Episode Details

Have you ever thought about why adoption is so close to God’s heart? Maybe you know someone who was adopted or as a child you wish you were adopted (jk!) or perhaps you’ve thought at one time or another: Should we adopt? And what all will that mean to me and our family?

Today we have our friends, Jill and Todd Talley, to talk about all things adoption as well as some mentoring topics.

Todd and Jill Talley are the parents of three children, two through birth and one through adoption. In 2008 they were blessed to be able to fly to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and bring home their then 18-month-old son.

Together as a family the Talleys have a passion for adoption, orphan care ministries and mentoring. So much so in 2009, Todd and Jill met with several families from Grace SLO who had adopted or fostered. Together these couples founded the Adoption and Foster Care Ministry at Grace Central Coast. The Talleys currently Co-Lead the Ministry.

Some gems from our conversation:

• From the first time we held baby Daniel in our arms, we loved him and knew that this was how our Father in heaven holds and loves us. 
• By entering in and serving our community, we show the Gospel in understated ways.
• Foster care and adoption starts with a loss—this child carries a great loss which we can't fully replace but God can through our efforts to love and come alongside as He does for us.
• Every child belongs in a loving family.
• The biggest challenge to doing foster care and mentoring is time management.
• We have to learn how to "layer in" a young person into our already busy schedule who just needs someone to show up and be there to listen.
• Being engaged in church community was invaluable to our venturing into adoption.
• Adoption and foster care is a picture of God's welcoming heart. 
• By utterly depending on God for grace and strength, we want to show the same grace to the lonely, the lost, and the child who needs a family. 

The book Jill mentioned: There Is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene

Baby Daniel!

For information on the Foster and Orphan Care ministry, check HERE.