by GIFT Coach | Dec 14, 2016 | Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, Faith and Values, Faith communities, Foster Care Adoption, General Discussion
The influence of Christmas surrounds us whether it is part of one’s faith tradition and beliefs or not. Most people probably “know” the Nativity story— even non-Christians. This blog written by GIFT coach and Lutheran minister, Sally Ankerfelt, continues our...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 14, 2015 | Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, Blogs by Susan David, Faith and Values, Faith communities, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
This post is Part 2 of a 4 part series examining the promise of faith communities as sources of healing and connection and GIFT coaches’, Sally Ankerfelt and Susan David’s recent presentation at the 2015 ATTACh Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If faith...
by GIFT Coach | Jul 29, 2015 | Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, General Discussion
Sally Ankerfelt, one of the co-founders of GIFT Family Services recently returned from a homeland trip to the Philippines. (Sally’s middle child, Elias, was born there.) They have agreed to share their thoughts about this trip. Their experience dovetails nicely...
by Sally A | Oct 30, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, Foster Parenting, General Discussion
Here at GIFT Family Services, we speak about creating “intentional” adoptive or foster families. One important aspect of being an intentional family is having a vision with goals and values rather than making things up as we go along. Being intentional with our...
by Sally A | Sep 11, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Strengthening Family Relationships
I am very mindful of today, September 11, being the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Last evening my family and I, along with GIFT Family Service’s virtual assistant, Kris Jamieson, and her mother, attended a commemoration event in our home city of...
by Sally A | Jul 24, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Not long ago, I returned from work to find my soon-to-be 20 year-old daughter frantically washing her clothes. Just that morning, she had called to announce that she was heading back to the birth family and town she left behind eight short years earlier when she...
