What happens when the adoption process you trusted begins to unravel?

In this episode of Stay Planted, Lauren and Em sit down with Nellya Canfield, a mom, advocate, and founder of Long Arm Malawi, to talk about her incredible journey through international adoption—and what happened when she began to realize that not everything she was being told was adding up.

Nellya’s story hits especially close to home for Lauren because they share a very similar experience involving the adoption agency Children of All Nations and Jason Carney. From unanswered questions and things that didn’t make sense, to pushing back, advocating for children, and ultimately facing an incredibly difficult road, there are so many parallels between their stories.

But Nellya’s story doesn’t end with disappointment. Through the hardest parts of her adoption journey, God began opening doors and leading her toward something she never expected: starting Long Arm Malawi, a ministry focused on caring for and advocating for children in Malawi, among so many other things!

We talk about the realities of international adoption, learning to ask hard questions, what it looks like to advocate when there is a lot at stake, the spiritual battles that can come with stepping into something God has called you to do, and how God can use the most painful seasons to lead us somewhere we never imagined.

If you’re in the middle of an adoption journey that feels lonely, complicated, or discouraging, we hope Nellya’s story reminds you that you can keep going—and that God is not limited by our timelines or our circumstances.

Follow Nellya and learn more about her work in Malawi on Instagram: @longarmmalawi

Summer has been full over here — Y2K parties, family camp, camping trips, the Oregon Coast, a suspected shark encounter (spoiler: it was a sunfish), and a few very passionate laundry opinions.

But underneath all the stories and laughs, we found ourselves talking about something much deeper: what it looks like to surrender the future and actually live in the day God has given us.

Em shares how she’s been learning to stop looking at the entire calendar and instead ask, “What does today have?” Lauren connects that same idea to the five-year wait to adopt, wrestling honestly with disappointment, hope, desire, and what it means to trust God when there still isn’t an answer.

We talk about hope deferred, the difference between wanting something deeply and making it the ultimate thing, and a picture Lauren has been given of God holding the lantern and simply asking her to take the next step with Him.

Plus: Y2K nostalgia, summer chaos, an Oregon Coast “shark,” vacation laundry hacks, and why Lauren finally bought non-white sheets.

Come hang out with us for a very Stay Planted episode about trusting God with tomorrow while learning to be present for today.

In this episode of Stay Planted, Lo and Em catch up after a two-month hiatus. They share what they have been up to over the last two months with funny stories in tow. Then Lauren shares her update on their adoption. Not a big update, but an update nonetheless. She continues to share about what she is learning about God and her relationship with Jesus through this season that she calls a wilderness. We are excited to be back!

In this episode of Stay Planted, we’re sharing hilarious animal stories that had us laughing the whole time (it's chaotic), plus a huge update in Lo’s adoption journey with some exciting movement happening behind the scenes. We also dive into the emotions that Em had surrounding Mother’s Day and what she did to combat lies with truth. This episode is full of laughter, honest conversation, faith, family, adoption updates, and real-life moments from our everyday farm life. Whether you’re here for the funny stories, the adoption journey, or encouragement for motherhood and waiting seasons, we’re so glad you’re here.

Links from the Pod:

The Carter LoDown, Here I Raise My Ebenezer

The Ministry of a Mom

In part two of double date night, we dive into our identities. We talk about how God gave each of us an identity beyond our root identity in Christ. We talk about how we are living out our identities, what we are learning, and what we are unlearning. We talk about how listening to God and asking two questions changed our lives. This is a quick but deep podcast that offers a little more insight into who each of us is.

For more information, or if you want to read Living Fearless by Jamie Winship. Here is a link!

We’re kicking off part one of a double date night with Jordan and Cody. It’s full of laughter, lighthearted moments, and fun conversation. This episode feels like you’re sitting at the table with us. But don’t worry… we didn’t stop there. Part two is coming soon, where the conversation takes a deeper turn into identity, growth, and what we’ve been learning along the way.

As always, Stay Planted

Lo & Em

In this episode, we’re catching up on all the things. Random life updates, funny moments, and the real stuff in between. From a totally unplanned conversation about hair to our excitement for the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary, this episode is full of laughs, including a chaotic moment that had us absolutely cackling.

We also share an honest adoption update (or not-so update) and open up about what it looks like to stay planted in faith even when things feel discouraging. If you’re in a season of waiting, motherhood, or just trying to trust God in the unknown, this conversation is for you.

Expect real talk, relatable motherhood moments, and encouragement to keep going, even when it’s hard.

In this episode of Stay Planted, Lo and Em catch up on real life, sharing cozy snow memories, laughing through motherhood moments, and opening up about Lo’s most recent adoption update. From the funny, everyday realities of parenting to what we’re currently learning in life and faith, this conversation is honest, relatable, and rooted in growth. If you enjoy heartfelt chats about motherhood, adoption journeys, faith, and finding joy in the everyday, this episode is for you.

This week’s Stay Planted episode is a special one. We’re sitting down with Jonae Steinman — someone who has been part of our lives for years — to talk about motherhood, adoption, and the unexpected paths that shape our stories.

Jonae is a domestic adoption mom to two girls, and both adoption stories are nothing short of incredible. We talk about how Em knows Jonae from her time as a Young Life leader in high school, what life looks like for Jonae and her husband now, and the twists, turns, and faith-filled moments that led them to their daughters.

It’s a conversation about surrender, timing, and staying planted when life doesn’t unfold the way you expect.

In this bonus episode of Stay Planted, hosts Lo & Em share hopeful news: adoptions are now explicitly exempt from the U.S. presidential proclamation on immigration.

We released our previous podcast on the day Lo found out that adoptions were exempt! We thought we needed to do a bonus episode to update our listeners and avoid any confusion.

Lo walks listeners through how she first learned about the exemption, the rapid timeline of events, and why the quick turnaround matters deeply to waiting and hopeful adoptive families. The episode also includes Lo reading the official communication from the U.S. State Department, which clarifies that adoptions are explicitly exempt and offers much-needed reassurance during an uncertain season.

This episode is both informational and celebratory, capturing the relief, gratitude, and hope that many adoptive families are feeling right now. If you’ve been following immigration-related adoption updates, waiting for clarity, or advocating alongside the adoption community, this bonus episode provides timely information straight from official sources and real-life experience.

Whether you’re currently pursuing international adoption, supporting an adopting family, or trying to stay informed on immigration policy and adoption, this episode marks an important and encouraging update.

Lo updated her blog as well. Visit the link to see what details she shared. The Carter LoDown