BRYN: ON SPECIAL NEEDS + CHECKLISTS + BOUNDARIES IN FOSTER CARE
Bryn Wied is a bio, adoptive, and foster mom. Her faith and joy for special needs parenting are bound to encourage/inspire/convict you. I have a sneaking suspicion some mamas may step into special needs foster parenting after hearing her perspective. We talk getting the news of a diagnosis, checklists and expectations, taking a break after adoption, creating boundaries, and Jesus all over and through it all. This is the longest epi yet, because we just could not. stop. chatting. We get started on books and keep going and going, then move on to shows and music and all the things. It's good stuff.
• The intro song, The Source, is brought to you by one of the best new worship bands out there, The Evidence. Yes, the frontman is my (talented, brilliant, adorable, Jesus-loving) cousin. No, that's not why I love them.
• Bryn shared about educating yourself on special needs. Two of her favorite introductory resources: Special Books by Special Kids which seeks to "normalize the diversity of the human condition" and the book, Rescuing Ruby.
• If you'd like to serve refugees, search for local programs in your area or consider giving to World Relief.
• Every couple needs periodic weekends away to re-connect. If you happen to live near me, my favorite b&b, Twin Pine Manor B&B, is right outside Lancaster, PA.
• Bryn's a reader. She recommended:
- The Jesus of Suburbia: Have We Tamed the Son of God to Fit Our Lifestyle? by Mike Erre. She compared it to Radical, which is enough of a recommendation for me.
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, which she described as almost like a real-life To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Edge of Wild: Encouragement for Foster Parents by Krystle Bowen, who happens to be a friend of mine. I can't wait to read this book, and I loved to hear how much Bryn loved it.
- You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity by Francis and Lisa Chan. This is one of my favorite marriage books. It pairs marriage and mission together in a way that really impacted my life.
• Parenthood is like the prequel to This is Us. Same creators and all that jazz. 'Nuff said. Also, Leslie Knope = goals (#parksandrec)
• Bryn's listening to Rend Collective and Ben Rector. Yesss.
