The Tapestry Blog

2010 Tapestry Conference Registration is Open!

Posted on September 6, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

Registration for the 2010 Tapestry Adoption & Foster Care Conference is now open.  Visit www.tapestryconference.org for more details and to register.  Because space is limited (especially for childcare), please be sure to register soon.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2010 Tapestry Conference.  Help us spread the word.

Adoption/Foster Care Conference Featuring Dr. Karyn Purvis

Posted on August 20, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

Have you heard about the Empowered To Connect Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on September 10-11, 2010?  It’s not too late to register to attend this unique and exciting conference hosted by Show Hope and featuring Dr. Karyn Purvis. 

Wendy Cosby recently blogged about this conference stating:

The presentation by Dr. Karyn Purvis, and ministry leaders Michael and Amy Monroe, includes invaluable tools and resources to adoptive or foster families, professionals and church ministry leaders alike. I am particularly excited about the breakout sessions for church ministries. The body of Christ is a critical piece of the support structure for adoptive and foster families, throughout the adoption process and beyond. Families need a safe place to come and be “real.” They need a place to share their joys and setbacks; a place to be loved, encouraged, equipped, and empowered.

Click here for more details about this conference and to register online.

Realistically Expecting

Posted on July 2, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

Missy Leventhal recently wrote a very honest and insightful post on the Hope for Orphans blog.  She talked openly about the importance of realistic expectations in the adoption journey, and how she had to adjust the unrealistic expectations she had created while waiting for the adoption of their daughter Abigail from China.

“For me the depths of my expectations did not help me with our transition, and it took me months to figure out that the disconnection I was feeling with her was due, in a large part, to my unmet and unrealistic expectations.  As I’ve come to understand my own heart more through much prayer, educated myself with some great books like The Connected Child, and surrounded myself with other godly adoptive families through our church’s adoption ministry (Watermark Tapestry), I’ve learned that I must evaluate and adjust my expectations so that they are more realistic.  I must love my daughter for who she is and for how our God has created her, rather than try to make her into something she’s not.  This is not a new concept to me, but it is one that took me being very intentional to really change my heart.”– Missy Leventhal

Missy focuses on an issue that all adoptive and foster parents must focus on — both before their child arrives and after — if we want to truly love our children in ways that build strong and lasting connections to help them become all that God intends for them to be. 

Read Missy’s entire post here, and you can also read an article on the same subject by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael Monroe entitled Adoption from the Inside Out.  It’s never too late for us as adoptive and foster parents (and parents-to-be) to start this all-important process of examining our motivations and expectations, and allowing God’s truth and grace to bring them more in line with what He has called us to.

Tapestry Small Group Opportunities This Weekend

Posted on June 25, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

Tapestry’s small groups have connected, encouraged and informed literally hundreds of families over the past five years.  If you are not familiar with the various Tapestry small groups that meet each month throughout the year, be sure to check out all of the upcoming small group meetings and other Tapestry events.

This weekend we have three small groups that will be meeting. 

On Saturday, June 26, both of the Tapestry waiting families groups will meet at 7:30 pm — one in Carrollton and one in Dallas.  These groups are for anyone in the waiting phase of the adoption or foster care journey, including those who are still considering whether adoption or foster care is right for them.  You don’t need to RSVP — just show up for dessert, coffee and great conversation with others who understand the journey are on.  You will be glad you did.  You can contact Krsitin Violi at ktvioli@gmail.com for more information or directions.

On Sunday, June 27, the Tapestry Older Child Adoption Parent Group will meet from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, in the Training Center at Irving Bible Church.  This small group is for parents who have adopted (or are considering adopting) an older child (preschool age and older).  Children ages birth through 5th grade can participate in the Sunday evening children’s programs during this time.  You can contact Amy Monroe at tapestry@irvingbible.org for more information.

Setting Your Child Up to Succeed

Posted on June 9, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

Check out the latest video from Empowered To Connect . . .

Be sure to also subscribe to receive email updates about future Empowered To Connect resources.

Older Child Adoption Parent Support Group

Posted on May 18, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

For well over a year now we have dreamed of starting a small group designed for parents who have adopted or are considering adopting an older child (preschool and older).  However, the challenge has been that we simply have not had the right families, in terms of experience and perspective, to lead it — until now. 

This coming Sunday, May 23, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, in the Training Center (across from The Tubes) at Irving Bible Church, Tapestry will be starting a new small group for parents who have adopted or are considering adopting an older child (preschool age and older).  The group will be led by the Macdonalds and the Hames — both very experienced families who have a real heart to help other families travel the journey of older child adoption well.

This group will meet on the fourth Sunday night of each month — so go ahead and mark your calendars now.  Children ages birth through 5th grade can participate in the Sunday evening children’s programs during this time. 

For more information contact Amy Monroe at tapestry@irvingbible.org or (972) 315-9628.

Created To Connect Study Guide

Posted on May 5, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

Introducing the Created To Connect: A Christian’s Guide to The Connected Child. 

This study guide, created by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael & Amy Monroe, is designed to help illuminate the biblical principles that serve as the foundation for the philosophy and interventions detailed in Dr. Purvis’ book, The Connected Child.  Together with the book, the study guide is a great tool to help adoptive and foster parents better understand how to build strong and lasting connections with their children, and is ideal for use in small groups as well as by individuals or couples.

Visit the Empowered To Connect website to download and print the entire (76 page) study guide, or view and print it chapter-by-chapter.  There is no charge for this or any of the Empowered To Connect resources, but be sure to let other adoptive and foster parents know about this new study guide.

Insights & Gifts Video Series

Posted on April 22, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

As more and more people answer the call to adopt, it is important that we understand that the children that God will bring into our lives through adoption and foster care will likely have deep hurts and needs. Therefore, an important part of our call is to be prepared to be used by God to help these children heal and become whole. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest joys and privileges of adoption – but we know it will not be easy.

The resources and tools offered by Empowered To Connect are designed to help those whom God is calling and has called to answer that call well – to know what to expect, to be ready and prepared and, ultimately, to help bring long-term healing to their child. It is precisely this kind of ‘love in action’ that we believe reflects what it means to be called by God to adopt.

Empowered To Connect has recently released a new video series entitled Insights & Gifts. This new 16 video series (developed in partnership with the TCU Institute of Child Development) offers seven insights and seven gifts that are highly relevant for those who are parenting or considering adopting or fostering children from hard places. Empowered To Connect is also developing a discussion guide for this video series, which will be available in May 2010.

You can view the introduction to this new series below and you can find all of the videos in this series here.  We hope that you will watch and be blessed by the insights and gifts Dr. Purvis offers.

I’ll Just Keep Praying

Posted on April 16, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

“Dear God,

Please help Shawn find a family soon – one where he will have a brother and sister, and maybe even a pet or two. Help his new family to treat him well and to be patient with him as he heals from his past hurts. Help him to do well in school and to make lots of friends.

I love you Jesus, Amen.”

This is the prayer that my 8 year old, Grant, prayed last night. He, along with lots of other kids at IBC (our church), is praying for children in foster care. Not just children generally – he’s praying for specific kids. Last night was Shawn. Tonight he will pray for Ian and Cheyenne.

Read the entire story from AdoptiveDads.org.

You can join with us in praying for children in foster care by visiting our prayer guide, where you will also find pictures and profiles of the children awaiting adoption that we are praying for.

The Play Therapy Study Results Are In!

Posted on April 13, 2010 by The Tapestry TeamNo Comments

Many Tapestry families as well as other adoptive families around the area recently participated in a play therapy research study led by Kara Holt.  Specifically, the study trained parents using the Child-Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) model, which empowers parents to be the therapeutic change agent in the life of their child.

The ten-session training taught parents basic child-centered play therapy techniques and relationship-based parenting strategies.  While this is a well-researched intervention, the effects of this parent training had not been explored with adoptive families……..until NOW!  Over 60 adoptive parents participated in the exploratory research study that examined the effects of CPRT on adopted children’s behavioral problems, parent-child relationship stress, and parental empathy.  The results are of this research are ready to be shared!

If you want to learn about the results of this research study make plans to join us. This presentation is for anyone who would like to hear more about Child-Parent Relationship Training, play therapy, or participated in the recent research study and wants to learn about the study’s findings!

The meeting will be held on Sunday, April 18, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, at Irving Bible Church in the Training Center (across from the Tubes).  Sunday evening children’s programs are available for ages 0 to 12 during this time and reservations are not required (but it would be great if you would email Kara at kara.holt@unt.edu to let her know if you plan to attend).  Feel free to forward this email to anyone who may be interested in attending.