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

When you discover a process that works for you, it makes sense to do it over and over. You’ve probably heard the old adage, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s certainly the case with the concept I share in this encore episode, and the main reason I’m bringing it to you again. Because It Works! 

It’s a process I use on a regular basis, and it’s a process that has helped me navigate the challenges of my adoption journey. I want to encourage you to listen closely. Grab a pen and paper as I walk you through this process with practical action steps you can begin to implement today. Hope and healing are on the way.

What do you do when life is coming at you from all different directions? Life is tough. Storms in life are inevitable. What do you do when those storms are bearing down on you? May I suggest you sit with the text?

Hi Neighbor,

Welcome to an unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. The fact that we are living on this planet means that we can’t escape storms. They’re a fact of life. But how do you deal with those storms? 

In this episode, we’ll sit with the text and consider verses from Psalm 31, Psalm 121, and Psalm 143.

Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

P.S. Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

Do you ever feel like a failure as an adoptive parent? If you answered yes, I know how you feel because I’ve been there. Grab a pen and paper, and I’ll share 3 affirmations to restore your confidence as a parent.

Hi Neighbor,

In this journaling episode, I want to help you navigate your adoption journey for those times when you feel like a failure as an adoptive parent. I know how you feel because I was there.

I’ll share 3 affirmations from the Book of Hebrews that helped restore my confidence

Have you ever doubted yourself as an adoptive parent? It’s a tough journey, but journaling affirmations helped me and I know they can help you too. Grab that pen and paper! Let’s get started.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

Hi Neighbor,

Is it possible to experience hope and healing after a tragic decision? Today’s episode features an incredible story of faith, healing, and advocacy for life.

Joining me is my neighbor from North Texas, Jeff Bradford. Jeff serves as president of Human Coalition, one of the largest Pro-Life organizations in America. 

He and his wife, Tricia, have personally experienced the trauma of aborting their first child in 1992, but have found strength in each other and God. 

Jeff's message is clear: Understanding life issues requires empathy, wisdom, and an open mind. We must recognize the deep suffering of women impacted by abortion. It’s important to talk about the issue of life in winsome and graceful ways.

Whether we're encouraging women facing crisis pregnancies to either parent their child or consider adoption, let’s commit to providing them the support they need.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Get Jeff and his wife Tricia’s book, Beauty from Ashes: A Christian Couple’s Journey from Abortion to Redemption

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

Hi Neighbor,

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you had at your fingertips the ability to heal yourself? Well, you do. It’s something I like to call the self-help jackpot. 

Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore the self-help jackpot with journaling. 

This is the seventh and final episode in our 7-part series on journaling. Journaling can act as a filter and aerator for your negativity.

Before I continue, let me add this disclaimer. I am not a therapist and I’m not a trained professional in the mental health space. But what I can offer you are my personal observations and reflections on journaling. I also can share my conversations with therapists regarding the power of journaling.

My conversation inspires today’s benefit with my son Jonny’s therapist.

Daily Doable: If you've missed any episodes in this series, check out the links provided at the bottom.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

138 – Do You Relive Reruns in Your Life? Journaling Prompts

140 – How to Tap Into the Power of Affirmations Journaling Prompts

141 – How to Use Journaling Prompts to Clear Mental Logjams

142 – Journaling Prompts to Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities for Personal Transformation

143 – How to Purge Negative Thoughts with 2 Powerful Journaling Prompts

P.S. To reach out to me, email [email protected]

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

Hi Neighbor,

Do you find yourself thinking the same thoughts over and over, especially negative thoughts? Imagine if there was a way to purge those negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. There is. 

Grab a pen and paper, and let's explore how to go from a stagnant mind to a new mind through journaling. 

This is the sixth episode in a 7-part series on journaling. Journaling can act as a filter and aerator for your negativity.

In your Daily Doable, I’ll share two journaling prompts to help break this cycle of negativity and give you a mental refresh.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. To reach out to me, email [email protected]

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

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 this platform to share and seek more opportunities amidst my challenges. If I can find growth through obstacles, so can you! 

In your Daily Doable, I have a simple journaling prompt to help you discover those opportunities. I think you’ll be amazed by what you discover!

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. To reach out to me, email [email protected]

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

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 forget. 

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. To reach out to me, email [email protected]

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

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.

This is the third episode in a 7-part series on journaling. As discussed in Episode 71, one of my sources for affirmations is scripture. Another source is song lyrics, with a specific example provided in Episode 114.

In your Daily Doable, notice the technique for using these journaling prompts. You can tap into the power of affirmations!

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. To reach out to me, email [email protected]

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

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 parents who are facing the challenges that adoption can present. This can be summed up in 2 words: The Struggle.

Are you a struggling adoptive parent? For those of us who have gone through The Struggle, it’s easy to see. Adoptive parents in The Struggle have lost the sparkle in their eyes.

Consider this: Could it be the struggles you have gone through, have prepared you to encourage someone else?

In this episode, let’s consider The Struggle and 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 to help someone restore the sparkle in their eyes.

Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. To reach out to me, email [email protected]

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.

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 thoughts that don’t serve you well.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. To reach out to me, email [email protected]

Join our amazing Facebook Community.

If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.