Why We’re Forming The Olive Branch Collective: A Personal Journey

As I reflect on the journey that led us to foster and adopt, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and gratitude. In 2014, my family and I felt a calling that we could not ignore. After having three biological children, we knew in our hearts that our family wasn’t complete. We attended a class at our church, and it was there that our path to fostering and eventually adopting became clear. But as we stepped onto this path, we quickly realized that the road was far from easy.

Every challenge we faced, every obstacle that seemed insurmountable, taught us something invaluable. We learned that when God calls you to something, He doesn’t promise it will be easy—but He does promise to equip and guide you. Our journey wasn’t just about expanding our family; it was about transformation—of our hearts, our minds, and our understanding of what it truly means to love and support a child.

Yet, through all the trials and triumphs, one thing became abundantly clear: there was a significant need for more support, resources, and understanding for families like ours. We often felt alone in our struggles, searching for guidance and community that was hard to find. And that’s when the idea for The Olive Branch Collective was born.

We are forming this nonprofit because we believe that no adoptive family should have to walk this journey alone. Our mission is to provide the resources, support, and advocacy that we wished we had more of during our own journey. We want to create a community where adoptive families feel heard, supported, and empowered—because we know firsthand how transformative that support can be.

The Olive Branch Collective is not just an organization; it’s a movement of compassion and collective care. It’s about coming together to uplift and empower one another, to share in the joys and challenges, and to build a future where every adoptive family thrives. This is why we are doing this—because we believe in the power of community, in the strength of families, and in the beauty of adoption.

Walking Through the Struggles: Our Journey with Our 16-Year-Old

Parenting is never easy, but when we welcomed our now 16-year-old into our family, we could have never anticipated the depth of the challenges we would face. From day one, it has been a journey marked by struggles, heartache, and moments of profound uncertainty. Over the years, there have been times when we’ve felt utterly alone, unsure of where to turn, and even moments when hope seemed like a distant memory.

Yet, even in the midst of these trials, God has gently reminded us that He is near. He is with us, and He is with our 16-year-old, holding her in His hands even when we cannot see the full picture of what He is doing. While we don’t know how her story will unfold, we trust that our role is to love her, to teach her, and to guide her as best we can. As she approaches adulthood and the next chapter of her life—college and beyond—we can only provide her with the tools she needs, equipping her for the choices she will soon be making on her own.

In this process, I’ve come to a humbling realization: I’ve spent so much time trying to change her, to mold her into who I thought she should be, that I lost sight of what God was trying to change in me. Perhaps the true purpose of loving orphans, as James 1:27 calls us to do, is not just about transforming their lives, but about transforming our own hearts in the process. It’s about becoming more like Jesus and less like our imperfect selves.

Jesus sacrificed everything on the cross, giving His life for those who may never love Him back. Yet, He did it anyway, and He will forever chase after the one lost sheep, never giving up. In the same way, we are called to chase after our one, to continue loving her unconditionally, even when it’s hard, even when it feels like nothing is changing.

This journey has been difficult, but it’s also been transformative. As we continue to navigate these challenges, we are reminded that this process is not just about our daughter’s growth, but about our own transformation through Christ. May we continue to love her as He loves us, and may we be forever changed by the grace and strength He provides.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.