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

He faced one discouraging obstacle after another. Yet through it all, he persisted.

Hi Neighbor!

Do you ever feel like you’re facing one discouraging obstacle after another in your adoption journey? You’re not alone. 💔 As an adoptive parent and coach, I know exactly what that feels like and how to persist through it.

So, what’s my secret? Partnering with God and using journaling as a daily anchor.

In this episode, I’ll share:

And so much more.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey.

👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙

Here are a couple of my favorite Bible Apps for comparing translations.

It was the worst advice I ever received as an adoptive parent and, strangely enough, it turned out to be the best advice too.

Hi Neighbor,

If you’ve ever felt crushed by unsolicited advice 😣 or wondered if you’re failing your kids 💔, you’re not alone. Some words sting and stay with you—but sometimes, with time and perspective, they can also become lifelines.

In this episode, I share the story of how a piece of “terrible” advice was both the worst and best advice I ever received.

On its own, it wasn’t enough. But paired with a fresh perspective and the right support, it became a foundation for hope and healing.

Curious what it was? Tune in for an honest look at the adoption journey and the surprising wisdom hidden in hurtful words.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey.

👉 Send me an email at [email protected] to grab your spot—I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” 🌿

Whatever season you’re in on your adoption journey, we can get through it together. 

If you’re feeling lost as an adoptive parent, THIS could be your lifeline. Remember, you’re not alone! 

Hi Neighbor,

Solomon in Ecclesiastes reminds us: there’s a time for everything. Whether you’re grieving 😢, celebrating 🎉, or searching for answers 🔎 in your adoption journey, every season has value and purpose.

Every adoption journey has its own season. Sometimes joyful, sometimes tough💔. You’re not alone walking through it. There’s a community waiting to support you, no matter what chapter you’re in.

Are you feeling lost as an adoptive parent? You don’t have to walk alone. Find encouragement, and let others walk with you through the highs and lows. Connection is your lifeline. 

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

How do you navigate through the fog of life? I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point ✨. Someone who can shine the light on your path.

Hi Neighbor,

Adoptive life can feel foggy, uncertain, and overwhelming. Sometimes the best way forward is to slow down, trust a higher perspective 🙏, and let go of needing to see every step ahead. What would it look like for you to drive with “low beams” today?

In this special mindset episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point, Someone who can shine a light on your path.

We’ll consider this question in light of verses found in Psalm 119, Ecclesiastes 12, Micah 6, and Mark 12.

And finally, make a direct application to the adoption journey from James 1.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Why do bad things happen to good people? 

Hi Neighbor!

In this episode, we’ll dive into the story of Joseph in Genesis 📖 and see how time gave him clarity on why he suffered the things he did.

We’ll also explore 1 Corinthians and Romans to discover 3 powerful benefits of why good people and especially adoptive parents walk through seasons of suffering. 💔

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

As an adoptive parent, the way you were parented may or may not be the best approach in parenting your adopted child.

Hi Neighbor!

When what you’re doing as a parent 🚫 isn’t working, how do you flip the script 🔄 and approach parenting differently? 🤔

In this episode, one of the individuals who helped my son Jonny navigate the challenges of residential treatment joins the show.

My neighbor 🏡 Erich Nelson shares a script 📝 that adoptive parents can use to de-escalate a volatile situation ⚡ by empowering their children 💪.

Grab a pen ✍️ and paper 📄 — this is definitely an episode for which you’ll want to take notes.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Follow Erich’s The DoLifeBig Project

When connection feels impossible, is it still love? (Yes! Here’s how.)

Hi Neighbor,

Today, I’m joined by my neighbor from West Africa by way of Nashville, Jackson TerKeurst. Jackson opens up about his journey from civil war in Liberia to Tennessee, and what it was like to be an adopted teenager with walls built for survival.

He brings a powerful perspective on what love felt like on the receiving end of trauma… and what helped him slowly open the door to connection 🔓❤️.

🎧 You’ll hear:

This episode dives deep into what it means to love through rejection 🚫, resistance 🌀, and silence 🤐 — the painful places trauma creates when a child’s heart can’t receive the love you're offering.

If you’re an adoptive parent or someone walking alongside a family impacted by trauma, this episode will encourage you to stay rooted in hope even when it’s hard to see fruit. You’ll learn how to hold space, stay steady, and love through layers of trauma.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.


Your Neighbor,


P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Connect with Jackson:

If you’ve ever felt like no one truly understands what you’re going through as an adoptive parent, you’re not alone and you’re not broken.

Hi Neighbor,

Today marks not only our 200th episode, but also the third anniversary of this podcast. What started as a simple idea and a backyard walk has now grown into a global community of adoptive parents seeking encouragement, connection, and biblical hope.

In this milestone episode, I’ll take you back to where it all began. I’m recording from my outdoor “studio,” the same backyard path where I first began sharing adoption content three years ago. I reflect on the origin of the podcast, the evolution of its name, and the heart behind every episode: letting adoptive parents know they’re not alone in the hard work of parenting.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the podcast and community. Coming attractions include:

💬 Adoption Life Coaching – Biblically grounded, experience-based coaching for adoptive parents

📧 Email Community – Behind-the-scenes content, affirmations, and parenting tools delivered weekly

🎥 YouTube Channel – Additional video content and encouragement

🎙️ Expert Interviews – Hear from therapists, counselors, and adoptees themselves

🧭 Daily Doables & Practical Tools – More actionable ways to apply spiritual truths and regulate emotions

🌐 Streamlined Access – To easily find coaching, community, and podcast extras

If you’ve ever felt like no one understands the unique struggles of adoption, this episode is for you. You’ll hear how community, coaching, and Scripture have shaped this podcast and how they can support you too.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way!

P.S. Join the private Facebook community: TimSuggests.com/community

Have you ever been so frustrated by things going on around you that you couldn't see clearly, you couldn't think clearly, your judgment was impaired? What's a person to do about that? May I suggest you work on raising your awareness?

Hi Neighbor!

In this episode, I share a personal story about a time when I became so frustrated that I almost missed a positive opportunity that was right in front of me.

It’s something I need a constant reminder about and I hope it will encourage you too.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents.

I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [email protected]

If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

Is adoption life chaotic for you? Is it even possible to find peace in the middle of meltdowns, uncertainty, and daily struggles?

I believe it is. Not just to see calm from a distance but to actually experience it, even in the middle of the storm. 

But first, you’ll need to become a copycat.

Hi Neighbor,

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious as an adoptive parent, you’re not alone. Anxiety Management is a real need in the trenches of adoptive parenting—and today, we’re talking about 3 Write ways to copy the right example and see calm in chaos.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

You don’t have to live in constant survival mode.

Anchors of hope and healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor,

P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents.

I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [email protected]

If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.