A single sentence from a kid—“He’s not really your brother”—can echo for years. That’s where our story begins: with a bright, adopted little girl who suddenly felt other, learned to hide, and tried on borrowed identities to blend in. Then, decades later, a mission trip to Panama cracked the facade wide open as Kristen shared her testimony with orphans and discovered the courage to own her story. What once felt like a flaw became a calling.
We talk through the whole arc with Kristen and her mom, Karen: the early joy of finding out, the sting of a careless comment, and the long season of secrecy. Kristen explains how faith reframed everything—how God turned insecurity into strength and used her words to comfort kids who knew abandonment firsthand. Karen offers a mother’s perspective on letting a grown child follow a risky nudge, holding a posture of gratitude toward the unknown biological mother, and trusting that love doesn’t shrink when questions appear. Along the way, we explore how scripture elevates adoption, from Moses to Joseph’s role in Jesus’ life, and why belonging is more than biology.
You’ll hear practical encouragement for parents teaching compassion, for adoptees wrestling with identity, and for anyone considering fostering or adoption. If you’ve ever buried part of your story just to fit in, this conversation will nudge you toward honesty and remind you that confidence anchored in God outlasts opinion.

Thank you for joining us for part two of Kristen and Karen's story. If you missed part one, go check out last week's episode! Listen, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find these stories. Subscribe for more conversations that turn pain into purpose.

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