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Whether you seek to add to your family through foster care, private domestic adoption or you are called to travel internationally, every adoption story is uniquely beautiful. Yet, each shares a common language of calling, loss, and hardship.
As Christian parents we have a deep desire to love and shepherd our children well, but it can be challenging to navigate loss, trauma and how to best love and guide our adopted children. One thing is for sure, adoption is more than a process, it is an invitation to go on a holy journey with the Lord and with your family. Like any journey, there will be valleys along with mountain tops and battles along with the beauty. The good news is, what the Lord calls you to, He will equip you for.
Wherever you are in your journey, Called to Love is here to bring you a weekly dose of encouragement from the practical, clinical, and Biblical perspective along with personal stories from adoptive parents, adult adoptees and advice from various experts to help your family thrive in your journey and continue to say "yes " to your own call to love.
All Episodes:
Answering the Call for Older Teen Adoption with Della Lago →
Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!
In this episode, I am joined by Della Lago, an adoptive mom and advocate for how Christians everywhere can play a role in supporting teens in the foster care system. Della shares her personal journey of adopting a 17-year-old girl from a group home, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building trust and connection. Our conversation highlights the realities faced by teens aging out of foster care, the importance of community support, and the need for a safe space for these youth to dream and thrive.
Della emphasizes that every child deserves a family and encourages listeners to step up and make a difference. She also shares the importance of understanding trauma, the need for community support, and the role of faith in the healing process. Together, we provide practical advice for families considering foster care and highlights the significance of being open to unexpected joys and connections that come with this journey.
I am so glad youve decided to join us today! Below are resources from Della to learn more:
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected].
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Lifting Our Eyes to God as Foster and Adoptive Parents →
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Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!
In this episode, I am joined by Whitney Newby, author of the new book Lift Your Eyes: Daily Invitations to Behold Christ in Motherhood, founder of Brighter Day Press, and a homeschooling mom of four. Whitney joins me to talk about the challenges and beauty of motherhood, particularly in the context of foster care and adoption.
Whitney shares insights from her upcoming devotional based on Psalm 121, emphasizing God's attributes as a source of comfort and strength for mothers. Our conversation highlights the importance of relying on God for help and rest amidst the demands of parenting. Together, we explore the challenges of motherhood, emphasizing the importance of faith in God's provision, overcoming feelings of failure and comparison, and finding stillness amidst the chaos. We also offer practical ways to lift our eyes to Christ and incorporate biblical truths into daily rhythms, encouraging mothers to trust in God's promises and create an atmosphere of worship in their homes.
Here are a few takeaways:
-Psalm 121 is a comforting scripture for mothers.
-God's attributes provide strength and reassurance in motherhood.
-Jesus invites us to find rest in Him amidst our weariness.
-God's grace is sufficient for us in our weaknesses.
-We need to lean on God as our helper and provider. Leaning into faith in God's provision is essential for mothers.
-Comparison can lead to feelings of isolation and guilt.
-Living out our faith in front of our children is impactful.
Connect with Whitney:
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected].
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Trusting God With What We Cannot Control: Waiting for Adoption →
Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!
In this episode, I discuss the challenges and realities of waiting for adoption. The most important thing is trusting God during this process and part of that is managing expectations and actively engaging in the waiting process through praise, seeking God, and serving others. Throughout todays conversation, I want to encourage you with scripture and my own experience as someone who struggles to wait.
Here are a few takeaways:
-Waiting is a part of life and a valuable experience.
-Impatience is a common struggle, not limited to modern society.
-The average wait time for adoption can be lengthy and unpredictable.
-Adoption often involves the reality of broken families.
-We can control our expectations, how we wait, and what we do while we wait.
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected].
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Trusting God With What We Cannot Control: Our Kids Choices →
Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!
In this episode, I discuss what to do and how to respond to the choices our adopted or foster children make. This topic is one of the first inspirations for this podcast as many families have asked me what to do when a situation arises where your child is making problematic, concerning, even destructive and harmful choices.
It is important to always remember that God is in control and we cannot control our children. Even in the most loving Christian homes, children will be led astray and make bad choices. The question in this episode is how do we respond to it in a loving and protective way. I encourage you to acknowledge your weakness, embrace your role as the parent, and understand that your childs choices do not define you as a parent, nor do they define your child.
Heres a few key takeaways youll find in this episode:
-Trusting God is essential when facing challenges in parenting.
-Parents should not lose confidence in their role due to children's choices.
-Love should be confident and not fearful.
-It's okay to acknowledge weaknesses and seek support from God.
-Perfection in parenting is unrealistic; mistakes will happen.
-Children's identities are not defined by their parents' successes or failures.
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected].
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Trusting God With What We Cannot Control Sexual Abuse →
Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!
In this episode, I discuss the complex and multifaceted issue of trusting God in the face of abusive situations within the foster care system. This episode topic was inspired by a listeners question - this is a very real issue that so many foster parents face. That is why this episode is focused on some practical advice and how to lean into the Lord when we dont understand the why behind these situations. I emphasize the importance of focusing on what can be controlled, such as prayer and education, while advocating for children's rights and safety.
It is incredibly important that foster and adoptive parents provide a safe environment, create a safety plan, and be a voice for the children in their care. Empower these children beyond their trauma and trust in God's sovereignty over their circumstances.
Heres a few key takeaways youll find in this episode:
-Focus on what you CAN control (Like prayer! Specific prayer!)
-Teach your children proper body anatomy, safe touch, and boundaries with adults
-KNOW your rights as foster and adoptive parents!
If the children in your care do not have a history of sexual abuse, it is still super important to stay informed and create a safety plan to prevent it. I hope this episode has been empowering and informative.
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected].
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
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