Adoption Successes and Failures

Adoption Successes and Failures

Apr 30, 2018 | Children's Adaptation

It was a cold January day with temperatures hovering in the teens. School had been cancelled for the day (to our sons’ delight), so they were free to spend it however they wanted. Having a frozen pond behind our backyard only added to the prospects of a fun afternoon....

The Process of Adoption, Part 2

Apr 1, 2018 | Parenting

The Process of Earning Our Children’s Trust Our sons also had to process the adoption in their own ways, and this meant times acting out because of their attachment disorder. It took a lot of work for them to trust in the ongoing love and care that we were going to...
Adoption as Action and Process

Adoption as Action and Process

Feb 27, 2018 | Parenting

Have you ever wanted something to really be over? It could be standing in a line in a checkout at a store, or even wanting your dentist visit to end. Recently, I developed a nasty head cold, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over. However, last summer I gained another...

Adoption as an Act of Grace

Jan 31, 2018 | God's Adoption of His Children

Amazing Grace. I don’t remember the actual first time I heard this song, since it was sung quite frequently at our church growing up. John Newton, the author of this song, had experienced God’s grace firsthand, and went from being an alcoholic and slave ship captain...

Blessing our Adopted Children

Dec 31, 2017 | Parenting

“Blessing” is an old-fashioned word. We use it without thinking about what it means. When is the last time a friend or family member sneezed, for example, and you uttered, “God bless you”? We all want to be blessed, and yet we are not sure how to bless others. God is...

Why? Why? Why? Guest post by James N. Watkins

Dec 7, 2017 | Parenting

If you have children,nieces and nephews, or younger siblings, you know that a three-year-old’s favorite word is why. “Johnny, hold my hand while we cross the street.” “Why?” “Because I don’t want you to run out in front of a car.” “Why?” “Because if a car hits you,...

Adoption and Obedience

Dec 1, 2017 | Challenges In Adoption

One of the frustrations of the adoptive parent is trying to teach obedience to his/her child. Obedience involves shaping the will, and also involves trust. This is why it is often so difficult to teach our adoptive children obedience, because they lack the ability to...

Generosity as a Result of Thanksgiving

Oct 30, 2017 | God's Adoption of His Children

One of the key purposes for our adoption is to demonstrate our thankfulness to our Heavenly Father by being generous to others. This is a learned attitude, for everything inside of us wants to cling to what we have. Instead, our Father’s plan is that we become...

Thankfulness to Our Adoptive Father

Sep 30, 2017 | God's Adoption of His Children

What two words in the English language are the hardest to say? Probably “thank you.” Why do we have so much difficulty saying these two words? Often, we struggle with showing gratitude for what we get because we think that we deserve good things. Those good things...