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

Hi Neighbor, Is it possible to experience opportunities in obstacles? I believe it’s not only possible but often the very catalyst that promotes personal transformation.  Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore how to turn your obstacles into opportunities with journaling. This is the fifth episode in a 7-part series on journaling. Reflecting and journaling about adoption trauma led me to create t...

Hi Neighbor, Have you ever had so many ideas running through your head at one time that it was hard to think straight? Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore how to unclog a log jam of ideas through journaling.  This is the fourth episode in a 7-part series on journaling. Your Daily Doable includes a journaling prompt to help you easily clear your head AND retain those ideas you don’t want to for...

Hi Neighbor, The right word at the right time by the right person has the power to not only change your mood, it can change your entire day. It’s an amazing feeling when that happens. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could do that for yourself without waiting for someone to do it for you? You can! Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore how to tap into the power of affirmations through journaling....

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.  Hi Neighbor!⁣ Today’s episode marks the second anniversary of this podcast. I want to thank those of you who have supported this podcast, many from the beginning. As I’ve gotten to know more of you over these past 2 years, there is one recurring theme for those adoptive par...

Hi Neighbor, Do you find yourself reliving reruns in your life? Another way to put it is this, do you see yourself living out your version of Groundhog Day? Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore this concept together. This is the second episode of a 7-part series on journaling. As we consider the concept of reliving reruns in our lives, I have some journaling prompts to help identify those thoug...

Hi Neighbor, How do you typically handle mental blocks? Have you tried unplugging? In this first of a 7-part series on journaling. I want to share how to get unstuck when your brain just won’t cooperate. Whether it’s finding answers or solving problems, sometimes we just need to UNPLUG. Here’s how. We’ll consider this concept with a jumble of the word JOURNAL. Journaling is my favorite go-to metho...

Hi Neighbor, Welcome to another walking episode of Anchors of Encouragement. Today, I’m coming to you from my backyard studio. Based on three separate conversations I’ve recently had with adoptive parents, I want to share an important concept with you. The ONE thing adoptive parents NEED to know. It’s something that makes navigating the highs and lows of the adoption journey doable. To understand...

I wish the conversation you’re about to listen to had been available for me years ago, not because I like to hear myself speak. Conversations like this could have helped me navigate some of the challenges my wife and I faced in our adoption journey. Hi Neighbor, Returning on this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, is my neighbor from Alabama, Erich Nelson. Erich was first on the show in Episode...

“To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.” ~Dr. Seuss Hi Neighbor, In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I share my reaction to the movie Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, brought to you by Angel Studios. This film is a mirror for so many of us on the adoption journey. As an adoptive parent myself, I saw my own story reflected in powerfu...

How can I serve you better? Hi Neighbor, As an adoptive parent myself, I’ve walked the path filled with both joy and challenges. My mission is to share stories, offer biblical encouragement, and bring on experts to help you navigate this unique journey. I want to walk you home! That gets us to today’s question: How can I serve you better? In private conversations I’ve had with adoptive parents, th...

Foster care is intended to be a temporary solution to what should be a temporary problem. The goal is always reunification. The focus is to find families that meet the needs of the child, rather than finding children that fit the needs of the family. The child comes first! Hi Neighbor, Joining me on this episode of Anchors of Encouragement is my neighbor from Atlanta, Dr. Kimberly Offutt. Dr. Kim...

I surprised my friends who went with me. Honestly, I surprised myself too because I never imagined that I would allow myself to do what I was about to do. I was anxious and I was nervous. And not to be overly dramatic, but in some respects, I was scared to death. However, I did it. And it was one of the most exhilarating forms of respite I've ever experienced. Hi Neighbor, Welcome to another unplu...

When it came time to say goodbye, I couldn’t get the words out. I gently rubbed his head one last time and walked away. Hi Neighbor, Welcome to a special memorial episode of Anchors of Encouragement. I want to share something deeply personal and touching with you today. There comes a time in every pet parent’s life when we must say goodbye to our beloved companions. This episode is my tribute to A...

I couldn't sleep, so I’m up doing what I learned from Jonny to regulate myself. I never know the direction these quiet moments will take, but I know something positive always happens... and that’s what I want to share with you today. Hi Neighbor, Do you enjoy unexpected, positive surprises? I do! In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I share a story about why I value the anchor of solitude...

Are you having trouble sleeping? You’re restless. You’re tossing and turning. Maybe you had too much caffeine that day. Maybe you have a busy calendar the next day and you’re concerned about everything you have to do. For adoptive parents, maybe it’s out of concern for your children. I know this can leave you anxious. Your mind is racing. You’re losing sleep. What can you do? Hi Neighbor, Are rest...

How can adoptive parents prepare themselves for the challenges they will face in their adoption journeys? May I suggest it can be as simple as picking up sticks? Hi Neighbor, In this unplugged episode, I want to share 2 stories that will illustrate the concept of the Daily Doable and how it relates to adoptive parents and the storms they will face in their adoption journeys. I’m pulling back the c...

Have you ever sent your future self a letter of encouragement? I did and it turned out to be the boost I needed at exactly the right time. Hi Neighbor, As I journaled through ideas for a new episode, I came across one idea in particular. As I explored it, I rediscovered an episode from early in this podcast. It contained a message that I needed to hear. Chances are if I needed to hear that message...

Would he hate us for loving him this much? We didn’t know. Would he see this as the ultimate act of betrayal? We didn’t know. Would he embrace the help we had finally found for him? We didn’t know. What we did know was our son needed help, help our love couldn’t give him. Hi Neighbor, Today I want to take you back to the beginning. The beginning of this podcast with a story of one of the most diff...

“After you journal for a certain amount of time, you get into that comfortable practice with it, it starts to become your natural release.” ~Jonny Maudlin Hi Neighbor, Today, I would like to share a special encore episode where we’ll circle back to a conversation I had with my son Jonny about one of the tools he learned in residential. This tool was instrumental in Jonny liking himself again, and...

Have you ever said something out of anger or frustration? If you answered 'yes' I invite you to listen to this encore episode of Anchors of Encouragement, where I’ll share how you can get rid of your frustrations without saying a word. Hi Neighbor, I would like to share with you a special encore episode where we’ll circle back to the beginning and consider one of my 3 core anchors, self-awareness....

Are you an adoptive parent looking for hope and practical strategies to navigate the unique challenges of adoption? Would hearing from both a parent and a child about their journey through the adoption process and coming out stronger on the other side be helpful to you? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, I invite you to listen to this encore episode of Anchors of Encouragement, where...

It seemed like it would be the perfect spot to experience this moment, but I wasn't sure I would be allowed to go there. As it turned out, I was, and it was perfect. Hi Neighbor, Recently, I got to witness nature put on one of its most stunning shows – a total solar eclipse. It was a few moments of profound introspection. This episode of Anchors of Encouragement is all about that. I want to tell y...

“An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” ~Henry David Thoreau Hi Neighbor, In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to share 3 reasons why I step away from my day-to-day activities and go for a walk. The simple act of walking can be a tremendous source of solace and strength. And I want to encourage you to walk for wellness too. You’ll realize benefits that wil...

In the challenges of life’s storms, where anxiety wears you down, where can you look to find your anchor amidst the chaos? May I suggest you look up to the sky to the anchor of promise. Hi Neighbor, Earlier this week, I experienced a vivid reminder of God’s faithfulness, a rainbow. In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I’ll share that story and tie it to the promises God made to people gene...

Have you ever found the wording in a Bible verse confusing and hard to understand? Well, I’ve been there. In this episode, I want to show you a simple way to not only understand the meaning of a Bible verse but also 3 ways to help you anchor to the text. Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode is based on a question from one of our listeners from Episode 99. If you have a question or comment for me, please s...