ANCHORS OF ENCOURAGEMENT | Adoption, Adoptive Parents, Biblical Encouragement, Journaling, Anxiety, Healthy Relationships

113 – Anxious? Try This Simple Anxiety Grounding Technique

What is something that can cause you anxiety, but also reduce your anxiety? Answer: For me, it’s snow.
Hi Neighbor,
In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to share one of my favorite anxiety grounding techniques with you. It’s something I’ve been doing for years. I also share a happy memory of doing it when I was in college.
Daily Doable: Identify those anxiety grounding techniques you can use whenever you need a break, whenever you need some respite.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

112 – 5 Ways To Get Unstuck and Start Journaling Today

Some days are easier than others. Some days don't go as expected. What do you do when there is ONE curve ball after another thrown at you? 
I’ve discovered a lot of things are out of my control. But there’s ONE thing I can control, ONE thing I do almost every day. That ONE thing helps me to prepare for the unpredictability of any day.
Hi Neighbor, 
To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the fifth and final episode of this 5-part series about journaling.
Question Number 5: Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Journal? Answer: Start where you are with what you have. In this episode, I want to consider 5 ways to get unstuck and start journaling today. 
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Did you miss Parts 1, 2, 3, or 4 in this series? You can listen to them here, Part 1 EP 108, Part 2 EP 109, Part 3 EP 110, and Part 4 EP 111.
I also want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.
 

111 – Journaling Anxiety? 5 Ways to Journal the WRITE Way

It’s easy to get tripped up journaling. Trust me, I know. There are so many different ways you can journal, and you’re left wondering, “Is there a right or wrong way to do it?” I’m hoping by sharing my experiences, using the WRITE way, that will help liberate you and help you to choose the way or ways that are best for you.
Hi, Neighbor. 
To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the fourth of a 5-part series about journaling.
Question Number 4: Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Journal? Answer: There’s only one way to journal, the WRITE way, W-R-I-T-E. In this episode, I want to consider with you 5 ways to journal the WRITE way. It’s my goal these ways will make journaling doable for you. 
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Did you miss Parts 1, 2, or 3 in this series? You can listen to them here, Part 1 EP 108, Part 2 EP 109, and Part 3 EP 110.
Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

110 – 3 Writing Prompts To Make Journaling Easy and Doable

Those who know me know I love to draw. I’ve been doing it all my life, from scribbles on my grandma’s wallpaper to drawings of buildings. For almost 30 years, I was an architectural illustrator. I’ve drawn buildings located all over the world.
From this podcast, you probably know I love to journal. I’ve been journaling for over 5 years. But there’s something about me I bet you didn't know. I have a confession to make.
Whether it’s drawing or journaling, Every time I see a blank sheet of paper, I get intimidated. I know it might sound silly, but it’s true.
Hi Neighbor, 
To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the third of a 5-part series about journaling.
Question Number 3: What Do I Write About? Answer: Write about anything you want. In this episode, I’ll share with you 3 things you can write about to make journaling easy, doable, and less intimidating.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Did you miss Parts 1 and 2 in this series? You can listen to them here, Part 1 EP 108 and Part 2 EP 109.
I also want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.

109 – Don’t Have Time to Journal? Try a 5-Minute Process

My dad had a heart attack at 45. It was scary. Thankfully, it was the warning kind of heart attack… This was a wake-up call for him and a wake-up call for me. Dad began riding an exercise bike, I began cycling.
I understood this was a process. There were benefits to doing what I was doing. Just like I've experienced the benefits of cycling and later hiking. I've also experienced the benefits of something else I've talked about on this podcast, journaling.
Hi, Neighbor. 
To journal or not to journal? Five questions to consider. This is the second of a 5-part series about journaling.
Question Number 2: How Much Time Does Journaling Take? Answer: It actually takes less time than you might think.
We will explore this question through stories about my Dad and son, Jonny, and how they have reacted to traumatic experiences.
Learning from their stories, I incorporated those lessons into my own life. I believe this process will inspire you to journal too. 
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Did you miss Part 1 in this series? You can listen to it here. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

108 – Anxious, Overwhelmed, or Angry? 3 Journaling Benefits for Adoptive Parents

At first, I wasn’t a believer. You might even call me a doubting Thomas. It wasn’t until I saw with my own eyes the power of this simple practice. Now I’m a believer too.
Hi, Neighbor. 
To Journal or Not to Journal? Five questions to consider. This is the first of a 5-part series that I want to share with you about journaling.
Question Number 1: What Are the Benefits of Journaling? In today's episode, we'll consider that question with 3 game-changing benefits that sealed the deal for me.
I also mention Episode 47,  where my son Jonny shares his story and discusses how journaling has been a significant source of support for him. It’s a powerful testimony to the power of journaling.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. I want to invite you to be a part of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.

107 – 3-Step Parenting Guide for Overcoming Criticism and Self-Doubt

As an adoptive parent, do you ever second-guess yourself? What did I do wrong? Do you listen to critics and let them get you down? Have you responded to negative criticism and it didn’t go well?
Hi, Neighbor. 
I’m here to tell you, don’t beat yourself up. In this episode, I’ll share 3 ways adoptive parents can navigate these challenges in their adoption journeys.
Verses mentioned in this episode.“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us so that we might share in his holiness.” Hebrews 12:10
“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31
I want to encourage you to use Luke 6:31 as a journaling prompt. Copy this verse and keep it front and center for those times of criticism and self-doubt.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.
Join our Facebook community at this link.
 
 

106 – Worried About Your Children’s Future? Biblical Encouragement for the Adoption Journey

Do you worry about your children’s future? Will they make wise choices? Will they be successful? And most importantly, will they remain faithful?
Hi Neighbor,
I’m here to encourage you. Don’t give up! In this episode, I want to offer you some biblical encouragement with a time-tested proverb and share a personal story of how that was manifested in my life.
Proverbs 22:6 NLT – “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”
Proverbs 22:6 NKJ – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Be an anchor of encouragement for other adoptive parents searching for answers in their adoption journeys. Please leave a review for the podcast. It’s simple and will only take a few minutes. See the link below for a video on how to do it. Thank you!
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.

105 – Healthy Relationships of an Open Adoption With Terri Marcroft

When my daughter was five, we got a letter from her birth mother at Christmas time saying, “I started thinking about grad school but then, you know, 9-11 happened and we invaded Iraq... I’m planning on joining the army. I’m going to be going off to officer training school and in case I don’t come back, I want to come and spend the weekend with you and meet my daughter.”
Hi Neighbor,
Joining me today is my neighbor from San Jose, Terri Marcroft. Terri is an adoptive mom and a passionate advocate of open adoption.
You’ll hear Terri’s story and how it motivated her to create an organization to raise awareness of why adoption is the healthier solution to an unplanned pregnancy. 
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.
Terri’s Organization:Unplanned Good
Terri’s Books:Pro-Family Pro-Adoption: A Christian’s Guide to Unplanned Pregnancy Options
Pro-Choice Pro-Adoption: It's Time for a Loving, Positive Response to Unplanned Pregnancy
 
Disclaimer: As is the case with anyone that I bring on the show to talk to you, I encourage take notes and listen to the information. Then do your due diligence and use what you can in your adoption journey to parent your child the best way you can.
Some of the links I include in my emails 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 being in my community.
 

104 – The Worries, Wishes and Desires of Adoptive Parents

Hi, Neighbor, 
Welcome to a special behind-the-scenes episode of Anchors of Encouragement. Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the privilege to speak to many adoptive parents. 
Even though I am an adoptive parent, it’s my desire to get to know you better so that I can create content and episodes that speak to you. 
After these conversations, I realized I needed to update the description for this podcast. I want it to reflect what I heard you say you want to hear on this show, and that’s what I want to share with you in this episode. 
Here’s the new description for the podcast. Some of it will sound familiar, but some of it will sound a little different.
Did you finally realize your dream of having a family only to have your happily ever after turn into a nightmare?
Are you constantly second-guessing your parenting, anxious about whether your child will make good choices and remain faithful?
Do you wish more than anything that your child would know Christ and just turn out "OK"?
Have you neglected yourself to the point that it’s taken a personal toll on you?
Hi Neighbor! Welcome to Anchors of Encouragement. I’m Tim Maudlin: Husband, Adoptive Parent, Disciple of Christ, and Ambassador of Encouragement.
I too felt the joy of having a family of my own and I wished we could be like other families. But I found myself up late at night, anxious about my child's future and asking myself, "Why is this happening? Am I a failure as a parent?"
It was only by grabbing a lifeline from God and my friends that I was able to navigate the challenges of adoptive life. 
And now I can't wait to share everything I've learned with you.
My mission is to be your friend and encourager, to throw adoptive parents a lifeline, and offer biblical mindset support as you partner with Christ, providing stability as your anchor when you need it the most.
If you’re ready for real and raw talk, with strategies and insights that lead to peace beyond comprehension so you not only survive but thrive in life’s storms, this podcast is for you.
Hope and Healing are on the way! 
I'm here for you, neighbor!
That’s the new description for this podcast, or maybe I should say the most current description.
This is something that will continue to evolve as I get to know you better and understand what kind of content you want and need in this podcast.
Daily Doable: I really want to hear from you. Listen and or read the description. Do these points that I'm making speak to you? If they do, let me know. 
If they don't, please let me know because it's my goal to create content that speaks to the challenges you're facing in your adoption journey.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Send your comments and feedback to AnchorsOfEncouragement@gmail.com
Would you please consider leaving a review for the show? Here is a short video to show you how.