ANCHORS OF ENCOURAGEMENT | Adoption, Adoption Trauma, Adoptive Parents, Journaling, Biblical Encouragement, Journaling Prompts

141 – How to Use Journaling Prompts to Clear Mental Logjams

Hi Neighbor,
Have you ever had so many ideas running through your head at one time that it was hard to think straight? Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore how to unclog a log jam of ideas through journaling. 
This is the fourth episode in a 7-part series on journaling. Your Daily Doable includes a journaling prompt to help you easily clear your head AND retain those ideas you don’t want to forget. 
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. To reach out to me, email tim@anchorsofencouragement.com
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.

140 – How to Tap Into the Power of Affirmations Journaling Prompts

Hi Neighbor,
The right word at the right time by the right person has the power to not only change your mood, it can change your entire day. It’s an amazing feeling when that happens.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could do that for yourself without waiting for someone to do it for you? You can! Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore how to tap into the power of affirmations through journaling.
This is the third episode in a 7-part series on journaling. As discussed in Episode 71, one of my sources for affirmations is scripture. Another source is song lyrics, with a specific example provided in Episode 114.
In your Daily Doable, notice the technique for using these journaling prompts. You can tap into the power of affirmations!
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. To reach out to me, email tim@anchorsofencouragement.com
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.

139 – Are You a Struggling Adoptive Parent? How to Restore the Sparkle In Your Eyes In 3 Steps

Why do bad things happen in life? One might say, that’s just life. But I believe there is a deeper meaning to that question. 
Hi Neighbor!⁣
Today’s episode marks the second anniversary of this podcast. I want to thank those of you who have supported this podcast, many from the beginning.
As I’ve gotten to know more of you over these past 2 years, there is one recurring theme for those adoptive parents who are facing the challenges that adoption can present. This can be summed up in 2 words: The Struggle.
Are you a struggling adoptive parent? For those of us who have gone through The Struggle, it’s easy to see. Adoptive parents in The Struggle have lost the sparkle in their eyes.
Consider this: Could it be the struggles you have gone through, have prepared you to encourage someone else?
In this episode, let’s consider The Struggle and reframe that narrative. I would like to share a psalm of David, a story in the life of Paul, and a conversation with a queen to show you 3 ways to help someone restore the sparkle in their eyes.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. To reach out to me, email tim@anchorsofencouragement.com
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.

138 – Do You Relive Reruns in Your Life? Journaling Prompts

Hi Neighbor,
Do you find yourself reliving reruns in your life? Another way to put it is this, do you see yourself living out your version of Groundhog Day? Grab a pen and paper, and let’s explore this concept together.
This is the second episode of a 7-part series on journaling. As we consider the concept of reliving reruns in our lives, I have some journaling prompts to help identify those thoughts that don’t serve you well.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. To reach out to me, email tim@anchorsofencouragement.com
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.

137 – How to Unplug to Unlock Mental Blocks Journaling Prompts

Hi Neighbor,
How do you typically handle mental blocks? Have you tried unplugging?
In this first of a 7-part series on journaling. I want to share how to get unstuck when your brain just won’t cooperate. Whether it’s finding answers or solving problems, sometimes we just need to UNPLUG. Here’s how.
We’ll consider this concept with a jumble of the word JOURNAL. Journaling is my favorite go-to method for getting unstuck. But as you’ll see in this episode, there are other ways I use as well.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. To reach out to me, email tim@anchorsofencouragement.com
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.

136 – The ONE Thing Adoptive Parents NEED to Know!

Hi Neighbor,
Welcome to another walking episode of Anchors of Encouragement. Today, I’m coming to you from my backyard studio.
Based on three separate conversations I’ve recently had with adoptive parents, I want to share an important concept with you. The ONE thing adoptive parents NEED to know.
It’s something that makes navigating the highs and lows of the adoption journey doable.
To understand this concept and the power it affords us as adoptive parents, we’ll consider a story about a little bird and three passages from scripture: two from the Book of Matthew and one from the Book of Deuteronomy.
Grab a pen and paper. I have a journaling exercise for you as part of your Daily Doable.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Let’s talk! To schedule a time for us to chat, reach out to me, tim@anchorsofencouragement.com
Join our amazing Facebook Community.

135 – Stuck in Survivor Mode? What It Looks Like for Adoptive Parents and Adopted Children

I wish the conversation you’re about to listen to had been available for me years ago, not because I like to hear myself speak. Conversations like this could have helped me navigate some of the challenges my wife and I faced in our adoption journey.
Hi Neighbor,
Returning on this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, is my neighbor from Alabama, Erich Nelson. Erich was first on the show in Episode 53.
Erich is back today to discuss an important topic for adoptive parents and adopted children to understand – what it means to be stuck in survivor mode.
You get to be a fly on the wall while Erich and I share our stories and struggles with survivor mode.
Daily Doable: Listen, REALLY listen to this conversation and allow it to take you wherever it does, EVEN IF that place makes you feel uncomfortable. 
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Learn more about Erich’s The Dolifebig Project: Facebook and InstagramJoin our amazing Facebook Community.
 

134 – Real, Raw and Emotional! A Must-See for Foster and Adoptive Parents

“To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.” ~Dr. Seuss
Hi Neighbor,
In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I share my reaction to the movie Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, brought to you by Angel Studios.
This film is a mirror for so many of us on the adoption journey. As an adoptive parent myself, I saw my own story reflected in powerful ways. Adoption, whether private or through the foster system, presents similar challenges.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and most importantly, you’ll UNDERSTAND. Sound of Hope brings attention to the unseen battles adoptive parents face every day. It’s a peek behind the curtains, making you more sympathetic and supportive.
Daily Doable: WATCH THIS MOVIE! If you’re an adoptive parent, it’s a Must-See. If you’re not, it’s still a Must-See. Understanding the adoption journey helps us all become better anchors of encouragement for families in need. Remember, YOU may be the world to ONE person.
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Mentions in this episode:Listen to Dr. Kimberly Offutt’s story in Episode 132.Watch the Sound of Hope Trailer.Join our amazing Facebook Community.

133 – Adoptive Parents: How Can I Serve You Better?

How can I serve you better?
Hi Neighbor,
As an adoptive parent myself, I’ve walked the path filled with both joy and challenges. My mission is to share stories, offer biblical encouragement, and bring on experts to help you navigate this unique journey. I want to walk you home!
That gets us to today’s question: How can I serve you better? In private conversations I’ve had with adoptive parents, they have told me.
But I’ve never asked that question on the podcast. So, today I’m asking you, as an adoptive parent, how can I serve you better? See the 2 ways you can share your answers with me below. 
Hope and healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,Tim
P.S. Below are the 2 ways you can share your answers with me...Number 1: Send an email to me, tim@anchorsofencouragement.comNumber 2: Become a member of our amazing community. Click this LINK to join today.

132 – The Children From Her Heart: A Story of Adoption and Foster Care with Dr. Kimberly Offutt

Foster care is intended to be a temporary solution to what should be a temporary problem. The goal is always reunification.
The focus is to find families that meet the needs of the child, rather than finding children that fit the needs of the family. The child comes first!
Hi Neighbor,
Joining me on this episode of Anchors of Encouragement is my neighbor from Atlanta, Dr. Kimberly Offutt. Dr. Kim is an inspirational speaker, author, child advocate, social worker, and adoptive parent.
She has served at Bethany Christian Services for more than 20 years in various capacities in the child welfare field, advocating on behalf of children who are in foster care and available for adoption.
When Dr. Kim started with Bethany Christian Services, she was responsible for recruiting families to be foster and adoptive parents. As a recruiter, the first person she recruited was herself!
Have you ever considered fostering or adopting? Dr. Kim’s story is a testament to patience and love in adoption. Reflecting on adopting 4 children from foster care, she defies conventions and dispels myths about parenting and birth order. Tune in for her heartfelt insights.
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.