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. 4D AGO

    You're Not Ruining Your Kids

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, I chat with the amazing Abbey Wedgeworth and through our conversation we promise you: you are not ruining your kids! Abbey is a wife, mother, bible teacher, and writer. She's the author of the Training Young Hearts children's book series, Held, a resource for women who have lost life in the womb, and most recently Help! I’m Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who’s Desperate for Change. Abbey and her husband, David, live on the South Carolina coast, where she homeschools their three boys.  In our conversation today, we unpack some of the ideas in her latest book. Abby drops some amazing truthbombs for us as adoptive and foster moms. Sometimes we feel the pressure to “do it all” and forget that God is in control and sovereign. With this unnecessary pressure, we can feel like we’re failing and “ruining” our kids. Abby reminds us that human limitations are not sin. While our role as parent is a large one in our child’s life, it is not equal to or as big as God’s role. We are imperfect people trying to raise these broken kids and God knows exactly what He’s doing when He pairs us with them. It will not be perfect and that’s where He shows up. Abby says if our kids share their testimony and they share something we did wrong, then praise the Lord because it is part of their testimony!  Connect more with Abby on her website and Instagram.  Click here to buy her book!  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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    39 min

  2. MAR 17

    How to Equip Our Kids to Manage Worry and Anxiety

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, I was joined by the amazing author, mother, and ministry warrior Blair Linne. Blair recently wrote a children’s book called, “Yara the Brave and the Swirling Worry” and any time we have a resource for our adopted and foster kiddos, I want to talk about it! This children’s book is all about anxiety which sparks my conversation with Blair - what is anxiety, how does it manifest physically in us or our kids, what are some techniques to cope or calm down? Those are just a few of the things we cover and all from a Biblical perspective.  Connect more with Blair online and Instagram!  Click here to buy her book!  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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    31 min

  3. MAR 10

    Learning How to Pray as Foster and Adoptive Mother

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, my special guest is so full of energy and passion for uplighting you as a prayer warrior: Shellie Rushing Tomlinson! Shellie is a multi-published author, speaker, and farmer’s wife known for saying “Life can be hard when it’s good, but it’s always better when you’re laughing.” She joins me today for a conversation about prayer, and specifically Shellie says, “Don’t pray like her!” It is easy to compare ourselves to others at church, in bible studies and such, thinking “Oh, she’s got it all together, her prayers are so nice and she knows what she’s doing” but Shellie reminds us that no one can pray like we can to our Father in Heaven!  Shellie encourages us to embrace what makes us unique and our season of life. Instead of obsessing over “quiet time,” just pray right then and there when you feel led to do it. Don’t wait for an opportunity to pray - just talk to God! Shellie also gets into other practical tips and advice she has learned over the years on her walk with God and hopes you feel empowered to pray. It is especially important as foster and adoptive parents in this calling to be rooted in God as we face so many challenges.  Connect more with Shellie on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.  Click here to buy her book!  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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    40 min

  4. MAR 3

    Overcoming Lies with Truth for Our Kids and Ourselves

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, my special guest is a children's book author, public speaker, and a busy biological, adoptive and foster mom: Beth Guckenberger. Beth is someone I have seen speak in sessions at Christian conferences and my daughter loves her latest book! I am so grateful she is my guest today to speak into the lies our kids believe and even ourselves, and how we can combat this with God’s truth to build emotionally stable homes.  Deception, manipulation, triangulation, aggression, even violence, these are just some of the challenging and problematic behaviors we may experience with our foster and adoptive kiddos but what if I told you these were symptoms? These behaviors come from a child’s fear and insecurity, and not knowing how to deal with it in a healthy way. Often these kids have needs which are unmet, and when you grow up not having your needs met by parental figures, it develops these unhealthy coping mechanisms or methods of getting what you want. While this is frustrating for us as the parents trying to love our kids (and then to feel like they’re angry at us or lying to us all the time) it is important to remember this is coming from a place of fear, insecurity, and not knowing any difference. This is the key to breakthroughs - addressing the roots and not the symptoms: overcoming lies with truth.  Here are a few key takeaways:  Understanding children’s emotions and thoughtsHow challenging and problematic behaviors are often symptoms to a child’s inner identity and thought-process, and that’s the root which should be addressed. Identifying lies and intrusive thoughtsRecognizing behavioral signs of struggleCreating emotional safety in chaotic environmentsMarriage as the concrete foundation for the home and how to protect itBalance between child’s needs and parent’s needs Understanding spiritual warfare in your homeEmpowering children with tools against the lies of the enemy  Connect more with Beth on her website and Instagram!  Check out her children’s book series, StrongHeart Series:  The BRAND NEW addition to the series, “The Heart Who Wanted to Lasso Thoughts (A story about turning bad thoughts to good with prayers of gratitude) The Heart Who Wanted to Be Free (A story about finding freedom through admitting our wrongs) The Heart Who Wanted to Find a Way (A story about calming anxiety through resting in God) The Heart Who Wanted to Be Whole (A story about healing from negative talk through God's truth) 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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    37 min

  5. FEB 24

    Equipping Men to Lead Well in the Adoption and Foster Care Calling

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  In this episode, my special guest is an unusual one for this show but still speaks relevant truth to us as adoptive and foster parents–especially fathers. My guest is Trey Tucker, the founder and owner of Rugged Counseling, known for providing therapy without the fluff. He is a mental health expert and social media influencer, specifically targeting young men to help them live out their God given purpose. His counseling and videos resonate because they challenge passive, surface level advice and speak honestly about responsibility, identity, boundaries, and purpose. He is also now an author with a book titled, “Tough Enough: Hone Your Habits, Cultivate Purpose, and Forge Genuine Strength.”  Our conversation today stems around how fathers can step up in their role with foster and adoptive children, and how mothers can support their husbands, too. I ask Trey a lot of questions around the husband and father’s experience, their mental health journey, and some of it parallels what we know traumatized kids experience: feeling isolated, purposeless, and unseen. Fathers are vital in the household but can be often misunderstood. This conversation benefits both husband and wife, father and mother, as they are united in this calling.  Here are a few key takeaways:  Defining Biblical manhoodThe insecurities many men face and don’t voice How men can be resilient and possess emotional strengthWhat wives can do to support their husbands  Trey Tucker’s new book: “Tough Enough: Hone Your Habits, Cultivate Purpose, and Forge Genuine Strength.”  Trey Tucker’s website Trey Tucker on YouTube Trey Tucker 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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    33 min

  6. FEB 17

    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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    24 min

  7. 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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    27 min

  8. 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! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    34 min
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About

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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