Value Beyond Status That Changes Everything

What's the Story
Written By Matt Edmundson

Guest: Laura Nicholson

Laura Nicholson is the founder and director of Second2None School Support, providing clerking services to over 150 schools across the northwest UK and beyond. A talented musician and worship leader in her local church, Laura brings warmth and authenticity to everything she does. With a background in fostering and currently on the journey to becoming an adoptive parent, Laura is passionate about creating family for those who need it most.

Here’s a summary of this week’s story:

In a world obsessed with relationship status, Laura Nicholson's story offers a refreshing perspective on finding value beyond societal expectations. As Director of Second2None School Support, worship leader, and soon-to-be adoptive mum, Laura shares how discovering her true worth in God transformed her approach to life.

From Early Faith to Wilderness Years

Laura's faith journey began early. Growing up in a Christian family in a remote Lancashire village, she experienced a pivotal moment at age 11 when her aunt introduced her to the Holy Spirit. This encounter changed everything.

"I had this overwhelming sense that I wanted to meet the Holy Spirit," Laura recalls. "I just remember feeling such a sense of peace and love."

This experience unlocked musical abilities she hadn't known before—suddenly able to play by ear and become involved with her church worship team. But like many faith journeys, Laura's path wasn't always straightforward.

Her twenties and early thirties brought challenges, particularly within church environments. Laura describes how she "became a performance Christian" without realising it:

"I knew what to say. I knew the right things to say. I knew how to look the part. But what got neglected was my soul."

Unhealthy church doctrine and other difficulties led to what Laura describes as a "wilderness phase"—a soul-destroying period that tested her faith. Yet even during this time, she never felt rejected by God.

"Although my life was not particularly holy, I still knew deep down that God loved me. I didn't feel like this is the end of my life now, I've completely botched things up."

Finding Community That Heals

One of the most powerful threads in Laura's story is how authentic community brought healing when church structures failed. While formal church settings had caused harm, it was faithful friends and family who ultimately helped restore her faith.

"Show me your friends, I'll show you your future. I was very blessed with some good friends... it wasn't based on behaviour, thankfully, and no judgment."

Laura's experience offers wisdom for anyone feeling lost in large church settings: "It doesn't matter that you're not involved in the church service itself or have a leadership role. Find those people you can really connect with."

Her practical advice? "Pray to God that he brings the right people to you at the right time. He doesn't want you on your own."

Navigating Singleness with Purpose

At 43, Laura never expected to be single at this stage of her life. Yet rather than allowing this to define her, she's embraced a life of purpose and community.

"My forties have been some of my best years so far. I'm the most steady and secure I've ever been."

Her insight challenges the often family-centric church culture: "It's not about what you don't have. It's looking at all the amazing things that are going well and knowing who you are—whose you are."

Laura has turned conventional thinking upside down, refusing to wait for marriage before pursuing dreams like fostering and adoption. She's halfway through the adoption process as a single parent.

"God places the lonely in families... As a Christian, this is something I feel quite strongly about. You can do it as a single person."

The Foundation That Never Changes

If there's one message Laura wants people to take from her story, it's about finding unchanging value in a changing world:

"Knowing your value in God is crucial because that's the thing that will never change. Your feelings will come and go, but your value, where you put your trust, is crucial."

Her story reminds us that our worth isn't determined by relationship status, church involvement, or life circumstances—but by a constant, faithful God who remains present through every season.

"God is faithful, and out of that comes your value because you know that you are loved by a God who is constant and faithful and gracious."

Resources

Main Links

CROWD Church Links

Social Media

What's The Story? is a podcast aimed at people who are curious about faith but don't see the point in church, sharing real stories of God moving in the lives of everyday people. This episode features Laura Nicholson, Director of Second2None School Support, worship leader, and soon-to-be adoptive parent.

At Crowd Church, we are committed to creating a space for you to explore the Christian faith, regardless of where you are on your faith journey.

What happens at Crowd Church?

Every week we livestream our online church service, we add extra content like this What’s The Story Podcast, we have weekly online community groups that meet up and all of that good stuff. You can find our more about everything that goes on at Crowd by browsing through this site and you can reach out to us via our contact page.

Come and Join In!

Are you interested in joining in with what is happening here at Crowd? We would love to meet you!

Any questions? Please connect with us via our Contact Page, or via WhatsApp: +44 7984 530 429

  • [00:00:00] [00:01:00]

    Anna Kettle: So welcome everyone to today's episode of What's The Story Podcast. Today I'm joined by a good friend of mine, Laura Nicholson, who is director of Second2None School Support, which is a company that she set up and continues to run, which provides clerking services to over 150 schools across the northwest and beyond.

    Uh, she's also a key musician, a worship leader in her local church, and a dog mum to Max, who is her noisy. Slightly cheeky Labrador. Hi Laura. It's great to have you on the show today. Welcome. Great.

    Laura Nicholson: Thank you for having me.

    Anna Kettle: Um, so I guess we're talking about your story today. So I guess it's important that we start at the beginning, so, mm-hmm.

    I wondered if you could tell us a little bit about your early life, you [00:02:00] know, how you grew up. I know you grew up in a Christian family.

    Laura Nicholson: Mm-hmm.

    Anna Kettle: Um, but at what point did you know, tell us a little bit about how that early life looked, and also at what point in your journey did like your faith and your relationship with God become real to you?

    Laura Nicholson: Yeah. Um, yeah, so I did, I grew up in a Christian family, my mom and dad and my younger brother. Um, we lived in, uh, quite a remote village in Lancashire, um, for a few years. Um, and, uh. It was a sort of place where your cats would come and bring all the, the voles and the local wildlife in as little presents for you.

    Um, um, and we, yeah, we were, uh, are still a happy family. Um, we, uh, went to the local school, local church school, um, and the local church, um, had a quite a happy childhood. Mm-hmm. Um, I think in terms of what. [00:03:00] Uh, in terms of Christianity, what, what, uh, really turned for me, um, in terms of making that real, um, was, uh, my, my auntie, my auntie Jean, had a very impactful, um, kind of influence on me, uh, when I was about 11, 10 or 11.

    And she took me along with her to a meeting that she was speaking at at the time, and it was about the Holy Spirit and. I think I was 11 actually. Um, thinking back, um, and. There was something in me that even to this day, I can't explain exactly why, but I was really drawn. I really wanted to go with her to this meeting and, um, find out what it was all about.

    And so of course she was very happy to take me with her. Um, it was mostly all adults and then me, the 11-year-old, um, and, uh. She spoke about the Holy Spirit and who the Holy Spirit was, is. And uh, at the [00:04:00] end I had this overwhelming sense that, um, I wanted to meet the Holy Spirit. Uh, which again, you might be thinking, gosh, for 11, you know, that's, um, not what probably a lot of 11 year olds are thinking about.

    But anyway, um, I just remember feeling such a sense of peace and. Love and like I really wanted to get to know Holy Spirit, so somebody prayed with me and I was, um, filled with Holy Spirit, um, which I know is kind of a Christian term that we use. Mm-hmm. Um, but essentially, um, you know, I, I met the Holy Spirit, um, and uh, things changed for me a lot after that.

    It was like, I. Saw things differently. Um, something happened happened in my heart where I just wanted to live for God. So although when I, I think again, I think I was about five when I like prayed the prayer with my dad, um, about becoming a Christian and giving my heart to Jesus in terms of it actually becoming real.

    It was when I was 11 that. Um, that really, it really meant something to [00:05:00] me. Mm-hmm. Um, and uh, things to do with music really opened up. So, um, I started to be able to play by ear. After that I would hear music and be able to, I. Played a piece of music almost instantly. Wow. Afterwards. And um, so I got very involved with the worship team at church as a kid.

    Um, and loved it. It was what I lived for. It was like I could not get enough of Jesus and that whole, um, thing of playing in a band and mm-hmm Um, it was just great. It was really good. And then we moved down south, uh, and dad changed jobs and. We went to a church, which, um, I will, I will be forever grateful to the, to that church.

    Mm-hmm. Because they really championed kids and young people getting involved in, in worship and just the general life of the church. It was a, a safe place. [00:06:00] It was a healthy place. And, um, I was given many opportunities to, uh, play the keyboard with various people and ministers who were traveling around the country in various, quite well known large, uh, conferences.

    Um. Really, it was very gracious of them to involve me because my skillset wasn't particularly brilliant, but they just saw, they just saw the, the potential and probably the hunger as well. And, um, just wanted God to use me. Um, and, uh, so, um, so yeah, so in terms of those formative years, um, and, and getting to know God, um, I think it just, like, I look back now and I'm just so grateful for the church that that.

    You know, invested so much in me and other, other young people, um, because it just, it stays with you, doesn't it? You look back when you were in your forties and, um, it's precious. [00:07:00] Um, it's, it, they're good, good memories.

    Anna Kettle: Oh, that's amazing. And like, just incredible that you had that experience so young and I was so positive.

    I think you're right. Those kind of experiences you have. As a kid and a teenager growing up in church mm-hmm. Will often make, of course, you know, make or break your faith as an adult. Won't they really shape your future? And Yeah. Um, and I just think it's amazing that that gifting was there from so young and that you were doing that.

    Even as a kid. Mm-hmm. Um, just, just amazing really. Um, so obviously those were your earlier years and then, um, kind of skipping on a bit into like early adulthood, um, kind of, obviously life has ups and downs, doesn't it like. That's true for everyone. It's, you know, life is no different for us as Christians, as ups and downs.

    Absolutely. I wonder, 'cause we always talk on what's the story about kind of what some of the big challenges that people have had to face and overcome more in their lives. [00:08:00] So I wonder if there's anything that particularly jumps out to you in terms of like a big challenge or a difficult time of life that you've had to kind of get through.

    You know, what was that and kind of.

    Laura Nicholson: Yeah.

    Anna Kettle: What helped?

    Laura Nicholson: Yeah. Um, so a great sort of initial experience with, with church life as a, as a kid. Um. It was not like that in my twenties, um, and maybe some of my early thirties, which is a long time. Um, I'm 43 and, uh, you again, looking back, um, I'm very, I'm grateful for the.

    The bad things because it's God has just has done so much to restore and redeem and, um, heal, um, things that have gone wrong, um, in life. Um, but I think I'd gone into my, my early twenties without realizing, um, really who I was in, in Jesus. And I [00:09:00] think. Without, again, without realizing, uh, became a performance Christian.

    Um, I knew what to say. I knew the right things to say. Um, I knew how to look the part and, uh, I think what got neglected was my soul. Um, and, um. I ended up in a, in a church, um, which had some pretty unhealthy doctrine really. Um, and I have to say, you know, all of this is now, it's all, it's in the past, it's resolved, but at the time, um, it's, I, I became very, I would say, quite vulnerable.

    Um, and it. That period of time, along with other bits and bobs that were quite hard, like at university and, uh, and things, um, it resulted in con some confusion and eventually I wandered away. So I'd gone from this like really active, uh, in church life, Christian to someone that felt very [00:10:00] isolated. Mm-hmm.

    Um, was really struggling in life and, um, I, I think, you know. We all have to take responsibility for the decisions we make as adults. Sure. Um, but I do feel like. It was a perfect storm and had, you know, church life maybe been a little bit more steady, um, then maybe things wouldn't have gone the, the way that they did in the end.

    I don't know. Um, but it definitely resulted in, in a wilderness phase, um, which was very, it was hard, I'm not gonna lie, you know, it was, um, quite a, a soul destroying period of time. Um, and yet, and yet, and yet. Although my life did was not particularly holy, um, I still knew deep down that God loved me and I never felt, um, rejected.

    I didn't feel like this is the end of my life now. I've completely botched things [00:11:00] up, and that is it. I always had this sense that God was with me in it all, which sounds a bit. Like a contradiction. 'cause a lot of people think, well God, you know, you do, you behave in a certain way. God doesn't want you, and you have to earn your way back to his favor and his love and his grace.

    And it's like, could not be the mo the, the opposite of mm-hmm. Of the experience that I've had. Um, and, um, sort of running in parallel with. My not very well lived life in my twenties. Um, I did start my business, which God has most definitely had his hand on. Mm-hmm. Um, and brought the right people at the right time, um, in ways I could not have, I couldn't have made happen myself.

    It is totally his grace. Um, and. I think as well, like having good friends and family, or even though I wanted to pull away from anything really connected to church. 'cause I, I'd lost all faith in church and mm-hmm. Trust in [00:12:00] church and the whole thing. Um, I, I definitely, you know what, what's that phrase people say like, show me your friends.

    I'll show you your future. And I was very blessed with some good friends that were. You know, we, we all have a very strong friendship and um, you know, it wasn't based on behavior, um, thankfully, um, and no judgment. And that has definitely helped in terms of the, the sort of coming back

    Anna Kettle: Yeah.

    Laura Nicholson: Um, to Jesus with a full heart and coming back into church and, um.

    Yeah, I dunno if that's, um, it's a bit of a long-winded way of saying we saying things, but definitely, you know, there has been issues with church and I think it's good to be able to talk about it and not, you know, not, not to kind of criticize things. Because at the end of the day, people are, people, we're all human and nobody's got it perfect.

    No one's got [00:13:00] everything. Right. But I do think it's healthy to talk about when it goes wrong as well. Definitely. Um, because that's where healing can come. Yeah. And um, yeah,

    Anna Kettle: I totally agree. Laura and I, I, you know, I think, thank you. You know, thank you for sharing that because I think often it's very easy to just sweep those, you know, in churches, you know, the tendency is sometimes to want sweep those difficult experiences, you know?

    Under the carpet a little bit where there's like, you know, and we all know there's examples of bad church leadership and good church leadership out there. Mm-hmm.

    Laura Nicholson: That

    Anna Kettle: there's healthy cultures in any organization, the church included, and there's like negative cultures, you know, there's, there's good and bad.

    And I think you're right, like, um, it's so important to talk about because that's how, mm-hmm. The church gets better, but actually what I love, um, about what you said about all of that was that although church organizations [00:14:00] at points were quite damaging and harmful to you, certain organizations, not the whole church, um, at, at the same time community and staying in community with Christians mm-hmm.

    You know, including your family and some faithful friends Yeah. Was what brought you back to God. Yeah. And I, I love that because I think,

    Laura Nicholson: mm-hmm.

    Anna Kettle: Actually, that's what church is about, first and foremost. Not big platforms, not big Sunday services. You know, none of that stuff is wrong, but like actually the church first is a community of believers, and I guess my experience as well is that even when church is difficult, staying connected with.

    A handful of believers, you know, good Christian people is so grounding and so needed and, and so healing. So I love that that was part of your story.

    Laura Nicholson: Absolutely. Yeah. And I think I've definitely had periods of time where I. Again, I dunno, maybe if this really resonates with anyone, um, listening, but when, uh, the period of time where I did go to big [00:15:00] churches, um, you know, you'd, you'd come away feeling really, you know, motivated and like, yeah, this is brilliant and, you know, um, and then zero community, um, you know, some days were great midweek, you wouldn't hear from anyone.

    I would encourage anyone, you know, feeling lost, um, maybe in a big church, um, that, you know, it doesn't matter that, you know, you're not maybe involved in, in the church service itself or, um, have a leadership or a significant role. Um. But find those people that you can really connect with.

    Laura Nicholson: Um, I found that hard for a while 'cause I thought big church loads of people. Um, that's, that's not gonna be too difficult. But I actually did find it hard. It's very easy to go to big churches and be lost. You can go. No one notices you if you're there or if you're not. So that's why it's so important if you know, to, to really get connected in and.

    And you know as well, [00:16:00] like what I found practically is pray. Pray to God that he brings the right people to you at the right time because God's. Will, for us, a desire is to be in connection with other believers and, uh, people that are going to cheer you on. He doesn't want you on your own, you know?

    And, and I think, again, for me, after a while I was kind of getting so used to thinking, you know, this is too much hard work. What is the point? You know? But at the point things started to change was when I started to ask God. Please just bring the right people into my world. I'm done with counterfeits. I'm done with people that are just gonna come and go, um, and say all the right things and then you don't hear from them.

    Um, and, and he has, he has been faithful in that. Um, so just, yeah, stay, stay connected, get connected, pray, um, that God brings the right people into your life at the right time.

    Anna Kettle: That's, that's really good advice, Laura. Thank you. [00:17:00] Um, I also wanted to um, you know, talk a little bit about that whole area of, um, navigating singleness as you get older because we touched there, didn't we?

    On how church can be a lonely space, particularly large churches and how important community is and mm-hmm. And I wondered, um, if we could also talk a little bit about that kind of, 'cause churches can be very, some churches can be very family centered, very marriage focused, can't they? In. And I'm not saying these things are wrong, they're obviously not, but like mm-hmm.

    I, I mean, I didn't get married till I was in my thirties, so I knew what it's like to be kind of single when a lot of your friends in church at least are married. Um mm-hmm. Like, I wondered how, how you've navigated that, how you continue to navigate that. 'cause I'm sure there's other listeners who might be in that space, and I just think it's another really important area to talk about.

    Laura Nicholson: Yeah. Um, absolutely never dreamed in a million years I would be sat here, age [00:18:00] 43 and single. Um, just being totally honest. Um, and yet my forties have been some of my best years so far. Um, I think I'm the most steady and secure I've that I've ever been, which I know isn't. Exactly an answer to your question, but again, it's that, you know, look at what is going well.

    Be grateful for what. You know, it's going on in your life and it's not all about what you don't have. It's looking at all the amazing things you, that are going well and, and who you are, and knowing who you are, whose you are. Fundamentally, I know that I'm a child of God and that first and foremost is, is my, uh, my foundation before status.

    Um, and, um, I. Again, it's, this has whole been a journey as well, that lovely Christian phrase. I think for me now it is about that, it is knowing that way your security [00:19:00] lies and that your value is. Not your, in, what your status is. And if we're being completely honest, I think we both know people that, you know, um, a really hard time in marriage, so it's not always Absolutely, you know, perfect just because you're married, no you don't.

    And it's, it's about being married to the right person, um, rather than just being married for married's sake. And I've definitely been on that journey as well over the years, you know, and not always been out with, uh, dated the right guys. And, you know, almost in an attempt to. Be like, well, yeah, I'm with somebody and oh, I've got that box ticked.

    Thank goodness. You know, um, I'll, I'll be accepted now. Um, and I think, I mean, you, you are amazing, Anna. You just, you treat me the way. You, you treat anyone, you know, it's, it's not about you treat someone according to your status, but some people do and that is a bit sad. I think it's almost that sense of you've failed or there's something wrong with you if you are single at my age.

    Um, [00:20:00] and it's definitely, you know, something I've had to work through. I've had to work through frustration, had to work through, um, probably, if I'm being honest, a little bit of bitterness as well. , yes, of course. Mr. Wright. I hope he appears one day. Of course I do.

    It's getting, having got to this stage now, I can see, you know, it is, it being, being single actually has an awful lot of benefits too. Mm-hmm. So it's sort of one is better than the other. They're just different. Um, definitely. And, uh, life goes on and you can have an amazing life being single person, um, and, uh, a very full life.

    Um, so yeah. Um. No, it's not always easy. There are certain times of year that you think, oh, it would be nice just to, you know. Taken out or you know, or whatever. Valentine's Day this week, and we're recording this.

    Anna Kettle: I was gonna say we're recording this, right? That it's like, what Valentine's stay tomorrow. So yes.

    Just, just set as it happens. That wasn't planned. [00:21:00]

    Laura Nicholson: I know, but again, it's like we've got a good group of girlfriends, haven't we? And we we're, you know, we're going out over the weekend and we'll get dressed up and, um, you know, and have a good time anyway. And, you know, it's, it's one day of the year. Yeah.

    Anna Kettle: You know, it's not,

    Laura Nicholson: it's not the end of the world.

    Anna Kettle: Yeah. And I think what you said is so right about like, one is not better than the other.

    Laura Nicholson: Mm-hmm. Like

    Anna Kettle: often it is taught, like marriage is some pinnacle in churches, and I've heard teaching like this before.

    Laura Nicholson: Mm-hmm. And yet

    Anna Kettle: Paul says, you know, it's better to stay single if you can, that that's what his letter said.

    Um, and I just think you don't, you know, that's not right for everyone either. But he's like, if you. If you can manage to stay single and not just burn with lust and really struggle, then stay single. You can serve God more. And, and I, I certainly found that experience when I was single, that I had way more capacity than I do now.

    Running around after a husband and child as well. It's just different. One is definitely not [00:22:00] better and I than the other, and. Pros and cons, you know, strengths and weaknesses and everything. I think, yeah, I've certainly found that to be true as well. Yeah. But I wondered if you had any sort of advice or just kind of thoughts for what other people in church who perhaps are in families or are couples could do to be more mindful of single people and include them.

    Well, because I know you. You've had a fairly good experience and you have some good friends that do that well for you in our community, in our church. But like I know that's not always been the case and I've certainly had seasons where it's like, oh, well I don't wanna invite you because you know, it's couples to this dinner,

    Laura Nicholson: you know,

    Anna Kettle: and I don't wanna mess up the seating plan or something, you know?

    I mean, like the most ridiculous things, isn't it looking now, but I just, if. If there's like what other things practically that people can do to love single people well and include them [00:23:00] and, yeah.

    Laura Nicholson: Just treat them as a normal human

    being.

    Anna Kettle: Yeah.

    Laura Nicholson: Well, not some like alien species that can't relate to, you know, oh well, okay.

    If you've got a child, I couldn't possibly understand that, you know? Um, you've got all the commitments. Oh, really? Yeah. You know, I think just, just treat them as a normal human being. Like you treat anyone else. And you know, I think one of the worst things someone said to me once, it was a good few years ago now, uh, was, oh, you need to get together with someone so you can join our couples club.

    And I said, does that mean I'm not included? Then if I, if I'm not like with somebody? I was just absolutely horrified. I was

    Anna Kettle: like,

    Laura Nicholson: wow.

    Anna Kettle: And also does somebody, if somebody, you know, if somebody gets divorced, they send un

    Laura Nicholson: Exactly. And what about all the other status around, you know, it's, it's, oh my goodness, and I, I can laugh about it now, but I, I have definitely been three times where I'm like, ugh.

    No thank you. You can stay well over there. Mm-hmm. Um, you know, and, and even to day, sometimes people say things 'cause [00:24:00] they, they're not really thinking through and, you know, can be a little bit, a little bit, um, insensitive. Um. Not that I, I hope people don't feel like they're walking on eggshells around me.

    But, um, you know, because I think, I think there has to be understanding both ways, you know? Um, but I think when you are older, it's definitely that bit, you know, you do have to dig deep and, you know, just have to think, you know what old people, there's a lot of people in families with children, with responsibilities, and.

    Brilliant. I am cheering you on and I can, I will do what I can to support your family, how, however that is, however that looks. Um, but equally. Don't treat single people like outsiders, like they're, they're not worth as much. Mm-hmm. Um, or they've got like, you know, something wrong with them because of their status.

    I think it's that whole thing of, you know, and I, and I, it is mostly a church thing in my experience. I don't know. Yeah. You know, people may, experiences who, who are not in church as well, but, [00:25:00] um. Yeah, I think it, it, it, it's, um, something that has come out of, you could probably talk about this for ages, but years and years of teaching and, you know, two are better than one.

    And when one falls down, the other will, you know, which I believe

    Anna Kettle: was actually that verse was actually about friendship, not marriage, although it's often quoted at weddings, interestingly enough.

    Laura Nicholson: You're totally right. You're totally right. And I've seen that work out in, you know, in, in, in practice. And you know, as, as you know, I, I've, I'm so, so grateful for the community that, that we're in. 'cause it is just gorgeous and I know I am biased, but it is, um, you know, it's, it's a great, it's a real God.

    Group and, um, very, very grateful for that. But, you know, people aren't always in that phase, and I wasn't in that phase for a while. And it's lonely and I think it's just, yeah, for people. Just, just don't be afraid just to just befriend people. Just, just because of who they are, not because of their status, you know?

    Um, [00:26:00] so yeah. Love others if you'd want to be loved. Um, yeah.

    Anna Kettle: So, yeah. And I also think Laura, all of that is really true. And I also think though you are a really great example of someone who, in my eyes, um, and I'm not saying it's never hard for you, but like you are someone who's like, really does embody that attitude of like, just live your life now.

    Just live your best life, regardless of your relationship status. Mm-hmm. And I just think you're a great example of this. You know, you do all the things, you're super sociable, you have lots of hobbies and activities, and get fully involved in church and fully involved in work and, you know, all of the things.

    And I, I think that is something that Bay Single, um, married people can learn a lot from. Um, and people in the middle as well who are in relationships, but not married. Yeah. Um, I, I just kind of think it's, you know, you've got lots of energy and I guess I'm a bit like this as well, but, you know, you just throw yourself [00:27:00] full hearted into everything you do, and you're like, and I, and I love that kind of attitude.

    Like, you know, very much like grateful for what you've got. Seizes the moment. And, and I think you're doing that in lots of areas and um, yeah. And that, that's really encouraging to see, and actually one of those areas is like fostering and family as well, isn't it? Like, could you tell us a little bit more about that journey that you've been on as well

    Laura Nicholson: with pleasure?

    So, um, when I was approaching my late thirties, I'm thinking to myself, you know, I've always had a heart for. Kids that are on the edge of society. I mean, that goes way, way, way back to gap year in, you know, my late teens. And, um, but also thinking, Hmm, not married, probably not gonna have any birth children.

    Um, and. I would, I just really wanted to foster. I just like, now [00:28:00] is the time I have, you know, my, my business is in a place where it was pretty stable and I could free myself up to, um, invest time in some little people. So, went through the process, became a foster carer. I. Um, and had, uh, two wonderful little people live with me for a few months.

    Um, and it was, uh, it was hard. It was amazing. It was all, all the feels as I think any parent, however, your parenting, um. Go through. Um, and, uh, yeah, they most definitely expanded my heart and, and also showed me where I was up to as well. I think, uh, kids have that way of like reflecting back to you, like, yeah, they're definitely little mirrors.

    Yeah. Um, so yeah. And then, um, sort of long story short, um. I decided after that, uh, that placement came to an end that, uh, I wanted to adopt. And, uh, I am halfway through the [00:29:00] process of that at the moment. Very excited, terrified, all again, all the feels. Um, and, uh, you know, hopefully sometime in the year, uh, that will, that will.

    Uh, that little person will appear. Um, and so I'm just praying for them now. I'm, I'm, I'm, you know, just kind of preparing myself for that permanent thing, that permanent placement. Um, and uh, yeah, I'm sure there, there certain people, it's certainly in our church who, uh, will be like, Woohoo, someone else that's adopting.

    We have, we we're in a church where lots of, uh, families have adopted, which is. Awesome. And uh, yeah, so very much. Looking forward to that. And again, doing it as a solo person, a solo parent, um, will have different challenges to it. Um, but again, I think, you know, embracing the fact that it's, it's something that God loves is that God [00:30:00] places a lonely family and you know, he is very much, you know, you look after the widows and the orphans, and this is like, as a Christian something I feel quite strongly.

    About, um, and yes, you know, as a couple, I think you can, you can share the load. Of course you can, uh, but you can do it as a single person. I know other single adopters as well. And, um, I think if your heart is, is in it, you, you know, you can do it. So.

    Anna Kettle: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Your mentor, all of that. Mm-hmm. And I think, yeah, you know, there's so many single parents out there anyway, aren't there?

    Like why? Why not adopt if you are in your situation and you've got a heart for

    Laura Nicholson: mm-hmm.

    Anna Kettle: For children. Mm-hmm. And you want to do it and you've got the passion for it. I just, I love that. Again, you're just, you know, kind of. Taking the opportunity and not kind of waiting and saying, oh, I can't do it because I'm not married and I'm waiting.

    I'm waiting for that first. Like you're just kind of stepping out into God.

    Laura Nicholson: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. [00:31:00] Absolutely. Make the most of it all. Yeah. One life, you know? And I know I appreciate, it's not for everyone. I totally get that. But it is such a gift, I think. And I think, uh, you know, the, again, sort of spiritualizing, the whole thing, you know.

    We adopted, aren't we? We're sons and daughters of God and it's a totally spiritual thing to do. And, you know, uh, uh, yeah, as I say, fully recognize that it isn't for everyone. I think if, if you have a passion for something and you know you are in the right phase of life for it, go for it. You know, you have, you have your health, you've got your faculties, you've got, you know, the right, the right position.

    You've, you've got to go for it. Whatever it is, whatever it is, adoption, whether it's something totally different, you know, um, yeah, yeah,

    Anna Kettle: yeah. That's, that's, um, that's such good advice, I think. So sermon, I'm excited for you. Um, I wondered then, just as we're kind of finishing up, like if you've got kind of any last [00:32:00] thoughts like.

    If you were gonna leave us kind of with one piece of wisdom or maybe one thing that you've learned in your journey with God up to this point, like what would that be? I know it's really hard to put you on the spot and say,

    Laura Nicholson: yeah, one

    Anna Kettle: thing. 'cause I'm sure there's lots, but if there's one thing that kind of jumps out right now out of this conversation, what, what would that be?

    Laura Nicholson: Oh, so many things. I'm like, oh, what I choose. I think knowing, knowing your value in God, because that's the thing that will, will never change. So your feelings will come and go, but your value, where you put your trust, um, is I, I would say, crucial. And for anyone that isn't a Christian, you know, I would encourage you to explore faith, explore relationship with God because.

    It is the foundation for life when everything else is, you know, your highs and your lows and your ups and downs and all that. You know, he's faithful. God is faithful and, and out of that [00:33:00] comes your value because you know. That you are loved by a God who is constant and is faithful and is gracious and, um, yeah, I wouldn't, I wouldn't have it any other way.

    Um, so yeah, know your value.

    Anna Kettle: That is awesome. Um, yeah, know your value, I think, you know, that will preach. Let's, we could just leave it right there. Can we. Laura, thank you so much for joining us today and sharing some of your story with us. It's been so valuable. I think we've covered so many important topics and yeah, cheering you on.

    Thanks so much for your time today.

    Laura Nicholson: You are welcome. [00:34:00]

 

RECENT EPISODES

RECENT LIVESTREAMS

Matt Edmundson
Next

When Infertility Becomes a Doorway, Not a Dead End