JAMI: ON FAILED ADOPTION MATCHES + LIFE IN A BIG FAMILY + SELF-CARE
If Jami Kaeb wasn't so real and raw about the struggles of (foster/adoptive/plain-old) parenting, you may get a complex. She's got a supermom thing going on with her seven kids and a thriving foster care ministry. This episode we talk walking through the disappointment and pain of failed adoption matches and learning what God had through it all along. We chat life in a big family, and Jami shares practical (and wise) thoughts on intentionally parenting a tribe of children and still finding time for self-care and communion with God. I corner Jami a bit for our final segment and make her share about The Forgotten Initiative (what she's doing) and her Who Loves book series books (what she's reading). Jami seeps of love for Jesus, her children, and her ministry, and I loved talking to her and learning from her. It's a good one, friends.
• The intro song, The Source, is brought to you by one of the best new worship bands out there, The Evidence. Yes, the frontman is my (talented, brilliant, adorable, Jesus-loving) cousin. No, that's not why I love them.
• I love Jami's thoughts on intentionally parenting a lot of kids: having real conversations about it all, going on dates, nightly Bible time, and "assigning" them a sibling to be praying for.
• I also love her thoughts on self-care: getting to the gym, prayer journaling and just setting yourself down in the middle of the chaos with God's Word, a TWO AND A HALF HOUR mandatory quiet time, and "give yourself grace."
• Jami shared about her work at the The Forgotten Initiative. TFI resources, supports and networks Advocates across the nation, helping them grow sustainable foster care ministries in their communities. Advocates mobilize local churches to serve the foster care community through service projects, mentoring and family support initiatives. Basically, they're all about advocating for these kids and their families and getting the church to step up for them. If you've been looking for ways to serve your foster care community, check out info on how to become a TFI Advocate.
• Jami's reading Permission to Screw Up: How I Learned to Lead By Doing (Almost) Everything Wrong. I love the idea behind this book, but I've never read a leadership book before. Jami quote: reads leadership books like novels.
• More important than what she's reading, though, I wanted Jami to share about what she's written. Jami is the author of the Who Loves series, three books written for children in foster care, ages 0-10. These books introduce children to the "cast of characters" involved in foster care and affirm that each is for and loves the child. The message behind these books: You are worthy and you are loved, and we are all here to help bring about the best for you! I've read a lot of books for children in foster care. I love that these books not only address the experience of being a foster child, but also point kids to the love of Christ.
• You know I'm not much of a podcast kind of gal, but Jami shared that she loves podcasts put out by Gimlet Media, especially Reply All.
