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Gethsemane: Where Healing Begins
In 2014, an adoptive mom moved our audience by candidly sharing her family's experience with post-adoption trauma. Today, her words still resonate deeply. Enjoy this special guest post from the Lifesong Blog archives… I sat on the hallway floor in the dark. I was hugging my knees which…
This Is Adoption
What comes to mind when you hear the word adoption? You might envision a happy airport homecoming, a beautifully diverse family, dramatic behavior challenges, even a rescue pup (thoughts on that here). But there's no one better equipped to give a definition of adoption than members of the adoption…
Make This a Year of Healing with Post-Adoption Support
Adoptive families, with all their unique transitions, traumas, and needs, can be especially vulnerable in challenging times. It's possible that you (or your spouse, child, family) are in a valley. But we want to help. It's our desire to help get your family the post-adoption support you need…
Meet a Family with 17 Children!
Dave and Mandy Litzke (pictured above with 16 of their children) believe God put them here on earth for 3 main reasons—1) to love Jesus, 2) to show their scars, and 3) to tell their story. So here is their incredible story of God's faithfulness to their family—…
Responding to Hurtful Words from an Adopted Child
The adoption journey is filled with healing and hurtful words. If you're an adoptive parent (as I am), you probably know this by now. And if you're just getting started, you'll probably learn soon enough that some of the most healing and hurtful words are said within the…
Join Us! Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit
You are invited to an exciting online summit. On Thursday–Friday, September 10–11, thousands of orphan care, foster care, and adoption advocates—like you—will gather online for the 2020 Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) Summit. If you want to connect with like-minded advocates, this online summit is for you. The…
1 Year Out of the Orphanage and in Her Family’s Arms
Many of the stories we share conclude with a child coming home. But as every adoptive family knows, "gotcha day" is just the beginning. Bonding as a new family is serious work. If you're an adoptive or foster parent in the trenches, here's some encouragement that God can…
5 Helpful Things to Say to an Anxious Child
As parents, if we're feeling fearful or unsure, then we can rightly assume our kids are feeling it, too. Children who have experienced trauma are especially prone to anxious feelings in uncertain times. According to Karyn Purvis and the Institute of Child Development, "A major detrimental outcome of…
How to Strengthen Your Marriage while Fostering or Adopting
Dennis and Barbara Rainey know a thing or two about how to strengthen a marriage They've strengthened their marriage even while caring for the world's most vulnerable. They've been married over 40 years and have 6 grown children, one of whom they adopted. Additionally, they lead Family Life, a…
5 Things to Pray for Your Child’s Birth Parents
It happens every time I kiss my son's silky black hair or hold his little hand— I am reminded that somewhere in the world, a set of parents is missing out onthe sameopportunity. Idon't know anything about my son's birth parents—what prompted them to abandon their baby just…