Posts by Bethany Briley
Show Hope Book Club: Gentle and Lowly
Gentle and Lowly “‘Gentle and Lowly’ gave me a clearer, more tangible picture of Christ’s heart toward me,” Show Hope Director of Development Emily Schafer said. “It helped me to debunk my interest in ‘earning’ the grace of Jesus and instead help me to rest in his gentle and loving embrace of me. It’s a…
Read MoreHow Sensory Seeking Can Lead to Connection
Spinning, jumping, and swinging. Bear hugs and loud environments. Wiggles and squirming. These are just some sensory-seeking behaviors common in children and teens—not your child acting out or being unruly and disrespectful. Sensory seeking is when a child seeks out and even craves sensory input. Unlike children who are sensory avoidant—often overwhelmed by input—children who…
Read MoreLove Really Does Take You In: A Letter From Mary Beth …
Dear Care Centers Legacy Families, After our recent weekend together, I was completely undone in the best and most beautiful way possible. Steven and I were so excited to finally host the first Show Hope Care Centers Legacy Reunion since 2019, and I’m not sure I can fully put into words what I experienced getting…
Read MoreHaving Age-Appropriate Conversations With Your Kids About Health
No matter what age your children are, you can always talk with them about their bodies and how it works. Try to have these conversations on a regular basis, maybe even planning a conversation around the time of your child’s yearly check-up. Also, remember to reassure your child that he or she can talk to…
Read MoreAdoption by the Numbers: A New Report From the National Council for Adoption
We hope this list will be impactful for you on your journey. Here are 10 resources for adoptive and foster care families.
Read MoreAn Intricate Journey: Thoughts on Adoption From One Big Sister
My family adopted for the first time when I was in the third grade, and then again when I was in middle school. Through the difficult and beautiful process of bringing my sisters home from China, God intentionally formed my family—and he also intentionally formed me. In particular, growing up in an adoptive family expanded…
Read MoreHow to Find a Therapist
Sometimes our children face things for which professional help is needed. These could include anxiety or depression, family problems, bullying, and emotional or behavioral changes, among others. Especially for children who have come home through adoption or foster care, therapy may be helpful to help your child begin to heal from trauma he or she…
Read MoreSEEn by Mary Beth Chapman
There’s something sacred about being seen. Not just glanced at or noticed … but really, truly SEEn. In the hardest seasons of my life—especially after losing Maria—I found myself questioning everything. I had followed Jesus. I had trusted Him. I had completely trusted that our family was to adopt, again. And then … suddenly, I…
Read MoreThe Fighter
Staring down the lens of a Canon 6D camera, Hannah Deer got up close and personal with the work of Show Hope. Working as a freelance photographer for Show Hope, Hannah captured images of families who had received grants to help with adoption—many families you, the reader, would have seen and read about in similar…
Read MoreAwakening Hearts in Every Generation
When Reverend Sam Shick learned about Show Hope’s Pause Campaign, he knew it would be a way to engage the high school students in his congregation with an existing churchwide initiative. As the congregation focused on supporting foster families, he said, “There might be a really cool opportunity for our high schoolers to learn about…
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