writing

Glory is just around the corner

April 15, 2019 by Kristin 2 Comments

“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (The Message)

Adoption built my faith and my family.

As I became a momma in this way I didn’t expect, I prayed for God to use our story to encourage others. While we were navigating the adoption process the first two times, I knew hardly anyone who had adopted or was adopted. Now, a momma of three kids who came to us through private, domestic adoptions, I also have a community of moms who understand.

This online community is the answer to my prayers. Yes, it’s one of the ways God is using our story, like I prayed for, but it’s also been a blessing to me as I navigate parenting. Within this community, I’ve often quoted 1 Peter 4:13 from The Message: “This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

Regardless of where people are in the process, I want these other moms to remember we’re in these adoptions and this life together. And the glory really is coming. This online community has been a safe space where we share prayer requests, resources, and updates. Some of us get to gather around real-life tables for lunches and watch our kids befriend one another.

That’s how I began the devotion I contributed to “Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive and Foster Parents.”

About the book

Are you a foster or adoptive parent needing hope for this complex and sometimes lonely journey? Do you love your kids but feel discouraged? Are you misunderstood by people around you?

In “Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive and Foster Parents,” you’ll find real, often raw, stories from adoptive and foster parents in the trenches; scripture and faith-filled hope, pointing you to Jesus; and honest reflections speaking courage to your soul and reminding you that you are not alone.

This devotional is written by 30 authors, all foster and adoptive parents, who offer a window into their own lives and families. You’ll recognize yourself time and time again in their words. “Faith, Hope, & Connection” is a treasure-trove of wisdom and grace for foster and adoptive families.

This 141-page paperback was independently published by The Adoption Connection for The Refresh Conference in February 2019.

About the editors

Melissa Corkum is an adoptee and adoptive mom. She and her husband are parents to six kids by both birth and adoption. Their open door policy has blessed them with lots of honorary family members along the way. They are Empowered to Connect Parent Trainers. She hates cleaning and loved extra-crispy fries. Find her online at her website, The Cork Board.

Lisa Qualls is a birth mom and adoptive mom. She and her husband have 12 kids by birth and adoption and even more through foster care. As a Trust-Based Relational Intervention practitioner, she walks alongside families with kids from “hard places.” She loves hosting big family dinners but hates grocery shopping, which is a problem. Find her online at her website, One Thankful Mom.

Together they host The Adoption Connection, which includes a website, podcasts, and Facebook group to support adoptive and foster families.

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I received a free copy of this devotional for being a contributing author, but I’ve already recommended it to others because I believe we are better when we encourage each other with our stories. If you’re looking for other adoption resources, I compiled a list of those too.

Seasons on the porch

March 6, 2019 by Kristin 15 Comments

I’m so eager to spend time on my real-life porch, but we keep having doses of winter temperatures. If the sunshine stayed out and we were on my porch together, overlooking the pool we’re all eager to open, I would tell you all the compartments of my mind feel full. And, truthfully, I have a hard time compartmentalizing anything. Everything on my mind spills over and runs together.

This full mental capacity isn’t bad. God just has me in situations that have required a lot of mental energy to stay intentional with living faithfully. And He’s reminding me of the beauty and purpose of seasons.

With that said, I’m needing to change up things here at the #PorchStories linkup. For this season in my life, I’m going to host this gathering monthly instead of weekly. I’m going to go ahead and have the linkup today because I truly love reading your stories. I love seeing you all support one another and watch this community grow.

Then I’ll settle into hosting #PorchStories the last Wednesday of each month. I’ll likely share my usual monthly roundup posts, but you’re welcome to share about whatever is going on in your life, how you’re seeing God, or what you’re learning. I’ll remind you on social media in the days before the linkup, and I’d love for you to bring along a new friend.

I’m still going to write other posts here during the month, I just need to free up a little mental space for all the other things in my ordinary life requiring my attention and thoughts. I also have other ideas and project I’d like to pursue and share with you. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to my emails and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

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#PorchStories Party

Meet the new (in)courage devotional Bible

October 1, 2018 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I have a really exciting project to tell you about! I’m so happy to be included in the (in)courage Devotional Bible. Y’all this is such a beautiful project I know God is going to use mightily.

Specifically, I wrote two devotions. One is about how the Prince of Peace reconciles and rescues, based on some verses from Isaiah 9. The other is about God’s people dwelling together, taken from Ephesians 2.

There are 312 devotionals written by 122 contributors, and they are organized into 10 devotional themes. Each theme has a distinct color and design to identify it throughout this Christian Standard Bible. In addition, each theme has a reading plan. The reading plans note title, page number, and the author of each devotion. In the back of the Bible, you’ll find a list of all contributors, their bios, and on which pages you can find their devotions.

In addition, there are 50 Women of Courage features and 66 introductions. Additional custom features encourage women to explore the Bible and find their story through God’s story, plus journaling space at the bottom of each page. The Bible will be offered with four different covers with a variety of prices: white hardcover, blue leather touch, green fabric cover, and navy genuine leather. I have the blue leather touch one, and it’s perfection.

You can buy this beauty wherever Bibles are sold, including Amazon. DaySpring is offering the Bible at 20 percent off PLUS a free leather journal through the end of October.

You can learn more about the Bible, the devotion writers, and incourage at its website. If you’d like to sample this Bible, you can do that too, thanks to incourage making the books of Ruth and Esther available.

about (in)courage

At (in)courage, women are welcomed to a place of faith, connection, and friendship, where they will always find themselves among friends. Founded in 2009 by DaySpring, the Christian products subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., the vision for (in)courage was to create a new home for the hearts of women, where women take turns pulling up a chair to share their stories of what Jesus looks like in their everyday, gloriously ordinary, and often messy lives. Since then, (in)courage has grown into a vibrant community that reaches thousands of women every day, welcoming them just the way they are, offering a space to breathe, loving support, and resources for meaningful connection.

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I was invited to write a couple of devotions to this Bible and received a free author copy, but I’m thrilled the share the entire project with y’all. These opinions are my own.