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

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life that words escape you and all you can do is cry? I’m here to assure you that every tear you shed speaks volumes to the God who created you. 

Hi Neighbor,

Even in moments when your emotions are stretched to the breaking point and words fail you, rest assured that you’re not journeying through your struggles alone.

In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, we’ll consider 3 profound truths from Psalm 56 to give you biblical encouragement when life is tough. God hears your tears.

Grab a pen and paper because I have a simple journaling exercise to share with you.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Here’s the passage from Psalm 56:8 to copy. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

I also want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.

Do you know an adoptive parent who is heartbroken? Feeling overwhelmed? Maybe this person can’t think straight, or maybe they are struggling with their faith. They might even feel lost, lonely, and afraid. Do you want to know how you can encourage this person? May I suggest you say a prayer?

Hi Neighbor, 

In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I’ll share a powerful way to support adoptive parents who are feeling overwhelmed and struggling with their faith. We’ll do this by considering the song first introduced in Episode 114, “Brand New Day” by Lucy Thomas.

We’ll also consider the biblical encouragement provided by passages from Psalm 42 and the book of Lamentations.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. I also want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.

Brand New Day - Lucy Thomas - (Original Theme Song from Forthcoming TV Series)

On March 2nd, many years ago, a devastating tornado hit my hometown. As the anniversary approached, painful memories flooded back, but also valuable lessons.

Hi Neighbor, 

Memories of tragedy can be overwhelming, but facing them head-on can lead to healing and growth.

Join me in this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement as I talk about the importance of processing difficult experiences by writing down your memories. This simple act can have a profound impact on your well-being.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. To hear the rest of the story, check out Episode 16 – The $89,000 T-Shirt: How One T-Shirt Inspired and Healed a Broken Community 

Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

I’m imagining there is an adoptive parent reading this who is heartbroken and feeling overwhelmed. You can’t think straight. Maybe you’re struggling with your faith. You feel lost, lonely, and afraid. And you’re wondering, how can I ever get past this? I’m here to tell you I’ve been there, and I want you to know tomorrow is a brand new day.

Hi Neighbor, 

In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to share a powerful message of hope and resilience for all those dark days in the adoptive parenting journey.

I’ve had my share of dark days which I first spoke about in Episode 1. But through it all, I never entertained abandoning my faith. Don’t get me wrong, my faith took a hit. When times got tough, I leaned into my faith with passages such as John 6:66-68.

I also relied on the tool my son Jonny learned in residential, journaling. We’ll consider that as I also highlight the impact of a touching song called “Brand New Day” by Lucy Thomas, which beautifully encapsulates the message of hope and encouragement.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

Brand New Day - Lucy Thomas - (Original Theme Song from Forthcoming TV Series)

What is something that can cause you anxiety, but also reduce your anxiety? Answer: For me, it’s snow.

Hi Neighbor,

In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to share one of my favorite anxiety grounding techniques with you. It’s something I’ve been doing for years. I also share a happy memory of doing it when I was in college.

Daily Doable: Identify those anxiety grounding techniques you can use whenever you need a break, whenever you need some respite.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

Some days are easier than others. Some days don't go as expected. What do you do when there is ONE curve ball after another thrown at you? 

I’ve discovered a lot of things are out of my control. But there’s ONE thing I can control, ONE thing I do almost every day. That ONE thing helps me to prepare for the unpredictability of any day.

Hi Neighbor, 

To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the fifth and final episode of this 5-part series about journaling.

Question Number 5: Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Journal? Answer: Start where you are with what you have. In this episode, I want to consider 5 ways to get unstuck and start journaling today. 

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Did you miss Parts 1, 2, 3, or 4 in this series? You can listen to them here, Part 1 EP 108, Part 2 EP 109, Part 3 EP 110, and Part 4 EP 111.

I also want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.

It’s easy to get tripped up journaling. Trust me, I know. There are so many different ways you can journal, and you’re left wondering, “Is there a right or wrong way to do it?” I’m hoping by sharing my experiences, using the WRITE way, that will help liberate you and help you to choose the way or ways that are best for you.

Hi, Neighbor. 

To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the fourth of a 5-part series about journaling.

Question Number 4: Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Journal? Answer: There’s only one way to journal, the WRITE way, W-R-I-T-E. In this episode, I want to consider with you 5 ways to journal the WRITE way. It’s my goal these ways will make journaling doable for you. 

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Did you miss Parts 1, 2, or 3 in this series? You can listen to them here, Part 1 EP 108, Part 2 EP 109, and Part 3 EP 110.

Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

Those who know me know I love to draw. I’ve been doing it all my life, from scribbles on my grandma’s wallpaper to drawings of buildings. For almost 30 years, I was an architectural illustrator. I’ve drawn buildings located all over the world.

From this podcast, you probably know I love to journal. I’ve been journaling for over 5 years. But there’s something about me I bet you didn't know. I have a confession to make.

Whether it’s drawing or journaling, Every time I see a blank sheet of paper, I get intimidated. I know it might sound silly, but it’s true.

Hi Neighbor, 

To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the third of a 5-part series about journaling.

Question Number 3: What Do I Write About? Answer: Write about anything you want. In this episode, I’ll share with you 3 things you can write about to make journaling easy, doable, and less intimidating.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Did you miss Parts 1 and 2 in this series? You can listen to them here, Part 1 EP 108 and Part 2 EP 109.

I also want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.

My dad had a heart attack at 45. It was scary. Thankfully, it was the warning kind of heart attack… This was a wake-up call for him and a wake-up call for me. Dad began riding an exercise bike, I began cycling.

I understood this was a process. There were benefits to doing what I was doing. Just like I've experienced the benefits of cycling and later hiking. I've also experienced the benefits of something else I've talked about on this podcast, journaling.

Hi, Neighbor. 

To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the second of a 5-part series about journaling.

Question Number 2: How Much Time Does Journaling Take? Answer: It actually takes less time than you might think.

We will explore this question through stories about my Dad and son, Jonny, and how they have reacted to traumatic experiences.

Learning from their stories, I incorporated those lessons into my own life. I believe this process will inspire you to journal too. 

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. Did you miss Part 1 in this series? You can listen to it here. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

At first, I wasn’t a believer. You might even call me a doubting Thomas. It wasn’t until I saw with my own eyes the power of this simple practice. Now I’m a believer too.

Hi, Neighbor. 

To Journal or Not to Journal? Five questions to consider. This is the first of a 5-part series that I want to share with you about journaling.

Question Number 1: What Are the Benefits of Journaling? In today's episode, we'll consider that question with 3 game-changing benefits that sealed the deal for me.

I also mention Episode 47,  where my son Jonny shares his story and discusses how journaling has been a significant source of support for him. It’s a powerful testimony to the power of journaling.

Hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. I want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.