Last week, Author Jillana Goble joined the show to talk about her foster care and adoption journey. She shared her experience with open adoption that she has written about in her new book called “A Love-Stretched Life.”

On this episode, Jillana joins the show again with the birth mother of her son, Micah.

Jennifer Bracken was raised in the foster care system nearly her entire life. After running away several times, she aged out of the system and found herself pregnant at 18. By 19 she had two children and child welfare was involved. Jennifer shares her way through addiction and recovery. This episode shows us how open adoption can change not only the child’s life, but also the birth mother’s life. Jillana never stopped believing in Jennifer, who has now been sober for 6 years! Today Jillana and Jennifer speak together, sharing their story to state caseworkers, giving them a picture of an uncommon collaboration. Their message is that building a bridge between the biological mother and adoptive mother can multiply the love, and not divide.

Luke and Jillana Goble are parents to five children ranging in age from preteen to young adult. They fostered children and eventually ended up adopting. In 2019, Jillana published No Sugar-Coating, a book with practical suggestions on fostering children. Now she has released a new book entitled A Love-Stretched Life: Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected & Discovering the Meaning of Family. 

In this episode we talk about how they reconnected with a child that was in their home for some time, and he has now rejoined their family as an adult! This interview shows us that when showing true love in fostering, you can still plant seeds that last a lifetime, even when the child does not stay in your home permanently.

We also talk about the wonderful and often complicated relationships between birth parents and adoptive parents. If you like this episode check out next week, when we bring the birth mother of Jillana’s son on for an interview!

Aubrey and Eric Mueller are from the Midwest and always knew they would adopt. After having two biological sons, they decided to pursue domestic infant adoption. The adventure begins as they are matched several times, and even connected to a notorious scammer that was on the TV show, Dr. Phil! Finally, after four years, they welcomed their third child and only baby girl into their family — along with her incredible birth family! All the trials were worth it, as they found their darling daughter. But wait…listen to this episode to hear how another unexpected surprise happens!

Tiffany and Jeff live in a small Midwest town. They always knew they would adopt but had no idea the journey God would take them on. We often ask ourselves, where is the beauty from these ASHES?? The way that Tiffany speaks on the deep loss and sorrow that propels their family into action is profound. God is in the midst, and those that can see through the confusion and walk into His plan are blessed in ways that are beyond this world. It is not often that a story leaves me absolutely speechless like this one did. When you listen, you will understand how beautiful this adoption story is from the DRC!

Diane is an adult adoptee and the author of the award-winning memoir, Fixing the Fates. She is also the host of “Dropping In,” a show on VoiceAmerica.com.

In this episode, Diane speaks on the magic of being an adoptee and how she feels “lucky” to have grown up in the home she did. She was adopted from a German orphanage and traveled with her new grandmother to the United States. When Diane searches to find the truth about her story, she learns about her biological mother’s love for her!!! (It's amazing - grab your Kleenex box) 

This interview is so heart-warming, and Diane's outlook is…adoptees are SO special!!  In fact, she feels they have heroic qualities. They often have the ability to activate the creative side of their brain and are very resilient and courageous.

Many switch from logical thinking to the intuitive side, which is a great gift to them and those around them.

You must listen to this episode if you are in the adoption community, it is so encouraging and gives insight into the adoptees’ super powers and giftings!

“If it is…it is as it was meant to be.”

“Lord, give us children who really need us.” That was Marlin and Lisa’s prayer as they started their adoption journey.

In this episode they share their story of adopting four children, all of whom have special needs. Their oldest is on the Autism spectrum and the younger three all have Down syndrome. Ten years ago, they began publishing Plain Values, a monthly print magazine, to highlight Biblical ministries, share the beauty of adoption, promote the dignity of kids with special needs, and to cultivate anchored community.

There are many kids with special needs who need a family. They want others to know that you don’t have to be perfect or extraordinary, you just have to be willing. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

 https://plainvalues.com/

https://www.roomtobloomfoundation.org/

https://extraordinaryadoption.com/

April Fallon interviews Kim Kriesel, a licensed Professional Counselor who helps couples who are struggling to grow their family. For many women, not being able to fulfill their expectation of motherhood is the most devastating experience.

 Kim and her husband went through infertility and experienced many losses along the way. In overcoming her own grief, her passion now lies in helping others who are experiencing this kind of distress.

 In this episode, Kim talks about recognizing the pain surrounding infant loss and infertility. The road to healing is not easy, but having someone who understands can make the journey less lonely. Kim also gives her clients the hope and support they need to explore other options in building a family.

 If you or someone you know has gone through infertility, this episode is for you!

Lynn Deiulis is an adult adopted person and retired adoption worker from Canada who has written a book called “What Is Your Story”: Let’s Talk About Adoption and Kinship. 

Children are inquisitive people, especially about their history and their story. Lynn spent her whole life searching for information about her adoption story and her biological parents. In 1991 she connected to her half-sister who was also adopted into another family. Together they go on a journey to find the truth about their birth mother but the search comes to an end when the mother refuses to connect with them. The two do not give up and continue to search for answers. Listen to this episode to hear how they discovered why they were placed and how meeting their other half sisters opened up the door to create this book. The book is designed to help adopted children talk about their stories and explore conversations with the people they love.

When Bailey and her husband said yes to growing their family through the foster care system, they had no idea what to expect!!

23 children later and 4 adopted into their family, Bailey shares what she learned on the journey. She never would have guessed how much her heart would change and how God would open the doors to have authentic relationships with birth families. She now runs a non-profit in South Florida called, “The Hands and Feet.” They support children and families in the child welfare system by providing basic necessities when children come into care. Check out this episode and her website! https://www.handsandfeetfl.com/