Fostering Voices Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 18: 5 Simple Tips To A Simply Amazing Marriage Jun 02, 2018

Show notes

Today's Show Notes are going to be very simple and straight forward.

We answered the random question: "What was your favorite Saturday Morning Cartoon?"

Jihae said "Bo Knows", which apparently was just a commercial. What she meant was "ProStars" with Bo Jackson, Wayne Gretzky, and Michael Jordan.

Chris said Bugs Bunny, and Fraggle Rock, but his all time favorite show was "Saved By The Bell". And his new current obsession is Zach Morris is Trash.

So, our FIVE TIPS:

- HEDGES. We read this book and it was fantastic. You should read it too. Some examples in the book may seem extreme, but we think marriage is worth taking the extra steps to protect it and make it the best and strongest that it can be.

- Pray together. Every night.

- Invest in your marriage - with time and money. This is a daily task, which will make the date nights, and vacations that much more exciting and wonderful. We shell out a good amount of $ for date nights. So don't think that just because you don't have free babysitters around, you can't go out. And remember, you just need a responsible and wonderful 18+ year old to watch your foster kids. You don't have to find other licensed people to watch your foster babes.

- This great book, Boundaries, talks about Togetherness and Separateness. This point is fantastic, and you and your spouse might need to see how you guys divvy up those points. This is hardest for stay-at-home moms I think, but even more necessary then, to figure out.

- And finally, cheer each other on! Be each other's greatest cheerleaders.

The Good Word of the Day:

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of 3 stands is not quickly broken." -Ecclesiastes 4:12

We truly believe that our marriage, plus Jesus, is a strong, and unstoppable force! Take the time necessary to invest in your marriage! If you are in a VERY rough season of your marriage, and you are fostering, we would advise that you stop as soon as possible. Then pause and work on your marriage, and come back healthier and stronger than ever.

Thanks for supporting our podcast (what?!? You want to leave a review on iTunes? So great!) and we will be back with another new episode next week!

Episode 17: How Movies Move Us May 26, 2018

Show notes

This episode is choc full of talking. And laughing. And thinking. And movie talking. And being 48 minutes long, this is our longest episode to date, I believe. So today I will be with you as you finish any and every chore you possibly have to do!

Our guest this week is Eric Epperson, who is a good friend and co-worker of our friends of our hearts - Mike and Cindy Branton. Eric is in the movie making business, or in the social justice documentaries making business. His role at CIY has allowed him to make several incredible films that revolve around serious world wide issues, in glorious fashion. His films have taken him to Iraq, Ireland, India, and now - Arizona.

In hopes to immerse himself in foster care life, he stayed at our crazy house for 2 days, and met with different people for his project. And so we asked him to join us on the podcast to share about his upcoming film that should be out next year.

Eric brought up a great point that we started fostering, in response to several videos that were shown at our church. Hopefully this film about foster care will awaken something, even just conversation to start off with. As Eric puts it: "Films open our minds to what's possible."

We talked about A LOT of stuff and there were some classic quotes!

"Allegiant - the Kmart of the Skies."
To learn more about CIY: Christ In Youth
Get on Amazon Prime to watch 3 of CIY Aeffect's films: Aullido, Love Costs Everything, Unseen
To download for free: Unseenfilm.org Mental Health and Suicide film
Primary shirts and Secondary Shirts. They are important and make you look respectable in case of emergency, or the opposite.
CAMMIES. Not Camis. Chris mentioned that in the Marine Corps, they talked about getting your Cammies. But I was picturing them saying 'Get your spaghetti strapped tank tops/camis'. A fellow Marine texted and stood by his military brother and told me that Chris was right and I was wrong. Whatevs.
If you have NO IDEA what Tornado we are talking about (I did not know about this tornado until I went to Joplin, 3 years ago), you can find out more here. The fact that Eric and his family (his wife hid in a basement with their 4 week old daughter!) survived that thing makes them some of the most incredible people in the world

Missouri vs Arizona

Missouri Population: 6.1 million

#of kids in foster care: 19,400 kids in care

Arizona Population: 7.2 million

# of kids in foster: 15,000

The (Good) Word of the Day

" If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

9-11 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father."

Philippians 2:1-11 The Message (emphasis added)

SO GOOD. Read it again my friends, and let it all soak in to your hearts and minds.

Special thanks to Eric for joining us on the podcast today. We will be praying for your journey in making this film, and we hope that it makes people move to compassion and action.

We hope you enjoyed it, and that it made you think of different ways that you can get involved in the foster care crisis that spans the entire country, and world that we live in. Wherever you are, foster kids are there too. And they need your help.

To connect with Eric:

Eric's Work Bio

Eric on Instagram

Eric on Facebook

Episode 16: The Marc of a Great Dad May 19, 2018

Show notes

Today's episode is a different, and special one. You listeners are in for a treat - it's one where there is no Jihae. So that means no hyena, high pitched laughs. Life got in the way of the podcast, but fortunately, Chris is always up for a new challenge, so he took the reins as the host of this episode, and interviewed our good friend Marc Gagnon. Marc is a great friend of ours, and he is an awesome husband, and awesome dad to two incredible girls. His youngest daughter was adopted out of foster care when she was 2 years old. This interview is insightful, and honest, and we hope you learn a lot from this episode.

Things to note:

Marc mentioned that they adopted through RISE. This is a fantastic agency to consider whether you are going to foster or adopt. Marc is also a soccer coach, and you can find him at East Valley Soccer Academy, on Instagram. He does private lessons, as well as coaching whatever teams his girls are on. Marc and his wife, Karah, are both successful bankers. I love all the different varieties of family dynamics on this podcast. You do not have to be a stay-at-home parent in order to foster or adopt.

The (Good) Word of the Day: Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall, he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jason is our fortress. Psalm 46:6-7

That's a good Word people! So apt for the kind of day that we had at the Watson household. Fortunately God is in control of absolutely everything. He is our fortress, and He is with us! Thanks for tuning in friends! Until next time - Bye!

Episode 15: Ode To Our Mamas May 12, 2018

Show notes

It's Mother's Day weekend, so today's episode is devoted to our moms - Barb Osborne and Sylvia Ham! You can learn basic facts about them, as well as intricate details about their character, and how they have reacted to our being foster and adoptive parents. We are so very thankful for the incredible example that both of these women have set for us, as their kids; But also for their grandkids, and for all the many people that they come in contact with. There aren't any real show notes for today. I did say I was going to Google when my mom's birthday was on the Gregorian calendar, as opposed to the Lunar calendar (March 14). But it says it was April 29th, which means I missed my mom's birthday...

The (Good) Word of the Day: "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Proverbs 1:8-9

Our mothers have taught us so much, and the way that they love and serve others is something that we are trying to wear as a garland on our own heads. We truly hope that you have a wonderful day celebrating Mother's Day with people that you love, who have taught you many things, and who show you love. We know this is not a day that brings everyone happiness and gladness, and especially in foster care and adoption, there is a lot of pain and sadness involved. But we hope that even with sadness, that some joy may still coexist as well. Thanks for joining us for a very lighthearted episode of our podcast, and we hope you will tune in again next time!

Episode 14: Facts and Figures of Foster Care May 05, 2018

Show notes

Episode 14 features Chris and our brand new foster babe!

We became a family of 7 again this week, and on the episode we talk about what week 1 looks like if you are interested in fostering babies. Basically, you need to go to the doctor for a check up, get a newborn screen done during days 5-10, and hopefully head to your nearest WIC office so you can go get some formula. I was SO prepared for this placement - I had a can of unopened formula, bottles, clothes (from Wesley!), and leftover diapers from my previous placement. This was the most ready we have ever been. Apparently 5th time's a charm...

In this episode, we also discuss:

our automatic vacuum cleaner: the Deebot. His name is also Dusty Bottoms, which we talk about at length. Sorry about that. But not sorry that I barely have to sweep anymore!
WIC - Find the office nearest you. If you are in the East Valley, I LOVE the Chandler Care Center. Don't forget to bring your Notice to Provider, and your baby/foster babe, and they will issue you a debit card that has your food allowance for up to 3 months. This is how we get free formula for our foster babies.
Example of foster care subsides in Georgia.
Helen's Hope Chest, Jose's Closet, and several other organizations that seek to supply clothes and other supplies for children in foster care. These are great organizations to donate to, instead of Goodwill.
Arizona Empowerment Scholarship, as well as other scholarship programs allowing reduced or free tuition to private schools.
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is a great resource that will help foster kids go to Disneyland for free! Check out their website for lots of info for foster families

(Good) Word of the Day: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

Let's all do what we are talented, and gifted in, and called to do, and the more we do this, the better, anymore beautiful our world will be!

Episode 13: Advocate For The Needy Apr 28, 2018

Show notes

The foster adopt community is better because Nicole Marshall is in it. Today's episode features the magical Nicole, and her son Micah (for a total of about 2 seconds). Tune in to hear about Nicole's life as a wife, mom of 7 - 3 bio and 4 adopted, and founder of Advocacy 31nine.

Some links for you:

Connect with Nicole on Social Media! Facebook. Instagram. Find out more about Advocacy 31nine on their website and follow them on Instagram. We talked about the School to Prison Pipeline and you can read about that here. And here. And here. What is an IEP? Here's an article for you.

(Good) Word of The Day: "Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:9

Nicole has this verse tattooed in her brain and on her heart. I don't even have "Jesus Wept" tattooed in my brain, even though it is the shortest verse in the Bible! (It's in John 11:35. I had to google that.) But I'm so thankful that this is the verse she chose, because she truly lives it out! Thank you for using your circumstances to improve the lives of your kids, other kids from hard places, and in turn - all kids and educators - so that classrooms can be a great place of learning for absolutely everyone. As always, thank you sweet listeners, for tuning in again. And we will catch you again next week! Feel free to find me on social media so we can connect in between episodes! Fostering Voices on Instagram Jihae Watson on Facebook

Episode 12: Most iFAQ Apr 21, 2018

Show notes

Some questions:

I put out a question on my Instagram Stories asking what questions people had about foster care, or adoption, or about us, or our family. Here are the questions that I got: -"I have a question... how do you have such a big brain and such a hot bod at the same time? I always heard God blesses people with one or the other to keep the world balanced.. but dang girl, you smart AND fly." - Chris Watson -"How many miles are in 10 cups?" -Drew Lott Chris is on this episode with me, and we answered the more serious of those two questions on the podcast. And the answer is 5.676 x 10 to the negative 13th power. We did admittedly get a few more questions after we recorded, and so we will get to those on another episode. No wait, two of the three were about dinner plans, and one was a question we will get to on another episode! So then we answered some questions from a random question generator, which officially makes this episode full of the Most Infrequently Asked Questions.

Some random things we talk about in this episode:

VHS-C tapes are the little tapes that go inside Camcorders. I know you were dying to know that. And now you know. And you can order some on Amazon, of course.
Sky Dive Arizona, that's where I got the Groupon from that almost literally killed my husband. And the deal is still around! You can buy it here. BUT DON'T. Chris truly almost died. Or could have. Same thing.
Still looking for that saying... Something about the blind, or sinner, leading others to find water...

(Good) Word of the Day: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15

We love this verse because it keeps us humble. Jesus Christ came for us all. He died for us all. He died for us when we were sinner, and we are sinners still. And I am the worst of them all. This is freeing, to know we are loved, and to know we can love others because they are in the same boat as us. We hope that people don't regard us as having achieved something special (besides a license), in order to foster. We are just two regular people who are doing our best to bring hope and joy to those around us. This is our goal in all things. Thanks as always for tuning in. We are SO thankful for you all. If you ever do have any questions, find us on Instagram at Fostering Voices, or on Facebook, or you can even e-mail me at jihaewatson@gmail.com . Super professional, I know. And, if you are ever looking for info on how to get started on your fostering or adoption journey, you can always look here. Have a great week, filled with joy and hope and good food and good company, and we will see you again next week!

Episode 11: Pocketful of Prayer Apr 14, 2018

Show notes

Have we got an international adoption story for you my friend. Today we have Jen Walsh on the podcast, and she is a treat! I found her on Instagram, and you must follow her as well. Her handle is em_erge, which I completely forgot to ask her what the meaning behind the name is. Next time! But Jen makes the absolute most INCREDIBLE skirts, and they are made all the more fabulous because they have pockets. But not just plain old pockets. No, these are pockets that are made from a material that she specifically picks out for her customer, something that will empower them, remind them of who they are, where they've come from. And she prays for these women while she makes these skirts and these powerful, personal pockets. Seriously. Check her out. But don't fall too deeply in love with her talent, because I believe there is a pretty serious wait for a skirt!

We also discuss:

America World - which is the organization she went with to go through her adoption
Cocooning - the process in which you basically create a cocoon around your adoptive babes
How to Adopt Without Ruining Your Family by Cheri Strange. This is a devotional that you can find in your Bible app, but I also found Cheri's blog, which is where the link will take you. Love this straight-forward, so sugar-coating view of adoption.
I also mentioned that I found Jen through Shannon of Sassy Soirees, so if you are in need of a wedding or event planner - this girl is amazing!
It took the Walsh family about 3 years, THREE YEARS, to feel like a normal family. Things were hard for 3 YEARS. If you are in the middle of year one, and things are hard - you aren't doing anything wrong, and you did not make a mistake in choosing to foster or adopt! Sometimes things are hard. Keep pressing on my friend!
International adoption costs tens of thousands of dollars. State adoption through foster care (usually) cost us $0. people are called to different things, and Jen and her family were able to see God do Ah-Mazing things as they raised money to bring their two boys home.

(Good) Words of The Day:

We have A LOT! Cause Jen loves Jesus and has really needed to lean on Him, and His word. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6 Jen LOVES Philippians apparently. But my favorite thing that she shared, is that since she was a child, she would tell herself "God is in this place", and often in the beginning days of the boys being home with her, she would hide in a room and tell herself "God is in this place, God is in this place!" I love this interview so much. I hope you love it as much as I do, and I am so thankful for Jen giving us so much of her precious time, and sharing her huge heart with us. Until next week!

Episode 10: Interview with the Best Licensing Worker Apr 07, 2018

Show notes

I am thrilled to have my licensing worker - Kelly Lewis, on the podcast with me today! A licensing worker is someone who helps you get your fostering license. Kelly has been with us for almost 4 years, and she has turned into a sweet friend who I truly cannot live without.

Kelly has been working at Christian Family Care Agency for 21 years! So she has a lot of wisdom and knowledge to share about her job and agency.

Check them out if you are at all interested in becoming a foster parent, their special youth placement program, being a mentor to a foster child, infant adoption, their safe families program, and many other volunteer opportunities!

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