Letters from the Chosens: Recent Episodes
Naomi Guerrasio
In Letters from the Chosens, Naomi, the host, recounts stories from her early childhood. Each episode highlights the key moments that led her from life in rural West Africa to the suburbs of the United States. If you didn't believe God still works miracles, this story might make you reconsider. New stories every Wednesday.
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I truly believe that adoption is God's answer to child displacement. He provides a family and home for the solitary and the desolate. We get to discuss some common questions people have about adoption to bring awareness and encourage those who are called to adopt!
Reflection questions
- What does family mean to you? How do you define family?
- Have you ever considered adoption? If you have, what has made you open to it? If you have never considered it, what has made you hesitant about it?
- What questions do you have about adoption or the process? What do you want to learn more about regarding adoption?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
Links & Sources
https://fosterlove.com/
https://adoptuskids.org/meet-the-children/children-in-foster-care/about-the-children
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Did you know that there is an average of 400,000 children in the foster care system at any given time? When people talk about the need, they are not exaggerating! Today, we share some questions and misconceptions that people may have about foster care. Please feel free to share your experiences, comments, and questions you may have.
Reflection questions:
- What is something you could do for others in your community?
- Have you ever considered fostering? If you have, what has encouraged you to look into it? If you haven’t, what has made you hesitant about pursuing it?
- What questions do you have about becoming a foster parent or about the foster care system?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
Helpful links:
National Foster Care Parent Association, https://nfpaonline.org/resources/
The NY Foundling, https://www.nyfoundling.org/what-we-do/our-programs/child-welfare/foster-care/
Resources, http://www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/supporting-students/special-populations/students-foster-care/resources
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Now what? If you have ever reunited or reconnected with someone from your past, that’s the next question. What do we do with this new relationship? In reconnecting with my family back home, I have had to grapple with my response. My parents, other family members, and those in my circle have encouraged me to live my life while still challenging me to go beyond myself.
In hearing how I have adjusted to reconnecting with my biological family, I hope it helps you navigate your own family dynamics, however they may look.
Reflection questions:
- What are the ways you try to maintain peace in your family dynamics?
- What is your approach to sharing, giving, or loaning money to your family or friends?
- How do you approach brave conversations with your family or friends?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
Letters from the Chosens
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In the summer of 2013, I embarked on my first trip back home to Ghana. My parents and I got to see some of the beautiful country, friends, and, most importantly, our family!
I hope that hearing my story encourages you to take steps to learn more about your own story.
Reflection questions
- What is something new or adventurous that you have done
- What is one of your most memorable moments?
- What is a moment that changed your perspective or your direction?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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My desire to reconnect with my biological family began in high school, but it wouldn’t be until I was in college that I spoke to my parents about it. I wanted to share about how that conversation started and my mindset for reconnecting with my family back home.
I hope that hearing about my journey encourages those on a similar path to reunite with their families or those who desire to learn more about their personal story and family history.
Reflection questions
- What is something you would like to know about your past or your family history?
- What has motivated or inspired you to learn more about yourself, your past, or your family history?
- Who is someone you would like to talk to to learn more about yourself or your past?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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There’s always more, more we can be and more we do. This is how husband and wife Dan and Tynetta move throughout life. The two had been married for about years and felt a tugging to foster to adopt. Recently, they have been in the process of becoming licensed foster parents. Throughout the process, they have faced unexpected questions and grappled more with themselves over the deeper issues of God's heart for the orphaned and abandoned, and just how deep His grace extends to all people in every situation. With this in mind, they have opened their home to support as many children as God brings to their steps, and they hope that every child who walks into their home leaves different for the better.
I hope that by hearing their story, you learn ways you can help and support the children in your community.
Reflection questions
- What’s a recent step of faith you’ve taken? What happened?
- What’s an area of your life where you are being stretched beyond what you think you can do?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
Letters from the Chosens
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I’ve learned that boundaries protect us and set us up for purpose. So we can set boundaries with everyone, our family, friends, and ourselves. It’s not about the person, but about the condition being produced. Boundaries help us to create healthy relationships.
Reflection questions
-What do healthy boundaries look like to you?
-What has been the most challenging part of establishing boundaries?
-What healthy boundaries do you need to establish for yourself?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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When it comes to family and friends dynamics, I had to realize that boundaries begin with me. I had to recognize the things in me that needed to be addressed before I pointed out the negative actions or responses of others. I first set boundaries for myself, then for healthy interactions with others. It’s a work in progress!
I hope that by hearing about my journey of healing, freedom, and peace, your faith in God is strengthened and your hope is renewed.
Reflection questions
- What do healthy boundaries look like to you?
- What has been the most challenging part of establishing boundaries?
- What healthy boundaries do you need to establish for yourself?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
Letters from the Chosens
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My own rejection wound when I was young made me see any separation negatively. I now understand that what I perceive as rejection is really purpose. God has used the rejection and abandonment that I’ve experienced in the past to get me to where I needed to be.
Reflection questions:
- When was a time you felt unwanted or rejected? How did you respond?
- What are some things you do to combat thoughts or feelings of rejection
- Do you know your purpose? If so, how are you walking out your purpose?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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It wasn’t until I was in High school that I started to doubt God. I questioned His goodness amid my challenges and the hardships of those in my community. It’s been a journey of learning about God’s goodness amid challenges. Here are some lessons I have been learning that have given me peace amid my challenges and everyday inconveniences.
I hope that by hearing about my journey of healing, freedom, and peace, your faith in God is strengthened.
Reflection questions
- Was there a moment when you doubted the goodness of God? How did you overcome or how are you overcoming those moments of doubt?
- When have you demonstrated unwavering faith and trust in God? Why were you so certain? What kept you grounded in your faith?
- What have you learned about God in the midst of the trials, hardships, or setbacks?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
Letters from the Chosens
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I’ve been asked some interesting questions. Some that make you pause and wonder at the person’s boldness, and others that make me pause and reconsider my perspective. So here are a few questions that I’ve gotten, and in learning a little more about my journey, I hope it helps you along the way on yours!
Reflection questions
- What is the most interesting question someone asked you?
- What’s the most laugh-out-loud question you’ve been asked?
- What’s a question you wish people would ask you?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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Tom and Laurel thought that they were done growing their family. They had two children and a dog. What more could they want or need? Except for one surprising day, they clearly felt led to adopt a little girl from the rural areas of Ghana's Ashanti Region. The journey to adoption and raising their new daughter in suburban America turned out to be more complex and challenging than they thought. Still, the adventure proved more rewarding than they had imagined.
Reflection questions:
- What is a recent step of faith you have made? Have you seen the fruits of it?
- Is there any moment in your life that, looking back, you knew it was the hand of God?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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Tre went from a happy childhood full of opportunities, loving parents, and a close community to a rehab center by his senior year in high school. He mentally spiraled downward and became an addict by the age of 21. He shares the tumultuous introduction to adulthood that he never pictured for himself. In sharing his testimony, he sheds light on how our circle of influences can alter our future trajectory (story tells). He emphasizes the importance of knowing the truth to choose the path that leads to life. (Life lesson)
Hearing this powerful testimony will renew your hope and remind you that God is there even in your darkest moments.
Reflection questions:
- How can unforgiveness affect your healing process and shape your destiny?
- What’s your main reason for forgiving others? Who or what helps you to forgive when it is most difficult?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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Tatiana unexpectedly found herself plopped in the suburbs of New Jersey, far from her home in Russia. In this episode, she shares her adoption journey, navigating her past and having challenging conversations that led to her penning her first book. Her testimony demonstrates that the more we know about our past, the greater our understanding of ourselves. Throughout her testimony, she notes how our hearts towards others can change when we look at life from their perspective.
I hope that hearing her story encourages you to undergo a paradigm shift and bravely face the challenges in your life, leading to meaningful conversations.
Reflection questions:
- What are some wounded or broken areas you need to address to receive your healing and freedom?
- Who are the people within your community with whom you can be real about the challenges in your life?
Learn more about Tatiana's private practice and journey on Speak for Joy
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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Sometimes surrender is the only way to victory. Darlene found this truth out during her journey of healing. For almost all of her childhood, Darlene had bounced around from foster home to foster home. Each time she thought she had found solace, she was greeted with poor conditions and abuse after abuse. Her heart became hardened and calloused to the treatment, and she became closed off to receiving any love. She had to surrender and give God control over her will to find freedom. Her life shows that no matter what you are going through, you can overcome and experience greater victory in the latter years than in the former.
By hearing this story, I hope you will see every mountain you face as defeatable and approach your daily challenges with a victor’s mindset.
Reflection questions
- If you could ask your parents or guardians one question about your childhood, what would it be?
- How have you responded to the traumas from your childhood? How has it affected the conditions of your heart and mind?
- What are the steps, strategies, or resources you utilize to help you through your healing process?
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
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Can you imagine losing a part of you, your family, all that you’re familiar with, yet having a positive attitude? Isaac is a living testimony of this. Isaac went from being a healthy child surrounded by family to suddenly becoming ill and spending years in a hospital. At every medical challenge, Isaac maintained a grateful attitude for all the people who helped him along the way. They inspired and motivated him, even during his most significant losses, to focus on all he had and all he could do, and to walk in faith.
By hearing his story, you will gain a sense of hope to keep moving forward and never give up, because there is a breakthrough on the other side.
Reflection questions:
- What or who are you most grateful for in your life, and why?
- What are things you can do to maintain a heart of gratitude and hope amid loss?
- Who are some people who helped to uplift you during your loneliest days or moments of loss?
Contact for the guest
Isaac Burton Photography, www.PicturesByIsaac.com
Remember, God loves you, and He has chosen you to fulfill His good purpose.
Letters from the Chosens
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Naomi gets ready to attend school. There are so many new things she has to learn but the greatest lesson she learns is about herself.
Naomi and her mom attempt to style her natural hair. They learn through trial and error how to best manage her hair. It may take them years, but eventually they get it right.
Naomi and her family are given some grim news. It is their faith and prayers that holds them together in the midst of uncertainty.
What is the criterion for a home? Is it the address scrawled across your mail? Is it based upon your current location? Naomi learns that a home is so much more.
Have you ever been on the outside looking in but once you got in you were disappointed at what you found? Naomi finally enters the building of a place she's only experienced from a distance and finds out it is not at all what she expected it to be.
When you feel the most tired, the most like giving up, that's when the breakthrough is coming. Naomi makes one last stop before she's finally home.
Do you ever feel like you are running from one place to the other but never quite arriving? Naomi shares about moving from one family to the other as she searches for the one place she can call home.
Naomi finds out the true value of her family. They may not be easy to live with but life would be so much harder without them.
Naomi embarks on a search. She doesn't quite find who she's looking for, but she encounters someone else.
It's the sigh of relief when you feel free to be---free to share all that's been held within.
There are so many reasons for why we do the things we do. Listen to find out more about Naomi's "why". Why she's moved to share her story and what she hopes to instill in others.