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

Could it be the struggles you have gone through, have prepared you to encourage someone else? Hi Neighbor!⁣ Why do bad things happen in life? One might say, that’s just life. But I believe there is a deeper meaning to that question.  In this episode, let’s reframe that narrative. I would like to share a psalm of David, a story in the life of Paul, and a conversation with a queen to show you 3 ways...

When I saw it, my heart sank. I thought I had just killed my boys. Hi Neighbor!⁣ Today I would like to switch up topics a little bit. I’m not going to talk about adoption but I would like to talk about something that is encouraging.  In this podcast, I talk about how to weather storms in life. In this episode, I would like to talk about a weather story. It’s going to start a little dark but stay w...

It was a day my wife and I had looked forward to celebrating with our son for years. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a day of celebration turned into a day of tears. Hi Neighbor!⁣ Is it possible to be okay even if your adoptive child is not? I’m here to tell you IT IS possible. Is it going to be easy? No! In this episode, I want to share the story of a conversation I had with my son Jonny f...

If you asked me four years ago if I would ever have a conversation like I’m having today with my son, I don’t know that I would have believed you. Hi Neighbor!⁣ If there’s one thing I want to give other adopted parents today, it’s hope. There’s hope if you just hang in there. And as you’re going to see in this episode, if you can get tools that your child will embrace, then there’s the possibility...

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!⁣ In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I’m going to begin a new feature on the podcast. Each week I would like to bring to you a journaling exercise. I’m calling these Pen-to-Paper Journaling Prompts. They are based on my own journaling experience....

How can adoptive parents find Support and Peace in the storms of life? May I suggest you seek out your safe harbors? Hi Neighbor! What would it feel like to have support and peace when life gets tough? I know what it feels like when that hasn’t been the case. Perhaps you do too. In this episode, I would like to consider three ways adoptive parents can find support and peace in the storms of life....

Is adoption life chaotic for you? Is it possible for adoptive parents to find calm in the chaos? I believe it's not only possible to see it, but I believe it's possible to experience calm in chaos too. But first, you have to become a copycat. Hi Neighbor! Would you like to find calm in the chaos of life storms? In this episode, we will consider 3 WRITE Ways to Be a Copycat and See Calm In Chaos? P...

Life has just sucker punched you. It's late at night. You're alone with your thoughts and you cannot process the pain that you're in. What do you do? May I suggest that you reach out to a Nocturnal Anchor? Hi Neighbor! Stuff happens in life, but not on our timetable. It seems to happen at the most inopportune time, but it's how we react and what we do that makes the difference or can make the diff...

A Conversation With Adoption Trauma Therapist, Jane Baker Hi Neighbor!⁣⁣⁣⁣ This is Part 2 of my interview with Jane Baker. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, you can catch that in Episode 8 . As an adoptive parent, there were many times I doubted myself. I thought I had failed my boys. That kind of thinking does not serve you or your family well. This episode is very TACTICAL. Jane will discuss tr...

A Conversation With Adoption Trauma Therapist, Jane Baker Hi Neighbor!⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣In this episode, I'm excited to introduce to you, my neighbor from Alabama, Jane Baker. Jane will be talking about adoption and adoption trauma. One thing you’re going to notice right away is Jane’s passion for adopted kids. It was her passion that made a huge difference in my son’s life and my family. Jane was a member o...

Why in the world would someone who lives so far away from me, call me that? Hi Neighbor! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we would just greet each other with a simple phrase, Hi Neighbor? In this episode, I would like to share with you a couple of stories to illustrate why I just called you Neighbor. And then secondly, why I created the podcast Anchors of Encouragement. I hope you enjoy this episode. Y...

I Was Dreading This Moment. It Was Time to Say Goodbye! Hi Neighbor! Have you ever had to say a hard goodbye? We all have. They can turn you into a nervous wreck. You’re anxious, scared, and unsure of yourself. I know I was. Today, I would like to share with you a story about the hardest goodbye I’ve ever had to say. I’ve said final goodbyes to both my parents. Those were hard goodbyes, but the go...

Maybe You Should Tell Yourself to Take a Hike! Hi Neighbor! Are you stressed and overwhelmed? It’s hard not to be. Are there times when you have trouble breathing? In this episode, I’m going to encourage you to tell yourself to Take a Hike! We’ll look at 3 benefits of walking as we consider the Healthy Boundaries Anchor.  To your health and less stress! Tim P.S. I’ll also share a bonus benefit for...

Ever Said Something Out of Anger or Frustration? Become a Paper Tiger Instead? Hi Neighbor! Have you ever said something out of anger or frustration and as soon as it left your mouth, you wish you could take it back?  Been there and done that more times than I care to remember. In this episode, I want to encourage you to become a Paper Tiger instead. But not a paper tiger in the traditional sense....

Why You Should Ignore Your Critics? Hi Neighbor! You’re trying to do your best but there is someone on the sidelines criticizing your every move. Discouraging? You bet! I’ve been there. In this episode, I would like to share with you a 2,000-year-old story and how one person stood up to her critics and did what she could. This story explains the Biblical Guidance Anchor. We’ll also consider 3 reas...

Rain In Your Heart? Seek Shelter Under the Umbrella of a Friend Hi Neighbor! Have you ever had rain in your heart? Sometimes it can feel like a drizzle while other times it feels like a downpour. Where can you go for shelter? I believe the solution is found under the umbrella of a friend. In this episode, I would like to share this idea of an umbrella with you and explain how it relates to the Enc...

Would He Hate Us for Loving Him This Much? Hi Neighbor!  Did you finally realize your dream of having a family only to have your Happily-Ever-After turn into a nightmare?  Does your life feel like a constant storm that pounds away at you physically, emotionally, and spiritually? What would it feel like for someone to just sit with you in the trenches of trauma? I’ve been there. My life had gotten...

Welcome to a new chapter of our podcast journey. Previously known as Anchors of Encouragement, our podcast is now called Adoption Struggles and Support.  We’ve rebranded to make the podcast easier for struggling adoptive parents to find and access the support they need in their parenting journey.  To introduce this new chapter, we released an updated trailer that reflects our renewed focus on prov...