Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I am joined by a dear friend, author, speaker, and host of the Radical Radiance podcast, Rebecca George. Rebecca is sharing her heart and experiences as we discuss God’s timing and how hard it is to wait. Our hearts are longing, especially in this calling, and that longing isn’t bad but it can easily turn into an idol. So, how do we navigate this God-given longing while honoring Him in the waiting?

The truth is the longing doesn’t stop even when we’ve reached the point we’ve been praying and waiting for. A new longing takes its place. This is why it is so important we learn how to be present with God in the season He’s put us in right now and trust His timing.

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:

• You're not too late, trust God's timing.
• Longing leads to more longing in life.
• It's important to celebrate others' blessings.
• You need a support system in your journey.
• Be honest before the Lord about your desires.
• Don't miss out on your life today.
• Learn how to talk about your journey.
• Your longing is valid and part of your story.

Connect with Rebecca on Instagram or her website! Listen to the Radical Radiance podcast wherever you find your podcasts.

Check out her brand new book, which sparked today’s conversation: “You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry-Up World”

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I am joined by a fellow adoptive mom, Megan May. Megan is also a self-published book author and creator of the You Matter Boutique which is designed to create meaningful things for both birth-moms and adoptive moms. Originally, Megan wanted zero kids, but God had other plans. Now Megan is the joyful mother to three biological children and one adoptive daughter.

God does not offer us happiness or comfort in this life but we can definitely experience His joy which is far greater. God also likes to change our plans and change our hearts, which is exactly what happened to Megan. Adoption can feel scary, stressful, and daunting as we might feel unequipped, imposter syndrome, and uncertainty–that’s why we wanted to emphasize the joy in this episode!

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:

• Adoption can bring immense joy despite its challenges.
• Finding joy in the hard moments is essential.
• It's okay to feel doubt and fear when considering adoption.
• Choosing joy is a daily decision that can transform lives.
• Creating a culture of joy in the home is vital for family dynamics.
• Community support can help find joy during tough times.

Find Megan’s Self Published Book: “From Zero to Four - My Journey Of Stepping Into A Life I Did Not Plan”

Check out the You Matter Boutique

Follow Megan on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/youmatter.boutique/

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I am joined by author and adoptive father, Matt Lambert. Matt and his wife live in the UK with their two adopted children. Through the adoption experience, Matt unpacked some of his own brokenness and began to experience spiritual healing as he was “adopted by God.” This inspired him to write his book “Adopted by God: Healing Through Connection to the Father” which is the topic of our conversation. How does the adoption process bring up your own burdens, childhood memories or trauma? For Matt, it was feeling disconnected and misunderstood by his own parents, because he was “weird.” He reframed this as an adoptive parent in a lightbulb moment as being “wired” by God in a unique way. This realization helped him in raising his adoptive children, who also have attachment and connection struggles.

Together, we talk about the spiritual healing that can happen with this calling because it is so closely aligned to God’s love for us - adopting His broken children. We are broken as parents, so how do we raise our adopted and fostered kids, who inherently experience brokenness too?

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:

• Adoption can lead to significant personal growth.
• Therapeutic parenting is essential for adoptive families.
• Self-examination is crucial for effective parenting.
• Neurodiversity impacts family dynamics and parenting styles.
• Healing often comes through understanding one's own brokenness.
• Parenting is a long-term journey, not a quick fix.

Matt Lambert’s Book: Adopted by God: Healing through connection to the Father

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I ask the question posed by many in the foster care system: should I adopt my foster kids? How will I know if that is what God is calling me to do? Or… what if He says no? I share statistics, information, but also share my personal experience where God told our family “no” to an adoption and I was not expecting it. As I like to say, in this calling you must “love fiercely and hold loosely.” In this calling, you have to be prepared for the unexpected, various outcomes, unknown possibilities and know God is with you every step of the way. Prayer is crucial, as well as unity in your marriage, and your support systems.

Hopefully, through this episode, you are better equipped to face those situations…

Here are a few takeaways:

• Statistics show that 400,000 children enter foster care annually.
• Adoption through foster care is often unpredictable.
• Foster parents must guard their hearts due to impermanence.
• Congruent planning can put pressure on foster parents.
• Unity in marriage is crucial for decision-making.
• Children in the home should be a top consideration.
• Not every foster child is meant to be adopted.
• Peace in decision-making is a sign of God's will.
• Listening to your body's stress signals is important.

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I am joined by author and adoptive mama, Jessica Mathisen. In light of Foster Care Awareness Month, we discuss Jessica’s profound journey into foster care and adoption. We dive into unique family dynamics, the calling to foster care, the challenges faced by foster parents, and the importance of community support. It is crucial there is unity in marriage before stepping into this calling because the support and foundation is needed when facing the emotional, mental, and sometimes physical demands of this calling.

Our conversation also turns to emotional complexities that come with fostering or adopting such as facing infertility. Jessica shares her personal experiences and insights, providing encouragement and practical advice for those considering or currently navigating the foster care system. Jessica shares her journey through foster care and adoption, discussing the challenges and joys of welcoming children into her home. She emphasizes the importance of community support, the need for older children in care, and the reality of disruptions in foster placements. Jessica also highlights the significance of trusting God's plan and finding joy amidst the challenges. Additionally, she introduces her new children's book, 'No Matter Where I Go,' which aims to provide resources and support for families navigating foster care.

Here are a few takeaways:

• Every foster parent has a unique story and experience.
• Motherhood can be defined by love, not biology.
• Building a care team can ease the journey of fostering.
• Foster care and adoption are not solutions for infertility.
• It's important to involve children in the family mission of fostering.
• Older children in care, especially teenagers, need loving homes.
• Seeing a child in need can change perceptions and reduce fear.
• Disruption in foster care can be necessary for safety.
• Children in foster care still love their biological families.

Learn more about Jessica Mathisen: https://www.jessicanmathisen.com/

Connect with Jessica Mathisen: https://www.instagram.com/jessicanmathisen/

Her new book and excellent resource for families: click here

Christian Parenting’s Faith Centered Gift Guide: https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/gifts/

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I am joined by Scott Fuller, vice president of advancement at Murphy Harpst Children's Centers. We discuss the importance of community support in foster care, the various programs offered by Murphy Harpst, and share inspiring stories of transformation in the lives of children who have experienced trauma.

Scott emphasizes the need for churches and families to step up and support these vulnerable children, highlighting the role of mental health resources and the importance of seeking help without shame.

Here are a few takeaways:

• Community involvement is crucial for the success of foster care.
• Children who have experienced trauma can heal with the right support.
• Foster families need ongoing community support to thrive.
• There are many resources available for families in need of help.
• Churches have a responsibility to care for vulnerable children.
• Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Every individual can contribute to making a difference in a child's life.

Murphy Harpst website: https://murphyharpst.org/

“We don’t all do the same thing, but we can all do something.” -Scott Fuller.

Reach out to your church or local nonprofits to get involved. Share this podcast and spread awareness. Let’s rise up as the body of Christ and pour out the love of God to these kids!

Christian Parenting’s Faith Centered Gift Guide: https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/gifts/

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I am joined by Tanner Olson. Tanner said when he went to college he knew he was picking a major where he would end up poor and it was a matter of how. He bounced around until finally landing on spoken word poetry and writing. Today, he performs his spoken word poetry with friends who play music, in an effort to communicate God’s heart to the listening ears. Tanner is also the proud father of his adopted son, Judah.

Together, we explore grief, adoption, and the power of prayer. Tanner shares his personal journey through infertility, leading to the adoption of his son. They discuss the importance of storytelling and how words can heal, as well as the significance of teaching children to pray. Tanner introduces his new children's book, 'All the Things I Say to God,' which aims to help families facilitate conversations about prayer and faith. Our discussion emphasizes the complexities of emotions in the face of grief and the beauty of trusting in God's timing.

Here are a few takeaways:

• Prayer can be a simple, honest conversation with God.
• Grief can be a powerful teacher in faith.
• Children can learn to pray anytime, anywhere.
• Storytelling can heal and connect us.
• Adoption brings both joy and challenges.
• It's okay to hold multiple emotions at once.
• God's timing is perfect, even when it feels late.

Get your copy of “All the Things I Say to God” https://www.amazon.com/All-Things-Say-God-Learning/dp/0310165954

Tanner’s website https://www.writtentospeak.com/

Follow him on Instagram @writtentospeak

Christian Parenting’s Faith Centered Gift Guide: https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/gifts/

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

I am joined by Terri Marcroft. Terri Marcroft is an adoptive mom, author, and adoption advocate who works hard spreading the word on adoption through Unplanned Good. In 2008 Terri identified the need to more actively suggest adoption: today only 1% of young US women facing unplanned pregnancy choose adoption for their babies, while there are almost two million couples in the US hoping to adopt. After ten gratifying years of parenthood and twenty-five in high tech marketing & communications, Terri founded Unplanned Good in 2010. Terri leads the Unplanned Good efforts to encourage young women facing unwanted pregnancy to consider making an adoption plan.

In our conversation, we explain what open adoption is, why it's so beneficial for everyone: birth-parents, babies, and the adoptive family. Terri also highlights the importance of education on this topic, spreading awareness, and how people can be involved in their local communities because 1 in 4 girls will have an unplanned pregnancy from ages 14 to 20. That means this is happening in your community–it could be next door. With so many babies needing homes and so many homes wanting babies, it is imperative that we as the Church work to bring these two together.

Here are a few takeaways:

● Less than 1% of women facing unplanned pregnancies choose adoption.

● Open adoption allows birth mothers to make informed choices.

● Transparency in adoption benefits everyone involved.

● Community support is crucial for women facing unplanned pregnancies.

● Education about adoption can change societal perceptions.

● Legislative advocacy can improve adoption processes.

● Encouraging open conversations about adoption is essential.

● Adoption is a loving choice, not a loss.

Learn more about Unplanned Good: https://www.unplannedgood.org/

Christian Parenting’s Faith Centered Gift Guide: https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/gifts/

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!