Through a conversation between Rebecca Harvin and Sarah Graves, listeners explore the essential support needed in foster and adoptive families’ journeys. The episode stresses the importance of vulnerability, empathy, and community involvement to help these families thrive amidst challenges.

• Explores Sarah's background and journey into therapy and social work
• Discusses the emotional challenges faced by adoptive parents during home studies
• Highlights the complexities and feelings surrounding adoption dissolution
• Emphasizes the importance of holding space for families in need
• Introduces the role of Haven Retreats in supporting foster and adoptive families

Pickleball Registration:

https://www.havenretreatsinc.org/store/p/haven-retreats-1st-annual-pickleball-tournament

Lori Serber's journey into foster care is a testament to the power of calling and the evolution of family dynamics. Lori had always felt drawn to fostering, though her husband Larry needed time to embrace the idea. Eventually, their family of five welcomed the transformative experience, navigating the multifaceted challenges and joys that fostering brings. Together, we explore how this decision impacted their children, particularly their son Wade, and the importance of fostering normalcy and familiarity for children. This episode provides a heartfelt look at how a community's influence can help foster children thrive as valued members of their new families.

Fostering is not merely about providing a temporary home but about building bridges toward family reunification. Our conversation with Lori uncovers the realities, struggles, and understanding needed for this profound responsibility. We discuss the importance of setting clear expectations for prospective foster parents, emphasizing the goal of reunification whenever safely possible. Through personal anecdotes, we highlight the critical role foster parents play in supporting biological families. This section urges listeners to consider the emotional challenges and the necessity of entering fostering with a heart willing to grow and support the journey toward reunification.

Amidst the challenges of fostering, we explore how faith, community, and life's simple pleasures bring joy and support. Lori and I share stories of divine provision, where unexpected generosity, like a timely gift of a couch, has reminded us that we are never alone in our mission to nurture children. We also reflect on the beauty of simple joys, such as family gatherings, which can be easily overlooked amidst the demands of fostering. This episode is a tapestry of inspiration, offering listeners a glimpse into the profound love, resilience, and community that define the foster care experience.

Pickleball Registration:

https://www.havenretreatsinc.org/store/p/haven-retreats-1st-annual-pickleball-tournament

What does it mean to truly support a birth family while fostering? In this episode, we uncover the complexities with the insightful Jordan Whitmarsh, whose journey from teen mom to foster parent offers a fresh perspective on empathy and community support. Her candid stories about navigating these challenges without a safety net highlight the incredible strength needed to face such emotional landscapes. Witness how the bonds formed outside the traditional foster care circles become just as crucial in providing the understanding and compassion needed to thrive.

The pandemic brought unprecedented trials, but also unexpected roles for many. Jordan shares her experiences of becoming a foster parent without prior training, thrust into the whirlwind of caring for a newborn and toddler during a global lockdown. It's a story of resilience, balancing the demands of sudden parenthood with work-from-home life, and finding solace in community support. As the narrative unfolds, we explore how fostering not only impacts family dynamics but also fosters personal growth, culminating in the bittersweet joy of adoption.

Adopting a child is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, especially when navigating the foster care system. We discuss the emotional rollercoaster of being chosen over biological family members, dealing with guardians ad litem, and the ultimate relief and freedom of finalizing an adoption. Through personal anecdotes and emotional reflections, this episode highlights the importance of stability and love in a child's life, punctuated by lighter moments of worship music and community strength. Join us as we celebrate the nuances of family life, the power of faith, and the joy found in everyday moments of connection.

Pickleball Registration:

https://www.havenretreatsinc.org/store/p/haven-retreats-1st-annual-pickleball-tournament