Adoptees in Arms Iris Peterson Bryant

As we conclude the month of February, National Heart Health Month, I desire to encourage you with a message straight from my heart. If you have been hurt or wounded on this journey, don’t expect your healing to come at the hands of those who wounded you. I want to invite you to lay your cares down at the feet of Jesus–all of your cares, those spoken and those tucked away in the crevices of your mind.
Allow HIs perfect love to restore you and heal you everywhere you hurt.
Trust me, He is well able to do that.
 Scripture Resources:
"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off." - Psalm 139:1-2 NKJV
"The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
"Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.'" Matthew 13: 45-46 NKJV
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Download this free resource: 10 Scriptures to Pray in the Face of Rejection

When I was prompted by Holy Spirit to shift the podcast from Hidden Jewels to Adoptees in Arms, one of the first people I talked to was my best friend since 4th grade, Debra Cheek. She made a statement that was also recently shared by a faithful listener, “Iris, we need to hear your story!”
I pondered her statement for several weeks before I asked her if she would interview me as a way of kicking off the conversation through the Adoptees in Arms podcast. Without hesitation, she agreed. 
In this episode with the Believing Wife, Debra Cheek, we share a candid conversation about my adoption story. 
 
Connect with Iris:
NEW Online Community, Adoptees in Arms
Instagram
Facebook
Free Resource: Known and Loved, a 4-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Adult Adoptees
 

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/34124-known-and-loved-a-4-day-devotional-for-adult"So, you're called to podcast, huh?"

"Who's going to want to hear what you have to say?"
"You're gonna talk about what?"
These are the internal questions that I have battled for over a year and the answers to these questions have led me to this moment--
Welcome to the first episode of the newly relaunched Adoptees in Arms podcast.
I am so excited that you are here!
In this episode, I will share why we pivoted and made the change from Hidden Jewels to Adoptees in Arms. 
Connect with Iris:
NEW Online Community, Adoptees in Arms Instagram Facebook Finding Hope & Peace:
Here are some of the things I talked about in this episode:
The power of using our voice The importance of community Why advocacy is so important to me Here are some of the things I talked about in this episode:
Quotes:
"I was not given up for adoption because I did something wrong, but because there was a greater purpose God desired to fulfill in my life." - Iris P. Bryant
"I finally know where my voice belongs, and that has made all the difference." - Iris P. Bryant
Links and Resources:
Sheryl Lee Ralph's Acceptance Speech
Want to listen to my podcast episodes on people-pleasing? Check out Confessions of a Recovering People Pleaser and More Confessions of a Recovering People-Pleaser.
Be sure to also check out my book How I Got Over:An Overcomer's Anthology
Known and Loved: A 4-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Adult Adoptees

For the past year, our church, Love and Faith Christian Fellowship, has been going through a preparation for new leadership. 2002 has been considered the year of shifting for us in ministry. I understood that and embraced it.
However, it just dawned on me that it is also a time of shifting as it relates to the ministry assignment of Hidden Jewels. 
This is the final episode of Hidden Jewels, but I will continue podcasting, just with a new name and a new mission.
It is my prayer that you will be encouraged as you cross over into the new that God has prepared for you. 

We are still elevating the voices of adult adoptees in our series "Adopted and Healed." Today I have the opportunity to speak with Kristen Yates is a Transracial Afrolatina Adoptee. She loves to find ways of being creative, capture a moment in a photo and enjoy making memories with those I love. She has an extensive background with adolescents and a degree in Psychology. She has recently changed direction in her career by working with young adults where she coaches and mentors them through various life situations.
She will be releasing a workshop in 2023, which is designed to equip adoptive parents and provide productive tools through a biblical worldview.
She is passionate about educating Adoptive parents while seeing Adoptees spiritually healed from Adoption Trauma through the power of Holy Spirit. She is married with four kids and they currently reside in Tennessee. 
This episode will bring healing and deliverance to those who desire a closer relationship with God or who just desire to have peace in their lives.
It's not just for adoptees. It is for anyone who wants to know what real peace feels like.
Connect with Kristen on Instagram
Visit her website

Kristina R. Wise is a passionate speaker, educator & CEO & Founder of Spiritual Healing Sisterhood, Inc.
Kristina is a fun and energetic Bible teacher who encourages women to flourish in their purpose. Most recent author of “Strength In Him” written from her daily quiet times with The Lord, Kristina wrote this book to encourage women to know where their strength comes from. Her educational background started her love for teaching God's Word and her desire to travel the world speaking His Word. She is the founder and CEO of Spiritual Healing Sisterhood, Inc. Where their mission is to see women healed, restored and become set free. To find their true freedom in Christ. Through mentoring and discipling in a small group setting, the sisterhood has a heart to see women grow, become empowered, and healed from past hurts and trauma. 
Currently, Kristina is a seminary student at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX where she plans to use her degree to make an impact on women’s ministry and Christian education. Kristina lives by Psalm 37:23, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him," because she knows that God is the only one who can make her steps firm.
Purchase her book here.
Follow Kristina and her journey at www.kristinareneexo.com and on Instagram @kristinareneexo