Summary: <br> Leah is a birth mother of 18+ years in open adoption and a mother of five. She loves to write and share her story. She says, "my adoption story is my testimony of Jesus' healing and redemption. Sharing vulnerably about the beauty and ashes within adoption, I want to inspire hope and show you how open adoption can be done well."<br> On this episode of the podcast, Leah joins me to share her open adoption story as a birthmom. Hear how and why she decided to place her daughter over 18 years ago. Learn what it was like for Leah as she was the first expectant mom to have an open adoption in the agency she worked with. Find out why she initially didn't want to choose adoption for her daughter and why she eventually decided that it was the most loving choice she could make.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still <a href="https://chtbl.com/track/9935E/traffic.libsyn.com/infantadoptionguide/IAG_104_Open_Adoption_Story_with_Author_and_Birthmom_Leah_Outten.mp3">download the music</a>.In her story you'll hear:* Why and how Leah chose adoption for her daughter over 18 years ago.* The story of how Leah first learned about open adoption and why that changed her thoughts about placing her daughter. * How Leah's faith played a major factor in her adoption story and still does today with her open adoption relationships.* How she handled the emotional ups and downs by holding on to her faith. * What her experience was like in the hospital when her daughter was born.* How Leah now helps other families adopt through her writing and services.* How Leah has written a new book called "The Sixteenth Year - an Open Adoption Memoir" that tells her story in detail about how she chose to place her daughter when she was only 16 years old.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still <a href="https://chtbl.com/track/9935E/traffic.libsyn.com/infantadoptionguide/IAG_104_Open_Adoption_Story_with_Author_and_Birthmom_Leah_Outten.mp3">download the music</a>.Links we talk about in this episode:<a href="https://www.leahoutten.com/" target="_blank" data-op-action="link" data-op3-smooth-scroll="0">LeahOutten.com. This is Leah's site where you can find her new book "The Sixteenth Year" PLUS you'll find tons of articles and the services she provides to hopeful adoptive families to help you through the adoption process.</a><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leahoutten/the-sixteenth-year-an-open-adoption-memoir" target="_blank" data-op-action="link" data-op3-smooth-scroll="0">The Sixteenth Year : an open adoption memoir - This is Leah's new book from her perspective as a birthmom from trauma to redemption 19 years later! </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/leahoutten" target="_blank" data-op-action="link" data-op3-smooth-scroll="0">Follow Leah on Instagram!</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/515298828667483/" target="_blank" data-op-action="link" data-op3-smooth-scroll="0">Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby. </a><a href="https://findmyadoptionagency.com" target="_blank" data-op-action="link" data-op3-smooth-scroll="0">FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.</a><a href="https://infantadoptionguide.com/membership" target="_blank" data-op-action="link" data-op3-smooth-scroll="0">The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!</a><br> <br>
