The Adoption Law Firm Podcast

Publish Date: August 2, 2021

Note: This podcast contains descriptions of child abuse.

 If you have ever wanted to get inside the mind of a foster child or abuse victim whom you love, we have the podcast for you.

 On the final episode of Season 3, we have the privilege of interviewing Kylee Chavers, our friend and client who was severely abused by her parents and who subsequently grew up in a string of foster homes.

 As a mother, foster mother, wife, and church planter, Kylee is coming, so kindly, with her wounds, her wisdom, and her experience to tell about her life.

 It is Kylee’s desire that in sharing her story she will be a resource to anyone who has suffered abuse, or who loves children who have suffered abuse, even as she works through her own healing process.

 We welcome you into this conversation and we are honored to share Kylee’s story.

 Show Highlights:

2:10 – Kylee was in foster care for as long as she can remember.

 5:10 – Kylee’s foster home that was going good, until the foster parent’s divorced.

 10:00 – Kylee’s brother and the day they were separated. 

 15:00 – What Kylee was like as a child, and what it was like in the many foster homes.

 21:00 – Kylee’s adoption story.

 37:20 – Kylee’s current support system.  How she reconnected with her biological mom. 

 48:31  - How God is using Kylee’s story today – to be an agent of rescue to other people.

 Helpful links:

 ICYMI: Listen to the previous podcast episode: 

S2: E6: Connecting to Hurting Children and Broken Families with Chris and Katie Sherrod

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1501771/8748698

 Meet Sam and Mary Beth - “We Have a Podcast” https://youtu.be/MJz_JmO1JBQ

 BLOG: 5 Things You May Not Know About Adoption

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/01/24/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-adoption/

 BLOG: Domestic Adoption – Foster Care Adoption

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/domesticadoption/foster-care-adoption/

 The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure

Amazon Kindle or Paperback

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

As a young mother of a sweet pile of biological kids, Katie Sherrod was asked a question by a reporter at a March for Life, about what she would say to a young woman with an unplanned pregnancy. 

Her answer unsettled her, her conscience was rattled, and soon she and husband both shared a conviction to move in together towards the suffering of crisis pregnancy, fostering, and adoption. 

More recently they’ve been mentors with Families Count, a ministry seeking to come alongside birth parents who want to do the work to regain custody of their children, and to heal their broken families.

With several decades of experience as parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and mentors, Katie and Chris are a goldmine of wisdom for others seeking to love people in pain. 

Resources:

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about adoption/foster/care and mentoring opportunities. Give us a call! 

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/

For information about Families Count you can also contact Lifeline:

https://lifelinechild.org/families-count/

To connect with Foster Families in the Tyler, TX area:

https://thefosteringcollective.org/

For information about the upcoming Families Count training in Tyler, TX:

https://southspring.org/

The Adoption Law Firm Podcast

Title: S2: E5: | Caring Well For Adoption Families | Guest Libby Shepherd

Publish Date: June 14, 2021

Adoption is often a long, hard process, and caring well for adoption families every step of the way is important to us at The Adoption Law Firm.  Knowing you are working with someone who understands not only the adoption process, but has seen their own adopted kids become parents, can make all the difference in the world.  

TAF recently invited Libby Shepherd to be on staff to bring her wealth of expertise and passion for adoption to the table.  Libby and her husband are now entering the grandparent stage of life and are still going strong.  In addition to her experience in adoption, parenting and teaching, she has also helped some of her adopted children navigate some severe health challenges.

We hope today’s discussion is a great encouragement to you.

Show Highlights:

1:39 – Libby shares her background and how she got started in adoption.

2:08 – Libby shares how she is there and helps families adjust and acclimate to a new member of the family through adoption. 

2:08 – Libby talks about how she transitioned from homeschool and adoptive mom to her current role. 

3:20 – What are some of the challenges Libby faced in the adoption process?

5:37 – What country did Libby and her husband adopt from?  What were the challenges?

8:20 – What was it like to adopt from the Philippines? 

12:06 – What was it like to adopt from Korea?

 15:15 – Libby’s experience with caring for an adopted child with some severe health needs.

20:27 – What are some of the other challenges Libby faced and how did she handle careless things that people say about adoption families?

22:25 – How did Libby coach her children to process many of life’s challenges?

25:41 – What about some of the more light-hearted moments in adoption as your kids were growing up?

Helpful links:

ICYMI: Listen to the previous podcast episode: 

S2: E4: What Adoption is Like for the Birth Mom | Guest Diane Scott" 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1501771/8607783

BLOG: 5 Things You May
Not Know About Adoption

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/01/24/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-adoption/

BLOG: How to Start the
Adoption Process
https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2018/02/20/how-to-start-the-adoption-process/

The Adoption Law Firm Podcast

Title: S2: E4: | What Adoption is like for the birth mom | Guest Diane Scott

Publish Date: June 1, 2021

One of the highest values of The Adoption Law Firm is to honor birth moms.  Today we hear first-hand what it was like for Diane Scott, a birth mom, who gave her son up for adoption when she was 17, and had just finished high school.  That was approximately 40 years ago.  Diane went on to start her own family and have other children she raised.  But she always had a special place in her heart for her little boy that she gave to be raised by an adoption family.  

Through some very special circumstances, Diane and her adopted son were re-united. 

Today Diane also is an advocate for birth moms on how to navigate the realities of giving a child up for adoption, but she has much grace and wisdom from her experience.  

Show Highlights:

1:16 – 20:15 – Diane shares her story of what it was like when she was 17, her pregnancy, how her boyfriend and family responded, what it was like to walk the journey alone and choose life instead of abortion for her child.  

20:17 – 29:00 – Sam McClure interviews Diane Scott about her advocacy work with birth moms today. 

Helpful links:

WATCH: Choosing Life with Diane Scott

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=465898081342753

BLOG: Birth Parent Rights in Adoption

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2021/01/21/birth-parent-rights-in-adoption/

Publish Date: May 18, 2021

Show Notes: Today Sam and Mary Beth McLure chat with Dr. Chris and Lee Ann Duggar about their experience and success with embryo adoption.  Dr. Chris and Lee Ann are a loving couple who wanted to grow their family, but were having a difficult time getting pregnant.  In the process of growing their family naturally, they were also open to adoption.  The adoption option that interested them the most was embryo adoption.  

There’s an astonishing number of frozen embryos left over from in vetro fertilization that other couples have made available for adoption.  This meant Lee Ann could carry and give birth to the baby they adopted!  

Show Highlights:

1:17 – Mary Beth asks Chris and Lee Ann about a hilarious moment in the Duggar family when one of their children called the police because someone was cheating on Monopoly.

4:21 – Sam explains why he loves embryo adoption.

4:44 – Dr. Chris shares highlights from when their were first having kids and becoming interested in adoption.

7:14 – Lee Ann talks about what it was like for her as a new mom to also consider frozen embryo adoption.

11:04 – Sam, Mary Beth, Chris and Lee Ann talk about some of the unique variables of embry adoption because embryos are “Frozen in time”.

12:34 – Sam talks about the motivation behind embryo adoption.

14:44 – Dr. Chris talks about three advantages of embryo adoption.

16:07 – Lee Ann shares more of her story of what it was like to get started with embryo adoption, and how quickly the process can actually go.

20:52 – Lee Ann shares what it’s like having her children grow up and knowing that one of their family members was adopted as an embryo.

24:00 – Sam and Chris talk about how they believe life begins at conception.

Helpful links:

What is Embryo Adoption?

https://nightlight.org/snowflakes-embryo-adoption-donation/what-is-embryo-adoption/

Blog Article: Did you know that you can place your embryos for adoption?

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/08/19/did-you-know-that-you-can-place-your-embryos-for-adoption/

Embryo Adoption

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/domesticadoption/embryo-adoption/

Publish Date: April 29, 2021

Show Notes: Today Sam and Mary Beth McLure are featuring a documentary and article about Lincoln and Melinda Speece.  The Speeces are a faithful, humble, small-town pastor’s family, with three of their own biological kids.  They opened their hearts and homes to Foster care when their kids were teenagers, and one day they were introduced to precious baby Haiden.  Haiden won their hearts and through prayer and a long waiting period, the Speeces finally adopted Haiden.  It’s an encouraging and inspiring story about ordinary faithfulness and changing the course of history in a child. 

Show Highlights:

1:05 – Highlight clip from Season 1, Episode 4 about the Speeces video documentary.

(Listen to the Entire Episode on Foster Care Adoption here) 

https://theadoptionfirm.buzzsprout.com/1501771/7299316-foster-care-adoption

2:17 – How did the Speeces meet Haiden?

3:46 – What did the Speeces biological kids – who were in their teen years think of adoption through foster care?  

5:34 – What it was like to wait more than 3 years for Haiden’s adoption.

7:08 – How did the Speeces handle the fears?

8:38 – What was the court process like?

10:45 – What is it like adding a baby to your family when your getting close to being empty-nesters?

12:51 – Is foster care adoption worth it to you?

16:00 – Article from Ross Hodges / Aquilla Report about the Speece Family.

Link to Speece Family Adoption Video: https://youtu.be/siiFImazhu0 

More Audio: TALF S1, Episode 1 featuring special guests, Ross and Joanna Hodges

https://theadoptionfirm.buzzsprout.com/1501771/8380996-s2-e1-special-guests-ross-and-joanna-hodges

Article: Ordinary Faithfulness is the Next Right Thing

Written by W. Ross Hodges | Thursday, April 29, 2021

(Read/Narrated by Sam McLure on this podcast)

A profile of PCA Pastor, Lincoln Speece, and his family’s foster-care-to-adoption journey in Hayneville, Alabama.

https://www.theaquilareport.com/ordinary-faithfulness-is-the-next-right-thing/

Publish Date: April 21, 2021

Show Notes: Today Sam and Mary Beth McLure are pleased to welcome special guests, Ross and Joanna Hodges, to the podcast for season two.  Today we hear their amazing adoption stories.  The Hodges faced infertility as a couple, but kept saying yes to adoption.  They looked at all their adoption options and kept open hands and hearts.  Despite some very challenging circumstances, their family grew quickly through adoption and they now have four beautiful children.  

Highlights and Links:

1:20 – Ross shares his background, going to seminary and story about meeting Joanna.

3:35 – Joanna shares her background and passion for serving in the church and serving her family.  

5:00 – Ross and Joanna share the beginnings of their adoption stories.

10:07 – Hard waiting.  And then suddenly, the baby is coming.

19:15 – Things are not what they seem to be.  Hard news.

26:10 – Sam comments on where is our heart in adoption.

28:52 – Ross comments about keeping the right perspective about children and adoption

34:50 – Four stockings on the mantle – the Hodges’ family grows, and then faces more difficulties.

40:22 – Are the Hodges interested in adoption a biological sibling of one their adopted kids?

46:34 –The risk of loving an adopted child.

48:17 - Sound advice on making decisions in adoption

49:55 – Will adoption make you happy?  Sam gives some comments.

The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure

Amazon Kindle or Paperback

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

Did You Know You Can Place Your Embryos For Adoption? By Sam McLure

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/08/19/did-you-know-that-you-can-place-your-embryos-for-adoption/

The Adoption Law Firm Podcast

See the Video Version of this Podcast on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/adoptionlawfirm

Episode Title: Navigating the Foster Care System and Adoption

Publish Date: March 11, 2021

Show Notes: Today Sam and Michele talk about the background of foster care and what it’s like for parents who adopt through foster care.  Sam also dispels several myths surrounding the foster care system.  

Highlights and Links:

0:45 – Sam’s story of adoption through foster care

1:55 – What is the history of foster care – how did we get here?

6:00 – The challenges of interfacing with the foster care system.

7:00 – Getting started in foster care and training

11:27 – How does the system decide when and where a child goes in foster care?

13:28 – What are the myths that surround foster care and what is the truth?

18:30 – Foster Care bill of rights and navigating the system

19:00 – Stories and benefits of foster care adoption

Read More on our blog:

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/04/15/alabamas-new-foster-care-legislation-hb-157/

The Speece Family Adoption Story (Video)

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/12/11/the-speece-family-adoption-story/ 

The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure

Amazon Kindle or Paperback

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

Tags:

Foster care, fostering, affordable adoption, step-parent adoption, streamlined process, inheritance, grandparent

See the Video Version of this Podcast on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/adoptionlawfirm

Episode Title: Step-Parent/Grandparent Adoption – The Basics

Publish Date: March 4, 2021

Show Notes: Step-Parent adoption, or second-parent adoption is trending upward.  Today Sam and Michele talk about this encouraging trend.  Step-parent adoption has many similarities to other types of adoption, but there are some unique nuances.  Sam discusses what makes states like Alabama unique and how the step-parent adoption option can be a win-win for parents and children.  

Highlights and Links:

0:55 – Typical scenarios that lead to step-parent adoption.

2:40 – Motivations behind step-parent adoption, rights and benefits and honoring relationships.

5:30 – Step parent adoption is a streamlined process.

6:27 – Two types of consent for step-parent adoption. Alabama adoption laws. 

8:00 – Why is it important to have legal representation for adoption in general?

10:32 – Why you want an adoption lawyer to represent you in adoption.  

Read More on our blog:

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/domesticadoption/stepparent-grandparent-adoption/

The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure

Amazon Kindle or Paperback

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

Tags:

affordable adoption, step-parent adoption, streamlined process, inheritance, grandparent

Episode Title: Special Guest: Bethany Garth on Treating Birth Parents with Love and Respect

Publish Date: Feb 25, 2021

Show Notes: Today we are going to be talking to Bethany Garth, Executive Director of the First Choice Women's Medical Center in Montgomery, Alabama. First Choice’s mission is to reach abortion-vulnerable members of the community in the name of Christ to make life their first choice.  Today Michele and Bethany talk about the wide range of services First Choice offers and about loving and treating birth parents with respect.  

Highlights and Links:

0:55 – Bethany talks about the wide range of services offered by First Choice Women’s Medical Center.

4:50 – First Choice provides nurse consultations and medical services such as ultrasound.  

7:53 – Pregnancy Resource Centers are non-profits.  How can people support them?

8:57 – Treating Birth parents with dignity and respect is a high value.   What does First Choice do to build up birth parents and listen to their story and support their decisions?

10:47 – Being pro-life is not just about the baby.  First Choice is about pro ABUNDENT life and seeks to support parents in making life decisions to either be parents or follow an adoption plan. 

First Choice Women’s Medical Center

https://supportfirstchoice.org/ 

The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure

Amazon Kindle or Paperback

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

Episode Title: How to Care Well For Birth Parents
Publish Date: February 18, 2021

Show Notes -

Here at the Adoption Law Firm, we treasure and deeply care for birth parents, their situations, and their rights.  We make it a point to never forget all that they have done to carry their child and follow an adoption plan for their child.  Today, Sam and Michele talk about why honoring birth parents is so important. 

Highlights and Links: 

1:00 – The real pain about not caring for birth parents well.

4:48 – Birth moms are not “producers” and Helping vs. Enabling.

7:09 – Making informed/educated decisions

8:25 – In some cases, are we jumping to adoption too soon?

14:48 – What can pregnancy resource centers do love birth mothers and educate about adoption plans?

Blog: “An Open Letter to A Chinese Birth Mom”
https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2021/01/22/an-open-letter-to-a-chinese-birth-mom/

Book: The End of Orphan Care 
by Samuel J. McLure
Amazon Kindle or Paperback
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

Show Notes:

Episode Title: History of Adoption and the Biblical Basis for Orphan Care

Publish Date: Feb 10-11, 2021

Do you know much about the long history of adoption and orphan care?  If you have a copy of Oliver Twist or any of those other literary classics you are off to a good start.  While there may not be libraries on this topic from church history, it has always been a significant issue.  What do scriptures have to say about how to treat orphans?  Join Sam and Michele as they look at excerpts from Sam’s book on the topic and talk candidly about their own adoption journeys.  

Show Notes - Highlights and Links: 

2:21 – Adoption exists because we live in a broken world. 

3:56 – The Earliest Historical Mention of Orphan in the book of Job

6:09 – Adoption isn’t mentioned in the Bible, but God’s people have always cared for at-risk, abused and neglected children.  (James 1:27)

8:54 – A Pakistan Family Adoption Story – working with international adoption law.

10:50 – The Doctrine of Adoption – The Spiritual Example

12:17  – Introduction - Excerpts from The End of Orphan Care

14:14  – How the Early Church Was thinking about orphan care

17:46 - The Practice of Abortion during the early Church years.

** Trigger Warning ** 17:46 – 22:17 Contains difficult subject matter including descriptions of abortion practices in history and in modern times for stem cells.

22:17 - Early church response to the abortion industry.

23:43 – Modern-day response to adoption of special needs children.

24:35 – George Mueller’s response to orphans

26:34 – Why Aren’t More Christians Aware of Adoption and Orphan Care?

33:18 – Adoption Soap Boxes and closing thoughts

The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure

Amazon Kindle or Paperback

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

Blog Post: Evangelism in Orphan Care and The Work of The Holy Spirit

February 25, 2020  

by Sam McLure

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/02/25/evangelism-in-orphan-care-and-the-work-of-the-holy-spirit/

Show Notes:

Transracial Adoption

Today, Sam and Michele talk about the many challenges and blessings of Transracial Adoption.

http://www.theadoptionfirm.com/internationaladoption/overview/

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/theadoptionfirm.com/website-main-signup-form

0:40 – Two Main Challenges of Transracial Adoption

3:43 – Michele’s Transracial Adoption Story

5:15 – How about how the child feels about their adopted family / new culture?

6:50 – Processing your child’s questions about their background – Sam’s story.

8:20 – A influential book by Russel D. Moore, “Adopted For Life”  https://www.russellmoore.com/books/adopted-for-life/

Foster-Care Adoption

Children are placed into foster care as a result of such circumstances as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and abandonment.  The state’s primary objective is to reunite the children with their biological parents.  However, when these efforts fail, the state will initiate a process called Termination of Parental Rights (TPR).  60 to 75% of the children in foster care have gone or will go through the TPR process, thereby becoming eligible for adoption.

550 children were adopted from foster care in 2010 and approximately 570 children are currently available for adoption from the Alabama state foster care system.

Today, Sam and Michele talk about the many facets of Foster Care.  

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/domesticadoption/foster-care-adoption/ 

www.TheAdoptionFirm.com

4:00 George Mueller, Orphan Care

6:30 Good Support Systems in Place

8:20 The “Wrap-a-round” team model of Foster Care

9:10 TIPS Trauma Informed Pre-Service (Trauma Informed Care) 

9:45 Home study process

10:00 Lifeline Children’s Services (National)
https://lifelinechild.org/ 

Heart Gallery Alabama
https://heartgalleryalabama.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/adoptuskids

14:12 What about special needs?

16:30 The Speece Family Adoption Story:
https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/12/11/the-speece-family-adoption-story/ 

Additional Resource:
https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2019/11/01/foster-parent-bill-of-rights/

What rights do birth parents have?  Do they come to the court hearings?  What about the financial needs of the birth parents?  Can the adoptive parents help birth parents?  When does a birth parent sign consent?  All of these are important considerations, and today, Sam answers those questions and more. 

Do you need to be wealthy to adopt a child?   Do you need to go into debt to adopt?  What are the true costs of adoption and what are the ways to cover those costs?  In this episode of the Adoption Law Firm Podcast  we talk about all the exciting ways prospective parents can fund adoption and cover the costs associated with fulfilling their dreams of caring for a child who needs a forever home.   Whether it's domestic or international, there are so many ways to supplement adoption.  

Show Notes:

www.TheAdoptionFirm.com

Resources Mentioned: 

Title:  You Can Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption
Author:  Julie  Gumm
Website: http://www.juliegumm.com/

One of the most common questions here at The Adoption Law Firm, is "How much does adoption cost?"  Sam McLure, Esq., tackles this big question and walks us through the many ways people adopt children, and cover the costs along the way.  Whether it's foster-care adoption or private adoption, you'll be encouraged to hear this episode.   We hope you will subscribe to our podcast.  We have more episodes coming and we'd love to hear from you as well.

https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/