A powerful, deeply personal conversation about an unplanned pregnancy, the pressure surrounding life-altering decisions, and the long road to healing. This episode explores fear, silence, regret, and redemption—offering insight into what many experience but few openly discuss.

A powerful, deeply personal conversation about an unplanned pregnancy, the pressure surrounding life-altering decisions, and the long road to healing. This episode explores fear, silence, regret, and redemption&mdash;offering insight into what many experience but few openly discuss.

Dig Yourself Out of Life's Deepest Pits & Discover the Diamonds Hidden in the Process

Dig Yourself Out of Life's Deepest Pits &amp; Discover the Diamonds Hidden in the Process

Sit on that Stump in Muddy Bottom

Dig Yourself Out Of Life's Deepest Pits And Discover The Diamonds Hidden In The Process

Dig Yourself Out Of Life's Deepest Pits And Discover The Diamonds Hidden In The Process

To Silence to Strength, “The Story She Carried in Silence for Decades”

In this heartfelt episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, host Vicki Parker welcomes Terri Rawson to share her deeply personal adoption story and the journey that led her to choose an open adoption for her daughter.

Vicki begins by reflecting on the meaning behind the show's title: the “muddy bottom” represents those difficult seasons of life when circumstances become messy, fear feels louder than faith, and the future looks nothing like we expected. Yet, even in those places, God is present. Sometimes we simply need to “sit on that stump,” get alone with Jesus, quiet the noise, and listen for His voice.

Terri shares what it was like to become pregnant at 17 and initially plan to parent her daughter. Her daughter was born prematurely at 31 weeks and spent more than a month in the NICU. After bringing her baby home, Terri and the baby's father began reconsidering what would be best for their daughter. What started as something Terri believed she could never do eventually became a courageous decision to create a different future for her child.

The conversation explores the emotional reality of adoption, including grief, fear, uncertainty, healing, and the importance of viewing adoption as a parenting plan rather than “giving a baby away.” Terri explains how she initially wanted a closed adoption but ultimately chose an open arrangement, allowing her daughter to grow up knowing both her adoptive family and her birth family.

Terri describes the remarkable relationship that developed with her daughter's adoptive parents. Over the years, the families have shared birthdays, soccer games, FaceTime calls, sleepovers, family gatherings, and other milestones. Her daughter has also developed relationships with Terri's husband and children, creating an extended family built around love rather than fear.

Vicki and Terri discuss how open adoption can help address some of the unanswered questions that birth parents and adopted children may otherwise carry for years. Terri's daughter knows where she came from, knows that she is loved, and has a safe environment in which to ask difficult questions and express complicated emotions.

The episode also draws powerful parallels between Terri's experience and the biblical story of Moses and his mother, who trusted God with her child's future. Vicki discusses the story of Solomon and the two women claiming the same child as an illustration of sacrificial maternal love—the willingness to put a child's wellbeing above one's own desires.

Throughout the conversation, Vicki and Terri emphasize that adoption does not mean a birth mother feels no pain. Grief can remain part of the journey, and healing may take time. Terri openly shares that she struggled with the decision and feared that she would never be loved or move beyond the pain. Ultimately, she describes how encountering Jesus, learning to live under grace, and forgiving herself transformed her perspective.

The episode offers encouragement to women facing an unplanned pregnancy, birth mothers considering adoption, adoptive parents, grandparents, church communities, and anyone seeking to understand the realities of adoption. Above all, Terri's story is a testimony about trusting God one day, one minute, and sometimes one muddy bottom at a time.

Vicki closes with a reminder that no matter how deep the mud gets, God has not lost sight of you. Find your stump, sit down with Jesus, quiet the surrounding noise, listen for His voice, and trust Him with the rest of the story.

In this heartfelt episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, host Vicki Parker welcomes Terri Rawson to share her deeply personal adoption story and the journey that led her to choose an open adoption for her daughter.
Vicki begins by reflecting on the meaning behind the show's title: the &ldquo;muddy bottom&rdquo; represents those difficult seasons of life when circumstances become messy, fear feels louder than faith, and the future looks nothing like we expected. Yet, even in those places, God is present. Sometimes we simply need to &ldquo;sit on that stump,&rdquo; get alone with Jesus, quiet the noise, and listen for His voice.
Terri shares what it was like to become pregnant at 17 and initially plan to parent her daughter. Her daughter was born prematurely at 31 weeks and spent more than a month in the NICU. After bringing her baby home, Terri and the baby's father began reconsidering what would be best for their daughter. What started as something Terri believed she could never do eventually became a courageous decision to create a different future for her child.
The conversation explores the emotional reality of adoption, including grief, fear, uncertainty, healing, and the importance of viewing adoption as a parenting plan rather than &ldquo;giving a baby away.&rdquo; Terri explains how she initially wanted a closed adoption but ultimately chose an open arrangement, allowing her daughter to grow up knowing both her adoptive family and her birth family.
Terri describes the remarkable relationship that developed with her daughter's adoptive parents. Over the years, the families have shared birthdays, soccer games, FaceTime calls, sleepovers, family gatherings, and other milestones. Her daughter has also developed relationships with Terri's husband and children, creating an extended family built around love rather than fear.
Vicki and Terri discuss how open adoption can help address some of the unanswered questions that birth parents and adopted children may otherwise carry for years. Terri's daughter knows where she came from, knows that she is loved, and has a safe environment in which to ask difficult questions and express complicated emotions.
The episode also draws powerful parallels between Terri's experience and the biblical story of Moses and his mother, who trusted God with her child's future. Vicki discusses the story of Solomon and the two women claiming the same child as an illustration of sacrificial maternal love&mdash;the willingness to put a child's wellbeing above one's own desires.
Throughout the conversation, Vicki and Terri emphasize that adoption does not mean a birth mother feels no pain. Grief can remain part of the journey, and healing may take time. Terri openly shares that she struggled with the decision and feared that she would never be loved or move beyond the pain. Ultimately, she describes how encountering Jesus, learning to live under grace, and forgiving herself transformed her perspective.
The episode offers encouragement to women facing an unplanned pregnancy, birth mothers considering adoption, adoptive parents, grandparents, church communities, and anyone seeking to understand the realities of adoption. Above all, Terri's story is a testimony about trusting God one day, one minute, and sometimes one muddy bottom at a time.
Vicki closes with a reminder that no matter how deep the mud gets, God has not lost sight of you. Find your stump, sit down with Jesus, quiet the surrounding noise, listen for His voice, and trust Him with the rest of the story.

She Chose Love: A Powerful Story of Open Adoption, Grace, and Trusting God

Have you ever felt like your past, your mistakes, or your insecurities have disqualified you from being used by God?

In this powerful episode of Sit on that Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vicki Parker welcomes author Karli Miller to discuss her upcoming book, Not Disqualified. Together they share honest stories about fear, obedience, faith, and the surprising ways God calls ordinary people to extraordinary purposes.

Carly opens up about battling shame, believing she didn't belong, and how God interrupted her plans to begin writing the message that would become Not Disqualified. She shares how the Lord transformed her understanding of grace, identity, and calling, reminding believers that their past is not the final chapter of their story.

Vicki also shares her own journey of launching Options Pregnancy Center despite feeling completely unqualified, offering encouragement for anyone who feels God is asking them to take a step of faith.

In this episode, you'll discover:
Why your identity is found in Christ—not your past.
How God consistently chooses imperfect people throughout Scripture.
The difference between shame and God's grace.
Why obedience often begins before confidence.
The importance of surrounding yourself with people who point you back to God's truth.
The biblical significance of "having a seat at the table."
How to walk by faith even when you can't see the next step.

If you've ever wondered whether God could truly use someone like you, this conversation is a reminder that His grace is greater than your failures and His calling is not determined by your qualifications.

Because of Jesus, you are seen, loved, welcomed—and never disqualified from His purpose.

Have you ever felt like your past, your mistakes, or your insecurities have disqualified you from being used by God?
In this powerful episode of Sit on that Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vicki Parker welcomes author Karli Miller&nbsp;to discuss her upcoming book, Not Disqualified. Together they share honest stories about fear, obedience, faith, and the surprising ways God calls ordinary people to extraordinary purposes.
Carly opens up about battling shame, believing she didn't belong, and how God interrupted her plans to begin writing the message that would become Not Disqualified. She shares how the Lord transformed her understanding of grace, identity, and calling, reminding believers that their past is not the final chapter of their story.
Vicki also shares her own journey of launching Options Pregnancy Center despite feeling completely unqualified, offering encouragement for anyone who feels God is asking them to take a step of faith.
In this episode, you'll discover:
<ul data-start="1216" data-end="1646">
<li data-section-id="1stlkzh" data-start="1216" data-end="1269">Why your identity is found in Christ&mdash;not your past.</li>
<li data-section-id="yg0o8d" data-start="1270" data-end="1339">How God consistently chooses imperfect people throughout Scripture.</li>
<li data-section-id="1miocnl" data-start="1340" data-end="1387">The difference between shame and God's grace.</li>
<li data-section-id="33dak7" data-start="1388" data-end="1435">Why obedience often begins before confidence.</li>
<li data-section-id="uos6u8" data-start="1436" data-end="1523">The importance of surrounding yourself with people who point you back to God's truth.</li>
<li data-section-id="12xcg78" data-start="1524" data-end="1584">The biblical significance of "having a seat at the table."</li>
<li data-section-id="1xugk9m" data-start="1585" data-end="1646">How to walk by faith even when you can't see the next step.</li>
</ul>
If you've ever wondered whether God could truly use someone like you, this conversation is a reminder that His grace is greater than your failures and His calling is not determined by your qualifications.
Because of Jesus, you are seen, loved, welcomed&mdash;and never disqualified from His purpose.

Not Disqualified: How God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purpose with Karli Miller

What happens when God places a vision so deeply on someone's heart that it changes the course of their life? In this inspiring episode of Sit on that Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vikki Parker welcomes Dr. Terrence Farrier, founder of The Lamb's Plan, a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to providing safe housing, life skills, spiritual guidance, and long-term support for pregnant women facing crisis situations.

Dr. Farrier shares the remarkable story of how God called him to launch this ministry, the vision behind creating a maternity home where women can find stability, hope, and practical training, and why helping mothers thrive benefits entire communities. Together, Vikki and Terrence discuss the importance of offering more than temporary assistance by equipping women with life skills, employment readiness, parenting support, biblical discipleship, and a foundation for lasting independence.

The conversation also explores the critical role churches, businesses, pregnancy centers, and volunteers can play in transforming lives through mentorship, counseling, financial support, and practical resources. If you've ever wondered how faith can become action—or how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference—this episode will encourage and challenge you.

Join us as we discover how one act of obedience can create a legacy of hope for generations to come.

What happens when God places a vision so deeply on someone's heart that it changes the course of their life? In this inspiring episode of Sit on that Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vikki Parker welcomes Dr. Terrence Farrier, founder of The Lamb's Plan, a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to providing safe housing, life skills, spiritual guidance, and long-term support for pregnant women facing crisis situations.
Dr. Farrier shares the remarkable story of how God called him to launch this ministry, the vision behind creating a maternity home where women can find stability, hope, and practical training, and why helping mothers thrive benefits entire communities. Together, Vikki and Terrence discuss the importance of offering more than temporary assistance by equipping women with life skills, employment readiness, parenting support, biblical discipleship, and a foundation for lasting independence.
The conversation also explores the critical role churches, businesses, pregnancy centers, and volunteers can play in transforming lives through mentorship, counseling, financial support, and practical resources. If you've ever wondered how faith can become action&mdash;or how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference&mdash;this episode will encourage and challenge you.
Join us as we discover how one act of obedience can create a legacy of hope for generations to come.

To Silence to Strength, “The Story She Carried in Silence for Decades”

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