Moms Take Ten

As we have studied the moms in the Bible the past couple of years, have you seen yourself in them? Have you related to their pain, their struggles, their personalities, their stories? They are not so very different from you and I. And what God said to them, he also wants to say to us. You are loved by him. He delights to be in relationship with you. He is working in you and through you for his good purpose. Verses Referenced: Genesis 2:18-22 Romans 3:23 Ephesians 2:10 Acts 16:1 2 Timothy 1:5 2 Timothy 3:15 I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

We've talked on Moms Take Ten a lot about our hope of Heaven and the complete restoration that will come on that day. It is a beautiful future that we get to look forward to! But we are living here and now. What good is there here? Quite a lot actually when we begin to look for it, even in the hard, the messy, the ugly. May you find encouragement through this episode and the scriptures below for your now. Verses Referenced (all were CSB unless otherwise noted): Psalm 30:5 Philippians 1:6 CSB and The Voice Genesis 1:31 Ephesians 2:10 Psalm 27:13-14 Zephaniah 3:17 NLT As I said in the episode, there are a lot of things that I do in my parent coaching that help myself, help other parents, see the good that God is doing in the here and now. We work on replacing our toxic beliefs with God's grace-filled truths. We practice naming and calling out the gifts in our children that He placed in them. We look for the opportunities he is giving us to love them in their misbehavior and to guide them to reconciliation. We celebrate the big and little moments of good a lot! If this is an area that you want to grow in and you'd like some support, I'd love to chat with you! Use the links below to connect with me! I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com  

My guest today waited three years to adopt—and then welcomed three kids in three years through domestic adoption. In this episode, Emily shares her story and her growing understanding of the both/and of adoption. God has used that to deepen her relationships with her children's birth family as well as to serve foster and adoptive families through her church. Her encouragement is that we would not walk the foster or adoption journey alone. Lean into God, he sees and understands! Lean into others, and find encouragement and strength to keep going. Emily Cook is on staff with Southeast Christian Church in Kentucky. To learn more about their foster and adoption ministry, visit https://www.southeastchristian.org/foster-and-adoption. To connect with Emily, email her at ecook@secc.org. I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

We want our children to forgive others, but do we forgive our children? Our guest today, Katie Johnson, shares how God convicted her of a lack of forgiveness towards her own children. I can relate to that, can you? From her journey, we learn the impact unforgiveness can have on our relationships with our children and the beauty that comes when we do forgive. More than that, we are reminded of the incredible offer of forgiveness that the Lord extends to us in our own imperfect parenting. Katie Johnson is a Connected Families certified parent coach. Head to their website to connect with her. I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

Have you ever found yourself "back" to a situation you thought you had moved on from? Or facing a sin you thought you had defeated? It can be so discouraging, even doubt-inducing when that happens. We can feel as though we are back to square one. That all that we had done up to that point had been for nothing. But I don't think that's what God would say about it.  Verses Referenced: John 11:1-44 Matthew 27:45-54 John 20-21 Luke 24:13-35

When I feel overwhelmed, or helpless, or tired, or straight up selfish, my parenting starts to struggle. I start to use my authority in a way that seeks to control and to manage. The apostle Paul sets a different example for us as he tells the Corinthian church that the authority that God gave him is for building them up. That is how we are to use our authority as parents as well. To build up our children. Verses Referenced: John 13:3 2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10 Titus 1:7-8 Colossians 3:12 Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 4:29 Some Parenting Practicals episodes to get you started: Our God-Image with Tara Prevo Addressing Our Anger with Laurie Shaffer The ABCs of Affirmation with Jess Brandon I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

In today's episode of our Foster Care and Adoption series, Holly Ruge shares how the Lord brought her and her husband through their struggle of infertility to opening their home through foster care. It seemed like God took so long to answer but now he has filled their hearts and home with three sweet boys. If you are in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, check out Ruth Project and the ways they support foster and adoptive families. From monthly meals to kids clothing to moms night out and fun farm events, they love and care for our families so well! https://ruthproject.com/ I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com  

The gospel matters. We know that. We believe in it and we want our kids to also. But sometimes we struggle to know how to parent from those beliefs. How does the gospel help us navigate our children's whining, or our toddler's tantrums, or our teenager's angst? Jess Brandon, a Connected Families certified parent coach, shares how the gospel has come to inform her parenting and walks us through how to apply it to our own. This episode is part two of our conversation where we look at redemption and new creation. Last month, we looked at aspects of creation and the fall. Jess provides reflection questions for each section so be sure to have pen and paper handy!  Jess Brandon is a Connected Families certified parent coach. You can learn more about her on the Connected Families website. Listen to Jess and Lyssa talk about the CF tool, ABC's of Affirmation. Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

Sometimes there's an episode that feels like it is just for me, and this is one of those. Things have been challenging in my home lately and sometimes I've wanted to give up or despair. Sometimes hope is hard to hold onto. The Canaanite Woman says, "press on. don't give up. keep fighting for yourself and your child. And do it at the feet of Jesus." She persisted, even when it seemed that her only hope was turning her away. She humbled herself boldly, and witnessed a miracle in her life and heart. Have things been hard lately? May this episode encourage you to keep going. Verses referenced: Matthew 15:21-28 Mark 7:24-30 John 16:33 Isaiah 41:10 Philippians 4:6-7 Galatians 6:9 Philippians 3:13-14 Episodes referenced: Parenting Practicals--Our God Image with Tara Prevo Moms in the Bible--Two Grieving Mamas   I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

As Mamas, we all find ourselves in need of wisdom, which the Lord so generously and unreproachfully bestos on us when we ask. That's what James 1:5 promises us. So, if that is how the Lord responds to our requests, then perhaps we should respond to our children's requests for wisdom in the same way. That thought has been convicting me lately.  Scriptures referenced: James 1, with focus on verse 5. James 3:13 I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

We've talked before in our Foster and Adoption series about grief--the many places it can come from and the many shapes it can take. My guest, Emily Lawson, has spent the past few years on her own grief journey following the loss of her dad. Hard as it was, she sees how the grief she experienced has enabled her to better empathize with her children in their own struggles. And she also sees how the Lord has been with her in it, giving her what she needs to do what he has called her to. Emily is the author of the book titled Cracks In My Cup: Biblical Reflections on Motherhood and Loss, which I encourage you to check out. You can connect with her on Instagram @emilyannelawson Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com  

The gospel matters. We know that. We believe in it and we want our kids to also. But sometimes we struggle to know how to parent from those beliefs. How does the gospel help us navigate our children's whining, or our toddler's tantrums, or our teenager's angst? Jess Brandon, a Connected Families certified parent coach, shares how the gospel has come to inform her parenting and walks us through how to apply it to our own. This episode will look at aspects of creation and the fall, and next month we will look at redemption and new creation. She provides reflection questions for each section so be sure to have pen and paper handy!  Jess Brandon is a Connected Families certified parent coach. You can learn more about her on the Connected Families website. Listen to Jess and Lyssa talk about the CF tool, ABC's of Affirmation. Join me for an upcoming moms parenting group! There are two starting in March. Learn more about the Sensitive and Intense Kids group here. Learn more about the Discipline that Connects group here. I hope to see you there! Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

Elizabeth, like many of the moms that we have studied in our series, bore the shame of infertility even though her and her husband were both righteous before the Lord. And it got me wondering how she dealt with that throughout her life. Did she question if her infertility really was something that she caused? Did she want to prove herself to other people? And what do we do now when we wrestle with similar questions? Join me for an upcoming moms parenting group! There are two starting in March. Learn more about the Sensitive and Intense Kids group here. Learn more about the Discipline that Connects group here. I hope to see you there! Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

The love that we are called to as moms is not easy. I was reminded of this as I spent most of the past month sick and yet still had three kiddos to care for. The temptation to whine and complain and get frustrated was real! In the middle of it, the Lord drew me to the example he set before us of his servant love. And he showed me that not only am I called to that towards my kids, but that is how he treats me. As we are pouring of ourselves onto our children, Christ is pouring of himself unto us. Scriptures Referenced: John 13:1-17 John 8:2-11 Episodes referenced: Episode 99, Love Day--From the Mouth of Littles Episode 51, Valentine's Day Special with Jonathan Stoyko Additional References: Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Pray the Word podcast by David Platt, "Jesus Came to Save the World" episode Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

Foster care and adoption are full of grief, and that grief can come at unexpected times. As I saw with fellow foster and adoptive mamas, I was reminded that its ok to acknowledge and even share those feelings. And that when we do, we create space for others to share their own harder feelings. So that's what this episode is. Me sharing a little of the hard of my journey, and also pointing us to the hope that we have in Christ. Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com  

In part two of our conversation on anger, Laurie and I discuss God's heart for us. He is not put off by our emotions. Instead, he invites us to bring them before him and allow him to guide us through them. Our episodes on the Moms in the Bible like, Hagar, Naomi and Hannah can attest to that. And in the moments where we feel the anger rising, we can give ourselves the freedom to take some space and regulate ourselves with him before responding directly to the situation in front of us. Listen to part one here. Get in touch with Laurie at https://connectedfamilies.org/listings/laurie-shaffer/ Learn more about Connected Families at https://connectedfamilies.org/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

Have you had moments in your parenting journey where you are caught off guard by your own anger? I know I have, and so has my guest today. Laurie Shaffer, a fellow Connected Families certified parent coach, joins me for a conversation about facing our anger, seeking God in it, and what we can do to navigate those moments. There is so much to cover here that we made it a two-part conversation so be sure to listen next week as well! Get in touch with Laurie at https://connectedfamilies.org/listings/laurie-shaffer/ Learn more about Connected Families at https://connectedfamilies.org/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com

In today's episode, we look at the second part of two stories--The Widow Zarephath found in 1 Kings 17 and The Shunammite Woman found in 2 Kings 4. Both mamas had seen blessing in their lives and both suddenly found themselves facing the death of their only son. Their grief raised questions like "Why did this happen?!" We all have asked that question when hard things, painful things happen in our lives. As we study the women's stories in the context of the Scriptures we are reminded of God's presence with us in the hard even as he makes a way forward for us. And we are encouraged that God is bigger than any situation that we face. Nothing is too far gone or too hard for him to work in. Instead of giving up and losing heart, he calls us to come boldly before his throne. Listen to part 1 of their stories: The Widow Zarephath The Shunammite Woman Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 17:8-24 2 Kings 4:8-37 Hebrew 4:15-16 John 11:1-44 Romans 8:26 Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Images from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Mary's experience of Christmas was very different from ours. Yet hers impacts ours so deeply. Not just on the 25th but everyday of our lives. Her son was Immanuel. He was God with her and now he is God with us. In the bustle of the holidays and the busyness of our lives, let us remember what Immanuel means for us today. Merry Christmas! Song: He Has Come For Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) performed by Meredith Andrews Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com  

After Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would be having a son, she headed out to see her cousin. Elizabeth, the angel had said, was miraculously pregnant in her old age. It was this pregnancy that the angel pointed to to encourage Mary to believe. In this episode, we look at how Mary's time with Elizabeth impacted her and brought about the beautiful prayer song that we now refer to as The Magnificat. This episode was originally aired in December 2022. Be encouraged as you listen to it again! Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be such a blessing to them and to me! Thank you for your time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

For the rest of December, we are going to look at the stories of two mamas very closely related to Christmas--Elizabeth and Mary. Somehow, as we have gone through the Moms in the Bible series, we have never done an episode on Elizabeth! She is one of my favorites. Her life is a testimony of God's goodness, faithfulness and power to Mary, and to us today. Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be such a blessing to me and to them. Thank you for taking the time! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Adoption is joy and grief, loss and gain. Every member of the adoption triad experiences it differently, and even experiences it differently in different seasons of their life. My guests today, Lisa C. Qualls and Jodi Jackson Tucker, can attest to this. Lisa is a birth, adoptive, and former foster mom. Jodi is an adoptive mom. In their own lives, and in their ministry to other adoptive parents, they are journeying the complexity that adoption is. And through it all, they have found the goodness of God and the healing he brings. Join us as Lisa and Jodi share what's on their heart for you mamas listening. Get to know Lisa and Jodi more! For Lisa, visit lisacqualls.com and on instagram @lisacqualls For Jodi, visit https://secondmothers.org/ and on instagram @secondmothers or @jodijacksontucker Buy their book, Healing for Every Heart in Adoption, on Amazon!   Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!  

Did you know that discipline can be playful? That doesn't mean we aren't taking it seriously or we are letting our children "get away" with their misbehavior. Amanda Erickson, of Flourishing Homes and Families, says that playfulness actually engages our children in the way they learn best which makes our discipline more effective. Rather than entering into a power struggle, we can build connection and guide them towards different behavior in the moment and for the future. Amanda shares forms of playfulness that have worked well for her and discusses what to do when this seems too hard to do. This is a conversation you don't want to miss! Learn more about Amanda and David and their new book, The Flourishing Family, at their website or follow them on instagram @flourishinghomesandfamilies  Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!  

Have you ever faced a need that seemed so great and you wondered how it would ever be met? What did you do? Where did you turn? For two women in Scripture, they sought the help of a prophet of God. In both situations, it was through their faith-filled actions that the answer came. Be encouraged by their stories to not fear what God calls you to but to join him in the work he wants to do in and through you. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Have you ever hurt others out of your own hurt? Or harmed those who were supposed to protect? I think all of us who are honest about our parenting, or life in general, would say yes to both of those questions. We've yelled, spoken harshly, shamed, criticized, missed an opportunity to comfort or help through a struggle... In this episode, I share how the Lord gently spoke those questions to me when I was tempted to judge another for their actions. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The amazing thing is that when we do hurt or harm our children in those ways, we can repent before the Lord and them, and work to bring reconciliation in our relationship. References: Lamentations commentary by Samuel Saldivar. Read at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/lamentations/ Connected Families and Jim Jackson, one of the founders. Learn more at https://connectedfamilies.org/ Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!  

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Replanted Conference. It was a wonderful few days spent in community with other foster/adoptive/kinship/host families and under great teaching! The theme this year was "Worth It," leaving us to decide what punctuation to use. Where are you at in your foster and adoption journey? Would you say "Worth it!" or "Worth it." or "Worth it?" or "Worth it X"? Today's episode explores that theme and some of the teaching that speakers Jason Johnson and Jamie Finn shared. Wherever you are, know that God sees you, he hears you, and he makes it all worth it. Learn more about: Replanted Ministry Jason Johnson Jamie Finn Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

In your moments of stress, who is God to you? Have you stopped to think about that before? Most of us could answer from the Scriptures who God is--kind, just, loving--but in our moments of stress, we might be seeing him in a completely different way without even realizing it! In this episode my guest Tara Prevo explains the difference between God-concept (what we know about him) and God-image (how we view/experience him). As we align our God-image with who God truly is and how he desires we see him, our relationship with him grows, and those moments of stress, especially with our children, become spaces of grace and peace. Tara and her husband David are parents to five kiddos and are Connected Families certified parent coaches. You can learn more about them here on the Connected Families website. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Do you ever struggle with trusting a babysitter, daycare provider or coach with your child? I do! When I think about how young I was when I started babysitting, I'm amazed that anyone trusted me! Hannah is a mom in the Bible who knew what it meant to place her child in someone else's hands. And what is amazing is how she rejoiced when she did it. Not because of the physical hands receiving her child, but because of the good, powerful hands of the Lord who she entrusted. Hannah's faith invites us to a heart posture of faith and release of our children to the Lord, knowing that his ways are higher and better. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

I don't know about you, but my heart has been heavy with the struggles of parenting--both my own and those of ones dear to me. There are so many challenges, so many questions and uncertainties. Proverbs 3:5-6 says that when we trust in the Lord he will make our paths straight. So why are things so hard? In this episode, we will take a look at what straight paths mean and how adjusting our expectations will help us not only trust the Lord more but find joy in the process. Verses referenced: Proverbs 3:5-6 John 16:33 Proverbs 4:26 Psalm 16:11 Isaiah 43:1-2 Isaiah 40:28 Romans 11:33 Romans 8:28 Psalm 23 Ephesians 1 Books referenced: GraceLaced: Discovering Timeless Truths through Seasons of the Heart by Ruth Chou Simons Filled: 60 Devotions for the Foster Parent's Heart by Jamie Finn Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

The journey to adoption, and even in adoption, has not been easy for our guest today. Luisa Wendt knows the pain of loss and the confusion of dreams unment. Yet through it all, Luisa declares God to be faithful and testifies to his good work in her life. She encourages all of us to hold onto hope that God is at work and his plan is so much better than we could imagine. Luisa and her husband Jarrett are certified parent coaches with Connected Families. Through their practice, Built On Rock, they offer one-on-one coaching, group coaching, workshops and more to help families hold on to that hope. Learn more here. To learn more about Connected Families and their parenting resources, visit https://connectedfamilies.org/ Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Do you know who God says you are? Do you believe what he says? Our beliefs around our identity impact how we live and how we parent. My guest, Pam Thompson, walks us through an exercise of releasing the wrong views of our identity that we've been holding onto and reclaiming who God says we are.  Pam is a Connected Families certified parent coach. You can learn more about her coaching and upcoming small groups here. She has two Discipline that Connects groups beginning in October that I encourage your to check out! I also have a virtual group just for moms beginning October 2 through the Discipline that Connects course from Connected Families. Learn more and join me! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Naomi knew suffering. She had endured famine, moved to a different nation, lost her husband and sons, and found herself widowed in a foreign land. And still she professed faith in the Lord of the Israelites. Ruth had a front row seat to faith in the midst of hard through Naomi's testimony. It wasn't a picture perfect life that moved her to believe in the Lord. It was the raw honesty of Naomi and her continued belief that moved Ruth to faith of her own. Their stories remind us that God wants to use us as we are to be a light to the world. Afterall, his power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Are you wanting to grow in your parenting? Are you wondering how to connect more with your children? Or how to manage your own reactions to your kids behavior? Or what in the world to do with their behavior?! I want to invite you to join me for an 8 week virtual small group of moms beginning October 2. Learn more and register here! Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Have you ever despaired at your own sinfulness? Especially when it impacts your children, your family? I know I have. One night I found myself furious with the Lord for not changing me fast enough, not working in me well enough. We were intended for different, for better, for more! Romans 8:18 speaks to what is to come and 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 gives hope for the right now. I hope this episode encourages you today! Verses referenced: Romans 8:18, 23 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Catherine Lindloff, a Family Coach with Safe Families for Children, joins me in this conversation. Her story shows how the Lord can use our homes to further his kingdom and share his love. Through her years of hosting and working in this space, Catherine has learned what a privilege it is to be used by the Lord in his work, and the relief that it is to release the control and the responsibility to him for the outcome of it all. To learn more about Safe Families for Children, visit https://safe-families.org/ Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Moms Take Ten is back for another year! Summer break was wonderful but I am excited to be back with you Mamas talking about Jesus, motherhood, foster care and adoption. This episode is an invitation to join a grace-filled community. To say no to the drive for perfection, the comparison and judgement, and the shame, and to embrace the work of God in all of our lives. Will you join us? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Tara Edelschick and Kathy Tuan-MacLean, authors of the new Bible study by Intervarsity Press called Moms at the Well, join me for a conversation on the moms of the Bible. If you have been around Moms Take Ten for a while, you know that we love talking about these women! Tara and Kathy remind us why moms matter and how we can learn from the women found in scripture. They also highlight two of the women found in their book, Herodias and Hagar, and share some of what we can learn from their stories. If you are interesterd in their book for yourself or as a group, head to IVP or Amazon to order a copy! You can use IVPGROUP25, which includes 25% on 1-4 copies, 40% on 5+ copies from ivpress.com. This includes free USPS shipping! You can also visit https://www.welcomejesuswelcome.com/ for more information and their playlist. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Susan TeBos is an adoptive mama and author of the book "We've Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens." She encourages us that even in the hard and we don't see it, God is working. There is so much that he wants to do in and through us in our family. Parenting children from hard places and who have experienced trauma is not easy but there is good to be found there. Susan reminds us that even when our kids are pushing us away, especially in the teen years, they need us to draw closer and be their ally. Check out Susan's book on Amazon. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

May is National Foster Care Month. We heard last week from Annika about her experience in the foster care system. This week, we will hear from Judy Maldonado who is a host parent with Safe Families for Children. This organization comes alongside families in crisis or lacking community resources, providing safe spaces for their children and support for the families so their futures are stronger and healthier. This support prevents foster care placement and promotes permanency. Learn more about Safe Families for Children here. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Did you know that May is National Foster Care Month? At Moms Take Ten, we seek to raise awareness of foster care and adoption every month. In this month's episode, I was honored to be joined by Annika Marek-Barta. She is a young woman who grew up in an abusive home and entered foster care in her teens. Having aged out of the system, she was adopted in her twenties by a family from her church. Through her relationship with the Lord and the love of friends and family, Annika brings a message of hope to those who have been impacted by foster care. I know you will be blessed by this conversation. You can follow her on instagram @annikamarekbarta Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

I don't know about you, but it seems like sibling conflict has greatly increased since spring break. From minor annoyances to full fledged hurts, it can be hard to know how to navigate the conversation. Katie Wetsell, a fellow Connected Families certified parent coach, joins me today to talk about the Connected Families' peace process: Calm, Understand, Solve, and Celebrate. These steps guide us as parents in how we respond to our kids, and eventually guide them to handle these conflicts on their own. Learn about Katie and her parent coaching. Take the Connect Families Sibling Conflict course. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!  

Following on the heels of my conversation with Erin in last week's episode, the life of Samson's mom reminds us that God, not us, is responsible for our children's salvation and walk with him. She did what she was supposed to do. She followed the commands he gave her. Things should have worked out, right? And yet, she had to watch as he made choice after choice that she didn't understand. That wouldn't be easy for any mother. It would be easy for us to get discouraged in that situation. Our hope doesn't lie in what we see but in who we believe. Listen to how God worked through Samson's life to bring about his good purpose. Her story can be found in Judges 13-16. To learn more about her, listen to this episode from the Moms in the Bible series. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Listen in on a conversation between myself and my friend Erin Muehlfeld regarding our children's salvation. Recently I saw some content on Instagram that emphasized the importance of our children's salvation, which as believers in Christ that is absolutely something we care deeply about, but it was discussed as something that parents could make happen. Statements like, "If my kids get into Harvard but don't love Jesus then I have failed" popped up on my Instagram feed in reels and posts. Erin and I discuss how those statements made us feel and also what we see in Scripture.  If you want to make Christ more of a priority in your home and your conversations with your kids but aren't sure how to do that, here are a few episodes from the Moms Take Ten series God In Our Daily Interactions that might help: Playing the Bible Talking About the Bible Seeing God Around Us Serving Those Around Us Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

I was challenged by Proverbs 3:27-28 to consider how often I withhold good from my children through the no's that I say. I feel like I have been in a rut lately, and when I get tired or insecure or stressed, I say no a lot more frequently. I'm not actually thinking about my child, or what is good for them in that moment. I'm more often thinking of myself, or not really even thinking at all. The Scriptures call us to be more like God and one of the ways we can do that is by giving and showing good to those around us when we can. His heart bent towards us is incredibly generous. Let's grow in generosity in our parenting as well. Verses referenced Proverbs 3:27-28 Matthew 7:7-12 Psalm 84:11 James 1:17 Podcast referenced: Empowered to Connect Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Speaking from the perspective of one who grew up in kinship care, is a birthmom in an open adoption, and is also parenting a child through kinship care, Raquel McCloud brings so much to this conversation. Her life has not been easy, and there continue to be challenges to navigate. While she acknowledges the grief in that, she also highlights the hope and healing as well. As she puts it, "You can endure hard things and still come out of the other side thriving." Listen and be encouraged in your own journey, and as you support others in theirs. Connect with Raquel via Instagram ,grab one of her books on Amazon, or head to her website to learn more speaking opportunities. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Resharing episode 57, "Kneeling with Jesus in the Garden" in preparation for Good Friday.  Motherhood is hard. It can bring us to our knees asking God for a different way, an easier way. Jesus was familiar with that request as he himself pleaded with God for a different way in the Garden of Gethsemane. Both our struggle and Jesus' find their roots in a different garden, the Garden of Eden.  References: "The Pain in Childbearing" by Tim Challies, https://www.challies.com/articles/pain-in-childbearing/ Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey For parent coaching and to learn more about me, visit https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Have you found yourself struggling after a new foster placement or your adoption was finalized? The adjustment just feels harder than it should and your mental health seems to be struggling? My friend, Natalie Stage, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, joins me for this episode to talk about post placement mental health. It is a real thing. It happens to many of us. And there is hope and help when we experience it.   Book Recommendations:  Foster the Family by Jamie Finn Reclaim Compassion by Lisa Qualls and Melissa Corkum To learn more about Natalie, visit https://nataliestage.com/ Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

We are diving into the Moms of the Bible series a week early this month with a look at Rahab. She's often thought of as the woman who saved the spies, not as a mom. But she was both. Her act of loyal love towards the spies not only helped the Israelite people enter the promised land, but paved the way for her descendants to enter into the loyal love of God through his son Jesus Christ.  Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.  

Kayla North, of One Big Happy Home, shares with us some of her journey with foster care and adoption. Through it all, she has seen God working in her own life and heart, calling out lies and declaring his truth. She encourages all of us moms to be willing and open to let him do the same in us. Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Are you a bonus mom? Then this episode is for you. Brittney Phillips, a Christian blended families coach, wants to encourage you and let you know that you are not alone! If you feel you are or things are difficult and you want support, or just to hear from someone in a similar situation, connected with Brittney via her website or on Instagram and Tiktok @itsmebrittneyp   Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!

Moms Take Ten is celebrating 100 episodes! Thank you for being a part of this community! Would you help us celebrate? Rate or review the show, share it with a friend, and join me on instagram @lyssastoyko. Looking forward to what the next 100 episodes brings us.   This episode of Moms in the Bible looks again at Jochebed, the mother of Moses. Jesus, motherhood, and adoption are all present in her story. Be encouraged in our your mothering as you learn from her. Scriptures referenced: Exodus 1-2 Genesis 50:20 Galatians 3:29 Hebrews 12:1 Isaiah 41:10 Psalm 23 Philippians 4:6-7 Matthew 28:29 Romans 8:32 John 14:16-17 Acts 1:8 Mark 13:11 Proverbs 31:25   Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks! Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

The kids join us as we tackle the questions: 1.What is love? 2. How do we know that mama loves us? 3. How do we know that God loves us? Their words bring insight and also simplicity to this conversation. And their voices are just the best. Scripture referenced: Ephesians 3:16-21 Interested in parent coaching or to learn more about me, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. Thanks!