Letters from the Chosens
In Letters from the Chosens, Naomi Major, the host, interviews incredible individuals who share their experiences of growing up in orphanages, foster homes, adoption homes, and other unexpected places. Their inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and discovering faith, identity, purpose, and their place in the world will inspire you to seek and walk in your greater purpose.
Episodes
27 episodes
#27 Frequently Asked Questions About Foster Care
Did you know that there is an average of 400,000 children in the foster care system at any given time? When people talk about the need, they are not exaggerating! Today, we share some questions and misconceptions that people may have about fost...
#26 Now What? Navigating My Family Reunion
Now what? If you have ever reunited or reconnected with someone from your past, that’s the next question. What do we do with this new relationship? In reconnecting with my family back home, I have had to grapple with my response. My parents, ot...
#25 First Trip Back Home
In the summer of 2013, I embarked on my first trip back home to Ghana. My parents and I got to see some of the beautiful country, friends, and, most importantly, our family!I hope that hearing my story encourages you to take steps to lea...
#24 Missing My Family Back Home
My desire to reconnect with my biological family began in high school, but it wouldn’t be until I was in college that I spoke to my parents about it. I wanted to share about how that conversation started and my mindset for reconnecting with my ...
#23 A Step of Faith w/Dan & Tynetta
There’s always more, more we can be and more we do. This is how husband and wife Dan and Tynetta move throughout life. The two had been married for about years and felt a tugging to foster to adopt. Recently, they have been in the process of be...
#22 Establishing Access
I’ve learned that boundaries protect us and set us up for purpose. So we can set boundaries with everyone, our family, friends, and ourselves. It’s not about the person, but about the condition being produced. Boundaries help us to create healt...
#21 It Starts with Me
When it comes to family and friends dynamics, I had to realize that boundaries begin with me. I had to recognize the things in me that needed to be addressed before I pointed out the negative actions or responses of others. I first set boundari...
#20 Release and Receive
My own rejection wound when I was young made me see any separation negatively. I now understand that what I perceive as rejection is really purpose. God has used the rejection and abandonment that I’ve experienced in the past to get me to where...
#19 Good God, Good Purpose
It wasn’t until I was in High school that I started to doubt God. I questioned His goodness amid my challenges and the hardships of those in my community. It’s been a journey of learning about God’s goodness amid challenges. Here are some lesso...
#18 About Me (Q&A)
I’ve been asked some interesting questions. Some that make you pause and wonder at the person’s boldness, and others that make me pause and reconsider my perspective. So here are a few questions that I’ve gotten, and in learning a little more a...
#17 Making Room with Tom & Laurel
Tom and Laurel thought that they were done growing their family. They had two children and a dog. What more could they want or need? Except for one surprising day, they clearly felt led to adopt a little girl from the rural areas of Ghana's Ash...
#16 Breaking Cycles with Tre Ogilvie
Tre went from a happy childhood full of opportunities, loving parents, and a close community to a rehab center by his senior year in high school. He mentally spiraled downward and became an addict by the age of 21. He shares the tumultuou...
#15 Brave Conversations with Tatiana
Tatiana unexpectedly found herself plopped in the suburbs of New Jersey, far from her home in Russia. In this episode, she shares her adoption journey, navigating her past and having challenging conversations that led to her penning her first b...
#14 Giving Up Control with Darlene Scott
Sometimes surrender is the only way to victory. Darlene found this truth out during her journey of healing. For almost all of her childhood, Darlene had bounced around from foster home to foster home. Each time she thought she had found solace,...
#13 Lifelines with Isaac Burton
Can you imagine losing a part of you, your family, all that you’re familiar with, yet having a positive attitude? Isaac is a living testimony of this. Isaac went from being a healthy child surrounded by family to suddenly becoming ill and spend...
#12 She Can: My Story
In this episode, I share my educational journey. I tell about how I went from being illiterate to teaching others to read and write in English. I hope my story will encourage you to overcome your challenges. Here are som...
#11 The Covering: My Story
In this episode, I share my early years of navigating my hair. My Mom and I did our best using hot combs and pink lotion to achieve the image of beauty.In sharing my story, I encourage you to consider how individuals in your life and soc...
#10 Miracle God: My Story
In this episode, I share about how my Mom received an unexpected diagnosis about my health and how she responded in faith. In sharing my story, I hope you will look for God's miracle-working hand in every obstacle you face.
#9 Home: My Story
In this episode, I share how I finally found a permanent place I could call home. It was a bittersweet moment because I had to close the chapter of my life in Ghana and step into a new life in the U.S.In sharing my story, I hope you'll r...
#8 The Clockmaker: My Story
In this episode, I share how my parents first learned about me and the call that led to my adoption into their family. In sharing my story, I hope you will take the time to reflect on the moments when you saw God's hand at work on y...
#7 Fish Out of Water: My Story
In this episode, I recount the first time I attended school. I thought it would be a piece of cake, but it wasn't as easy as I had thought. By sharing my story, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on how your educational experi...
#6 Rooted: My Story
In this episode, I share my experience of living with the missionaries from one of our neighboring towns. They introduced me to American culture, food, and language. By sharing my story, I hope you'll take the time to reflect on you...
#5 Pass the Potato: My Story
In this episode, I share about the different homes I lived in after my mother passed away. When I was getting comfortable with one family, I was given to another. In sharing my experience, I hope you consider your experiences within...
