Moms Take Ten

Resharing episode 57, "Kneeling with Jesus in the Garden" in preparation for Good Friday.  Motherhood is hard. It can bring us to our knees asking God for a different way, an easier way. Jesus was familiar with that request as he himself pleaded with God for a different way in the Garden of Gethsemane. Both our struggle and Jesus' find their roots in a different garden, the Garden of Eden.  Refere...

Have you found yourself struggling after a new foster placement or your adoption was finalized? The adjustment just feels harder than it should and your mental health seems to be struggling? My friend, Natalie Stage, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, joins me for this episode to talk about post placement mental health. It is a real thing. It happens to many of us. And there is hope and h...

We are diving into the Moms of the Bible series a week early this month with a look at Rahab. She's often thought of as the woman who saved the spies, not as a mom. But she was both. Her act of loyal love towards the spies not only helped the Israelite people enter the promised land, but paved the way for her descendants to enter into the loyal love of God through his son Jesus Christ.  Interested...

Kayla North, of One Big Happy Home , shares with us some of her journey with foster care and adoption. Through it all, she has seen God working in her own life and heart, calling out lies and declaring his truth. She encourages all of us moms to be willing and open to let him do the same in us. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to sa...

Are you a bonus mom? Then this episode is for you. Brittney Phillips, a Christian blended families coach, wants to encourage you and let you know that you are not alone! If you feel you are or things are difficult and you want support, or just to hear from someone in a similar situation, connected with Brittney via her website or on Instagram and Tiktok @itsmebrittneyp   Interested in parent coach...

Moms Take Ten is celebrating 100 episodes! Thank you for being a part of this community! Would you help us celebrate? Rate or review the show, share it with a friend, and join me on instagram @lyssastoyko. Looking forward to what the next 100 episodes brings us.   This episode of Moms in the Bible looks again at Jochebed, the mother of Moses. Jesus, motherhood, and adoption are all present in her...

The kids join us as we tackle the questions: 1.What is love? 2. How do we know that mama loves us? 3. How do we know that God loves us? Their words bring insight and also simplicity to this conversation. And their voices are just the best. Scripture referenced: Ephesians 3:16-21 Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow...

Jillana Goble, foster and adoptive parent and advocate, joins me today to share a bit of her story. You can learn more about Jillana, and also check out the book I mentioned, at her website  https://jillana-goble.com/ Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@...

Phylicia Masonheimer, of Every Woman a Theologian , joins me for a conversation about Sabbath. What is it? Where does it come from? How do we do it? Can we do it as a mom? Phylicia gives such good biblical and historical context as well as practical ideas for any woman or family. May this conversation free you to enjoy the Lord and those around you on your own Sabbath days. Interested in parent co...

Leah and Rachel, wives of Jacob, both struggled to place God on the throne of their hearts. Leah desired her husband's love above all. Rachel desperately wanted to have children. Both of their pursuits consumed them and wreaked havoc on their homelife. There is a better way! Their story can be found in Genesis 29-31. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyss...

Many of us have heard that God's kindness leads us to repentance, but have you read the whole verse before? The first part speaks of God's kindness, and also his tolerance and patience. Kindness can lead to repentance, but God knows that sometimes that takes time. The same is true with our children. If we are kind only so we can see immediate results, we will quickly become frustrated and lose our...

Fellow foster and adoptive mama, Jamie Clifton, joins me today. Listen in as she shares her journey to adoption, what she is learning about parenting, and about being willing to let her village help. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help oth...

An ordinary day, an unexpected visitor, a decision to be made. Both Rebekah and Mary experienced those things, hundreds of years apart. Their choices teach all of us how to respond when God calls us.  Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help ot...

The Scriptures have been teaching us the antedote to anxiety for hundreds of years--trust in the Lord.  Verses referenced: Isaiah 26:3-4 1 Peter 5:6-7 Philippians 4:4-9 Genesis 18:14 and Luke 1:37 Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 28:20 1 Peter 1:3 Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Em...

Listen in as Brandy Levya shares her experience as a transracial adoptee in a predominately white area. From avoiding adoption conversations to now sharing about her journey with others, Brandy points to the work of God in her life and heart. She offers a valuable perspective to those seeking to support children in the foster and adoption worlds. We are so honored to have Brandy join us for this e...

Our conversation with Katie Wetsell takes us into the research on gratitude. Going beyond gratitude journals, Katie shares how gratitude is meant to be shared. As parents, when we model gratitude to our children and express ours to them, we invite them to experience the benefits and enjoyment that a grateful heart brings. Katie Wetsell is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach. You can find h...

Sarah's life seems characterized by doubt and control. But that is not how the Lord describes her. Through her life we are encouraged that our own mistakes do not define. Our identity comes from the Lord. We are who HE says we are. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me a...

Do you ever find yourself acting a little crazy, a bit irrational, not in your right mind? David did. Rather than trusting the Lord, he became a madman to escape danger. Sometimes we too let our circumstances dictate our behavior. The psalm that David wrote after this escapade was a reminder to him, and to all of us, that God is in fact trustworthy and good.  Interested in parent coaching or to le...

I am so excited to begin a new season of foster and adoption conversations with this interview of my friend Jess Leach. From how the Lord drew her into foster care to how he sustained her in it, Jess's testimony draws us into God's word and and the life of Jesus in a way that applies to all of us no matter where we are at. This is such a great conversation! Interested in parent coaching or to lear...

My friend Nidia joins me today to share about her sweet boy, Isaiah. Testing during pregnancy revealed that Isaiah had down sydrome. Nidia shares her love for her child, the beauty in how he was made, and the faith she has in the God who made him. Follow their story on Instagram @casadeisaiah Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say...

Delighting in my kids is something I have been lacking in lately. Maybe you can relate. Sometimes it feels as though all the delight is gone and I have to fight to get it back. Emily Thomas, of Struggle Well School, joins me in this episode to discuss how we can intentionally choose to delight in our children. This conversation was prompted by this reel that Emily posted on Instagram. You can lear...

Hagar was a mom who experienced despair. She had a moment where she came to the end of herself and felt she could no longer care for her child. God knew otherwise. Be encouraged by this part of Hagar's story, and the words of the psalmist in Psalm 56, that the Lord hears us and helps us be the moms he has called us to be.  Her story is in Genesis 16 and 21. Interested in parent coaching or to lear...

Have you ever found yourself frustrated having to repeat yourself to your children? I know I have. Today's passage is for you. Philippians 3:1 offers a perspective shift that will help you move from frustration to rejoicing in those moments. 

A fellow foster mama said to me recently, "Who knew that saying no to placements would be one of the harder and most emotional things we have to do as foster parents." She said this as I shared with her some of the decisions I had faced over the summer. Hard and emotional is absolutely right. This episode is the story of this summer and where we are now. Interested in parent coaching or to learn m...

How can we praise our children well? Is saying "Good job!" enough or is there more we can do to encourage them? Jess Brandon, Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, joins me today for a conversation on a tool called "The ABCs of Affirmation." This tool gives guidance on how to praise our children in the good moments and the hard. Resources: Jess Brandon's website Connected Families article on...