October is Adoption Awareness Month! Today I'm happy to have as my guest Mary Ostyn, author of Forever Mom: What to Expect When You're Adopting. 

Why did you write Forever Mom and what do you hope itaccomplishes?

 My greatest hope isthat this book will equip and encourage adoptive moms. Too often people think thatonce a child has a family, all his hurt goes away.  For many children it just isn't that simple.

Why is this bookimportant and relevant?

Many Christian families have heard God's call tocare for orphans, but want to educate themselves before leaping in.  Others have already taken that leap, and wantto parent in the best, wisest way possible. I wrote this book to equip mothers for this amazing adventure.

How is Forever Mom different from other bookson adoption?

Some adoption books  focus the how-to-adoptaspect. Others cover adjustment issuesfrom a clinical perspective. As a mom ofmany children adopted at different ages, my perspective is very much in thetrenches: realistic, compassionate, and encouraging. I also tried to make it clear that I'm farfrom perfect. In the book I share mymistakes right along with my successes.

Who do you think willbenefit most from Forever Mom, and why? 

The mom I held closest to my heart as I was writing was onewho went into this great adventure with a ton of hope, but is now feeling tiredand a little worn around the edges. She's wondering if she has what it takes to parent this precious child,who may be more wounded than she expected. She sometimes feels alone on this journey.  I pray this book will embrace her, equip her,and encourage her to move forward with hope, always remembering that the realsource of hope and healing is Jesus.

This book hits the market on November 4. So take advantage of preorder freebies and giveaways available at  ForeverMomBook.com.

Mary Ostyn is theauthor of ForeverMom: What to Expect When You’re Adopting. She encourages moms throughher books, speaking engagements, and her blog at www.owlhaven.net. She lives with her husband and highschool sweetheart in Nampa, Idaho, where she homeschools the youngest five ofher ten children, including four daughters born in Ethiopia and two sons bornin South Korea.