On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Christie Werts, a former foster youth, Army veteran, author, and adoptive mother whose life has come full circle through foster care.
Christie shares her journey in her book, Life’s Sad Story, God’s Love Story, tracing a path from childhood trauma and separation to healing, compassion, and building a family of her own.
This is an especially emotional conversation for Rob, who reflects openly on the painful experience of his own mother leaving him and his siblings — and the lasting impact that loss has had throughout his life.
Together, Rob and Christie explore how childhood trauma shapes identity, how healing can emerge in unexpected ways, and what it means to return to the foster care system — not as a child, but as a parent determined to create something different.
At the center of Christie’s story is compassion: a decision to foster and later adopt her husband’s ex-wife’s child in order to keep siblings connected and together.
And by the end of the conversation, Christie leaves listeners with a message that becomes the emotional heartbeat of the episode: this is ultimately a love story — about God, healing, and hope.
As Christie shares:
“There’s a love story ahead of you. And it’s gonna be ok.”
Episode Highlights
Christie’s journey from foster youth to foster and adoptive parent
The emotional impact of childhood separation and abandonment
How trauma and healing can exist side by side
A remarkable decision to keep siblings together through adoption
The role of faith, compassion, and second chances in rebuilding family
About the Guest
Christie Werts is a former foster youth, Army veteran, author, speaker, and mother of five whose life has come full circle through foster care and adoption. After experiencing trauma in the system as a child, she later returned to foster care as a parent, ultimately adopting a child connected to her own family.
Through her book, Life’s Sad Story, God’s Love Story, Christie shares a deeply personal journey of resilience, faith, healing, and compassion.
Key Questions from This Episode
What inspired you to write Life’s Sad Story, God’s Love Story?
How did your childhood experiences in foster care shape your life?
What led you to step back into foster care as a parent?
How did the decision to adopt your husband’s ex-wife’s child come about?
What did healing look like for you over time?
How have kindness and compassion shaped your family today?
What message do you hope listeners take from your story?
Connect with Christie
📱 TikTok:
@Cjthemom5
📘 Facebook / Instagram:
Christie Werts
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