God is With You in This Calling

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by Leah Brandon Akannam and Brian Murphy from the Gift of Adoption Fund. One of the biggest things stopping people from pursuing adoption is the cost. Resources like the Gift of Adoption Fund are here to bridge the gap and take down this barrier to a child finding their home. 

We discuss the different ways the fund helps various circumstances from traditional adoption to kinship, foster-to-adopt, and even adult adoptees. Leah and Brian also share stories from the families impacted by this resource. Brian highlights that while their organization does a lot, there are plenty of funds out there as well, and the biggest thing is spreading awareness about these resources so children can find a home. Brian emphasizes that if this is something God has laid on your heart, He will ultimately provide the financial support you need to bring the child homeall you have to do is answer the call.  

Here are a few key takeaways: 

• Over 2 million families in the US are waiting to adopt.
• 81% of potential adopters cite high costs as a barrier.
• Gift of Adoption has awarded over $22 million in grants.
• Adoption costs can range from $25,000 to $50,000 for domestic adoptions.
• Foster care adoptions typically have no costs for families.
• Gift of Adoption provides grants from $1,000 to $15,000.
• Families should apply for assistance as soon as their home study is complete.
• There are no strict income limits for eligibility; each case is assessed individually.
• The organization has programs for young adults aging out of foster care.
• Crowdfunding grants are available to help families raise funds for adoption.

The Gift of Adoption Fund website: https://giftofadoption.org/ 

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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by the founder of Finally Home: Kristin Orphan. Finally Home exists to walk alongside foster, adoptive, and kinship families with faith-rooted resources that bring hope, healing, and strength. They are a national non-profit that provide tools, courses, resources and community to families so they can find connection and confidence every day. 

Kristin was inspired to start Finally Home after her own adoption journey and being devastated by the calling. God called her and her family to this but that didnt make it easy. There was a lot of sacrifice, heartache, and learning through her journeyin fact, the journey isnt over even though her children are adults! In this conversation, we discuss how God brings encouragement when youre discouraged or depressed. 

Here are a few key takeaways: 

• The importance of unity in marriage when considering adoption.
• Adoption is a lifelong commitment that requires ongoing support and learning.
• Resilience is key in parenting adopted children, especially through challenges.
• Community support is crucial for families navigating adoption.
• Trauma-informed care focuses on relational connection with children.
• Distraction techniques can help manage challenging behaviors in children.
• Parents should seek to understand their child's unique needs and responses.
• It's important to give children a voice in family decisions without placing the burden of choice on them.
• The journey of adoption can lead to personal transformation for parents.
• God is WITH you in this calling! 

Learn more about Finally Home and access all their parenting courses and more at https://finallyhome.net/ 

Email and mention Called to Love so the team can connect with you: [email protected] 

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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by Hally Wells. Hally Wells is speaker, author, and mental health advocate. After struggling with infertility, Hally and her husband had their biological child, but following a miscarriage she felt God place adoption on her heart. She is now the mother of bio, step, and adopted children, and advocates for their mental health and the mental health of parents too. 

Hally discusses what things to look out for in our adopted and fostered kids, some of the warning signs, and unique struggles they may face with identity. We also discuss the need for support, resources, counseling, and strong communication with your children. Hally brings up that adoptive parents can also experience trauma which is why it is important to take care of yourself too, so you can be a calm, strong presence in your childs life. 

Here are a few key takeaways: 

• Mental health concerns in youth have escalated, especially post-COVID.
• Adopted children often experience grief and identity issues.
• Trauma impacts all adopted children, even from in utero and birth. 
• Parents should be aware of signs of mental health struggles in their children.
• Support groups for adoptive parents can provide essential encouragement.
• Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in a child's identity and mental health.
• Open communication is vital for adopted children to express their feelings.
• Counseling can be beneficial for both children and parents.
• Understanding the unique challenges of adopted children is essential for effective parenting.

Learn more about Hally Wells on her website here: https://www.hallyjwells.com/ 

The book Hally recommends, The Anxious Generation 

Another book she recommends, The Deepest Well 

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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

This week I am fan-girling out just a little bit because my special guest is Dr. Kathy Koch. Dr. Kathy has a PhD in reading and educational psychology from Purdue and is a former university professor now turned child advocate who founded Celebrate Kids. She has written several books, and her latest one (co-written with Dr. Jeff Myers) is called Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design. This is the topic of our conversation, as many foster and adoptive parents may find their children especially vulnerable to the gender identity crisis. 

Together, we discuss how to be bold in our parenting while also pursuing connection, trust, and relationship-building. God has given us the task of stewarding these kids and we cannot shy away from this reality. At the same time, if your child is coming to you already in a gender-confused state, it is important to show them love, compassion, and build trust so perhaps they can tell you whats really going on. Dr. Kathy gives us powerful information and practical tools to equip us for this reality we face as parents.

Here are a few key takeaways: 

• Parents need to be bold and honest about gender issues.
• Stereotypes can trap children in false beliefs about their identity.
• Churches must address tough topics to help guide youth.
• Creating a safe space for discussions is crucial for trust.
• Parents should affirm their children's identity and interests.
• It's important to teach children about the beauty of God's creation.
• Parents should not blame themselves for their children's struggles.
• Encouragement and support are vital for parents facing challenges.
• Identity formation is a lifelong process that requires consistent effort.

Learn more about Dr. Kathys organization, Celebrate Kids: https://celebratekids.com/

Dr. Kathy recommends one of her books, Five to Thrive and her latest release which informed a lot of this episode: Raising Gender Confident Kids 

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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

This week I am joined with Bill High. Bill is the CEO of Legacy Stone and the author and co-author to many books. He is a counselor and public speaker, passionate about empowering families to leave a legacy for generations. 

In our conversation, we explore the importance of building a lasting family legacy through faith, family values, and purposeful living. Bill shares practical steps for families to create structure and stability, emphasizing the power of repetition in instilling values. We hope this offers encouragement for parents navigating the challenges of foster care and adoption. You're playing a vital role in shaping the next generation.

Here are a few key takeaways: 

• The calling of foster and adoptive parents is significant to the kingdom of God.
• Defining family values is crucial for protection and attraction.
• Kids are a heritage from the Lord, and families should treat them as such.
• Regular family meetings can help reinforce family values and vision.
• Structure and stability are essential for children from chaotic backgrounds.
• Repetition is key in teaching values to children.
• Parents should focus on being faithful rather than fixating on outcomes.
• God can turn broken situations into something good. 

Connect more with Bill High on his website or social media. And the website for Legacy Stone: https://legacystone.com/ 

Bill Highs new book: THE LEGACY LIFE: BOOK AND DEVOTIONAL - A Paradigm Shift that Will Help You Build Your Family for Generations to Come, Guided by Biblical Values.

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!