"Jimmy" From stepchild and addiction to recovery. This is my story, an average kid growing up in an abusive world of foster homes, going through addiction, homelessness, jails and prison, having a rough time dealing with life itself and a heartbreaking divorce. I'm not anything special, I just want to let kids and people of all ages, to be able to relate and know that they're more of us with the same story out there. I'm writing this book, not because I have been told I should write my story, but for my own therapy, which is important to my recovery as an alcoholic and addict, as it can be for the stepchild that suffers from a life of abuse, alcoholism or drug addiction. I have been blessed with a good memory, and the knowledge of how God has been working in my life. I can remember very clearly from moment to moment, but for time and reading sake, I didn't write about every little thing that happened, but it's pretty darn close In this book I mainly keep the focus on myself as much as possible and as I seen life through my own eyes and not others, at how my drinking progressed and how hard my life came to be, because of it; there may be an exception or so with the step parents and step sisters or brothers through out my life. I had a rough childhood, but not as bad as some kids I met and were friends with during my life, but I experienced more than enough to understand how a hurting stepchild feels. I'm honored to be able to share and hopefully touch someone's heart out there in this crazy world we live in, and grew up in, also for the ones that have a hard concept of family and are alone in life. Men, women and children alike, trying to fit in and just wanting to be happy in their lives. Asking the question's I ask myself, "why me?" how did I get the short end of the stick? Where did I go wrong, and what did I do to deserve this? I once blamed God for my misfortunes, but I know now that God has been keeping a strong caring hand on me, even when I really didn't noticed that he was guiding me along, no matter how deep and dark it became in my life. I hope you enjoy the stories of my life and you can have a sense of being there with me, maybe you had similar times and events that you experienced in the same fashion? It's not everyday you get to read about another foster kids life and how you can walk along side with the abuse, addiction and the everyday heartache of abandonment, or the sinking feeling if anybody is ever going to care about you. But, there are good times though, and there were funny episodes too, not everything in my life has been bad, and I hope that the good times in this book will cause you to find yours Jimmy P. (c) 9/12/

Honey from a Thorn is told from the alternating viewpoints of two mothers. Anonymous to one another, their paths intersect through their adult daughter, Laura. Caught in a conundrum where neither mother is allowed to claim the exclusive title, both have paid a price for their maternity. Their sacrifices are revealed as their stories unfold, offering insights into the hidden costs of secrets and the joy and pain in human relationships. The reader follows their convergent courses as Liz, Laura's biological mother, struggles to discover the fate of her lost child and Carolyn, her adoptive mother, struggles to hold onto her daughter, challenging them to define and accept their motherhood.

Thinking of adopting? Are you an adoptive family and need encouragement? Do you know an adoptive family in your church and want to minister to them more? Within the pages of Woven Together there is deep insight, warmth, and valuable truth for Christians on the adoption journey. Woven Together is a compilation project by Funding Hope whereby 18 authors share and unpack GodOs grace and goodness in adoption. Woven Together brings testimonies to life from adult adoptees to birthmothers, domestic and international adoption, special needs to embryo adoption, and each author speaks from their heart as they experienced God move in their family though the gift of adoption. As Christians, we know that God is all about adoption as He has adopted each of us through Jesus. Woven Together explores His love of adoption in testimonies.

All authors have donated their writings. All profits will go directly to Funding Hope to provide adoption grants to Christians.

Initially apprehensive about becoming a mother, Emma mapped out her life plans steered by fulfillment of a happy marriage and career. She thought she might one day feel ready and willing to add the role of mother to her life's responsibilities, but she had not quite figured out when that would occur. When Emma's biological clock smacked her upside the head and she suddenly craved motherhood over every other aspect of life, she was stunned to discover that she could not get pregnant. After a year of ovulation test kits and timed baby making under her belt, it was inevitable that other avenues needed exploration. After pursuing every option, including adoption, Emma learned that becoming a parent was not as simple a process as she had always envisioned.

This true, heartwarming story reveals that miracles occur in everyday life. Enjoyable and uplifting, "One Kid at a Time" will empower--and encourage--everyone who reads it.

Danny had no chance. His mother abandoned him. His father in prison didn't know him. His grandmother beat him so badly that the doctors couldn't count the bruises. He lived nonstop days of unending anxiety, loneliness and terror. Ordered into foster care, the system isolated, drugged and betrayed him.

Jake lived the good life. Warm friendships, plenty of money and freedom to do what he enjoyed. From the outside he had the perfect existence. But inside he longed for a child.

"Dekker's ability...is striking. It would be easy for a memoir dealing with this subject to veer into an angry, ranting outburst, but Dekker's restrained writing conveys the chaos with refined dignity. Dekker is refreshingly honest...Which makes the story all the more poignant and inspiring." - "Kirkus Reviews"

"Positive, inspiring, exemplary and deeply spiritual. "One Kid at a Time" is an instant classic. I loved it." --The Reverend Mel White, author of "Stranger at the Gate"

99 Things You Wish You Knew Before ... Choosing Adoption is your comprehensive guide to help you through your adoption journey. If you have ever been interested in adoption-as a prospective adoptive family, a birth parent, or even as an adoption practitioner-this book is for you It addresses the mysteries and myths that surround and permeate the adoption process, simplifying them for the non-lawyer and keeping the reader entertained all the while. Fear not the adoption process The Kaskys, with their 60+ years of combined experience, efficiently answer all of your questions in a straightforward no-nonsense manner.

None had a home, most had a name, but all had a story.

"Angels Passing Through" is the true story of a childhood dominated by the ebb and flow of over forty foster babies entering and exiting a young boy's life. Collectively, these babies have died, disappeared, been given up, and come damaged. This was not an isolated experience; it was a lifestyle. Human bonds were torn asunder on a regular basis. This is a story of these babies-the joys, the pain, and the emotional aftermath left in their wake.

"Angels Passing Through" is sure to touch your heart and open your eyes to a unique, seldom-heard perspective. This compelling chronicle is a must-read for anyone who has ever been involved in foster care, is considering becoming involved, or simply has been touched by a baby's innocence.

25% of the net proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to The Children's Home Society of NJ, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving children's lives and building healthy families since 1894.

What Readers are Saying "An amazing captivating story. It gives grandparents raising kids the comfort of knowing, you are not alone." -Bill Trammell, a single grandfather from Wisconsin, raising his adopted grandson. "Karen is honest and vulnerable and takes even the worst of what happened and makes something beautiful out of it. A compelling story, from someone who's been there " -Laura Montane Bailey, LMFT, author of Courageous Love "Karen tells her story with integrity in a compelling style, leaving the reader wanting more. Through her challenges, she found the way to empowerment, giving the reader a gift." -Lynne R. Gassel, author of Fifth Child: The Turbulent Path that Led to Raising Our Child's Child "By sharing her moving, poignant journey of raising her three granddaughters, Karen reveals her challenges, commitment, and courage along with her desire to empower other grandparents." -Donne Davis, Founder GaGa Sisterhood, a social network for grandmas I Love You from the Edges is Karen's love story of raising her young granddaughters for several years, letting them capture her heart, her life, and her soul, and then having to give them back - resulting in a painful, yet spiritual journey of love, healing, and reunion. Along with her story, she includes suggestions on the "how's, what's and why's" one should consider when beginning the journey of raising someone else's child. Included is the health and wellness assessment program Karen designed specifically for grandparents and relatives raising children. Using her holistic approach, this assessment focuses on six aspects of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, mental/intellectual, and environmental. Whether you are a grandparent, great-something, aunt, uncle, or any relative raising someone else's child, this book is for you.

The author is: an adoptee, an adoptive mother, a biological mother, a birth grandmother and a grandmother of 7 grandchildren. She was conceived as a result of rape. This novel begins with the first of many choices that are demanded when an unexpected pregnancy begins. The choices available in 1953 were not those of the 1970s, nor in 2001. Choices have been shaped by cultural expectations. Choices made echo thorugh each proceeding day, month, year and decade. The child, the mother, siblings, partners, adoptive parents, and grandparents are all impacted by each choice made.

'A remarkable book...wise and arresting' Sarah Winman 'Exquisite... a deeply insightful memoir which charts our fundamental longings for place and identity, and ultimately our yearnings for love.' Helena Kennedy Single, in her mid-forties and having experienced a sudden early menopause, a realisation comes to Peggy quietly, and clearly: she decides to adopt a child. But the preparation is arduous and the scrutiny intense. There are questions about past lives, about capability and expectations. Asking big questions about identity and belonging, as well as about what makes a mother - and a home - this is a beautiful meditation on how the legacies of childhood might be overcome by a mother's determination to love. 'Extremely moving...an unusually thoughtful take on becoming a mother, enabled by removing babyhood and biology.' Guardian

This book is about being a woman, trying to be a mother, having a family, trying to make a family work, failing and succeeding. Essays run from family estrangement to reconciliation, adoption struggles and recognizing the other mothers of adopted children, strengthening family ties by fighting the rats in the basement together, and realizing that, fundamentally, we all have it in us to be mothers if that is what we want for ourselves. The book is short, just 15 essays, each chosen because it represents an important event or point of view. The stories are not all happy ones. Raising children is a long tale that, if honestly told, has many regrettable chapters. Those chapters have great value if for no other reason than they make the happy times truly remarkable instead of common.

Lily is being adopted Follow her on an emotional journey from foster care to her new home. "You are getting a new family." Mrs. Wellington's voice didn't sound very happy. Lily's heart began to race. She touched her small hand to her face, to her cheek, and began to pinch at it. She flinched when she felt the burn. It meant she wasn't dreaming. Of course she wasn't dreaming. Her dreams were never this good. "What are they like?" Lily asked. She had tried to imagine what her mommy and daddy would be like. And what they would look like.