I am so excited the time has finally come and grateful to be with you as we kick off this brand new podcast highlighting what it means to be called to love as adoptive and foster parents and right from the beginning I want to establish the framework and the mindset through which we will discuss every topic….and trust me, we are going to dive into many different topics during our time together from attachment, trauma, post-adoptive depression, how to love your kids when they rebel, how to navigate relationships with bio families.Honestly, more than I have time to list, so I am going to begin our time together with a 5 part series I am calling: Reframing Your Mindset as a Christian Adoption ParentAll throughout scripture we see adoption - the first account being Moses then other heroes of the faith like Esther all the way to Jesus Himself being adopted by His earthly father, Joseph.Scripture is clear that God has a heart for those in need of forever families but I want to try and help you avoid, or at least navigate better, some of the struggles my family and I personally experienced as well as common pitfalls adoptive and foster parents can face. The truth is, we simply didn’t know any better, so my hope with this series is to, right off the bat, help you establish a healthy mindset wherever you are on your journey of adoption. And if you are currently serving in foster care, this absolutely applies to you as well!I have created a FREE download for you to utilize as a guide through these first 5 episodes and would love for you to grab it over at christianparenting.org/calledtolove.Check out the photo mentioned in today's episode HERE!Favorite Takeaways:Each of us are called to love God, love others and share Jesus.For those of us who are called to adoption and foster care, that calling takes on a whole new meaning as we run a very unique and beautiful race. It is not healthy to look back on things God called you away from ( aka Lot’s wife), but it is healthy to look back and remember what God called you toward. Ebenezer - (stone of remembrance) a place of remembrance for a time when God clearly spoke and gave direction or came through for His people. (1Samuel 7)Adoption is not a process, it is a journey.You’ve heard it said many times but it bears repeating: God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.Let me share something I wish I understood much earlier in my journey - because God has called you to this, your journey of being qualified for this will carry on for the rest of your life.Called to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org