ADOPTION STRUGGLES AND SUPPORT | Adoption Trauma, Safety, Peace of Mind, Biblical Encouragement, Respite, Journaling

213 – Will My Adopted Child Ever Heal? Wisdom from Adoptee Jackson TerKeurst

Healing isn’t a quick fix! Patience is the real work of adoption. 💛
How can adoptive parents and adoptees apply these principles in their own journeys?
Hi Neighbor,
I’ve learned when I wrap up an interview to keep the recording going. Because more often than not, something unexpected and meaningful happens once the microphone should have been turned off. 🎙️
That’s exactly what took place after my conversation with Jackson TerKeurst. You can hear that interview in Episode 201.
In this aftershow conversation, what began as a few closing remarks turned into a rich, heartfelt exchange filled with wisdom for both adoptees and adoptive parents. 💬
The journey from chaos to hope isn’t easy—but it’s possible. Jackson’s story takes us from war-torn Liberia and orphanages to a life anchored in faith, trust, and healing. 
Together, we talk about:✨ What it takes to build trust💪 The power of consistency🌱 How healing often grows in the soil of patience and faith
If you’ve ever wondered whether the waiting will be worth it, or how to stay steady when the path ahead feels uncertain, Jackson’s story will remind you that God’s timing is never late—and that healing happens one faithful step at a time. 🙏
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim 💙
P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.
Connect with Jackson:InstagramWebsiteBook

212 – When Adoption Stories Hurt: Helping Your Child Through the Hard Moments (with Jane Baker)

“If your own mother won’t fight to keep you, what does that say about you?”
Has your adopted child ever asked a question that stopped you in your tracks? Something so deep and painful, you weren’t sure how to answer?💔
Hi Neighbor,
In this powerful episode, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker. Jane brings decades of experience walking with children and families through the hard work of healing adoption trauma.
In the first part of this series, we focused on adopted children who simply want to know their story—how to answer their questions, give them what they need, and respond with honesty and empathy. (You can listen to that conversation in Episode 210.)
In this second part, Jane shares wisdom on what to say when your child’s story is hard to tell. This one will make you both laugh and cry.
Together, we talk about how to:✨ Help your child understand that their birth parents’ choices don’t define their worth.💬 Respond to painful questions with honesty, empathy, and compassion.🧩 Recognize when your child’s anger is really grief in disguise.🌿 Create a safe space for healing—one quiet moment, one patient conversation at a time.
Jane also shares one of the most profound moments of her career—a conversation with a little boy whose words capture the heartache many adopted children feel. His story will move you deeply and remind you of the sacred work you’re doing as a parent.
I’ll also share a Biblical principle from 1 Corinthians 13:4 that ties beautifully into Jane’s wisdom. 📖 Some healing can’t be hurried. God’s love often works in the slow, quiet spaces.
If you’ve ever wondered how to walk with your child through pain you can’t fix, this episode will encourage you to stay present, trust God’s timing, and love with patient endurance.💛
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim💙
P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey.
👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙
If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.
Connect with Jane Baker:Phone: 256-353-8528Email: JBaker@adoption-associates.comWebsite: https://www.adoption-associates.com/
Listen to Jane’s Episodes:
8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker
9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker
86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker
183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

211 – BONUS Minisode: You’re Not Alone! Compassion, Connection & Community for Adoptive Parents

Imagine a group of compassionate adoptive parents. A safe place where people GET IT, share encouragement, and offer practical, faith-rooted support. Sounds amazing, right? 💛
Hi Neighbor,
I’d like to take a moment to invite you into something special I built for adoptive parents. Something described in three words: compassion, connection, and community.
If you’ve ever sat in the quiet after a hard day with your adopted child and thought, “Am I the only one going through this?” 😔 You’re not! I’ve been there too.
I eventually found compassion, connection, and community through my anchors of encouragement. But I realized not every adoptive parent has that kind of support.
That’s why I created this space: a community of compassionate adoptive parents who understand, who share encouragement, and who offer practical, faith-rooted support.
If you’re in a season of difficulty with your adopted children, please take this opportunity to connect with us. We want to be there for you when you cry, when you need encouragement, or a safe embrace. 🤗
You don’t have to walk this journey alone. It's simple to join. Please go to the link in the show notes.
Together we can walk this road: One step, One prayer, One season at a time. Compassion, connection, and community. That’s what you'll find when you join us today. We’d be honored to walk alongside you.
If you know another adoptive parent who could use this kind of encouragement, would you please share this episode with them? Maybe text it to a friend who’s had a hard week, or post it on your social media.
You never know. A simple share might be the lifeline someone else needs today. 💖
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.Your Neighbor,Tim💙
P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.
👉 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. I recorded a quick video to show you how. Thanks so much!

210 – How to Tell Your Child the Truth About Their Adoption (with Jane Baker)

Has your child started asking questions about their birth family? 🤔Do you worry about what to say or how much to share? 💬What if your honesty could actually strengthen your child’s trust and sense of belonging? 💛
Hi Neighbor, 
In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker. 
Jane has walked alongside countless families navigating the tender emotions of adoption reunions when children want to know more about—or even meet—their birth families. 💞
Together, we talk about how to:✨ Let your child set the pace in learning their story.🕊️ Be the source of truth about their adoption—spoken with kindness.💗 Share difficult details with honesty, empathy, and tact.🌿 Care for your own emotions as a parent while guiding your child through theirs.
I’ll also share a biblical principle that pairs perfectly with Jane’s wisdom. 📖
It’s a call to practice tact and kindness—to choose words that build understanding, confidence, and security in your child.
If you’ve wondered how to handle these delicate moments with truth and grace, this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and hope. 
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim💙
P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey.
👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙
If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.
Connect with Jane Baker:Phone: 256-353-8528Email: JBaker@adoption-associates.comWebsite: https://www.adoption-associates.com/
Listen to Jane’s Episodes:
8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker
9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker
86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker
183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

209 – 3 Biblical Steps to Eliminate Hurry and Find Peace, Calm, and Rest

❗Are you constantly rushing, feeling like there’s never enough time in the day?
💭Do you long for real peace, but life’s chaos keeps pulling you away?
🌟What if slowing down could actually help you experience God’s presence more fully?
Hi Neighbor,
A simple card on my cabin door inspired this unplugged episode.
“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” ~Dallas Willard
I reflect on how embracing God’s gifts can help us ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.
Surrounded by God’s creation and longtime friends, I’ve been reminded that peace, calm, and rest are already available. We just need to make room for them. I’ll share 3 Biblical steps that have helped me experience these gifts from God.
Whether you’re an adoptive parent navigating unique challenges, or simply someone feeling weary from life’s storms, I hope this episode encourages you to slow down and receive the peace, calm, and rest God offers.
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim 💙
P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

208 – Finding Peace in Pain No One Understands: Psalm 3 for Adoptive Parents

He experienced one tragedy after another 💔. If that wasn't enough, he then experienced the ultimate act of betrayal 😢. How could a son do this to his father? Life would never be the same. Yet through it all, he was still able to find peace.
Hi Neighbor,
As an adoptive parent, have you faced sleepless nights filled with fear, wondering if peace will ever come?
Adoption can bring heartbreak no one else sees💔. In Psalm 3, David poured out his pain and found peace. This episode shows you how to do the same.
We’ll explore Psalm 3 and the story of David, and I’ll share how journaling can be a powerful tool for adoptive parents to process their emotions and find peace in the middle of heartbreak.
Even in sleepless nights and hidden tears, God sees, sustains, and gives rest to weary parents.🕊️
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim 💙
P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey.
👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙
👉 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. I recorded a quick video to show you how. Thanks so much!

207 – Encouraging Bible Verses to Help Adoptive Parents Partner with God and Keep Going

He faced one discouraging obstacle after another. Yet through it all, he persisted.How did he do it? First, he partnered with God. 
Hi Neighbor!
Do you ever feel like you’re facing one discouraging obstacle after another in your adoption journey? You’re not alone. 💔 As an adoptive parent and coach, I know exactly what that feels like and how to persist through it.
So, what’s my secret? Partnering with God and using journaling as a daily anchor.
In this episode, I’ll share:✨ My personal journaling experience✨ Inspiration from one of my favorite Bible characters in Genesis 39✨ An easy way to start journaling—even if you’ve never done it before✨ How pen-to-paper can help you partner with God
And so much more.
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim 💙
P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey.
👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙
Here are a couple of my favorite Bible Apps for comparing translations. YouVersion and Blue Letter Bible

206 – The Worst Advice for Adoptive Parents? And Why It Turned Out to Be the Best

It was the worst advice I ever received as an adoptive parent and, strangely enough, it turned out to be the best advice too.
Hi Neighbor,
If you’ve ever felt crushed by unsolicited advice 😣 or wondered if you’re failing your kids 💔, you’re not alone. Some words sting and stay with you—but sometimes, with time and perspective, they can also become lifelines.
In this episode, I share the story of how a piece of “terrible” advice was both the worst and best advice I ever received.
On its own, it wasn’t enough. But paired with a fresh perspective and the right support, it became a foundation for hope and healing.
Curious what it was? Tune in for an honest look at the adoption journey and the surprising wisdom hidden in hurtful words.
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim💙
P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey.
👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot—I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙

205 – If You’re Feeling Lost as an Adoptive Parent? THIS Could Be Your Lifeline!

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” 🌿Ecclesiastes 3:1 
Whatever season you’re in on your adoption journey, we can get through it together. 
If you’re feeling lost as an adoptive parent, THIS could be your lifeline. Remember, you’re not alone! 
Hi Neighbor,
Solomon in Ecclesiastes reminds us: there’s a time for everything. Whether you’re grieving 😢, celebrating 🎉, or searching for answers 🔎 in your adoption journey, every season has value and purpose.
Every adoption journey has its own season. Sometimes joyful, sometimes tough💔. You’re not alone walking through it. There’s a community waiting to support you, no matter what chapter you’re in.
Are you feeling lost as an adoptive parent? You don’t have to walk alone. Find encouragement, and let others walk with you through the highs and lows. Connection is your lifeline. 
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim 💙
P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

204 – 5 Encouraging Bible Verses to Guide Adoptive Parents Through Life’s Fog

How do you navigate through the fog of life? I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point ✨. Someone who can shine the light on your path.
Hi Neighbor,
Adoptive life can feel foggy, uncertain, and overwhelming. Sometimes the best way forward is to slow down, trust a higher perspective 🙏, and let go of needing to see every step ahead. What would it look like for you to drive with “low beams” today?
In this special mindset episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point, Someone who can shine a light on your path.
We’ll consider this question in light of verses found in Psalm 119, Ecclesiastes 12, Micah 6, and Mark 12.
And finally, make a direct application to the adoption journey from James 1.
Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim 💙
P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.