Called to Love: An Adoption Podcast for Christian Parents - Christian Adoption, Trauma and Healing, Foster Care, Parenting Ad

Christian Parenting
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Whether you seek to add to your family through foster care, private domestic adoption or you are called to travel internationally, every adoption story is uniquely beautiful. Yet, each shares a common language of calling, loss, and hardship. As Christian parents we have a deep desire to love and shepherd our children well, but it can be challenging to navigate loss, trauma and how to best love and guide our adopted children. One thing is for sure, adoption is more than a process, it is an invitation to go on a holy journey with the Lord and with your family. Like any journey, there will be valleys along with mountain tops and battles along with the beauty. The good news is, what the Lord calls you to, He will equip you for. Wherever you are in your journey, Called to Love is here to bring you a weekly dose of encouragement from the practical, clinical, and Biblical perspective along with personal stories from adoptive parents, adult adoptees and advice from various experts to help your family thrive in your journey and continue to say “yes” to your own call to love. Called to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

  1. 2D AGO

    A Miraculous Adoption Story (Part 2)

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is part two to an incredible conversation… In this episode, my special guest is an adult adoptee named Niemah Scherlacher. Niemah is currently working on a book detailing her incredible adoption story, but we are honored to hear her share pieces of this story on the podcast. She is now a retired and happy grandma, but her story begins in Israel, after being born to a fifteen year old Palestinian girl. As Niemah describes, God protected her mother and her during this tumultuous time between Israel, Palestine and even the United States, and He orchestrated everything so Niemah would be adopted at the age of two and brought over to the states.  Niemah also shares her experience as an adopted child in her family, how the church community interacted with her, and the secular world. Niemah encourages parents to talk with their children about the child’s story because the child is always wondering those questions but might be afraid to ask them. Niemah had an unusual experience when compared to other adoptees because she primarily wrestled with God in her later years after more information was revealed about her birth mother…  Here are a few key takeaways: ●     Naima's story is a testament to God's divine intervention. ●     Adoption can be a celebrated aspect of a child's identity. ●     Open communication about adoption is crucial for children. ●     Children often think about their adoption, even if they don't express it. ●     It's important for adoptive parents to initiate conversations about identity. ●     Healing from adoption-related trauma can be a lifelong journey. ●     Understanding a child's background helps in parenting. ●     Adoptive parents should not be too hard on themselves. ●     Children's struggles can be transformed into hope for others. ●     God's purpose is at work in the lives of adopted children.   Niemah is still working on her book so follow her on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected! Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.  To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.  I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    24 min

  2. FEB 10

    A Miraculous Adoption Story (Part 1)

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is part one to an incredible conversation… In this episode, my special guest is an adult adoptee named Niemah Scherlacher. Niemah is currently working on a book detailing her incredible adoption story, but we are honored to hear her share pieces of this story on the podcast. She is now a retired and happy grandma, but her story begins in Israel, after being born to a fifteen year old Palestinian girl. As Niemah describes, God protected her mother and her during this tumultuous time between Israel, Palestine and even the United States, and He orchestrated everything so Niemah would be adopted at the age of two and brought over to the states.  Niemah also shares her experience as an adopted child in her family, how the church community interacted with her, and the secular world. Niemah encourages parents to talk with their children about the child’s story because the child is always wondering those questions but might be afraid to ask them. Niemah had an unusual experience when compared to other adoptees because she primarily wrestled with God in her later years after more information was revealed about her birth mother…  Here are a few key takeaways:  Naima's story is a testament to God's divine intervention.Adoption can be a celebrated aspect of a child's identity.Open communication about adoption is crucial for children.Children often think about their adoption, even if they don't express it.It's important for adoptive parents to initiate conversations about identity.Healing from adoption-related trauma can be a lifelong journey.Understanding a child's background helps in parenting.Adoptive parents should not be too hard on themselves.Children's struggles can be transformed into hope for others.God's purpose is at work in the lives of adopted children. Niemah is still working on her book so follow her on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected!  Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.  I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    27 min

  3. FEB 3

    Figuring Out What Really Matters in Adoption & Fostering

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, my special guest and friend is Cynthia Yanof, who has been featured on this podcast before. Cynthia is the biological mother to two kids who have flown the nest, one graduated from college and one just starting, and her family also adopted a son who is in third grade. Cynthia stays busy not just as a mom but as a podcaster, speaker, and author. Her latest book, “How’d I Miss That?” sparks a lot of today’s conversation.  It is so easy to get distracted as a foster or adoptive parent by all the busyness and urgent tasks of life, and I wanted to take a minute with Cynthia to focus on what really matters in this calling. A lot happens in life, a lot of distractions or even too much information, so let’s get back to the basics. Somewhere along our journeys, God opened our eyes to loving children who are not our own. How do we do this well? Cynthia offers advice gained from her own experience, along with humor and gut-punches (the good kind!). Here are a few key takeaways:  Understanding what really matters as parents is crucial.Little differences in our actions can lead to significant impacts.The urgent tasks in life often don’t have an eternal impact.Finding humor in parenting challenges can ease stress.If you’re going to laugh about it later, laugh about it nowCommunity and support are essential for foster and adoptive parents.Being a 'namer' helps children understand their identity in Christ.A reluctant 'yes' to God's calling can still lead to great things.The Lord is faithful and will reveal Himself in our journeys.Life is short; we must not miss the opportunities God gives us. You can learn more about Cynthia Yanof on her website You can follow her on Instagram You can check out MESSmerized with Cynthia Yanof click here You can find her book on Amazon or wherever you shop for books! It is called, “How’d I Miss That?: Gas Pump Confessions, Drive-Thru Obsessions, and Figuring Out What Really Matters” Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.  I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    34 min

  4. JAN 27

    The Eternal Impact of a Middle Mom

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, my special guest and friend is Christie Erwin! Christie is an author, adoptive and biological mother, and Founder and current Executive Director of Project Zero. Christie’s deep love for children led her and husband, Jeff, to become foster parents in 1993, for a private, non-profit adoption agency. It was there that the foundation for Christie’s passion and driving concern for children in foster care was laid. After fostering for eleven years with the private agency, the Erwin’s became foster parents for the Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services in 2004. They fostered over fifty children during their twenty years of fostering. She wrote the book, “The Middle Mom –How to Grow Your Heart by Giving it Away.”  In our conversation today, Christie shares part of her story in adoption and foster care. There is so much to tell, we couldn’t go over everything, but we covered a lot. Christie also offers advice for you if you’re saying “Yes!” to this calling.  Here are a few key takeaways:  Christie's journey into foster care began with a powerful calling from God.Maintaining a healthy marriage is crucial when navigating the challenges of foster care.The concept of being a 'middle mom' emphasizes the importance of loving children unconditionally.Grief is a part of the sacrifice when fostering and adopting children.Understanding a child's past is essential for effective parenting in adoption.Preparation for adoption includes understanding trauma and its effects on children.It's important to make God's voice the loudest in your calling.Community support and resources are vital for foster and adoptive families. You can learn more about Project Zero and Christie Erwin!  Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.  I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    44 min

  5. JAN 20

    Building Your Family Through Adoption

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, my guest is Pastor Andrew Hopper. Andrew serves as the lead pastor of Mercy Hill Church, launched in 2012. He is the father of three biological children and one adopted daughter with downs syndrome. He is also a recently published author of the book, “Chosen: Building Your Family the Way God Builds His.”  In our conversation, we talked about the theological foundation of adoption. We, as Christians, are intimately connected to adoption because God has adopted us. This should highly motivate us, if not compel us, to support adoption or even pursue adoption ourselves. Andrew talked about how churches can support members who are pursuing adoption and how the calling may have its challenges but is also rewarding. He also shares his personal story going through the adoption of his special needs daughter.  Here are a few key takeaways:  There is no love without sacrifice.Cute pictures and sad stories are good reasons to adopt, but the great reason is that we were chosen.No one should adopt alone.Chosen people choose people.The enemy hates Christian adoption.The deepest things come from the most sacrifice.Adoption is the single greatest metaphor for what God has done in our life on the planet.We have to prepare people for the spiritual war that comes with adoption. You can learn more about Pastor Andrew Hopper and his new book on his website.  Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.  I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    40 min

  6. JAN 13

    The Generational Impact of Saying “Yes” to Life with Nicole C. Mullen

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, my special guest is the amazing Nicole C. Mullen, a Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning American Christian singer, songwriter, actress, and author of the new book, “It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing: Courageous Stories to Inspire Godly Decisions”. She also has an incredible story of overcoming domestic abuse, adopting her two sons, choosing life for her daughter, and a story of choosing life from her grandparents.  Our conversation spans stories of the Bible to Nicole’s own personal journey to how it is relevant for us as adoptive and foster parents today. We may not see the total impact of saying “yes” to this calling, but it can ripple through generations.  Here are a few key takeaways:  God is with you in the dark seasons of life, as Nicole puts it the “night seasons” and often He works a lot in the dark. The impact of choosing life may never been seen earth-side but it is full of rewards from God The impact of saying “yes” to life can continue for generations, like Nicole’s personal story and the story of MosesNicole worked through a dark season of domestic abuse. She encourages parents to children from abusive homes to model Jesus the Good Shepherd in being patient and gentle. Even if we are Christians, we are not immune to the hard things of this world. Nicole points out how God is with us even when we sin, suffer the consequences of our actions, or the consequences of other people’s sin and actions, and how He is good in that.  You can learn more about Nicole on her website Here is her new book, It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing: Courageous Stories to Inspire Godly Decisions Connect on instagram!  Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper. To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.  I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    33 min

  7. JAN 6

    The Power Of A Praying Adoptive and Foster Parent

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  Thank you for joining me on the very first episode of Season 4! It is a privilege and gift from God to be able to share the practical, clinical, and Biblical information with you every week about adoption and foster care, which is a calling so near to our Father’s heart. In this episode, I am sharing with you the power and significance of praying for your child, whether they’re with you for a brief season or a long one, and a list of prayers you can use.  Here are a few key takeaways:  The most important practice of the Christian faith is prayer.Prayer carries over the course of a lifetime.We need the power of prayer as adoptive and foster parents.More is caught than taught; let children see you pray.Prayer is about communing with God, not just asking for things.We should pray for our children's specific needs and concerns.Prayer is our greatest weapon against the enemy.Let's gather together in prayer as a community. In this episode, I also share some big and exciting news! I am working on a book! I have been working on a book based on my adoption journey for a few years now, so to finally partner with a publishing company to make this a reality is amazing. The book is coming in the Fall 2027, which seems far away but it will come before we know it.  To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.  I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    25 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    The Best of 2025 From Called to Love Season Three

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This is the end of season three. The team here at Called to Love are so grateful for you joining us every week to learn practical and Biblical tools and knowledge for adoption and foster care, a calling which is so reflective of God’s adoptive love for us. As we look forward to another year and a new season, we wanted to share with you the five top moments from 2025. #1 is from “Trusting God With What We Cannot Control: Waiting for Adoption” released on February 25th. The clip chosen is about how to wait with God for adoption. #2 is from “Tools for Self-Regulation, Anger Management and Coping Mechanisms” released on April 8th. The clip chosen is about helping regulate your child. Somer is joined by Kimberly Dubose. Kimberly is a Family Centered Therapy Clinical Caseworker with Connected Families. #3 is from “You're Not Too Late: Trusting God's Timing for Your Adoption Story” released on June 3rd. The clip chosen is about the challenge of trusting God’s timing. In this episode, Somer was joined by a special guest: Rebecca George, a dear friend, author, speaker, and host of the Radical Radiance podcast.  #4 is from “Understanding Blocked Care with Lisa C. Qualls” released on March 25th. The clip chosen is about the result of high need care-giving. In this episode, Somer is joined with Lisa C. Qualls. Lisa is the proud mother of both biological and adopted children, twelve in fact, and is an accomplished author, speaker, and Enneagram coach with TBRI training.    #5 is from “Adopted By God: The Spiritual Healing in Adoption & Foster Care” released on May 20th. The clip chosen is about parenting while being broken yourself. In this episode, Somer is joined by author and adoptive father, Matt Lambert. Matt and his wife live in the UK with their two adopted children.  Please join us in a prayer over Called to Love, that it will continue to serve and reach families in need of support, encouragement and resources.  You can email Somer your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. Somer would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you her monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    34 min
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Whether you seek to add to your family through foster care, private domestic adoption or you are called to travel internationally, every adoption story is uniquely beautiful. Yet, each shares a common language of calling, loss, and hardship. As Christian parents we have a deep desire to love and shepherd our children well, but it can be challenging to navigate loss, trauma and how to best love and guide our adopted children. One thing is for sure, adoption is more than a process, it is an invitation to go on a holy journey with the Lord and with your family. Like any journey, there will be valleys along with mountain tops and battles along with the beauty. The good news is, what the Lord calls you to, He will equip you for. Wherever you are in your journey, Called to Love is here to bring you a weekly dose of encouragement from the practical, clinical, and Biblical perspective along with personal stories from adoptive parents, adult adoptees and advice from various experts to help your family thrive in your journey and continue to say “yes” to your own call to love. Called to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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