Pause and Think

Aixa de López & Jackie Darby
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PARENTING

Let’s pause and think! Join us for honest conversations about adoption and parenting, as we lament, encourage, give hope and explore our true identity and worth in Christ. For more information go to: www.whoseami.org

  1. Called to Adopt: Trusting God Through the Waiting

    JAN 30 · VIDEO

    Called to Adopt: Trusting God Through the Waiting

    In this episode of Pause & Think, host Jackie Darby talks with Kristen Williamson about her family’s faith-filled journey through international adoption. Kristen shares how God placed a calling on her heart, the challenges of a long and uncertain adoption process, and the emotional reality of bringing home an older child from the Philippines. She opens up about trauma, trust, patience, and the beauty that comes from obedience and perseverance. This honest conversation offers encouragement to anyone navigating adoption, waiting seasons, or learning to trust God’s timing. 🎧 Listen in and Pause & Think.

    34 min
  2. Saying Yes: Foster Care, Faith, and the Heart of Advocacy

    JAN 15 · VIDEO

    Saying Yes: Foster Care, Faith, and the Heart of Advocacy

    In this heartfelt episode of Pause & Think, host Jackie Darby sits down once again with advocate and foster mom Caitlyn Baten for an eye-opening conversation on the realities of foster care, adoption, and the generational cycles affecting vulnerable families. Caitlyn shares her family’s journey—how she and her husband stepped into foster care before having biological children, how their faith shaped every “yes,” and the deep conviction that led them to open their home to vulnerable girls. Together, Jackie and Caitlyn unpack: Why foster care is deeply connected to issues like homelessness, trafficking, and mental health The mission of Buckner International and its commitment to strengthening families at the root The realities of youth who age out of foster care—and why the Church must not forget them Practical ways anyone can get involved: mentorship, volunteering, giving, or simply being a safe person The global movement of CAFO and the growing call for believers to step into the lives of vulnerable children and young adultsThis episode is a powerful reminder that every life matters and that the body of Christ has a role in bringing restoration, stability, and hope to children and families who need it most.

    23 min
  3. The Baten Story: Foster Care, Adoption, and a Faithful God

    12/31/2025 · VIDEO

    The Baten Story: Foster Care, Adoption, and a Faithful God

    Tim & Caitlyn Baten join us to discuss the joys and complexities of foster care and adoption — the both/and of grief and beauty. They speak on honoring birth parents, raising children of diverse backgrounds, and what it means to pursue openness with humility, truth, and love. Their testimony highlights the power of community, the role of the church, and how God shows up in ordinary moments — even through formula shortages, meal trains, and handwritten prayers. A heartfelt episode for foster families, future adoptive parents, and anyone wanting to support vulnerable children.

    24 min
  4. Home and Heart: Belonging Beyond Borders in Adoption

    12/15/2025 · VIDEO

    Home and Heart: Belonging Beyond Borders in Adoption

    Pause & Think, hosts Aixa García and Jackie Darby  talk openly about adoption — both international and domestic — and what it really means to belong. Aixa shares her experience as a Guatemalan adoptive mom, while Jackie reflects on her journey as a Korean-born adoptee raised in the U.S. Together, they explore how every adoption story carries both beauty and loss, how identity and race intersect with love, and why acknowledging a child’s roots builds true belonging. From waiting seasons to deep cultural reflections, this episode invites listeners to see adoption as a reflection of God’s heart — a story of redemption, identity, and unconditional love. 💬 “Our identity doesn’t rest on our appearance or birthplace — it rests in our Heavenly Father.”

    24 min
  5. Attached on Purpose: Facing the Hard and Holy in Foster Care

    12/01/2025 · VIDEO

    Attached on Purpose: Facing the Hard and Holy in Foster Care

    In this moving continuation of Pause & Think, host Aixa García sits down again with José and Sherry Salazar to tackle one of the most common fears about foster care — “I could never do it. I’d get too attached.” With honesty and grace, the Salazars unpack what it means to love deeply, let go faithfully, and depend on God through heartbreak and hope. They share how their children have grown through the beauty and pain of fostering, what it looks like to pray for biological families, and how the global Church can rise to meet the needs of vulnerable children. This episode reminds us that attachment isn’t a weakness — it’s a reflection of God’s heart.

    23 min
  6. Mission as Family: The Salazars' Journey of Faith, Foster Care, and Community

    11/15/2025 · VIDEO

    Mission as Family: The Salazars' Journey of Faith, Foster Care, and Community

    In this heartfelt episode of Pause & Think, host Aixa sits down with José and Sherry Salazar in Guatemala City to explore how God has shaped their family’s story through obedience, sacrifice, and love for the vulnerable. From meeting at an orphanage to welcoming 11 children into their home, the Salazars share how faith guided every “yes” along the way — even when the road was hard. They talk about redefining family, raising biological and foster children side by side, creating space for others at the table, and learning that God’s interruptions are never late. This episode is a beautiful reminder that the Great Commission starts at home and grows through community, courage, and grace.

    22 min
  7. From Foster Child to Adoptive Mom: Kristen Thomas' Incredible Journey

    10/30/2025 · VIDEO

    From Foster Child to Adoptive Mom: Kristen Thomas' Incredible Journey

    In this inspiring episode of Pause & Think,  Kristen Thomas shares her powerful story of transformation—from growing up in foster care to becoming an adoptive mom. Kristen opens up about:💬 How a “one-night foster placement” turned into a lifelong family through adoption.💬 Walking alongside her daughter Elise, who overcame challenges with confidence, identity, and autism.💬 The reality of foster care and adoption—both the struggles and the incredible moments of joy.💬 Practical encouragement for foster/adoptive parents who may feel weary in the trenches.💬 How her nonprofit, Tamarisk Community, is creating belonging for youth who have aged out of foster care. Her story is a powerful reminder that God can redeem brokenness, that belonging changes everything, and that every “yes” to love has ripple effects far beyond what we can imagine. 👉 Don’t miss this conversation filled with honesty, laughter, and hope.

    25 min
  8. From Foster Care to Healing: Kristen Thomas' Powerful Story

    10/15/2025 · VIDEO

    From Foster Care to Healing: Kristen Thomas' Powerful Story

    In this episode of Pause & Think, host Jackie Darby sits down with Kristen Thomas from Raleigh, NC, to share her powerful journey through foster care, kinship care, and aging out of the system. Kristen opens up about the struggles of instability, trauma, and feeling unseen—yet also how faith, community, and resilience helped her find healing and purpose. 👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where Kristen shares her own adoption story and the journey with her daughter.

    23 min
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About

Let’s pause and think! Join us for honest conversations about adoption and parenting, as we lament, encourage, give hope and explore our true identity and worth in Christ. For more information go to: www.whoseami.org

Information

  • Creator
    Aixa de López & Jackie Darby
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024
  • Show Website
    Pause and Think