make a significant difference in the foster care journey.Being a foster parent requires vulnerability and courage.Every child in foster care has a unique story and needs.Sometimes when God says “No” it can be scary, and we have to trust His plan.Want to keep Christian Parenting going? The network is listener-supported! Consider giving an end-of-year gift that provides resources to Christian parents. Check out cpgive.org Check out Audrey’s amazing resources at https://www.themissiondrivenmom.com/Listen to her podcast: click hereCheck out the Mission Driven Mom Academy: click here You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, Jill Marier joins me on the podcast to discuss the need for fostering medically fragile children. Jill has a rather unique family, and in her words she says “we get stares.” They have a large household full of children that are adopted, biological, and fostering, many of them are medically fragile. Jill’s heart was moved to medically fragile kids after her biological son JoJo was born with cerebral palsy. He is non-verbal and confined to a wheelchair. Going through this experience, Jill’s heart broke for all the kids with these medical hardships without any parents or guardians to walk through it with them. They’re alone and often abandoned because of their medical needs. Not only did Jill and her husband begin to foster and adopt many of these children, and the need is so great, but they started a non-profit farm which has wheelchair accessibility. The farm is a safe space for parents to bring their medically fragile children to have fun with some animals. Together in our conversation, we unpack the fears surrounding foster care and adoption with medically fragile children:  “I’m not qualified” or “I’ll be too attached” or “What if they die?” and more. These fears are lies from the enemy to keep you from following God’s calling. Jill and Somer do not shy away from the hard things but God is with you always. Here are a few key take aways: Every child deserves a loving family, regardless of their medical needs.Foster care can be a rewarding but challenging journey.It's important to overcome fears and say “yes” to fostering if God calls you.Daily life with medically fragile children involves careful planning and routine.Community support is crucial for families in foster care.Loss and grief are part of the foster care experience.Building connections with nonverbal children is possible and rewarding.Creating inclusive spaces for children with special needs is essential.Setting boundaries is necessary to maintain family dynamics in foster care.You can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. You can learn more about the Mad Hatter Farm on their website: https://www.madhatterfarm.org/And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madhatterfarmandrescue You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am helping you better understand embryo adoption. IVF treatments have risen in popularity as desperate families seek to get pregnant, but the process comes at a great cost— and not just financially, but also emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually as families navigate what to do with excess embryos. Because the success rate is so small, facilities will create more embryos than a couple may necessarily want to carry and raise. There are a few options for these embryos: adoption (which I highlight) or termination or scientific experimentation. This is an extremely heavy decision for the parents to make. Embryo adoption is where an adoptive mother has the embryo placed inside her to carry to term, if successful. There are some factors to this adoption which are different from a traditional one: in utero bonding and potentially breastfeeding. (A newborn adoption could also involve breastfeeding, but it is a different process to achieve this.) Through this episode, I seek to make you aware of all the different factors of embryo adoption, what it is, and what is happening with so many families in the IVF process. There is plenty of controversy even in Christian circles on this topic and I seek to approach it with information and empathy. There are countless little lives frozen right now, waiting for homes. Here are a few key take aways: Embryo adoption is a process of placing fertilized embryos with adoptive parents.The IVF process can lead to difficult decisions regarding surplus embryos.Success rates for embryo adoption can be as high as 59%.Embryo adoption allows for biological siblings to be raised together.The financial cost of embryo adoption is generally lower than traditional adoption.There are emotional challenges and grief associated with embryo adoption.The process requires legal documentation and a home study.Adoptive parents can bond with the child during pregnancy.Controversies exist regarding the ethics of IVF and embryo adoption.Seeking God's guidance is essential in the decision-making process.You can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by a joyful and light-filled author, speaker, and mom: Alice Matagora. Alice shares her story about a painful waiting process, depending on God’s promises. Inspired by this waiting journey, as a new mom Alice wrote the book, “You Are My Miracle”. All children are a miracle from God and this book helps us affirm this truth over our children. Through our conversation, we discuss the miracle it is to be a parent, to raise our kids, and the challenges of the waiting process till that child enters our life. Here are a few key take aways: Waiting can be emotionally taxing and filled with uncertainty.There can be a lot of grief in infertility. It's important to seek God during times of waiting and uncertainty.Community support is crucial for those going through infertility or adoption processes.Every child is a miracle, regardless of how they come into a family.The journey of waiting can lead to personal growth and deeper faith.Parents should communicate to their children how loved and wanted they are.It's essential to remember the struggles of waiting even after fulfillment.Hope is a continuous journey, not just a destination.Connect more with Alice on Instagram and Facebook. Check out her website to learn more! Here is her book referenced in this episode, “You Are My Miracle”You can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by the amazing and inspiring Jamie Finn. Jamie is an author and busy mom to both biological and adopted children, and their family has been fostering for years. She is also the founder and president of Foster the Family, a national nonprofit that serves vulnerable children and the families welcoming them, as well as the founder of the Filled Gathering, the largest gathering of foster and adoptive moms in the world. Together, we discuss adopting children from foster care. There is a huge stigma against foster kids, being labeled as “problematic” and an underlying fear that you can’t handle their pain and trauma. There is also the fear of becoming attached to a foster child only for them to be reunified, even though reunification is the first priority of foster care. There are many more fears and apprehensions, so how do we face them as Christians, standing on God’s Word and His calling for us to care for “the least of these”? One big point is we are all called to love these kids, but that doesn’t mean everyone is called to adoption or fostering. You can start by supporting those who already are! This may be a small thing but it is huge to the families who desperately need this support and community. And if God does call you into this, you may find yourself with support and community because you served others. Another key point Jamie and I discuss is surrendering to God in this calling. You have no control over what happens and that may be scary but it strengthens your faith. There is also so much beauty in adoption because God has adopted us. Here are a few key takeaways: Foster care is a mission that requires commitment.Fear is a natural response to the unknown in foster care.Preparation is key, but you can never be fully ready.Reunification is the priority, but permanency is also important.Grief is a complex emotion in foster care.God's love is constant, even in brokenness.Community support is essential for foster families.Surrendering control is a part of the journey.Children need to see a model of unconditional love. Connect more with Jamie on Instagram or her website. Check out Jamie’s book: Foster the Family: Encouragement, Hope, and Practical Help for the Christian Foster ParentCheck out Jamie’s new book for foster kids: God Loves Kids: A Gospel-Centered Book About Foster CareYou can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by Leah Brandon Akannam and Brian Murphy from the Gift of Adoption Fund. One of the biggest things stopping people from pursuing adoption is the cost. Resources like the Gift of Adoption Fund are here to bridge the gap and take down this barrier to a child finding their home. We discuss the different ways the fund helps various circumstances from traditional adoption to kinship, foster-to-adopt, and even adult adoptees. Leah and Brian also share stories from the families impacted by this resource. Brian highlights that while their organization does a lot, there are plenty of funds out there as well, and the biggest thing is spreading awareness about these resources so children can find a home. Brian emphasizes that if this is something God has laid on your heart, He will ultimately provide the financial support you need to bring the child home–all you have to do is answer the call.  Here are a few key takeaways: Over 2 million families in the US are waiting to adopt.81% of potential adopters cite high costs as a barrier.Gift of Adoption has awarded over $22 million in grants.Adoption costs can range from $25,000 to $50,000 for domestic adoptions.Foster care adoptions typically have no costs for families.Gift of Adoption provides grants from $1,000 to $15,000.Families should apply for assistance as soon as their home study is complete.There are no strict income limits for eligibility; each case is assessed individually.The organization has programs for young adults aging out of foster care.Crowdfunding grants are available to help families raise funds for adoption.The Gift of Adoption Fund website: https://giftofadoption.org/ You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by the founder of Finally Home: Kristin Orphan. Finally Home exists to walk alongside foster, adoptive, and kinship families with faith-rooted resources that bring hope, healing, and strength. They are a national non-profit that provide tools, courses, resources and community to families so they can find connection and confidence every day. Kristin was inspired to start Finally Home after her own adoption journey and being devastated by the calling. God called her and her family to this but that didn’t make it easy. There was a lot of sacrifice, heartache, and learning through her journey–in fact, the journey isn’t over even though her children are adults! In this conversation, we discuss how God brings encouragement when you’re discouraged or depressed. Here are a few key takeaways: The importance of unity in marriage when considering adoption.Adoption is a lifelong commitment that requires ongoing support and learning.Resilience is key in parenting adopted children, especially through challenges.Community support is crucial for families navigating adoption.Trauma-informed care focuses on relational connection with children.Distraction techniques can help manage challenging behaviors in children.Parents should seek to understand their child's unique needs and responses.It's important to give children a voice in family decisions without placing the burden of choice on them.The journey of adoption can lead to personal transformation for parents.God is WITH you in this calling! Learn more about Finally Home and access all their parenting courses and more at https://finallyhome.net/ Email and mention Called to Love so the team can connect with you: [email protected] You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by Hally Wells. Hally Wells is speaker, author, and mental health advocate. After struggling with infertility, Hally and her husband had their biological child, but following a miscarriage she felt God place adoption on her heart. She is now the mother of bio, step, and adopted children, and advocates for their mental health and the mental health of parents too. Hally discusses what things to look out for in our adopted and fostered kids, some of the warning signs, and unique struggles they may face with identity. We also discuss the need for support, resources, counseling, and strong communication with your children. Hally brings up that adoptive parents can also experience trauma which is why it is important to take care of yourself too, so you can be a calm, strong presence in your child’s life. Here are a few key takeaways: Mental health concerns in youth have escalated, especially post-COVID.Adopted children often experience grief and identity issues.Trauma impacts all adopted children, even from in utero and birth. Parents should be aware of signs of mental health struggles in their children.Support groups for adoptive parents can provide essential encouragement.Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in a child's identity and mental health.Open communication is vital for adopted children to express their feelings.Counseling can be beneficial for both children and parents.Understanding the unique challenges of adopted children is essential for effective parenting.Learn more about Hally Wells on her website here: https://www.hallyjwells.com/ The book Hally recommends, “The Anxious Generation” Another book she recommends, “The Deepest Well” You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am fan-girling out just a little bit because my special guest is Dr. Kathy Koch. Dr. Kathy has a PhD in reading and educational psychology from Purdue and is a former university professor now turned child advocate who founded Celebrate Kids. She has written several books, and her latest one (co-written with Dr. Jeff Myers) is called “Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design”. This is the topic of our conversation, as many foster and adoptive parents may find their children especially vulnerable to the gender identity crisis. Together, we discuss how to be bold in our parenting while also pursuing connection, trust, and relationship-building. God has given us the task of stewarding these kids and we cannot shy away from this reality. At the same time, if your child is coming to you already in a gender-confused state, it is important to show them love, compassion, and build trust so perhaps they can tell you what’s really going on. Dr. Kathy gives us powerful information and practical tools to equip us for this reality we face as parents.Here are a few key takeaways: Parents need to be bold and honest about gender issues.Stereotypes can trap children in false beliefs about their identity.Churches must address tough topics to help guide youth.Creating a safe space for discussions is crucial for trust.Parents should affirm their children's identity and interests.It's important to teach children about the beauty of God's creation.Parents should not blame themselves for their children's struggles.Encouragement and support are vital for parents facing challenges.Identity formation is a lifelong process that requires consistent effort.Learn more about Dr. Kathy’s organization, Celebrate Kids: https://celebratekids.com/Dr. Kathy recommends one of her books, “Five to Thrive” and her latest release which informed a lot of this episode: ”Raising Gender Confident Kids” You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with Bill High. Bill is the CEO of Legacy Stone and the author and co-author to many books. He is a counselor and public speaker, passionate about empowering families to leave a legacy for generations. In our conversation, we explore the importance of building a lasting family legacy through faith, family values, and purposeful living. Bill shares practical steps for families to create structure and stability, emphasizing the power of repetition in instilling values. We hope this offers encouragement for parents navigating the challenges of foster care and adoption. You're playing a vital role in shaping the next generation.Here are a few key takeaways: The calling of foster and adoptive parents is significant to the kingdom of God.Defining family values is crucial for protection and attraction.Kids are a heritage from the Lord, and families should treat them as such.Regular family meetings can help reinforce family values and vision.Structure and stability are essential for children from chaotic backgrounds.Repetition is key in teaching values to children.Parents should focus on being faithful rather than fixating on outcomes.God can turn broken situations into something good. Connect more with Bill High on his website or social media. And the website for Legacy Stone: https://legacystone.com/ Bill High’s new book: THE LEGACY LIFE: BOOK AND DEVOTIONAL - A Paradigm Shift that Will Help You Build Your Family for Generations to Come, Guided by Biblical Values.You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with Dr. Zoe Shaw. Dr. Zoe is a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker and an expert on what she calls “Complex Shame”. She is also a busy mom of five kids, and actually part of her story is being a birth-mom. We talk a lot about being adoptive and foster parents, and this conversation gives us a small glimpse of a birth-mom’s experience. For Dr. Zoe, it was an experience filled with shame.  This episode is all about unpacking that: shame. All of us experience shame to different degrees, in fact its origins can be seen in the first few chapters of Genesis, where Adam and Eve are ashamed and hide from God. That is how Dr. Zoe describes and differentiates shame and guilt: shame is when we hide. Shame can be destructive and impact our relationships. This is incredibly important for us to understand as parents, to navigate our own shame, and also to help us better understand our kids’ shame. Here are a few key takeaways: Shame causes us to hide and affects our relationships.There is a difference between guilt and shame.Guilt can lead to positive change, while shame distances us from God.Complex shame is often tied to past trauma and experiences.Recognizing our shame story is crucial for self-worth.Healthy emotional boundaries allow for better relationships.Walking alongside children helps them process their feelings.Writing can be a powerful tool for communication with children.Repairing relationships requires acknowledging our own shame.Healing from shame is a journey that involves vulnerability.Connect more with Dr. Zoe Shaw on her website or on instagram.You can also buy her new book, “Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame”Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with Daryl Potter. Daryl doesn’t have adopted or fostered children but he does have a miraculous daughter with complex medical needs and another biological son. Whether your kids are biological, adopted, or fostered, there are universal truths in parenting and along with it circumstances which take us to the brink of our capacity–physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual. In this episode specifically we are looking at the unique challenges of raising kids with complex medical needs. Daryl shares his personal experiences, insights, and advice for you if you’re in the trenches of that right now. This may be a calling on your life – to adopt or foster children with complex needs – or this is a circumstance out of your control in your biological children. Whatever the case may be, the grueling long nights in hospitals, the panic, the fear, the weight of it all can wear you down. This is why Daryl shares how mindfulness as found in Ecclesiastes is so powerful and a Biblical tool for managing it. Here are a few key takeaways: Navigating parenting with complex needs requires emotional resilience.Communication is key in marriage, especially during challenging times.Personal growth often comes from facing unexpected parenting challenges.Building a support network is crucial for families dealing with special needs.It's important to maintain perspective in difficult situations.Mindfulness can help parents enjoy the present moment.Parents should learn to express their emotions, including vulnerability.Children can be affected by the caregiving dynamics in the family.It's essential to listen to children's feelings and experiences.Finding joy in small moments can help alleviate stress. Connect more with Daryl on his website or social media. You can also check out his books! He recommends your local library but you can also purchase wherever books are sold. The books he explicitly mentions are: “Something More: Living Well in a Broken World” and “Even the Monsters. Living with Grief, Loss, and Depression: A Journey through the Book of Job”Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with an adult adoptee and new author, Emmanual Jean Russle. Emmanuel grew up in Haiti with his grandmother before being adopted into the United States. In our conversation, we briefly discuss his upbringing and transition to the states and then Emmanuel shares his passion for sharing this message: God has a plan for  every child. Emmanuel also offers encouragement to adoptive families navigating their unique journeys.Here are a few key takeaways: Emmanuel's story highlights the importance of purpose in every child's life.Adoption can bring about significant changes, but love and support are crucial.Quality time spent with children fosters a sense of belonging.Every child's experience with adoption is unique and should be respected.Parents should treat adopted children as they would biological children.It's essential to acknowledge and celebrate a child's heritage.Prayer and guidance are vital for families considering adoption.Books can be powerful tools for understanding and discussing adoption.Connect more with Emmanuel on social media. Check out his book: “Hello! My Name is Emmanuel - An inspiring true story of adoption, celebrating new”Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with Dana Hargrus, a mental health counselor with over twenty-five years of experience in trauma-informed care. We discuss the innovative approach of biofeedback in helping foster and adoptive parents navigate the challenges of caring for children from hard places. Dana shares her personal journey as a foster and adoptive parent, emphasizing the importance of connection and healthy attachment in mental health. The conversation highlights the need for alternative solutions to traditional medication and discipline methods, advocating for a more compassionate and understanding approach to parenting.Here are a few key takeaways: Biofeedback is a form of brain exercise that helps improve mental health.Connection is essential for healing trauma in children.Punishment and discipline are often ineffective for children from hard places.Healthy attachment is crucial for mental health and can be developed at any age.Parents should focus on building connections rather than enforcing strict discipline.The current mental health system often fails children in foster care.Biofeedback can be a beneficial alternative to medication for managing mental health issues.Understanding a child's trauma history is key to effective parenting.Parents need support and resources to navigate the challenges of foster care and adoption.It's never too late for healing and change in a child's life.Learn more about Dana’s practice Restore of Ada by calling 580-453-1076 or email them at [email protected] or you can find their website https://restoreofada.com/about-restore Check out Dana’s resource, a brief podcast about trauma: Find it on Apple or Spotify. You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Hey friends, today we’ve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast!Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year’s series follows Christian Parenting’s brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses. Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God’s word even when it didn’t make sense. That’s the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God’s voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses todayFollow Pardon the Mess on Apple or SpotifyCalled to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with Abby Halberstadt, who’s been on the show before. Abby is a busy mom of ten biological kids, homeschools all of them, builds houses with her husband, and works as a fitness instructor, but most importantly she is a woman firmly planted on a Biblical foundation. In this conversation, we unpack the myth she shares in her recent book “You Bet Your Stretchmarks” which is a myth that your motherhood is wasted. Even though Abby has biological kids, all of us as foster and adoptive moms have the scars of motherhood and often the mundane and thankless jobs of wiping bottoms, sleepless nights, and sweeping cheerios can make us ask, “Is this worth it?” Abby reminds us that our motherhoods are eternally significant and callings from God. Even if our acts of love are unthanked and unseen, those sacrifices have an immeasurable impact. Abby also walks us through some of the lies in our culture that prey upon moms and their identities. She strongly encourages us to find our contentment in God and not in comparing ourselves to others. Our culture, and the Enemy through it, are feeding lies to moms that they are alone and the motherhood experience is all negative. We know, however, through scripture that nothing is wasted. Here are a few key takeaways: Motherhood is a calling of eternal significance.The 'wasted mother myth' undermines the value of motherhood.Daily sacrifices of mothers are meaningful and sacred.Creating rhythms in daily life can help manage overwhelm.Contentment comes from focusing on God's word, not worldly standards.Community support is essential but not always available.Every act of motherhood, no matter how small, has value.Mothers should not compare their journeys to others.Recognizing the mundane as sacred can transform perspective.Motherhood is a legacy that impacts future generations.Learn more about Abby on her website and social media or buy her new book “You Bet Your Stretchmarks!” wherever you get your books, like Amazon. You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with author and busy mom, friend of the show, Molly DeFrank! Molly is the proud mom of six kids, ages ranging from teenagers to young ones, both biological and adopted. Her family has also fostered children, and her two adopted kids came first from fostering. In this episode, we are talking specifically about raising Godly sons as we live in a world that is telling them their masculinity is toxic and they just need to sit still. Anyone with a little boy knows they have so much energy and can’t focus, and while this may be frustrating it is also how God made them. Molly wrote a book titled, “Mothering Boys: 8 Things Your Son Needs From You Before He Turns 10” which has inspired this conversation. Especially if you have children in your home who come from foster care, they may have negative relationships to masculinity, either from bad male role models, failed father figures, or even abuse. We have such an important role as parents to train up these kids, help shape and root their identity in God, and establish their worldview. Let’s talk about the practical ways we can help them be empowered young men for Christ! Here are a few key takeaways: Boys face societal pressures that can negatively impact their self-worth.Building connection and trust is essential for effective parenting.Simple moments can create meaningful connections with boys.Unconditional love is crucial for boys to feel safe and accepted.Storytelling can help boys understand their identity and values.Creating safe spaces for boys to fail fosters resilience.Moms should focus on their own well-being to better support their children.Learn more about Molly on her website or connect with her on social media! Interested in her book? Click here to learn more! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is the fifth and final episode in this summer series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household, tips that I have learned and personally used and hope will benefit you. Specifically, this episode wraps up our series as I talk about five ways you can recover after a dysregulation incident. There is so much adrenaline rushing in our kiddos bodies, and maybe even in our own, that it is very unlikely things will “go back to normal” or what you or the child was doing before the breakdown. So, what do you do? I have five methods we use in our household: presence, gentle touch, pressure, going outside, and playing. In this episode, I dive deeper into each one of these with some clear examples as well! I would love to hear from you if you begin using these strategies or share ones you’ve found that work in your household! Here are a few key takeaways: Your presence as their safe and trusted caregiver is invaluable.Gentle touch can help regulate the central nervous system.Pressure can offset pent-up energy in children.Going outside and grounding can aid recovery.Fun and play are essential for emotional healing.Laughter can create positive connections with children.Caregivers must discern the right approach for each child.Nurturing after dysregulation is crucial for recovery.Building trust takes time and patience.Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your EmailYou can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! We are in the fourth week of my series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household and I am going to give you tools for de-escalating your child during those meltdown moments. This week has honestly been challenging as I’ve been at my own breaking point and needed to use these regulation tools on myself. I am going to share my personal experiences dealing with overwhelm and introduce you to the Three C’s of regulation: Cold, Counting, and Choices. And I have had to use all three this week myself! I am going to emphasize the significance of modeling self-regulation techniques, understanding children's fears, and empowering them through choices to foster a sense of control and calmness. I would love to hear from you if you begin using these strategies or share ones you’ve found that work in your household! Here are a few key takeaways: You're not alone in feeling overwhelmed.Modeling regulation techniques is crucial for effective parenting.Cold can help de-escalate intense emotions in children.Counting provides a distraction and helps regain focus.Choices empower children and reduce power struggles.Praise your child's progress to encourage better behavior.Understanding fear can help address escalated behaviors.Building skills takes time and repetition.Children are capable of learning to regulate their emotions.Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your EmailYou can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is our third week in my new series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household and I am going to give you tools for de-escalating your child during those meltdown moments. This episode is all about the 3 B’s: Breathing, Bilateral Movement, and Beating Heart. These three tools can effectively help you calm your child, build trust and connection, ultimately leading to better emotional regulation and communication within the family. These strategies do not take away the need for guidance, correction, and addressing dysfunctional behaviors but help your child receive your instruction because you’ve built trust and love. I would love to hear from you if you begin using these strategies or share ones you’ve found that work in your household! Here are a few key takeaways: Dysregulated behaviors require a confident caregiver's presence.Breathing techniques help reset a child's nervous system.Bilateral movement engages both sides of the brain for regulation.Heartbeat time provides comfort and connection during distress.Practicing tools alongside children builds trust and safety.Regulation tools prepare children for better communication and correction.Planning and having tools ready can improve family dynamics.Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your EmailYou can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is our second week in my new series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household. Specifically in this episode, I am explaining the HALT method--Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired—a powerful tool to help manage behavioral escalations. I am also sharing some personal examples and practical insights to guide you in fostering a nurturing environment with a biblical foundation. Tune in to learn how addressing basic and felt needs can transform family dynamics and build trust. Don't miss this essential episode for every parent looking to enhance emotional and behavioral regulation at home! Here are a few key takeaways: The HALT method is essential for emotional regulation.Understanding hunger can prevent behavioral issues.Anger is a natural emotion that needs management.Loneliness can occur even in crowded spaces.Rest is crucial for emotional and physical health.Building trust is key to effective parenting.Recognizing triggers can help in de-escalation.Biblical examples provide insight into caregiving.Practical tools can be adapted for individual needs.Consistency in approach fosters better relationships.Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your EmailYou can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am kicking off a five-part series on emotional and behavioral regulation in your family. We are in the thick of summer but if we’re being honest, it hardly feels like a “summer break.” From summer camps, VBSs, traveling, and all other kinds of extracurricular activities that keeps our summers busy, there is hardly a “normal” day. The routine of the school year is almost completely out the window for many of us. This can be a fun time but it can also be an exhausting and overstimulating time of year. That is why it is the perfect time for me to tell you about these emotional and behavioral regulation tips and strategies, and I will be diving deeper into them over the next four weeks. I hope in this episode you will:Better understand the signs of dysregulation and its impact on family dynamicsLearn how to model emotional regulation and create a calm environmentDiscover the importance of maintaining healthy authority and setting boundariesAnd, explore practical tools like positive reinforcement and teaching emotional language. Here are a few takeaways: Disregulation affects both parents and children.Recognizing signs of disregulation is crucial.Self-regulation is essential for effective parenting.Creating a calm environment can reduce disregulation.Modeling emotional regulation helps children learn.Validating emotions while maintaining respect is important.Teaching emotional language aids in communication.Establishing boundaries provides safety for children.Encouraging problem-solving fosters ownership in children.Patience and consistency are key in parenting.Grab your FREE DOWNLOAD: 10 Ways to Promote Emotional and Behavioral Regulation in Your Family You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by Katie Davis Majors. You may know her as the author of “Kisses from Katie” and she is the founder of the Amazima Ministries which works to keep kids with their biological families in Uganda. Katie shares her incredible story of how God took her “Yes” and and multiplied not just her family (raising 13 adopted girls and having two biological boys with her husband) but her ministry. In our conversation, I ask Katie about how on earth she juggles fifteen kiddos and all the work she does, along with other questions about trauma, supporting those kids with resources, and what she has learned along this wild journey. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: Katie's journey began with a mission trip to Uganda.Many children in institutional care have living relatives. These kids are living in orphanages because it can be their best option for education, meals, and healthcare but it means separation from their biological families. This broke Katie’s heart. Foster care experiences led Katie to adopting 13 children.Community support is vital in parenting and service.Learn how to say “I need help!” and not feel ashamed or embarrassed; we need each other, especially in this calling. Dependence on God is essential in parenting challenges. Connect with Katie on social mediaCheck out her websiteCheck out her book, “Kisses From Katie” Learn more about Amazima Ministries! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by Rachel Van Kluyve, who is a homeschooling, book-writing, bio and adoptive mama to four kiddos! Rachel’s two adoptive daughters are both Black American which has given Rachel some interesting challenges to navigate. She realized they do not have a lot of representation, from baby dolls to storybooks, which inspired her to create her own children’s book series about two black girls. In our conversation, we unpack the unique challenges of a transracial adoption: the unsolicited questions and comments from friends, family, or people online, how to style their hair, how to incorporate their culture and affirm their identities, and more. Rachel also shares that both of these adoptions are open adoption and recommends parents consider it, even though it seems “scary.” In fact, Rachel encourages parents to consider any kind of adoption and trust the Lord will provide the child, no matter the race, gender, background, etc… Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: Understanding the Lord's sacrifice is comparable to adoption.Open adoption can provide a sense of connection for children.Faith plays a crucial role in the adoption process.Representation in children's literature is essential.Navigating criticism as a transracial family can be challenging.Building relationships with birth mothers is important for the child's identity.Every adoption story is unique and requires grace and understanding.Connect with Rachel on social mediaOr you can check out her website And pre-order her new children’s book! “Louie and La'Ree Empty the Sea (Sister Adventures)”You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by a man with an incredible and powerful story: Jackson TerKeurst. If you recognize that name, it is probably because he was adopted by author and speaker Lisa TerKeurst. Jackson came to the TerKeurst family after trying to survive gunfire and starvation during the Liberian Civil War. He was a teenager when he was adopted and now he’s a published author too. In our conversation, Jackson discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of faith, and the lessons learned through adversity. He emphasizes the significance of being present for adopted children, celebrating their cultural identity, and embracing God's plan, which often diverges from our own expectations. His story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: His adoption story is unique, filled with years of prayer and longing for family.Adoptive parents should prepare their hearts, not just their homes.Celebrating a child's culture is crucial for their identity.Struggles in adoption are part of the journey, not a sign of failure.Being present and patient is essential for adoptive parents.God's plan often differs from our own, requiring surrender and trust.Connect with Jackson TerKeurst on InstagramOr you can check out his website And buy his new book on Amazon! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by New York Times best-selling author, speaker, podcaster, advocate for Downs Syndrome kids, and adoptive mom: Heather Avis. Heather started “The Lucky Few” movement to change the narrative behind children with Downs Syndrome. She says every time her kids walk out her door and into the world, they are walking into a world that does not value them. As Heather shares in this podcast episode, if the narrative behind Downs was different it is likely the bio families of her two kids wouldn’t have put them up for adoption. Adoption inherently comes with the breaking of what God created to be together: family. There is immense beauty and joy in adoption, in redeeming what has been broken, but we cannot shy away from or “fix” that brokenness. It can be a hard thing to sit with but it cannot be ignored. Still, Heather advocates not only for the value of children with special needs but she encourages Christian families to consider adoption. This calling may not be easy but it is a calling straight from God - to love the widows and orphans. In our discussion, we unpack Heather’s incredible adoption story. She shares wisdom from her experience raising not only two children with Downs syndrome but also a bi-racial child that does not have special needs. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: The importance of letting go of control in parenting.Create an inclusive home environment for children of all backgrounds.Encourage curiosity and understanding differences in children.The significance of affirming children's worth and identity.Recognizing the ongoing struggles of children with disabilities in society.The value of connecting with resources and stories from adoptees and birth families.Connect with Heather Avis on social media or learn more on her website. You can also buy her books! Her new book is titled I Like You So MuchYou can also learn more about The Lucky Few Foundation. You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by Susan TeBos, an author and adoptive mom to three now-grown children. Susan shares her experiences and insights on parenting adopted teenagers, focusing on the unique challenges they face as they process loss and identity. She emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for emotional expression, recognizing warning signs, and building trust through consistent communication. Our discussion highlights the need for adoptive parents to be patient and understanding as their children navigate their feelings and experiences related to adoption.There is a myth that if you adopt a child straight when they are born, take them home from the hospital, that somehow there is no trauma or loss. This isn’t true, and I have first hand experience with it. Our kids may exhibit the trauma in different ways or at different stages of life, but there is trauma due to the loss of one’s biological roots. Susan described her kids as being “fun and playful” during their younger years, but showed more of those signs of trauma as they entered puberty. I hope that through this episode, you will be more equipped to support your adoptive or foster kids, even if they haven’t entered their teenage-years yet. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: Adopted teens process loss in unique ways.Curiosity can lead to clarity and compassion in parenting.Consistency in communication builds trust with teens.Parents should recognize warning signs of emotional distress.It's important to check in with teens regularly about their feelings.Adoptees often feel alone in their experiences and emotions.Grieving is a process that should be shared with parents.Parenting adopted children is a lifelong commitment.Understanding adoption-related issues is essential for emotional support.Connect with Susan TeBos on Facebook or Instagram You can also check out her website and her book, “We've Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens” You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by Kate Rietema. Kate is an author, speaker, and mama to five kiddos, some adopted and some biological. In our conversation, we discuss how to navigate sharing your child’s adoption story with them. Adoption is beautiful but it comes at a huge loss, a heartbreak for our kids, and it can be hard to share this with them or help them understand it in a way that helps them still feel loved and chosen. Stories are powerful and the stories our foster and adoptive kids tell themselves have a huge impact on their identity and worldview; that is why it is crucial we carefully craft a story that rings true Biblically. It is also important to pause when our child wants to tell us something about their past, and be there, listening and supporting.  Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: Storytelling helps build strong identities in adopted children.It's important to highlight both the difficult and beautiful aspects of adoption.Creating a culture of openness allows for ongoing conversations.Children often want to hear stories about themselves.Patience is key when introducing sensitive topics.Listening is more important than responding immediately.Resources like life books can help children understand their stories.Trusting in the Lord's plan is essential for adoptive parents.Connect with Kate on Instagram or check out her website You can also find her books on Amazon or wherever you find your books. You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!