The Heart Work of Foster Care: Adoption, Birth Family Relationships, and Trusting God Through you...

Описание: Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast! I’m Christine Marie, adoptive mom, former foster parent, and biblical mindset coach. Whether you’re considering foster care, navigating adoption, supporting birth families, or trying to hold it all together in the middle of the unknown, you’re in the right place.



In today’s episode, I sit down with Jeremy Walden, foster and adoptive dad, college professor, ministry leader, and co author of The Heart Work of Foster Care. Jeremy shares his family’s powerful journey through foster care and adoption, including adopting one child and later welcoming her siblings, building relationships with biological parents, and witnessing restoration, reunification, and healing unfold over years of faithful obedience.



This is one of those conversations that reminds you foster care isn’t a moment. It’s a long road of love, patience, boundaries, and trust in God.



Jeremy opens up about:



• The real challenges of foster parenting and adoption

• Supporting birth families with compassion and humility

• How foster care impacts marriage and biological children

• Saying yes, saying no, and protecting your family while keeping your heart open

• Why foster care is truly heart work, caring deeply, loving deliberately, and trusting God when outcomes aren’t guaranteed



Jeremy and his wife have adopted three children from foster care and have cared for many more over the past decade. With over 25 years of ministry experience and 15 years as a college professor, Jeremy brings both practical wisdom and deep faith to this conversation.



He also shares about their book, The Heart Work of Foster Care: A Hopeful and Honest Guide to Foster Parenting, a Christ centered resource filled with real stories, encouragement, and practical insight for anyone walking the foster care journey.



Jeremy is currently conducting an anonymous survey to better understand how fostering impacts foster parents’ marriages. If you’d like to participate, you can find it here:

👉 https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form...



You can also find Jeremy and Jara’s book here:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Work-Fos...



Whether you’re new to foster care, deep into adoption, or simply want to understand how faith sustains families through trauma and uncertainty, this episode will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that God is always working, even in the waiting.



☕ Grab your coffee and settle in — this one will stretch you, strengthen you, and remind you why love is always worth it.



💕 PS Want to join a supportive space for women who are navigating foster care, adoption, or just want to love others well? Come join us here:

👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen