Episode 35 :: Rachel Fordham :: Foster Parenting & New Normals

On this episode of the podcast, we get to hear from the always  lovely and wise, Rachel Fordham. Rachel was on the podcast earlier in the season, but I wanted her to come back and share about her newest work coming out this summer, as well as her and her husband's journey of foster parenting (let alone parenting SIX other kids!).

On this episode of the podcast, we get to hear from the always lovely and wise, Rachel Fordham. Rachel was on the podcast earlier in the season, but I wanted her to come back and share about her newest work coming out this summer, as well as her and her husband’s journey of foster parenting (let alone parenting SIX other kids!). Rachel’s honest, but hope filled perspective about the love we give and the love we receive when we offer ourselves over to be the hands and feet of Jesus is so encouraging.

Throughout our conversation, Rachel leaves us with some really great take away questions and reminders:

--We get to choose what kind of memory we want this to be, what do we want to remember?

---As we process reentry: Do we want our normal to look like it did before? What should stay from this pandemic learning experience, what should we bring back from before, and what should go altogether?

---How can we be Your hands and feet up a hurting world, Lord?

Rachel loves people with a grace and intentionality that I treasure. If you hang out around her on the internet at all, she’s so genuine with everyone and that pours out into her writing as well. She is someone that is a great and uplifting, but honest follow. So, be sure and save the date for Rachel’s newest book A Life Once Dreamed that will release on August 4th, but if you haven’t read her other two novels yet, be sure and add them to your summer reading list!

A quick PS: You are listening to two Mommas talking through things they really care about… while their kids are at home lol You’re definitely going to hear from some of our kids, and while I cut some of it out, some of it was so classic to this pandemic (and honestly cute) that I just decided to keep it real over here. Thanks in advance for the grace!

Find ways to connect with Rachel or access resources we mention in our conversation below!

Resources:

Our first convo! Episode 9 of the Simply Stories Podcast

Yours Truly Thomas - Rachel’s 2nd book

A Life Once Dreamed- Rachel’s upcoming book, releasing August 4th, 2020

The Hope of Azure Springs- Rachel’s 1st book

Orphan train

Dead Letter Office

If you want to see her baby goats go see her Instagram!!!

Syrian Refugee Crisis

Office Mom and Dads- Locations in Washington and Idaho. // Other ways to volunteer help locally in foster care

What Momma Left Behind by Cindy Sproles -- Releases June 2nd, 2020

““Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” - CS Lewis

Passover

The Esther episode of Simply Stories Podcast

Women’s Reformatory

Gilbert Blythe and Anne of Green Gables

Rachel McRae (we love you, Rach!)

Camp Ba-Yo-Ca

Scripture References:

1 John 4:7- Beloved let us love one another

Romans 12:15- Mourn with this who mourn

Matthew 25:36-40- When I was naked you clothed me

Romans 8:14-17- God’s heart for adoption // Great article from John Piper on this

Galatians 3:26 / 1 John 3 - We are children of God