Free Book Friday Giveaways for Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents , October 10, 2014

  It's time for our 2nd Friday Adoption Book Giveaways from Jody's Book Bag. We had a nice response for the 1st giveaway and still awaiting for a couple of the winners to contact me and send me their full name, address and zipcode-  Email me at : jodymoreen ( use the @ sign) gmail.com  Everyone who posted a comment for our 1st giveaway won and were awarded a book- because it was our 1st Giveaway and also because I owned 3 copies of the Book Three Names of Me which was requested by 3 persons.  So Congratulations to the winners and I hope these books encourage you and your families!
   If anyone has any new/like new books they would like to donate to this giveaway let me know- they are welcome and will bless someone else to read them. Please let others adult adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents or others touched by adoption know about this website and also the Friday Adoption Book Giveaway. I also want to share that I have another website Blog- Adoptees Anchored in Christ that shares faith stories of adult adoptees that give testimony to God's grace, hope and healing in their adoption journeys. http://adopteesanchoredinjesus.blogspot.com/
If you read any posts or stories on either of my sites, appreciate your leaving comments. I am available for phone mentoring for a reasonable fee ( not eligible for insurance reimbursement ) and I am knowledgeable on various adoption topics and issues. Feel free to inquire.  For Adult Adoptee women I have a private Facebook called:
Adoptees Anchor/Kindred Spirits so its open to adopted women and one must have a Facebook page to join. For anyone interested, send me an e-mail ( e-mail address above ).


To participate in the drawing- You must sign up to Follow this Blog, then just post a brief comment after this posting and include your name and how you are touched by adoption and the book you would most life if your name is picked as a winner in the drawings. If you don't see your Comment posted right away- don't worry- I have to approve them- so it will show up very soon! SHARE about this site and the Free Book Friday Giveaways for those touched by Adoption- thanks!
Hope you will participate! And good luck!  Just sharing the gifts I have been given- Blessed to be a Blessing!  Jody

1, Adoption Is For Always-  Picture story book for Children- NEW- paperback

2. Chicken Soup For The Adopted Soul-  Inspirational short stories from all sides of adoption.

3. Gathering The Missing Pieces of An Adopted Life- Christian perspective written by adoptee Kay Moore- She shares her own adoption story and reunion with her birth family. Then she writes on topics of adoption and at the end of each chapter she shares tips for adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents on the topic of that chapter.

4. Puppy Love- is a cute mini book with dustcover and a cute ribbon book mark with charm.

Adoptees' Attachment Issues & God's Redeeming Love & Restoration

 

As a psychology student back in my college days, I learned that early successful attachment and bonding in an infant's life sets in motion the emotional groundwork for security, safety, and the ability to regulate ones emotions even when the mother figure is not present. The ongoing and repetitive cycle of the baby having a need and the mother or caregiver lovingly and attentively attending to that need results in the baby's growing ability to learn TRUST.  If needs are not met in a timely fashion, the baby may feel unheard, unworthy and may learn that verbalizing their need through crying does not get results. So if there are way too many of these cycles where the baby expresses a need and feels ignored or not comforted and not acknowledged, or put off for long periods- the infant's emotions can shut down and they may learn to mistrust others. ( Deep down inside there may be a sadness that turns to anger that can then move into depression ) The infant may stop expressing their needs and either represses them ( they get buried ) or is hoping and still expecting that others might mind read. ( faulty thinking ) They may tend to learn helplessness and develop a victims mentality. Some may become very clingy or overly dependent on others in their lives, or they may go to the other extreme- they may push others away emotionally- distance themselves as a kind of protective stance, so as to not get hurt again. They may become fiercely independent trusting only themselves. This also may lead to their being controlling in relationships and always insistent on their own way    ( The sad reality of this relational pattern is that love is then walled out as well as healthy intimacy )  As adoptees, those orphaned or fostered some of us may have been negatively impacted by these early circumstances beyond our control. And some of us may have had more difficult beginnings or prolonged times of neglect or faulty attachment and bonding. Because of this we may carry these tendencies and mindsets into our adult lives and relationships which may hurt others and ourselves. May we have the courage to address these issues, acknowledge them, and yield them to God for His redeeming work.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Our Redeemer, Awaken us today to the realities that may be present in our lives, that we may not have been aware of or possibly denied. We were so young and vulnerable as infants and what happened to us was truly beyond our control. We are grateful to know that you do not judge us and instead have compassion for us. Gently open our eyes to the truth and help us to come out of denial so that we may grieve the past losses and recognize your love and grace to bring us to healing and wholeness. May we encourage one another in community as we heal and grow and change to reflect your loving image. We know that we can trust you fully and can invest our love in you- knowing that you always respond, listen and care. As we spend more time  in your sweet presence-drawing close to you as we receive your love, may we grow more and more healthy emotionally. As we securely attach to you- we can heal and grow healthier relationships with others.  Gentle Shepherd, guide us in our healing journeys and restore us we pray. Lead us beside still waters and paths of righteousness for our ultimate good and your glory, Amen.  ( Copyright Jody Moreen 2014- Permission needed to reprint in any media format- online or print ) jodymoreen ( use the @ sign)gmail.com

Adoptees, Beautiful Graftings of the Lord to Display His Splendor, A Devotion by Jody Moreen

Monday Meditation & Devotion by Jody

"To comfort all who mourn,

³  and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.              

Isaiah 61: 2b-3 ( NIV )

   As adoptees there is a point in our lives when we awaken and begin to process what it means to have been adopted. We come to realize that though we were blessed to become a part of a new family we experienced being uprooted from our biological family tree of origin. There was a severing when our birth parents relinquished their rights to parent us. We were the branch cut off, separated from the parent tree. Ouch! That hurts! And surely a wound was created. Then through adoption we were grafted into a new family tree where we were replanted and allowed to grow.

   Horticulturalists say that a good grafting involves a successful union at the juncture of where the grafted branch is joined to the new parent tree. The parent tree must be bound and securely attached to the young shoot which will draw nutrients from the foreign root system. The goal in grafting is to take two living plants and join them so that the whole grows as one yet each part retains its own identity.

   Some of us were fortunate to be grafted into a nurturing and loving adoptive family. Others were replanted into families that may have been unprepared or unequipped emotionally to tend to our deepest needs. But regardless of whether we were raised in a nurturing family or not, many of us need encouragement and permission to tend to our original relinquishment wound and the loss it represented. It was always there, though buried deep within and often invisible to others, and sadly, even to some of us. This hidden wound needed to be recognized and validated. A safe place and safe people were needed to assist us in the process of grieving our early losses in order that healing could begin. For some of us that never happened.

But praise be to God our heavenly Father who truly understands the needs of His adopted children. He who has been with us from the beginning, from the womb and every step along the way. He embraces us as we grieve our original relinquishment and He reparents us and helps us heal from the emotional wounds that harbor our growth and ability to be fruitful. We draw "new life" and nourishment from being rooted and grounded in Him.

May we allow our God, the Master Gardener to touch us and shape us with his gardening tools so that we may become the beautiful tree He created us to be. Our original grafting scar will barely be visible in the shade of our strong healthy branches. Then we"will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." Isaiah 61:3 NIV

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving me and allowing adoption to touch my life. I praise you for giving me the gift of life through my birth parents and providing a family through my adoptive parents. Though relinquishment may have left its mark of pain and loss on my heart, I know you long for my wholeness. Touch my life with your gardening tools that I might experience your healing grace and become stronger and fruitful for you. Through your grafting I pray that my branches might reach out in praise and give glory and honor to your holy name, Amen.

Copyright, Jody Moreen 2014. Permission is needed to reprint or repost this devotion in any printed media in print or online. 

Contact Jody at:  jodymoreen( the @ sign ) gmail.com

Share God's Fingerprints In Your Adoption, Adoptee Journey

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS:

It gives me great joy to hear others who embrace the Christian faith share their adoption testimonies. I am Jody, a reunited adoptee for close to 20 years with birth sisters. I have facilitated adoption triad support groups in the Midwest- ( IL and IN ) for 18 years. I was fortunate to be raised in a loving adoptive home and my adoptive mom became a Christian when I was 10 years old. She has been a beautiful mentor and encouraged me by her example of love, prayers and her servants heart for others. She is now almost 92 years old and I have had the privilege to move with my husband and son to her town in FL this past year. God’s Word has encouraged and sustained me through the questions, doubts and forging my dual identity as an adopted person with adoptive and birth families. There have been difficult emotional times- especially in times of great change, geographical moves and parenting my children, but God has been faithful and blessed me even through those rough passages. A beautiful verse of scripture that God gave to me in a quiet time decades ago was from the book of John in the Bible. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Navigating and finding my birth and adoption story, meeting birth family and gathering the missing pieces of my adopted life have filled in the blank chapters of my earliest days and heritage. And that experience has only strengthened my identity in God, the Lord Jesus Christ. God is my First Father and the only one who has been with me in my conception, my secret life in the womb, at the day of my birth, through my relinquishment to foster care and adoption, and been the sole person with me each and every day of my adoption journey. And His promises assure me that I will live forever with him in eternity- what a loving and faithful Father, Shepherd and Savior! I praise Him for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Praise His Name! Please share your experience, God’s Fingerprints in your journey or a favorite scripture that has resonated with you in your life as one touched by adoption. Blessings and hope to hear from some of you! Jody

Free Book Friday Giveaways for Adoptees, Birth Parents & Adoptive Parents ONLY at Adoptee's Cafe

Announcing Free Book Fridays at Adoptees's Cafe! For Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Parents Only. My Adoption library book shelves are stacked high with wonderful books! For the past 18 years the collection has been growing and I own multiple copies of a good number of the books. When we moved to Florida a year ago this past June I donated a few boxes of adoption books to the Adoption triad support group I facilitated in the Chicago suburbs for their library. That made a small dent in the numbers of books I owned. So that means I have some beautiful books to give away and they are in great condition- some giftable.  Become a Follower of my blog and post a comment here and mention how you are touched by adoption: Adoptee, Birth Parent/First Parent or Adoptive Parent. Then include the preferred book or item number # from the list below that you are interested in. Giveaways will vary each week. This current giveaway ends next Friday October 3, 2014 at midnight. Encourage others touched by adoption to join in on this fun giveaway that may include Adoption books for adult or kids, DVD's, or some other fun books not of the adoption genre. One of my family members will draw a name for each book and will announce it on the Saturday after. Only one item win per person per weekly giveaway. Sorry not able to ship overseas outside the USA.

(#1 ) Three Names of Me. by Mary Cummings ( children's book ) - NEW
(#2) Gathering the Missing Pieces of An Adopted Life by Kay Moore ( adoptee )-  Like New
(#3)The Gift of Sam by Michelle Thooft (birth mother ) NEW
(#4)  The Story of Moses (DVD ) Charlton Heston Presents the Bible- ( Moses- adoptee )  NEW
(#5) Miniature book-  Smitten with Kittens- NEW

       

                                                                           

An Adoptee's Praise, A Poem of Thanksgiving to God and My Birth and Adoptive Parents

Here is a poem I wrote some years ago sharing my praise to God, to my birth parents and adoptive parents for Life and adoption.

An Adoptee's Praise  by Jody Moreen

Sovereign Lord, My Great Creator, Maker of Wind and Skies and Sea,
I'm filled with wonder how your loving hands created me, an Adoptee. 
Master Designer, Skillful Potter, your the Life, the Truth, the Way. 
Your love shaped me and it formed me from some still and lifeless clay. 
My First Father, One All Knowing, through Your Love I was conceived.
I was in your plan and in your heart, for it was in me that you believed. 
There in secret, in the darkness you were there when my life took form. 
Inside my birth mom, you hid and sheltered me, kept me safe from every storm. 
God My Maker, Master Artist, Chosen seed of Israel's race, 
You painted colors of the brightest rainbow to reflect in me my birth mom's face. 
Breathed your life in me, Oh Mighty Spirit, One the winds and waves obey. 
Stilled my anxious cries, sought a family, who would a sure foundation lay. 
You heard the weeping of my birth mom, knowing motherhood was not an option. 
You walked beside her, lit a pathway to a plan you called adoption. 
Mighty Anchor, My Protector, I felt adrift in a world so dark. 
Your love, it guided me, like baby Moses, you cradled me safe inside your "ark". 
You went before me, prepared a better way, heard the cries of a woman barren. 
Filled her lifelong dreams, gave her a new hope, Oh you Precious Rose of Sharon! 
You chose a mother, who came to love you, in whom your faith and grace did dwell. 
Through her guidance and caring counsel, she mirrored your love Emmanuel. 
Master Builder, Shaper of Mountains, I trace your blueprint in the sand. 
My adoption shaped me, through loving choices, into a pattern you had planned. 
Holy Spirit, Precious Heavenly Dove, you've caused my heart to cry and sing. 
Your everpresence through my adoption journey has kept me safe beneath your wing! 

Jody Moreen  Copyright 2014 Permission is needed to reprint or publish this poem in any online or printed media. Contact :  jodymoreen ( then the @ sign ) gmail.com

Adoptee Ray Liotta Stars in The Identical, A Faith-Based Film about 2 Brothers Separated at Birth

A Faith-based New movie about twin brothers separated at birth and later reunited. THE IDENTICAL tells the compelling story of twin brothers unknowingly separated at birth during the Great Depression. DREXEL HEMSLEY becomes an iconic 50′s rock ‘n’ roll star, while RYAN WADE (Blake Rayne) struggles to balance his love for music and pleasing his father. The Reverend Wade (Ray Liotta) and his wife (Ashley Judd) are sure their adopted son has been gifted and called by God to be a... preacher. But Ryan challenges his parent’s vision for his life, and unflinchingly chooses to launch his own music career with his best friend (Seth Green). Encouraged by his wife (Erin Cottrell) and employer (Joe Pantoliano), Ryan embarks on an unpredictable, provocative path – performing the legendary music of Drexel Hemsley in sold out venues all across the country.

As the brothers destinies tragically collide, Ryan discovers that Drexel is his identical twin which leads him to question everything he’s ever believed about God, family and his own identity.
THE IDENTICAL is a City of Peace Films production featuring the talents of three generations of the Marcellino family from Nashville, TN. Dustin Marcellino is the first time director, Jerry Marcellino co-wrote the 20 plus original songs with his son Yochanan, who is the founder of City of Peace Films. Yochanan and Don Noes are the two men who propelled the movie to the big screen by raising the production funding and the film’s marketing budget. The movie will be distributed by Freestyle Releasing and will be opening nationwide on September 5th.
STARRING: Erin Cottrell, Amanda Crew, Brian Geraghty, Seth Green, Ashley Judd, Joe Pantoliano, Blake Rayne, and Ray Liotta   ( Photo: Ashley Judd and Ray Liotta )

DIRECTED BY: Dustin Marcellino
PRODUCED BY: Mark G. Mathis, Yochanan Marcellino, Matthew Dean Russell
DRAMA – 107 Min
Featuring over 20 original songs by Jerry Marcellino and Yochanan Marcellino including: “Your Love’s Keepin’ Me Tonight,” “City Lights,” “Angel of Mine,” “Everybody Knows It” and “Nashville Tonight”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVrOTMc0wIo

Top Ten "Adoptee" Quotes by Anne Shirley, Literary Adoptee of Green Gables

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES QUOTES

Some of my favorite quotes relating to "adoption" come from the fictional writing of Lucy Maud Montgomery in her adoptee character Anne of Green Gables. If you never read this book as a child, PLEASE take time this summer to read it- you'll be in for a real treat! Anne Shirley articulates well the thoughts, feelings and emotional world of the orphan, adoptee. The struggles, pain, challenges, loneliness, abandonment, dreams. BUT she does not stay there- her character is brimming with wonderful hope and promise for life and tomorrows! Her passion for life and God overflow through her character. Some of Anne Shirley's quotes

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?" "I'm not a bit changed--not really. I'm only just pruned down and branched out. The real ME--back here--is just the same." "What a splendid day!... I pity people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one." – “Five minutes ago I was so miserable I was wishing I’d never been born and now I wouldn’t change places with an angel” “Dear me, there is nothing but meetings and partings in the world” “ I suppose you are used to sleeping in spare rooms. But just imagine what you would feel like if you were a little orphan girl who had never had such an honor.” “It’s lovely to be going home and know its home… I love Green Gables already, and I never loved any place before. No place ever seemed like home.” “Gracious heavenly Father… Please let me stay at Green Gables; and please let me be good-looking when I grow up.” “This island is the bloomiest place. I just love it here already, and I’m so glad I’m going to live here.” “Oh, but it’s good to be alive and to be going home… I’ve had a splendid time- it marks an epoch in my life. But the best of all was the coming home.” “Kindred Spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. Its splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” ENJOY this literary treat this summer- and share your favorite quotes of Anne Shirley- Anne of Green Gables is the first book but there is a whole series and movies as well!! How I wish I could meet Lucy Maud Montgomery and thank her for touching us with her beautiful gift of writing!

Jody, a fellow adoptee ift of writing!

Adoptee's Prayer for the Lifelong Journey

Heavenly Father,

As a new day is dawning I ask that you would go before me and light the pathway I should follow. As I have traveled this lifelong adoptee journey my well worn shoes have climbed many hills and valleys along the way. Navigating the roads of my birth and adoptive heritage has been exhilarating and confusing at the same time. I've encountered winding pathways, scenic side roads, lonesome highways, unexpected detours and even road blocks. With each step I have taken you have been with me even though I was not always fully aware of you. Your illuminating presence has lighted the road before me. Your shepherd's staff has guided me to safety and even terrain. Your strong arms have protected and sheltered me in every storm. Your quiet voice has calmed my heart, quieted my fears and dried my tears. At so many crossroads you have lovingly provided kindred spirits, fellow travelers to encourage me, to laugh and cry with me, and to cover me in prayer. As I have strived to merge the roads of my dual heritage you have reminded me that you alone have been my first Father, my perfect parent who has been with me everyday from the very beginning. You have lovingly watched over me from my conception, in the womb, at my birth, at my relinquishment, at my adoption and each and everyday forevermore. I praise you Father for your faithfulness and compassion to me on my daily journey. As I travel onward on this path lead and guide me until my identity finds complete peace and a resting place in you. Then my heart will overflow with gratitude and praise as I stand in awe and comprehend your amazing love. May I then rejoice and forever live to reflect your image and likeness and grace more and more each day. In your precious name I pray, Amen. 


( Copyright 2013 Jody Moreen- This prayer may not be copied or reprinted or used in any media form without permission of the author. Contact jodymoreen at gmail.com )

Adoptee Devotions, Adoptee Devotionals, Adoption Devotions Update

Jody Moreen, BA, is a reunited adoptee and an experienced adoption triad support group facilitator for 18 years with adult adoptees, (including fostered persons and orphans ) birth parents and adoptive parents. As a volunteer she has passionately devoted her time to outreach in adoption through hosting local groups, online adoptee forums and bible studies, one on one mentoring with those touched by adoption, freelance writing and speaking. Her devotions have been published in The Covenant Home Altar and The Secret Place. She has published articles and poetry with The Daily Herald, Bethany Christian Services, Stepping Stones, Holt, Adoption Option, Illinois Citizens for Life, Older Children Adoption and many other periodicals.

Jody's speaking engagements have included: Keynote speaker for Evangelical Child and Family Services- Adoptive Parents retreat, Keynote speaker- Naperville Christians for Life, Willow Creek Community Church Adoptive Parents, University of Chicago Masters Degree Social Work classes, Evangelical Covenant Church Covenant Women's Central Conference Fall Retreat- workshop, First Baptist Church Tapestry Women's Bible Study.

This Adoptee devotional blog is under reconstruction- Please Check back.
For more information about Jody's adoptee devotions and adoption services contact her at:
jodymoreen(at)gmail.com   When e-mailing use the @ sign