MARALEE: ON FINDING YOUR IDENTITY AS A FOSTER MOM + MAKING CASSEROLES + BEING THE KEEPER OF YOUR FOSTER CHILD'S STORY
I just think the world of Maralee Bradley. She’s a talented writer, gifted speaker, passionate advocate, loving mother, and devoted disciple. She makes me laugh and she makes me think, and I’m so excited to share her with you this episode. In this longest-episode-ever-and-I-felt-like-I-was-cutting-every-conversation-short-and-could’ve-talked-for-hours-longer, we chat getting pregnant after infertility, “adopting your way out” of foster care, life after foster momming, advocating for change in the system, making casseroles, the role we continue to play in our foster children’s past and futures, doing the dishes for the glory of God, and how not every adoptive mom wants to watch This is Us. Like me, you’re going to wish it kept going, but don’t worry, this is only episode #1 in a soon-to-come two (or three, or four) part series with this wonderful mama. 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.
• Maralee was generous enough to offer her e-mail to anyone who feels burdened to get into foster care advocacy. Reach out and ask away: amusingmaralee@gmail.com. (Pictured below: Maralee’s clan headed to the state capital to see the sibling bill she was involved in get passed into law.)
• Maralee read and loved The Hate U Give. If you’re more a movie gal, you can watch/buy here: The Hate U Give on Prime.
• I’m really eager to see Three Identical Strangers. Apparently, the themes of nature/nurture are really powerful—particularly for foster + adoptive parents.
• I too have wrestled through doing the mundane to the glory of God. Here’s my take on momming and dishes for Jesus: My Thankful Life: When God Doesn’t Answer All Your Prayers.
