ADOPTION STRUGGLES AND SUPPORT | Adoption, Adoption Trauma, Adoptive Parents, Biblical Encouragement, Journaling, Parenting

75 – The Wrong Thing to Say? Husbands Please Don’t Do What I Did!

One of the biggest dreams my wife and a lot of women want to realize is to fulfill the desire that God put in their hearts to be a mother. When that doesn’t happen and infertility becomes a challenge in your marriage, husbands, please don’t do what I did.
Hi Neighbor,
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to share a personal story. It’s a story I’m not proud of, but I think it’s a story that needs to be told. It’s my hope that by my sharing what I did wrong in my marriage, it will help other husbands to avoid doing what I did.
In addition to my blunder, we’ll seek Biblical guidance from passages in the books of Genesis, 1 Samuel, Psalms, Proverbs, and 1 Peter.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks, Neighbor!

74 – Feeling Out of Sorts? 5 Ways to Show Yourself Grace After Trauma

Something wasn't right. I had all these mixed emotions and feelings running through my head. Things were going okay, but I found myself feeling gloomy, restless, and even anxious. It was so confusing. 
On top of that, I felt edgy. I knew something was off but I couldn’t put my finger on it, then it dawned on me. Oh, that’s what it is.
Hi Neighbor,
Have you ever felt gloomy, restless, or maybe even anxious at times? Or maybe you felt confused and even edgy. Maybe not all of these at once, but chances are you felt these at some point in your life. 
Recently, I was feeling all of these. Things were going well, and then it dawned on me. That’s what it is. My body remembered something I wanted to forget.
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to consider with you 5 ways you can show grace to yourself when you’re feeling out of sorts.
Most people, me included, are willing to show grace to everyone but ourselves. When someone is going through a difficult time, be it trauma or grief or whatever, we’re willing to show grace to them, but not to ourselves.
Why is that? I'm not sure that I have a good answer for you, but I want to stress to you that whenever you're going through difficult times, trauma, grief, or whatever, you need to show grace to yourself. 
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks, Neighbor!

73 – The Power of Letters: 5 Stories of Adoption, Love, and Encouragement

Dear Birth Mother, our relationship began with a letter nine years ago… So as we continue to realize our dream of a family, I find myself again writing to someone I don't know to try and convey our thoughts and dreams.
Hi Neighbor,
As I look back on my life, some of the most significant things that have happened to me began with a handwritten letter. 
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to share with you five different stories in my life, all paralleled with events that were affected by letters.
By the end, I hope you’ll consider writing a letter to yourself.
Check out the episodes mentioned about my son, Jonny: EP 1, and EP 47.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. I would like to encourage you to write a letter for the show. For those of you who haven’t left a review yet, just think of it as writing a letter for the show. It will not only bless me, but it will bless those who haven't heard the podcast yet.Thanks Neighbor!

72 – Walking in the Rain? One of My Favorite Ways to Find Respite

What do you do for respite? Sometimes for me, respite means I’m walking in the rain.
Hi Neighbor,
In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to encourage you to identify times in your life when you need to take a moment for respite. Whatever respite looks like for you and whenever you need respite, make sure you make the time to do that for yourself. 
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a break, I hope this message finds you at the perfect time.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks, Neighbor!

71 – How to Sit With the Text? How the Psalms Help Adoptive Parents Overcome Life’s Storms

What do you do when life is coming at you from all different directions? Life is tough. Storms in life are inevitable. What do you do when those storms are bearing down on you? May I suggest you sit with the text?
Hi Neighbor,
Welcome to an unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. The fact that we are living on this planet means that we can’t escape storms. They’re a fact of life. But how do you deal with those storms? 
In this episode, we’ll sit with the text and consider verses from Psalm 31, Psalm 121, and Psalm 143.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. Join our amazing Facebook Community.
If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how.
 

70 – Honoring a Hero Who Never Experienced the Joy of Being Called Daddy

He was called son. He was called grandson. He was called nephew. He was called cousin, and he was called brother.
But he was never called husband. He was never called daddy, and he was never called grandpa because he never came home.
I hope when I’m finished telling you his story, you might consider calling him hero.
Hi Neighbor,
This episode of Anchors of Encouragement was recorded as we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day in the United States. The federal holiday for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
In this episode, I share the story of my hero, Uncle Lloyd. A hero I only knew from a picture on a wall.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks Neighbor!
 

69 – How Can I Reduce Anxiety & Overwhelm In My Home? Interview With Emily McDermott

When we recognize something in our environment that is not only harming us but causing anxiety, stress, and overwhelm in our lives, we want to remove it. Whatever it is.
What about when that same thing is affecting our children in a negative way? We will do whatever it takes. Period!
Hi Neighbor,
I’m pleased to bring you my friend and podcasting sister, Emily McDermott.
Emily hosts the top 1.5% globally ranked podcast, Moms Overcoming Overwhelm, where she helps moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, Emily will discuss a topic that may initially seem unrelated to adoptive parents. 
However, it holds relevance for many individuals in our society and particularly resonates with adoptive parents who face unique challenges associated with adoption.
I pray you’ll be encouraged by our conversation.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks Neighbor!
Connect with Emily:PodcastWebsiteInstagramFacebook GroupFreebie
 

68 – The Power of a Mother’s Love: Live Coaching with Tim Maudlin

Say it to Mom While You Can. Discover the words inside you to share with the woman who holds your heart forever.
Hi Neighbor,
Welcome to a special episode of Anchors of Encouragement. Today you’re going to hear a coaching session I recently had with my neighbor Kim. Kim is a lifelong friend and the closest neighbor I’ve ever had on the show.
In this coaching session, I asked Kim a series of questions and then gave her time to write down her answers.
I would like to invite you to grab a pen and paper and participate too. Feel free to pause the episode when the music starts, and once you have your answers written down, resume the episode. 
Make sure and stay until the end because I have a special gift not only for Kim but for you too.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
If you would like to receive the Heartbook I gave Kim, click this LINK. It has the prompts I read to Kim, space to write your answers, and a script to compose your message. There’s also a special card you can print and write your message on.
By downloading your Heartbook, you’ll also become a member of our Anchors of Encouragement Community and receive regular updates about the show.
 

67 – Developing Trust Out of Trauma? A Story of Love, Compassion and Grace

I couldn't believe what Blue allowed me to do. Bleu’s kittens were not safe, leaving my wife and me with a tough decision to make. We hoped that Bleu would cooperate with us, but what happened next was beyond belief. I was able to do something that I never thought possible.
Hi Neighbor,
Join us in this special unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement as we continue to explore the heartwarming story of my cat Bleu and her kittens. This is not your typical adoption story that you usually hear on our podcast, but it's a tale that will warm your heart nonetheless.
Bleu's story provides an important illustration of how building trust, whether it’s with animals or adopted children, takes love, compassion, and grace.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
Have you ever thought about creating your own podcast but don’t know where to begin? That was me until I discovered Stefanie Gass and her excellent training.
I started with Clarify Your Calling and then took Podcast Pro University.
Now, I have a Top 2.5% Global Podcast in over 60 countries. Stef shows you how. This episode is an example of how easy it can be. If I can do it, you CAN too.
 
 
 
Disclaimer: The links I include in my show descriptions may be affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I could earn a small commission. I will only promote products I believe in and think you will enjoy. Thank you for listening to Anchors of Encouragement. 

66 – Tender, Warm and Loving: A Story of Encouragement From a Feral Cat?

I went over to the area of the barn where I suspected they were, when all of a sudden, I heard a sound. It was a growl. Bleu was letting me know, you are not welcome here!
Hi Neighbor,
Could you use a break from all of the negativity in the news? I know I can. Don’t let the growl in the intro scare you off. This story has a happy ending… promise.
In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to share a story with you, an adoption story, but not the typical adoption story you are used to hearing on this podcast.
I’ll also share with you how easy it is to become a podcaster using JUST your phone. 
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
Have you ever thought about creating your own podcast but don’t know where to begin? That was me until I discovered Stefanie Gass and her excellent training.
I started with Clarify Your Calling and then took Podcast Pro University.
Now, I have a Top 2.5% Global Podcast in over 60 countries. Stef shows you how. This episode is an example of how easy it can be. If I can do it, you CAN too.
 
 
 
Disclaimer: The links I include in my show descriptions may be affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I could earn a small commission. I will only promote products I believe in and think you will enjoy. Thank you for listening to Anchors of Encouragement.