ADOPTION STRUGGLES AND SUPPORT | Adoption Trauma, Safety, Peace of Mind, Biblical Encouragement, Respite, Journaling

Have you ever felt guilty for slowing down… even when your body and mind were clearly telling you that you needed to? 💭 If that feeling hits close to home, this episode is for you. Hi Neighbor, Last week, I had every intention of recording a new episode. But between allergies wrecking my voice 🤧 and life piling up all at once, I realized something important: Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is pause. 🛑 As adoptive parents, we spend so much of our time making sure everyone else is okay that we forget we’re human too. Somewhere along the way, many of us start believing that resting means we’re falling behind. But it doesn’t. ❤️ In today’s short episode, I’m sharing why I decided to step back for a week and how this unexpected pause reminded me of something I’ve been teaching throughout the PAUSE Plan series: Pausing isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. 🌱 You’ll hear about: 🫶 Why showing yourself grace matters more than pushing through 🔥 How burnout often happens when we ignore our limits too long 🌬️ The difference between quitting and simply taking time to breathe 👨‍👩‍👦 Why adoptive parents especially struggle to give themselves permission to rest 🧠 How pausing can help you respond with intention instead of reacting out of exhaustion Because here’s the truth… You cannot carry everything perfectly every single week. 💔 And sometimes the most responsible thing you can do for your family is take care of yourself before burnout makes the decision for you. Whatever it looks like, I want to encourage you to show yourself some grace. 🤍 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. This is episode isn’t part of the PAUSE Plan. While I am pausing, you can catch up on the earlier episodes. Episodes: 236, 237, and 238. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever stayed calm in the middle of a blow-up with your child… only to realize later you still might’ve missed what was really going on underneath? 💭 If that moment feels familiar, this episode is for you. Hi Neighbor, In today’s episode, we’re continuing the PAUSE Plan with the next step: Understand. I’m taking you back to a moment with my son Jonny, an argument the night before his 18th birthday 🎂 He was angry, pushing hard, and everything in me could’ve reacted the way I used to. But this time, something shifted. Because for the first time, I started to see it differently… This wasn’t just behavior. He was in pain. In this episode, we dig into why understanding what’s underneath your child’s behavior changes everything—and how it keeps you from responding to the wrong thing. You’ll learn how to: 🧠 Recognize when behavior is actually a sign of deeper pain 🛑 Stop taking your child’s reactions personally 🔍 Ask better questions in the heat of the moment 🤝 Move toward your child instead of pulling away 🔁 Shift from reacting to responding with intention Because here’s the truth… What feels like rejection is often hurt. 💔 What looks like defiance can be emotional bleeding. And when you start to see that, your response begins to change. This isn’t something you master overnight ⏳ It’s something you come back to—again and again. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. This is just one step in the PAUSE Plan. Don’t skip the earlier episodes. They’ll help this make a whole lot more sense, Episode 236 and Episode 237. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever had a moment where your adopted child walked out the door and in the silence that followed, your mind wouldn’t stop replaying everything you said, didn’t say, or wish you could take back? If that moment feels familiar, this episode is for you. Hi Neighbor, In today’s episode, we’re continuing the series with Part 2 of the Personal Peace Plan: Assess. You can here Part 1 of this series HERE. I’m sharing a very real moment from my own home—watching my 18-year-old son leave with his birthday cake in hand, and then sitting in the emotional fallout for the next 10 hours, questioning everything I did. Because when things escalate and someone walks away, the hardest part isn’t just the moment, it’s what your mind does after. 💭 In this episode, I walk you through a simple tool to help you stay steady when everything in you wants to react. You’ll learn how to: 🛑 Stop yourself from reacting in a way you’ll regret 🧠 Think clearly when emotions are running high ⏳ Step outside the urgency of the moment 🔁 Avoid escalating a situation you can’t control 🤝 Keep connection open even when things are painful If any of these feel familiar, don’t skip this episode. You’ll also hear a powerful reminder from the Parable of the Prodigal Son 📖 how the father didn’t chase control, but also didn’t shut the door. This isn’t about doing nothing. ❌ It’s about choosing what actually protects the relationship. Because what you do after the pause determines what happens next. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever had a moment with your child where you felt the situation escalating… and you knew you had about 10 seconds before everything blew up? ⏳ If that moment feels familiar, this episode is for you. Hi Neighbor,  In today’s episode, I’m giving you a simple, practical plan you can use in real time when emotions rise in your home. 🏠💥 Because when your child is escalating and your heart is pounding ❤️‍🔥, you don’t need theory—you need something you can actually use in the next 10 seconds. ⏱️ This is your Personal Peace Plan, built around one powerful principle: The Power is in the Pause. ✨ Using a simple 5-step acronym, I’ll walk you through how to: 🛑 Stop reacting before things spiral 🧠 Think clearly in high-pressure moments 😌 Regulate your emotions instead of matching theirs 🔽 Lower the intensity without losing authority 🎯 Respond with intention instead of regret If any of these feel familiar, don’t skip this episode: 😟 You feel the tension rising and don’t know how to stop it 😤 You find yourself matching your child’s intensity 😔 You regret what you say in heated moments ⚡ You feel like everything escalates too fast 🕊️ You want to stay calm—but don’t know how in the moment You’ll also hear a powerful example from John chapter 8 📖, where Jesus models exactly what it looks like to pause under pressure—and how that pause changed everything. This isn’t about being passive. ❌ It’s about learning how to lead the moment instead of losing it. 🧭 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.  Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

📖 Have you ever hit a breaking point with your child… where everything feels overwhelming, and you just need a moment to breathe—but don’t even know how to get it? ⚠️ If you’re close to losing it today, don’t skip this episode! Hi Neighbor, In today’s episode, I share 7 practical ways to practice respite—so you can calm your mind, regulate your emotions, and find your footing again on the hardest parenting days. ⚓ When life with your child feels chaotic or unpredictable, it’s easy to stay stuck in survival mode. But respite isn’t just a break—it’s a lifeline. 📖 Using a simple acronym, I walk you through 7 Anchor Points that help you reset physically, emotionally, and spiritually—so you can keep showing up with strength and clarity. 🤔 If any of these feel familiar, this episode is for you: • You feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells in your own home • You reach a point where you’re mentally and emotionally exhausted • You don’t have a clear way to calm down or reset in hard moments • You struggle to find time (or permission) to take a break • You feel guilty stepping away; even when you desperately need it 🧭 In this episode, you’ll discover a simple, repeatable way to create real moments of relief; even in the middle of a hard season. 🤝 You don’t have to wait until burnout to take care of yourself. 💛 Respite is something you can practice; starting today. ⚓ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

📖 Have you ever second-guessed your parenting after someone criticized you? Maybe their words stuck longer than you expected, leaving you wondering if you're getting it all wrong. Hi Neighbor, In today’s episode, I share 3 Anchor Points that can help adoptive parents navigate criticism, self-doubt, and the weight of feeling misunderstood. ⚓ When negative comments come—whether from others or your own inner critic—it’s easy to lose your footing. But these Anchor Points are rooted in Scripture and can help steady your heart in the middle of difficult parenting moments. 📖 We’ll look at Hebrews 12:10, Luke 6:31, and 1 Peter 2:23, and how they guide us toward grace, perspective, and peace when criticism cuts deep. 🤔 If any of these feel familiar, this episode is for you: • Your “happily-ever-after” has turned into something far more difficult than you expected • Your home sometimes feels chaotic, overwhelming, or even unsafe • You lie awake at night replaying criticism or second-guessing your parenting • You’ve been hurt by comments from people who don’t understand your child or your journey 🧭 In this episode, I share a simple, Scripture-centered way to navigate criticism without losing your peace. 🤝 You are not alone in this journey. ⚓ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. I hope you’ll consider leaving a review of the podcast. This short video will show you how. Thanks, Neighbor! If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

📖 Have you ever opened your Bible during a stressful parenting moment and the verse you’re reading just doesn’t make sense? You know the words are important, but the meaning feels confusing or unclear. Hi Neighbor, ⏱️ In today’s episode, I share a simple Bible study tip that takes only a couple of minutes but can help confusing Bible verses suddenly make sense. ⚓ During difficult parenting seasons, Scripture became one of the anchors God used to steady my heart, and this simple practice helped me understand those verses more clearly. 📖 I’ll also walk through Psalm 143:5 and share 3 simple action words that have become an anchor for my own heart during overwhelming seasons. 🤔 If any of these feel familiar, this episode is for you: Your “happily-ever-after” has felt more like survival than joy Your home sometimes feels chaotic or even unsafe You lie awake at night second-guessing your parenting decisions In this episode, I share a simple way to let Scripture steady your heart. You are not alone in this journey.🤝 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. I hope you’ll consider leaving a review of the podcast. This short video will show you how. Thanks, Neighbor! If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Dive deeper into understanding Bible verses by comparing translations to find the wording that resonates with you. Utilize tools like the Blue Letter Bible app for easy comparison.

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that words simply wouldn’t come—and all you could do was cry? 😢 Hi Neighbor, In today’s bite-sized episode, I share a simple but powerful reminder for those moments when grief, exhaustion, or fear leave you without words. Sometimes the deepest prayers we offer are not spoken at all—they fall quietly as tears. 🙏 The inspiration for this episode began with an image of a piece of paper that began with the words “Dear Lord,” ended with “Amen,” and in between were only tear stains. No words. Just tears! 💧 It reminded me that when life overwhelms us, God still understands what our hearts are trying to say. ❤️ Drawing from Psalm 56:8, this episode offers a gentle exercise using the word TEARS to help process overwhelming emotions and remember that God sees every sorrow we carry. 📖 If your happily-ever-after has felt more like survival than joy… if your home feels unsafe… if you’re constantly second-guessing yourself—this episode is meant to remind you that even in your hardest moments, God sees you and your tears are not wasted. 🤍 In this episode, you’ll hear: 🌿 How tears can become prayers when words fail 📝 A simple reflection exercise using the acronym TEARS 📖 The comforting truth found in Psalm 56:8 🤍 God sees, remembers, and cares about every sorrow you carry Even when your only prayer is tears, God hears you. 🙏 You are not alone in this journey. 🤝 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. I hope you’ll consider leaving a review of the podcast. This short video will show you how. Thanks, Neighbor! If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

“I see you. You’ve got this.” 🤍 Have you ever been miles into a journey—tired, uncertain, and wondering if you have what it takes to finish? What if a small sign of encouragement could give you the strength to keep going? Hi Neighbor, In today’s bite-sized episode, I share a powerful story from a bicycle ride, long before adoption, where a simple act became the encouragement my wife and I needed to keep going. That small, intentional act carried a clear message: someone sees me, and I wasn’t alone. 👀 Drawing from that experience, this episode speaks directly to the lonely and challenging moments in the adoptive parenting journey—those times when doubt creeps in, holidays feel heavy, and the road ahead seems long. 🌧️ Through the simple but powerful words “I see you,” I want to remind adoptive parents that being seen and encouraged can restore hope and strengthen perseverance. 🕊️ If your happily-ever-after has felt more like survival than joy… if your home feels unsafe… if you’re constantly second-guessing yourself—this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone, and encouragement can meet you right where you are. 🤝 In this episode, you’ll hear: 🌿 How small acts of encouragement can have a lasting impact 🪞 Why feeling seen can renew strength in the middle of a hard journey ✨ How offering simple encouragement can transform someone else’s day 🛤️ Practical, everyday ways to remind others: “I see you” Encouragement doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s a smile, a kind word, or a simple acknowledgment that someone’s effort matters. 🙂 These small moments can become mile markers of hope for weary hearts. 🕯️ You are not alone in this journey! 🤍 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. I hope you’ll consider leaving a review of the podcast. This short video will show you how. Thanks, Neighbor! If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

“As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.” ~Proverbs 27:19 Have you ever paused long enough to notice what your heart is trying to tell you? What story does reflection time reveal about your heart? 💭 Hi Neighbor, In today’s bite-sized episode, we explore the power of reflection and why making space to pause can transform your parenting journey. Drawing from Proverbs 27:19, we consider how the heart reflects the person—and how intentional reflection can help adoptive parents move from fear and self-doubt toward clarity, courage, and hope. 🕊️ If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Will my child be okay?” or “Where did I go wrong?” this conversation invites you to step back, breathe, and allow reflection to reveal a more truthful story—one shaped by growth, endurance, and God’s faithfulness. 🤍 In this episode, you’ll hear: 🌿 Why reflection is essential for adoptive parents navigating fear, uncertainty, and fatigue 🪞 A simple, memorable framework using the word REFLECT (forwards and backwards) to guide your reflection time 🤲 How honest assessment—celebrating victories and acknowledging challenges, leads to growth 🕊️ The difference between healthy reflection and unhealthy dwelling on the past 🌅 How trials, when reflected on with intention, can strengthen your confidence for the future Reflection is not about perfection. It is about perspective. It is about recognizing that even in trials, there are blessings, lessons, and evidence of strength you didn’t know you had. ✨ You are not alone in this journey. 🤝 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.  Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. I hope you’ll consider leaving a review of the podcast. This short video will show you how. Thanks, Neighbor! If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever sensed in your body that you’ve reached your limit—before your mind was ready to admit it? 💭 Hi Neighbor, In today’s episode, we slow down together and explore a truth many adoptive parents know deep down but rarely give themselves permission to embrace: your body often recognizes the need for stillness long before your mind accepts it. 🕊️ If you’re walking through a difficult season—feeling heavy, drained, or overwhelmed—this conversation is an invitation to pause, step back, and show yourself grace. 🤍 Drawing from Psalms 46 and 121, I share how God’s unchanging presence gives us permission to be still, even when our homes, our hearts, or the world around us feel chaotic. ✝️ In this episode, you’ll hear: 🌿 Why your body may be signaling that it’s time to slow down and be still ⚓ How Psalm 46:10 anchors us in God’s sovereignty during life’s storms  🌙 The comfort of knowing the One who watches over you never sleeps (Psalm 121) 📖 Practical examples of stillness: quiet walks to journaling to embracing silence 📝 A simple “Daily Doable” to help you create space for rest and reflection Stillness is not weakness. It is trust. It is surrender. It is an anchor in the storm. You are not alone in this journey. 🤝 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever faced a moment as a parent when everything changes in an instant? 💔 Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode is a little different than what you’re used to hearing here. Like Episode 16, this is a t-shirt story—where something ordinary ends up carrying extraordinary meaning. But while Episode 16 focused on a natural disaster, today’s story is deeply personal. It’s about a young girl and her battle with cancer—and a perspective that far exceeded her years. Joining me today is my neighbor and brother Simon Harris. He’s going to share a story that has inspired my family and me, and I believe it will inspire you too. In this episode, you’ll hear: 💪 How Kelsey faced cancer with courage beyond her years 👕 The story behind the T-shirts that became a symbol of hope ❤️ How her perspective influenced her parents and everyone she touched 🌟 Lessons on choosing joy and making a lasting impact, no matter the circumstances Kelsey’s life reminds us that even in the hardest storms, perspective and joy can ripple far beyond what we ever imagine. 💖 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. See the T-Shirt inspired by her quote.  And see Kelsey’s grave marker. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your own emotions as an adoptive parent — unsure how to calm yourself down or pick yourself back up when the weight feels like too much? Hi Neighbor, For many Christian adoptive parents, the challenge goes beyond supporting a child through trauma; it’s learning how to regulate yourself when the demands of parenting feel overwhelming 💔😮‍💨 In today’s episode, I’m joined once again by my neighbor from London, Crystal Luke Worrall. Crystal is a music therapist, EMDR practitioner, and clinical supervisor specializing in helping children and families heal from early trauma 🧠🎶 In previous episodes, Crystal shared powerful insights on EMDR and music therapy for adopted children. This time, the focus shifts to you — the adoptive parent 🤍 Together, we explore what emotional regulation actually looks like in real life and why adoptive parents are not meant to do this alone. 🤝 We talk through practical, body-based tools to help you calm down when anxiety or anger runs high, as well as strategies to gently activate yourself when sadness, numbness, or low energy take over. In today’s conversation, we explore: 🤝 Why adoptive parents are not meant to regulate alone and how co-regulation supports healing 🧺 The “emotional laundry” analogy and how naming emotions reduces overwhelm ⏸️▶️ How to tell whether you need to slow down or speed up emotionally 🌬️ Simple grounding and breathing techniques that help calm anxiety and bring clarity ⏰ The role of intentional self-check-ins and routines in long-term regulation 🏡 Why regulating yourself creates safety and steadiness for your entire family If you’ve ever felt unsure how to manage your own emotions while caring for a child with big feelings, this episode offers practical hope. You are not alone in this journey. Support, tools, and understanding are available 🙏 Learning to care for yourself is not a weakness, but a vital part of caring for your family 💛 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Crystal: Website: https://www.clapandtoot.com/ Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-luk/ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always consult your healthcare provider with your health questions and concerns. As is the case with anyone that I bring on the show to talk to you, I encourage take notes and listen to the information. Then do your due diligence and use what you can in your adoption journey to parent your child the best way you can.

Have you ever felt completely alone in your adoption journey — like no one truly understands what you’re carrying or the struggles you’re facing? 💭 For many Christian adoptive parents, the hardest part isn’t just managing behaviors or navigating trauma. It’s the loneliness. The quiet fear. The anxiety that creeps in during sleepless nights. The constant questions: Will my child be okay? Did I do something wrong? What does their future hold? Hi Neighbor, In today’s episode, I share a powerful childhood story that shaped how I understand loneliness, perseverance, and what it truly means to be “all alone.” From watching Secretariat run the Belmont Stakes to walking through the hardest seasons of our own adoption journey, I explore how isolation can feel overwhelming — and why it doesn’t have to stay that way. My wife and I know firsthand what it’s like to believe you’re the only ones going through this. We carried anxiety, negativity, crisis, heaviness, overwhelm, and exhaustion — until we realized something life-changing: we were not alone! In this episode, I introduce a simple, practical exercise built around the word ANCHOR — a way to name what you’re feeling, touch the hard emotions, and begin replacing isolation with hope, healing, and connection. In today’s conversation, we explore: 💔 Why loneliness feels so heavy for adoptive parents  🌪️ How anxiety, overwhelm, and crisis often grow when we feel isolated ✍️ A simple writing exercise that helps identify emotional weight and invite healing 🤝 How community, connection, and faith help replace fear with hope  ⚓ Why grabbing hold of an anchor can change the way you walk through adoption trauma If you’re feeling alone, overwhelmed, or exhausted by the emotional weight of adoption, my prayer is that today’s episode reminds you of this truth: you are not alone 🙏 There is hope. There is healing. And there is support waiting for you 🌿 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether you made the right choice as a parent—especially when loving your child means making decisions that feel heartbreaking, confusing, or impossible to explain? 💭 For many Christian adoptive parents, the struggle isn’t just managing behavior or circumstances, it’s learning how to find calm when everything around you feels chaotic. How do you hold steady when fear, guilt, and uncertainty all collide at once? ✨ Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode goes back to the very beginning of this podcast. I’m revisiting the opening lines from Episode One, words that still give me chills because they carry the weight of one of the hardest seasons my wife Mary Beth and I have ever walked through. They come from the moment we left our son at residential treatment, carrying questions we couldn’t answer and fears we couldn’t escape: Would he hate us for loving him this much? Would he see this as the ultimate act of betrayal? Would he embrace the help we had finally found for him? What we knew was simple and devastating all at once, our son needed help that our love alone couldn’t give. I revisit these words not to relive the pain, but so I can sit with you in yours. In this episode, I share how that chaotic season—one later shaped by the realities of adoption trauma, became the place where I learned how to find calm in the chaos.  I introduce a simple, practical practice that helped ground me when everything felt overwhelming: becoming a “copycat.” In today’s conversation, we explore: ❓ What chaos really feels like for adoptive parents living with constant uncertainty 🌀 Why chaos feels inescapable when we only see confusion, fear, and endless storms ✍️ How slowing down with pen and paper can help calm the nervous system 📖 Why copying words rather than trying to “fix” feelings can bring peace 🌿 Why focusing on comforting words helps move you from chaos to calm If you’re carrying anxiety, questioning your decisions, or feeling like the storms in your home never stop, my prayer is that this episode reminds you that you are not failing and you are not alone. There is a way to experience calm, even here. 🙏✨ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether adoption is really what God wants for you especially after so many no’s, delays, or painful moments that leave you questioning everything? 💭 For many Christian adoptive parents, the struggle isn’t just about the process of adoption, it’s about learning how to trust God when the path forward feels unclear. How do you keep moving forward when faith and fear collide? ✨ Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode comes straight from the heart. I’m responding to a question shared inside our adoptive parent community, one that my wife Mary Beth and I know all too well: “We’re struggling with trusting that adoption is what God wants for us.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In this episode, I share parts of our own adoption journey, the doubts, the disappointments, the no’s, and the moments when we wondered if we had misunderstood God entirely.  I also share the story of a phone call we almost missed… a moment that became one of the clearest clues that God was at work, even when we couldn’t see the full picture. In today’s conversation, we explore: ❓ Why even faithful Christian couples struggle to trust God in adoption 📖 What the story of Gideon teaches us about asking God for reassurance 🧩 How God often provides “clues” instead of full answers 📞 The adoption phone call we were seconds away from missing—and why it mattered 🌱 How to trust God when you can only see one step ahead 📜 Why Proverbs 3:5–6 is an anchor verse for uncertain seasons In Scripture, we see a God who meets His people in their doubt, provides reassurance, and continues to guide them forward with patience and grace. 🌿 If you’re wrestling with trust, feeling worn down by the ups and downs of adoption, or wondering whether God really has this, I pray this episode reminds you that He sees the whole picture, even when you can only see the next step. 🙏✨ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

How can adoptive parents experience peace in their lives? I believe it can be as simple as learning to listen.  Hi Neighbor, Some of the questions I hear most often from other adoptive parents sound like this: ❓ How do you keep going when it feels overwhelming? 🌫️ How do you navigate the challenges, uncertainty, and weight of this journey? 💔 And especially this one… how can you be okay even when your kids aren’t? More than 25 years into this journey, the lessons I carry were shaped by: 🌙 Sleepless nights ⛈️ Hard seasons 🌿 Unexpected moments of quiet grace Those are the stories I want to share with you. I want to begin with something many adoptive parents are longing for but often feel is missing: 🕊️ Peace So the question becomes: How can adoptive parents experience peace in their lives? I believe it can be as simple as learning to listen. Anchors of hope and healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Book your anxiety management call with me today where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email to [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 And, if you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the behavioral challenges that can come with adoption wondering if love alone is enough? 💙
 When discipline feels like a daily battle and progress comes slower than expected, many adoptive parents quietly ask, “Am I doing this right?” 💭 Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode brings you the second half of a rich and honest conversation with adoptive father, clinical psychologist, and speaker Dr. Ray Guarendi. In this practical and encouraging discussion, Dr. Ray speaks directly to the realities adoptive parents often aren’t prepared for, discipline struggles, trauma-based behaviors, attachment concerns, and the perseverance required to parent children with complex histories. In Part One (Episode 221), Dr. Ray shared his family’s adoption journey, why he and his wife kept saying yes, and the often-unspoken realities of trauma histories, prenatal exposure, and safety concerns. In this episode, we move into the how of parenting:
 How do you discipline a child whose wiring is different?
 How do you balance firm standards with deep affection?
 And how do you persevere when attachment and bonding don’t happen on your timeline? Dr. Ray offers calm, confidence-building wisdom rooted in both professional experience and decades of parenting ten adopted children. This is an episode you may want to listen to with a pen and paper nearby. Together, we explore how to: 
🧭 Lead with calm, confident authority instead of power struggles and nagging
 🛠 Understand why some children need repetition, structure, and perseverance not quick fixes 🤍 Balance increased discipline with increased affection, reassurance, and one-on-one time
 🌱 Reframe attachment struggles by understanding trauma, prenatal exposure, and lived experience
 🕊 Persevere through hard seasons without lowering standards or losing hope Toward the end of the episode, we address common misconceptions around birth family reunions, attachment timelines, and the cultural messages that can quietly undermine an adopted child’s sense of belonging. At the close of the episode, I share a Biblical principle that has guided my own adoption journey: Practicing Pure and Undefiled Religion from James 1:27.  If you’ve ever questioned your approach to discipline, worried about attachment, or needed reassurance that perseverance truly matters, this episode will strengthen and steady your heart.💙 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor,
 Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Dr. Ray: Website Facebook Instagram Book – Adoption: Should You, Could You, and Then What?

Have you ever wondered if you’re really attaching to your adopted child or felt unsettled by how difficult parenting feels at times? 💔
 When love doesn’t seem to produce the results you expected, it can leave adoptive parents questioning themselves, their decisions, and even their hearts. 💭 Hi Neighbor, Adoption is beautiful, redemptive, and deeply meaningful but it can also be messy, exhausting, and far more complicated than most people ever talk about. In this heartfelt and honest conversation, clinical psychologist and adoptive father of ten, Dr. Ray Guarendi, pulls back the curtain on the realities adoptive parents often face after the paperwork is signed and the child comes home. This is Part One of a two-part conversation. In this episode, Dr. Ray shares his family’s adoption story, why he and his wife continued saying yes, and the hard realities that come with parenting children who have experienced trauma, neglect, prenatal exposure, or instability early in life. With humor, candor, and deep compassion, he normalizes the fears many adoptive parents are afraid to voice out loud. Together, we explore: 
🔍 Why adoption can be a “bumpy ride” even in loving, stable homes 
💬 Common fears adoptive parents carry 
🛑 Why safety, emotional, physical, and relational must always come first
 🤍 How challenging behaviors are often rooted in a child’s history, not parenting failure
 🌱 What it means to persevere when love doesn’t lead to quick or predictable results Throughout the conversation, Dr. Ray reassures adoptive parents that struggling does not mean failing and that feeling frustrated, uncertain, or worn down does not disqualify you from being the parent your child needs. At the end of the episode, I share a Biblical principle that has guided my own adoption journey: Practicing Steadfast Love. If you’ve ever felt anxious about your child’s future, questioned your parenting, or needed reassurance that you’re not alone in the hard parts of adoption, this episode will meet you right where you are. 💙 Part Two of this conversation continues with practical guidance on discipline, attachment, and persevering with confidence. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor,
 Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Dr. Ray: Website Facebook Instagram Book – Adoption: Should You, Could You, and Then What?  

Have you ever wondered whether the Bible actually models the kind of emotional honesty you’re trying to practice—especially in the middle of adoption trauma, parenting challenges, or the everyday noise that makes it hard to hear God? 💭 For many adoptive parents, seasons of overwhelm show up quietly, and the real question becomes: How do I slow down long enough to hear God’s voice again? ✨ Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode is a little different. Instead of me interviewing a guest, you’ll hear part two of my conversation with my friend Jenny Fulford, host of the Hearing God Daily podcast. Jenny invited me to share two things woven deeply into my story: how my son processed adoption trauma through journaling and how Scripture itself models emotional expression long before we had a word for it. ✍️ In this deep and practical conversation, we talk about: 🧠 How journaling helped my son work through adoption trauma 📖 Why the Psalms read like David’s raw, honest journal entries 💬 How Scripture models emotional processing—and why that matters for adoptive parents 📝 Simple ways to start journaling when you don’t know what to write ⏳ Why slowing down with God shifts your perspective and softens your heart One of my favorite moments is when Jenny and I walk through Psalms 3, 25, and 77—seeing the same pattern over and over: honesty → remembrance → peace → praise. It’s a biblical roadmap for emotional processing, and it’s the same pattern that has helped both me and my son navigate some of our hardest seasons. 🌿💡 This conversation reflects the heart of our community: supporting adoptive parents with Biblical truth, emotional tools, and real stories of how God meets us in the mess. 💙 Near the end, I share a simple journaling practice anyone can start today—copying Scripture word for word as a way to “write truth on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3). It’s one of the ways I’ve learned to slow down, breathe, and connect with God again. If you’ve been longing for a deeper connection with God, or wondering how to hear His voice through Scripture and journaling, this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and hope. 🙏✨ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S.The first part of this conversation can be heard in Episode 219. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever reached a point in your adoption journey where the weight of fear, uncertainty, or unanswered prayers felt like too much to carry on your own? 💔 For many adoptive parents, those moments show up quietly—and the real question becomes: How do I hear God when everything around me feels loud or overwhelming? 💭 Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode is a little different. Instead of interviewing a guest, I’m the one being interviewed by my friend Jenny Fulford, host of the Hearing God Daily podcast. Jenny invited me to share two things woven deeply into my story: the struggles I faced as an adoptive parent and how journaling became a lifeline in connecting with God. ✍️ In our conversation, we talk about: 📝 How journaling helped me through the hardest parts of our adoption journey 🔇 Why writing quiets the noise long enough to hear God again 💬 What honesty with God looks like when you’re afraid or overwhelmed 📖 How journaling anchors us in Scripture, truth, and reflection One of my favorite moments is when Jenny creates her own acrostic from a journaling prompt I gave her—right in the middle of the interview. It’s a beautiful reminder that God often speaks when we slow down enough to listen. 🌿💡 This episode reflects the heart of our community: helping adoptive parents grow spiritually and emotionally while navigating the complexities of adoption. 💙 Near the end, I share a biblical principle that has carried me through many difficult seasons: 📖 Psalm 62:8: “Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.” God doesn’t ask us to hide our fear—He invites us to bring it to Him. 🙏 If you’ve been longing for a deeper connection with God or wondering how to hear His voice in the middle of real-life challenges, this episode will offer encouragement, clarity, and hope. ✨ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.  Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Has your adopted child ever experienced loss, rejection, or disappointment when seeking connection with their birth family? 💔 It’s a deep, emotional pain that can shake both the child and the parent who longs to protect them. 💭 Hi Neighbor, When an adoptee reaches out to their birth family and is rejected, the pain can be overwhelming. In this emotional and practical conversation, adoption professional Jane Baker shares how adoptive parents can respond with empathy, compassion, and presence instead of platitudes. Learn what to say, how to support your child’s heart, and how to help them grieve without feeling alone. This is the final installment in our series on supporting adopted children as they learn their story and navigate reunions with birth parents. In earlier episodes: • Episode 210 focused on adopted children who simply want to know their story and how to answer their questions with honesty, empathy, and clarity. • Episode 212 explored what to say when your child’s story is painful or difficult to tell. • Episode 217 shared guidance on supporting your child when they reconnect with birth family, regardless of the outcome. In this conversation, Jane teaches us about the power of empathy and how to sit with our children in their grief instead of trying to fix, minimize, or explain it away. Together, we explore how to: 🔍 Support your child through the raw emotions of rejection, grief, and disappointment. 💬 Avoid platitudes that shut down emotional expression like, “Don’t cry” or “It’s God’s will.” 🧭 Prepare emotionally to hold space for your child’s pain without being overwhelmed yourself. 🌿 Reinforce their value and remind them they are never to blame for the actions of others. Jane also shares some of the most eye-opening moments she’s witnessed, from deep sorrow to cautious optimism, showing us what it means to walk alongside a child in their emotional reality. At the end of this episode, I share a Biblical principle from Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” A verse that reminds us to enter our child’s emotional world and reflect the heart of Christ—present, loving, and compassionate—not to fix or correct, but to validate and support. ✨ If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child process grief or rejection with courage and care, this episode will give you the clarity, tools, and reassurance you need. 💙 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

What if my child reaches out and gets rejected for a second time? 💔 Has your adopted child ever searched for their birth family with hope in their heart, only to face silence, disappointment, or outright rejection? It’s a kind of pain that shakes both the child and the parent who longs to protect them. 💭 Hi Neighbor, In this episode, I continue my conversation with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker, a woman who has spent decades walking with children and families through some of the most complex and emotional adoption stories. 🤝 This is the third installment in our series on helping adopted children understand, navigate, and process the truth of their story. In earlier episodes: • Episode 210 focused on adopted children who simply want to know their story and how to answer their questions with honesty, empathy, and clarity. • Episode 212 explored what to say when your child’s story is painful or difficult to tell. In this conversation, Jane helps us understand what happens when adoptees take the next step, seeking connection with birth parents or siblings and how parents can support them through the fragile hopes and unpredictable outcomes. 🌱 Together, we explore how to: 🔍 Support your child when social media makes birth-family discovery easier but far more complicated. 💬 Help them sort through expectations, fantasies, and the emotional realities of reunion. 🧭 Prepare both yourself and your child emotionally, spiritually, and practically. 🌿 Stay grounded so you can be a steady presence instead of being swept up in the hurt. Jane also shares some of the most heartbreaking and eye-opening moments she’s witnessed, stories of joyful connection, cautious optimism, and the crushing pain of renewed rejection. Her wisdom will help you see more clearly what your child might be carrying, even if they don’t have the words to say it. 💡 At the end of this episode, I share a Biblical principle from Psalm 34:18 that has shaped my own adoption journey, a reminder that God draws near to the brokenhearted and invites us to do the same. Some moments are not about fixing but about faithful, grounded presence. ✨ If you’ve ever wondered how to support your child through a reunion that brings more questions than answers, this episode will help you find clarity, courage, and compassion for the road ahead. 💛 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

When the path ahead feels unclear and your heart feels heavy with “what ifs,” it can seem like you’re walking through a fog that just won’t lift. Hi Neighbor, In this episode, we talk about what it means to trust God when you can’t see what’s next in your adoption journey. I’ll share 5 anxiety Bible verses—timeless truths from Scripture to help you find peace, courage, and direction when everything around you feels uncertain. Together, we’ll explore: ✨ How God’s Word becomes your “low beam” light in the fog 💛 Why slowing down often helps you see more clearly 🙏 The peace that comes from trusting God’s vantage point 🌿 How to apply biblical wisdom to your daily adoption struggles You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to know where to anchor your heart. If anxiety, doubt, or uncertainty have been clouding your parenting journey, this episode will remind you that God already sees what’s ahead and He’s guiding every step. 💙 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Book your anxiety management call with me today where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email to [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 And, if you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

When your story begins in loss, can it still lead to hope? 💛 What does it look like to let God rewrite your story of abandonment, identity, and belonging? Hi Neighbor, Sometimes the most powerful stories of faith begin in the hardest places. That’s true for my guest, Ayden Lincoln, an adoption advocate, author, and adult adoptee who was found abandoned in a shoebox in China and adopted into a family from Pennsylvania. Her journey from loss to purpose is one of resilience, redemption, and grace. In our conversation, Ayden shares how she’s learning to make peace with her beginnings while helping others find healing in theirs. Together, we talk about: ✨ The courage to face the pain of your story 💪 What it means to belong when your past feels broken 🌱 How faith can turn grief into growth Ayden reminds us that healing doesn’t mean forgetting where we came from—it means trusting God to bring beauty from what was once broken. 🙏 If you’ve ever questioned your place in the story, Ayden’s words will remind you that you are not forgotten—and that your beginning does not define your becoming. 💙 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Ayden: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter (X)

Are you in a season that feels more like survival than hope? What if healing doesn’t look like getting through it but learning to meet God in it? 🌿 Hearing God’s voice isn’t always easy, especially when life feels heavy and faith feels quiet. 💔 Hi Neighbor, In this heartfelt conversation, Jenny Fulford shares how God met her in a season of silence and loss, and how journaling became the tool that helped her listen again. ✍️ Out of that quiet, Laurent Paper Company was born — a faith-based stationery brand designed to help others slow down, notice God’s presence, and respond with hope. Jenny’s story reminds us that healing doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, honesty, and the courage to show up with what’s real. 💛 Through her experience, she offers a gentle way forward for anyone who’s ever wondered why their faith doesn’t feel as strong as it once did. Together, we talk about: ✨ The power of journaling as a spiritual practice 🌤️ How to make space to hear God’s voice in everyday life 🌱 Why our struggles often become the soil where faith grows And we find comfort in the promise of Isaiah 40:28–31 — “that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and rise again.” 🦅 If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right and still can’t hear God, this episode will remind you that He’s not distant. He’s speaking right where you are. 🙏 Anchors of hope and healing are waiting. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jenny: Hearing God Daily Podcast Hear From God Clearly & Confidently Workshop Instagram Facebook  Facebook Group Email  Join the Newsletter

Healing isn’t a quick fix! Patience is the real work of adoption. 💛 How can adoptive parents and adoptees apply these principles in their own journeys? Hi Neighbor, I’ve learned when I wrap up an interview to keep the recording going. Because more often than not, something unexpected and meaningful happens once the microphone should have been turned off. 🎙️ That’s exactly what took place after my conversation with Jackson TerKeurst. You can hear that interview in Episode 201. In this aftershow conversation, what began as a few closing remarks turned into a rich, heartfelt exchange filled with wisdom for both adoptees and adoptive parents. 💬 The journey from chaos to hope isn’t easy—but it’s possible. Jackson’s story takes us from war-torn Liberia and orphanages to a life anchored in faith, trust, and healing.  Together, we talk about: ✨ What it takes to build trust 💪 The power of consistency 🌱 How healing often grows in the soil of patience and faith If you’ve ever wondered whether the waiting will be worth it, or how to stay steady when the path ahead feels uncertain, Jackson’s story will remind you that God’s timing is never late—and that healing happens one faithful step at a time. 🙏 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jackson: Instagram Website Book

“If your own mother won’t fight to keep you, what does that say about you?” Has your adopted child ever asked a question that stopped you in your tracks? Something so deep and painful, you weren’t sure how to answer?💔 Hi Neighbor, In this powerful episode, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker. Jane brings decades of experience walking with children and families through the hard work of healing adoption trauma. In the first part of this series, we focused on adopted children who simply want to know their story—how to answer their questions, give them what they need, and respond with honesty and empathy. (You can listen to that conversation in Episode 210.) In this second part, Jane shares wisdom on what to say when your child’s story is hard to tell. This one will make you both laugh and cry. Together, we talk about how to: ✨ Help your child understand that their birth parents’ choices don’t define their worth. 💬 Respond to painful questions with honesty, empathy, and compassion. 🧩 Recognize when your child’s anger is really grief in disguise. 🌿 Create a safe space for healing—one quiet moment, one patient conversation at a time. Jane also shares one of the most profound moments of her career—a conversation with a little boy whose words capture the heartache many adopted children feel. His story will move you deeply and remind you of the sacred work you’re doing as a parent. I’ll also share a Biblical principle from 1 Corinthians 13:4 that ties beautifully into Jane’s wisdom. 📖 Some healing can’t be hurried. God’s love often works in the slow, quiet spaces. If you’ve ever wondered how to walk with your child through pain you can’t fix, this episode will encourage you to stay present, trust God’s timing, and love with patient endurance.💛 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

Imagine a group of compassionate adoptive parents. A safe place where people GET IT, share encouragement, and offer practical, faith-rooted support. Sounds amazing, right? 💛 Hi Neighbor, I’d like to take a moment to invite you into something special I built for adoptive parents. Something described in three words: compassion, connection, and community. If you’ve ever sat in the quiet after a hard day with your adopted child and thought, “Am I the only one going through this?” 😔 You’re not! I’ve been there too. I eventually found compassion, connection, and community through my anchors of encouragement. But I realized not every adoptive parent has that kind of support. That’s why I created this space: a community of compassionate adoptive parents who understand, who share encouragement, and who offer practical, faith-rooted support. If you’re in a season of difficulty with your adopted children, please take this opportunity to connect with us. We want to be there for you when you cry, when you need encouragement, or a safe embrace. 🤗 You don’t have to walk this journey alone. It's simple to join. Please go to the link in the show notes. Together we can walk this road: One step, One prayer, One season at a time. Compassion, connection, and community. That’s what you'll find when you join us today. We’d be honored to walk alongside you. If you know another adoptive parent who could use this kind of encouragement, would you please share this episode with them? Maybe text it to a friend who’s had a hard week, or post it on your social media. You never know. A simple share might be the lifeline someone else needs today. 💖 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. 👉 If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. I recorded a quick video to show you how. Thanks so much!

Has your child started asking questions about their birth family? 🤔 Do you worry about what to say or how much to share? 💬 What if your honesty could actually strengthen your child’s trust and sense of belonging? 💛 Hi Neighbor,  In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker.  Jane has walked alongside countless families navigating the tender emotions of adoption reunions when children want to know more about—or even meet—their birth families. 💞 Together, we talk about how to: ✨ Let your child set the pace in learning their story. 🕊️ Be the source of truth about their adoption—spoken with kindness. 💗 Share difficult details with honesty, empathy, and tact. 🌿 Care for your own emotions as a parent while guiding your child through theirs. I’ll also share a biblical principle that pairs perfectly with Jane’s wisdom. 📖 It’s a call to practice tact and kindness—to choose words that build understanding, confidence, and security in your child. If you’ve wondered how to handle these delicate moments with truth and grace, this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and hope.  Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

❗Are you constantly rushing, feeling like there’s never enough time in the day? 💭Do you long for real peace, but life’s chaos keeps pulling you away? 🌟What if slowing down could actually help you experience God’s presence more fully? Hi Neighbor, A simple card on my cabin door inspired this unplugged episode. “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” ~Dallas Willard I reflect on how embracing God’s gifts can help us ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives. Surrounded by God’s creation and longtime friends, I’ve been reminded that peace, calm, and rest are already available. We just need to make room for them. I’ll share 3 Biblical steps that have helped me experience these gifts from God. Whether you’re an adoptive parent navigating unique challenges, or simply someone feeling weary from life’s storms, I hope this episode encourages you to slow down and receive the peace, calm, and rest God offers. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

He experienced one tragedy after another 💔. If that wasn't enough, he then experienced the ultimate act of betrayal 😢. How could a son do this to his father? Life would never be the same. Yet through it all, he was still able to find peace. Hi Neighbor, As an adoptive parent, have you faced sleepless nights filled with fear, wondering if peace will ever come? Adoption can bring heartbreak no one else sees💔. In Psalm 3, David poured out his pain and found peace. This episode shows you how to do the same. We’ll explore Psalm 3 and the story of David, and I’ll share how journaling can be a powerful tool for adoptive parents to process their emotions and find peace in the middle of heartbreak. Even in sleepless nights and hidden tears, God sees, sustains, and gives rest to weary parents.🕊️ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 👉 If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. I recorded a quick video to show you how. Thanks so much!

He faced one discouraging obstacle after another. Yet through it all, he persisted. How did he do it? First, he partnered with God.  Hi Neighbor! Do you ever feel like you’re facing one discouraging obstacle after another in your adoption journey? You’re not alone. 💔 As an adoptive parent and coach, I know exactly what that feels like and how to persist through it. So, what’s my secret? Partnering with God and using journaling as a daily anchor. In this episode, I’ll share: ✨ My personal journaling experience ✨ Inspiration from one of my favorite Bible characters in Genesis 39 ✨ An easy way to start journaling—even if you’ve never done it before ✨ How pen-to-paper can help you partner with God And so much more. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 Here are a couple of my favorite Bible Apps for comparing translations. YouVersion and Blue Letter Bible

It was the worst advice I ever received as an adoptive parent and, strangely enough, it turned out to be the best advice too. Hi Neighbor, If you’ve ever felt crushed by unsolicited advice 😣 or wondered if you’re failing your kids 💔, you’re not alone. Some words sting and stay with you—but sometimes, with time and perspective, they can also become lifelines. In this episode, I share the story of how a piece of “terrible” advice was both the worst and best advice I ever received. On its own, it wasn’t enough. But paired with a fresh perspective and the right support, it became a foundation for hope and healing. Curious what it was? Tune in for an honest look at the adoption journey and the surprising wisdom hidden in hurtful words. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot—I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” 🌿 Ecclesiastes 3:1  Whatever season you’re in on your adoption journey, we can get through it together.  If you’re feeling lost as an adoptive parent, THIS could be your lifeline. Remember, you’re not alone!  Hi Neighbor, Solomon in Ecclesiastes reminds us: there’s a time for everything. Whether you’re grieving 😢, celebrating 🎉, or searching for answers 🔎 in your adoption journey, every season has value and purpose. Every adoption journey has its own season. Sometimes joyful, sometimes tough💔. You’re not alone walking through it. There’s a community waiting to support you, no matter what chapter you’re in. Are you feeling lost as an adoptive parent? You don’t have to walk alone. Find encouragement, and let others walk with you through the highs and lows. Connection is your lifeline.  Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

How do you navigate through the fog of life? I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point ✨. Someone who can shine the light on your path. Hi Neighbor, Adoptive life can feel foggy, uncertain, and overwhelming. Sometimes the best way forward is to slow down, trust a higher perspective 🙏, and let go of needing to see every step ahead. What would it look like for you to drive with “low beams” today? In this special mindset episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point, Someone who can shine a light on your path. We’ll consider this question in light of verses found in Psalm 119, Ecclesiastes 12, Micah 6, and Mark 12. And finally, make a direct application to the adoption journey from James 1. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.  

Why do bad things happen to good people?  Sometimes the answer can only be seen through the perspective of time ⏳. Hi Neighbor! In this episode, we’ll dive into the story of Joseph in Genesis 📖 and see how time gave him clarity on why he suffered the things he did. We’ll also explore 1 Corinthians and Romans to discover 3 powerful benefits of why good people and especially adoptive parents walk through seasons of suffering. 💔 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

As an adoptive parent, the way you were parented may or may not be the best approach in parenting your adopted child. Hi Neighbor! When what you’re doing as a parent 🚫 isn’t working, how do you flip the script 🔄 and approach parenting differently? 🤔 In this episode, one of the individuals who helped my son Jonny navigate the challenges of residential treatment joins the show. My neighbor 🏡 Erich Nelson shares a script 📝 that adoptive parents can use to de-escalate a volatile situation ⚡ by empowering their children 💪. Grab a pen ✍️ and paper 📄 — this is definitely an episode for which you’ll want to take notes. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Tim P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Follow Erich’s The DoLifeBig Project

When connection feels impossible, is it still love? (Yes! Here’s how.) Hi Neighbor, Today, I’m joined by my neighbor from West Africa by way of Nashville, Jackson TerKeurst. Jackson opens up about his journey from civil war in Liberia to Tennessee, and what it was like to be an adopted teenager with walls built for survival. He brings a powerful perspective on what love felt like on the receiving end of trauma… and what helped him slowly open the door to connection 🔓❤️. 🎧 You’ll hear:  • 🧠 What adoptive parents need to understand about the “shut down” behaviors they often misread
  • 🪨 How Jackson’s parents stayed steady, even when he wouldn’t engage
  • 🔑 What finally broke through the silence (and what didn’t)
  • 💔 Practical encouragement for the parent who feels like their love isn’t working This episode dives deep into what it means to love through rejection 🚫, resistance 🌀, and silence 🤐 — the painful places trauma creates when a child’s heart can’t receive the love you're offering. If you’re an adoptive parent or someone walking alongside a family impacted by trauma, this episode will encourage you to stay rooted in hope even when it’s hard to see fruit. You’ll learn how to hold space, stay steady, and love through layers of trauma. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
 Your Neighbor,
 Tim P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jackson: Instagram Website Book

If you’ve ever felt like no one truly understands what you’re going through as an adoptive parent, you’re not alone and you’re not broken. Hi Neighbor, Today marks not only our 200th episode, but also the third anniversary of this podcast. What started as a simple idea and a backyard walk has now grown into a global community of adoptive parents seeking encouragement, connection, and biblical hope. In this milestone episode, I’ll take you back to where it all began. I’m recording from my outdoor “studio,” the same backyard path where I first began sharing adoption content three years ago. I reflect on the origin of the podcast, the evolution of its name, and the heart behind every episode: letting adoptive parents know they’re not alone in the hard work of parenting. You’ll also get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the podcast and community. Coming attractions include: 💬 Adoption Life Coaching – Biblically grounded, experience-based coaching for adoptive parents 📧 Email Community – Behind-the-scenes content, affirmations, and parenting tools delivered weekly 🎥 YouTube Channel – Additional video content and encouragement 🎙️ Expert Interviews – Hear from therapists, counselors, and adoptees themselves 🧭 Daily Doables & Practical Tools – More actionable ways to apply spiritual truths and regulate emotions 🌐 Streamlined Access – To easily find coaching, community, and podcast extras If you’ve ever felt like no one understands the unique struggles of adoption, this episode is for you. You’ll hear how community, coaching, and Scripture have shaped this podcast and how they can support you too. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way! Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. Join the private Facebook community: TimSuggests.com/community

Have you ever been so frustrated by things going on around you that you couldn't see clearly, you couldn't think clearly, your judgment was impaired? What's a person to do about that? May I suggest you work on raising your awareness? Hi Neighbor! In this episode, I share a personal story about a time when I became so frustrated that I almost missed a positive opportunity that was right in front of me. It’s something I need a constant reminder about and I hope it will encourage you too. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents. I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [email protected] If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Is adoption life chaotic for you? Is it even possible to find peace in the middle of meltdowns, uncertainty, and daily struggles? I believe it is. Not just to see calm from a distance but to actually experience it, even in the middle of the storm.  But first, you’ll need to become a copycat. Hi Neighbor, If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious as an adoptive parent, you’re not alone. Anxiety Management is a real need in the trenches of adoptive parenting—and today, we’re talking about 3 Write ways to copy the right example and see calm in chaos. In this episode, we’ll explore: What it looks like to manage anxiety practically and spiritually. Why following the right example can lead to peace. 3 powerful ways to “copy” your way to calm. PLUS: A bonus copycat strategy you won’t want to miss. And your Daily Doable to help put it all into practice. You don’t have to live in constant survival mode. Anchors of hope and healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents. I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [email protected] If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Have you ever felt completely alone—like you were the only one facing something so hard it seemed no one else could understand? What do you do in those moments? Who do you turn to? If you’re an adoptive parent feeling that way right now, may I gently suggest this: it’s time to grab hold of an anchor. Hi Neighbor,⁣ I’m imagining an adoptive parent listening to this episode, feeling isolated and overwhelmed. I know that feeling well because my wife and I have been there, too. There were times we were convinced no one else could possibly understand what we were walking through. The adoption journey can be incredibly hard. But it doesn’t have to be lonely. If you’re feeling alone, please hear this, you’re not. In this episode, let’s talk about how to find your anchor when the waves hit hard. Anchors of hope and healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents. I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [email protected] If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

“By the time he left, I felt like I was close to a mental breakdown. And I would tell my husband over and over, I can’t do this much longer. I just can’t.  You know, I would go sit in the Walmart parking lot for three hours until he went to bed. And so I was avoiding my whole family. That affected my husband because here my husband is supposed to be my protector, but legally he can’t protect me against this thirteen-year-old who’s constantly verbally abusing me.” Hi Neighbor, Navigating the complexities of parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a journey few understand, yet many adoptive parents endure in silence.  In this episode, I sit down with Karen, an adoptive mother of six and a survivor of the extraordinary challenges RAD can bring to a family. Her vulnerability is a reminder that while this path is isolating, hope and healing are possible. RAD is a daily battle that can reshape a family. In Karen, we see what it means to survive, to keep going, and to find strength through connection and support. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents. I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [email protected] If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.    

Could it be that the very struggles you've walked through have prepared you to encourage someone else? Hi Neighbor!⁣ Why do bad things happen in life? Some might say, “That’s just life.” But I believe there’s a deeper meaning behind that question, something worth pausing to reflect on. In this episode, let’s reframe that narrative together. I’ll share a moment from David’s life in Psalm 13, a powerful example from Paul in 2 Corinthians 1 and 7, and a bold conversation with a queen in Esther 4. Through their stories, we’ll explore 3 ways you can help someone restore the sparkle in their eyes even in the middle of hardship. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents. I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [email protected] If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.  

Even adults who haven’t been through trauma can tell you that it’s sometimes difficult to talk about our feelings. I think that is the beauty of music therapy. Because clients can come. They don’t necessarily need to say exactly what they want to explore. We can just explore in music. Hi Neighbor, Did you know that music can be a powerful tool for healing in the lives of adopted children navigating trauma? Today, I’m excited to welcome back my neighbor from London, Crystal Luk-Worrall. Crystal is a music therapist, EMDR practitioner, and clinical supervisor who specializes in helping children and families heal from early trauma. In Episode 180, Crystal introduced us to EMDR therapy—a powerful approach for adoptive parents supporting kids through trauma. In this episode, she shares her personal journey—from aspiring concert pianist to discovering her true calling as a music therapist. Crystal explains how music opens up new pathways for communication and healing. Music allows kids to express what words often can’t. In therapy, it becomes a bridge—not just between sounds, but to feelings that may be too big or complex to name. As parents, we can help our children explore their emotions rather than suppress them. Grab a pen and paper—Crystal has some simple, practical ways you can start incorporating music therapy at home. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Listen to today’s episode and share it with fellow adoptive parents. These conversations foster strength and understanding in our community. Be the anchor others may need right now. Connect with Crystal: Freebie: https://www.clapandtoot.com/6waystoregulate Website: https://www.clapandtoot.com/ Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-luk/   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always consult your healthcare provider with your health questions and concerns. As is the case with anyone that I bring on the show to talk to you, I encourage take notes and listen to the information. Then do your due diligence and use what you can in your adoption journey to parent your child the best way you can.

Sometimes, life has a way of knocking the wind out of us, suddenly and without warning. Hi Neighbor, How do you navigate those unexpected changes or losses that shake your world? Over time, I’ve learned to find steady ground through simple practices, prayer, journaling, or even a quiet walk outside. In the midst of grief, these anchors have become pockets of peace. I’ve also come to lean on the people in my life, my anchors. Friends who listen, support, and encourage me when life is difficult. In today’s episode, I reflect on the sudden loss of a dear friend, Shannon, one of those anchors who passed away without warning. His life reminds me of the kind of steady, hopeful presence, and anchor we all need. Anchors of hope and healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S My thoughts and prayers are with Shannon’s wife, Dana, and the entire family. Though there will be tears, sorrow, and pain now, Shannon knew that one day God will wipe away every tear. You’re not alone in this journey. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you’re going through.

When your adopted child is struggling, how can you support them while being okay yourself? Hi Neighbor, Ever felt like your adopted child was stuck in an emotional ditch? Today’s segment, Getting Out of the Ditch, comes from Episode 183. Jane Baker uses a powerful metaphor: if your child is down in a ditch, you can’t help them by jumping in after them.  I want to encourage you to listen, take notes, and sit with the idea or ideas that speak to you. You can be okay even if your kids aren’t.   Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Listen to today’s episode and share it with fellow adoptive parents. These conversations foster strength and understanding in our community. Be the anchor others may need right now. Contact Jane: • Phone Number: (256) 353-8528 • Email: [email protected] • Website: Adoption Associates

As adoptive parents, we often face incredibly challenging moments, especially when our kids are struggling or make choices that push us to the brink. Hi Neighbor, When things go south, what can you do? You can call the therapist, the case worker, or sometimes, even the police. But what’s next? How can you be okay even if your kids aren’t? Today’s segment, Call for Pizza, comes from Episode 183. I want to encourage you to listen, take notes, and sit with the idea or ideas that speak to you. You can be okay even if your kids aren’t. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Listen to today’s episode and share it with fellow adoptive parents. These conversations foster strength and understanding in our community. Be the anchor others may need right now. Contact Jane: • Phone Number: (256) 353-8528 • Email: [email protected] • Website: Adoption Associates

He was called son. He was called grandson. He was called nephew. He was called cousin, and he was called brother. But he was never called husband. He was never called daddy, and he was never called grandpa because he never came home. I hope when I’m finished telling you his story, you might consider calling him hero. Hi Neighbor, This episode was recorded as we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day in the United States. The federal holiday for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. In this episode, I share the story of my hero, Uncle Lloyd. A hero I only knew from a picture on a wall. Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Listen to today’s episode and share it with fellow adoptive parents. These conversations foster strength and understanding in our community. Be the anchor others may need right now.