Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.
Episodes
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Monday Dec 28, 2020
“On coming to the house, they (the Magi) saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11
After the birth of Christ, the Wise Men presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold represented royalty, frankincense signified Jesus’s role as High Priest, and myrrh—used for embalming, was a prophetic gift for it was used to anoint the body of Jesus after his death on the cross.
As we enter 2021, what can we take away from these three gifts to re-gift back to Jesus? We can bring Him our worship, our focus, and our relationships—beginning with our relationship with Him.
The gifts the Wise Men presented to Christ were rare, valuable, and intentionally chosen. This week, on our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach challenges listeners to be intentional about investing in our most precious treasures—our relationship with Jesus and with others. These are the greatest gifts we can present to our King.
Monday Dec 21, 2020
Monday Dec 21, 2020
“This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9
On Christmas, God sent his Son, born in a manger, as the greatest gift of all. The gift of Christ is the greatest demonstration of love to each of us.
The fourth episode in our Orphans No More Podcast Advent series focuses on love, not romantic love, all warm and fuzzy because we feel it from our fingers to our toes. But Real love. Love expressed when we don’t feel like demonstrating it. Love when we’re weary from sibling squabbles, meltdowns, sensory issues, and virtual school and therapies…but we show up anyway.
This is the sacrificial love God sent as the greatest gift ever given. We received this love when we received Christ. And if you’ve received Christ, you have the power to love like God—sacrificially, when you’re not loved back and when you don’t feel like it. This is the love that transforms lives, homes, and the world.
This week, as we celebrate the arrival of the Gift—we pray you will receive it, put it on, wear it, and wrap it around everyone you know. We pray you and your family enjoy a very Merry Christmas.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
How to Have Peace When Your Kids are in Chaos - book
25 Days of Thriving Through Christmas-An Advent Devotional for Foster & Adoptive Parents
Monday Dec 14, 2020
Monday Dec 14, 2020
“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:10-11
Where do you get your news from? Throughout 2020, between Covid-19 and the election—merely turning on the TV news could send us into despair. But the shepherds received news that will bring great joy to all people—the Savior, the Messiah had arrived!
The third episode in our Orphans No More Podcast Advent series focuses on how we can experience this good news of great joy—even during this crazy-Covid-Christmas season.
In episode #251, host Sandra Flach, unpacks the theme of joy woven throughout Luke 2. Discover how you can experience the joy of the Lord throughout the holiday season and into 2021.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
How to Have Peace When Your Kids are in Chaos - book
25 Days of Thriving Through Christmas-An Advent Devotional for Foster & Adoptive Parents
Dwelling Places—Words to Live By, by Lucinda Secrest McDowell
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”
Isaiah 9:6
The second episode in our Orphans No More Podcast Advent series focuses on how we can experience peace during this crazy-Covid-Christmas season.
Advent means “the arrival.” By now, we’re all anxious to say good-bye to 2020 and hello 2021—hoping the new year will bring peace, joy, and love.
In episode #250, host Sandra Flach, dives into the first chapter of Luke to discover where true peace comes from. We can all learn a little something from a teenage girl who experienced an unplanned pregnancy two-thousand years ago.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
How to Have Peace When Your Kids are in Chaos - book
25 Days of Thriving Through Christmas-An Advent Devotional for Foster & Adoptive Parents
Dwelling Places—Words to Live By, by Lucinda Secrest McDowell
Empowered Parent Podcast/One Big Happy Home Podcast
Sunday Nov 29, 2020
Sunday Nov 29, 2020
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine…For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…” Isaiah 9:2, 6
Christmas trees are up, homes are decorated, and Christmas music is streaming—all before Thanksgiving. It appears everyone is in need of the joy and hope Christmas brings.
For the month of December, we’re offering a 4-part Orphans No More podcast series inspired by the season of Advent. Advent means the arrival. Most of us are anxious for the departure of 2020 and the arrival of 2021. But first we have to navigate this crazy Covid Christmas season. To guide you on your journey, we offer our Advent series focused on hope, peace, joy, and love—specifically for foster and adoptive parents.
The first Advent episode focuses on the thrill of hope.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2
As November 2020 and National Adoption Awareness month come to a close, we’d like to take the time to be thankful, stay educated, and arm ourselves with prayer. On this week’s episode of our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach, unpacks Colossians 4:2.
A mom of eight children, five through adoption, Sandra shares a personal update of gratitude for some 2020 blessings she and her family have experienced. In an effort to be alert and educated in trauma parenting and FASD, she shares parenting tips for caregivers of children with an FASD. Sandra rounds out the episode with a prayer for foster and adoptive parents.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Nov 16, 2020
Monday Nov 16, 2020
When we allow ourselves to be in close proximity to poverty and pain, God can break our hearts. With broken hearts, we are in a position to do justice.
Kristin Langrehr and her husband, Trent, visited Haiti several times. Their proximity to orphans and their belief in the Gospel notion of adoption, led them to adopt. After a five-year wait, the Langrehr’s brought home two young sons from Haiti.
Kristen, a social worker and child advocate, believes the local church is the bridge between children and families in crisis and community supports. In her efforts to bridge that gap, Kristen helped to launch CarePortal in Baldwin County, Alabama. She’s now also an Area Director for CarePortal in Florida. Her role there is to connect child welfare agencies with churches to meet the needs of children in FL.
On this week’s National Adoption Month episode of our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach, sits down with Kristin Langrehr to discuss how the church can enter into the brokenness of children in crisis. Listen in to their conversation about adoption and CarePortal in this episode.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
What’s it like growing up adopted and struggling though life with challenges you thought were because you were adopted? Then, as an adult, you receive a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This is the life experience of adult adoptee, Rebecca Tillou.
Rebecca shares her story in her book, Tenacity. She describes navigating awkward relationships throughout high school, difficulty managing college pressures, and balancing marriage, children and career—all with an FASD. While she views her adoption as positive, Rebecca also details her search for her birth family.
On this week’s National Adoption Month episode of our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach, sits down with Rebecca Tillou. Listen in to their transparent conversation about adoption and FASD from the perspective of the adoptee.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Positive Adoption Podcast
Monday Nov 02, 2020
Monday Nov 02, 2020
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
About 70% of children in the U.S. foster care system have been exposed to alcohol in the womb and, according to FAFASD.org (Families Affected by FASD), 2-5% of babies born in the U.S. have FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). We can expect similar stats with children adopted internationally. FASD plays a huge roll in the lives of most foster and adoptive families.
JFO Executive Director and podcast host Sandra Flach is mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption including 2 diagnosed FASD. She believes it is vital for foster and adoptive parents to understand trauma and its impact on brain development and behavior—and exposure to alcohol in the womb is a trauma to an unborn baby.
On this week’s episode of our Orphans No More podcast, Sandra shares some FASD facts from the FAFASD website and weaves in personal stories about her family’s adoption journey with FASD kiddos. She discusses why parents must learn everything they can about trauma and FASD (or whatever diagnosis your child has or you suspect they may have).
As parents, we must pay attention to our kids and become experts in advocating for them. When we pray for our children, the Lord will show us what they need and how to parent them. He knows the plans He has for them. Plans to prosper them and give them a good future. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
FAFASD.org
FASD Success Podcast
FASD Hope Podcast
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. Proverbs 24:3-4
Children are our most valuable resource. Parents need wisdom to raise them, especially in this season of Covid-19.
One major area of stress for families involves education. While some schools have reopened, the school day in most communities has been modified. And many parents are navigating the uncharted territories of remote learning or traditional homeschooling. Whatever route families have chosen this year, stress levels are high.
For foster and adoptive families, the journey is even more challenging. Children with trauma histories and/or capital letter syndromes (ADHD, ADD, FASD, etc.) are struggling more than ever. Parents are forced to balance working from home, ridiculous school schedules, home educating, and managing their child’s anxiety.
This week Sandra Flach speaks with Kathleen Guire—mom of seven children, four through adoption, former National Parent of the Year, former homeschooling mom, author, teacher, speaker, and host of the Positive Adoption Podcast. Join them as they tackle the tough and timely subject of schooling through the pandemic.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Book: How to Have Peace When Your Kids are in Chaos
Article: Homeschooling Mom are You Stuck in the Comparison Trap?