Grafted In: Leading Your Orphan Heart to the Spirit of Adoption

by Michelle Wuesthoff

Do you struggle with being able to feel the Father’s love for you? Are you tired of trying to shake that restless feeling and nagging loneliness you’ve been carrying all your life?

You don’t have to go it alone anymore.

You’ve been adopted.

In Grafted In, Michelle Wuesthoff is your guide to knowing how to lead your orphan heart to the Spirit of Adoption, step by step. In the midst of the ups and downs of parenting her adopted children, the Lord began to show her how she was functioning just like an orphan herself when it came to her relationship with him. And just like with her children, there was a process she could learn to bond with him, to love him, and to receive his love in return.

Michelle shows you how to rebuild the foundation of your identity the right way—on God’s reckless, lavish love and on his truth. Then, she outlines specific steps for you to follow to be able to receive and embrace your own adoption. Through personal stories from her experiences as an adoptive mother and short-term missionary to Uganda, she teaches you, encourages you, and walks with you on your own journey home to the Father.

214 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Emily P · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Grafted In" shares the story of how Christ chooses us for adoption into His family and expertly weaves it into both Michelle Wuesthoff's adoptive family's story, as well as her own personal relationship with Christ. Michelle shares the highs and lows of adoption (she has two children from Korea, two from Uganda, as well as her biological child), all the while weaving in stories of how God was faithful in the journey. She also challenges us on our own thoughts of belonging and what it really means to be loved, sought after and "grafted in" to a new life, filled with hope and a future.

There are also examples of how we adopt an orphan mindset, thinking we are not worth the love we've received from God or valuable enough to join His family, which are traits commonly seen by adopted children once they begin a journey into their new family structures.

Michelle uses beautiful word pictures of olive tree grafting, a theme from Scripture. I have never understood the specifics, but she explains it in a way that helps the reader understand the beauty of the process, even though for the wild olive to be grafted in with a cultivated one can be difficult, involving breaking the first tree in sections in order to wrap and graft it together with the other. I found it to be fascinating and a great way to illustrate the specific challenges related to adopting a child who may have had a broken past before they are welcome and 'grafted in' to a loving, stable family.

Michelle's vulnerability speaks volumes and this book is one I would love to host a book club on. The material is at once beautiful and difficult. The honesty that Michelle shares, both on her adoption journey for her children AND the acceptance of God's adoption of Michelle into His family is not to be missed. Emotional and raw in places, "Grafted In" is a story of finding hope, being brave enough to care and dealing with long held wounds or insecurities. I look forward to reading more from Michelle. She shares personal poetry and imagery that she has written throughout her life, which I thought was a fitting entry into each chapter. Well researched, descriptive and hauntingly beautiful, I feel fortunate to have had the chance to be an early reader.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Hearts and Sea Press. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle Wuesthoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, hey, it's me, the author, Michelle Wuesthoff, rating my own book.

Know why I'm bothering to do this? Because I believe in it.

Even more so, I believe in the power of God to speak to you through the pages of this book. Because "Grafted In" is not only my story. Your story will begin to emerge too, with your own precious details, as you move through the chapters. This book is an invitation into intimacy with him, with guided helps to facilitate the kind of relationship you've been longing for.

As I have written and re-written these chapters, and read and re-read the book, I am astounded to find that each time I do, the Father shares more with me about my place in his heart and in his family. He continues to speak through it, and how can I not give that a five star rating?

My prayer is that "Grafted In" will find its way into the hands of every person who needs to read it. And if that's you, please take that little leap of faith, that maybe (just maybe) the Father will speak to your orphan heart through this book, and call it home where he can love you back to life.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was adopted as an infant. My parents took the necessary actions to make me a part of their family. So you'd think I'd have a pretty good understanding of how God adopts us as His children when we choose to follow Him, how we are truly made part of His family, how He wants an actual relationship with us. Yeah, not so much. I spent a lot of years thinking *I* had it all together, *I* could do anything I set my mind to. And it got me into some difficulties. Michelle Wuesthoff's book, Grafted In, shares her experiences in coming to find herself, her identity, in Christ. It's not always an easy read - she's faced some challenges, too. But it is so worthwhile, because we need to be reminded of who we are and Whose we are.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions shared here are mine, and I don't say nice things about books I don't like.

[Remigious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being part of this book, It has completely changed my life and it made me fall in love with myself again, forgiving myself and those who hurt me . I dont get tired of it ... someone made this profound observation "some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested." Find a worthy book, chew and digest it by reading it analytically. "Grafted In:" is that book you should not miss to read.

[Donna Bieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the insight into life and why God adopts us into His family. Michelle drives the book through personal experiences with adoption of four of her children and then also relates the same process that we undergo when God adopts us into His family. Dealing with the feelings of being an outsider, undeserving, belonging, attachment and acceptance of who we now are because we gain family standing. I love this book and believe you will too!

[Bonnie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is life changing! If you feel lost or hopeless and in need of a father, this book will point you to the one who adopted us into His eternal family. We don't have to feel abandoned but we can know that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants a relationship with us. Such a great book of freedom and hope!

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the Publisher.

[Tim Worsham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and intimate look at finding your true identity and self worth in God. The theme of embracing your adoption by God over being ruled by an orphan heart is pervasive and supported throughout with quotes from scripture. Well worth the read.

[Sarah Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well rooted in the Word of God. The author shares her personal and vulnerable process to living with a grafted in Heart that is founded in her identity in Christ. She shares thinking, a process with step by step concepts to help the reader move from an orphaned heart view to a grated in, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Her process, approach, prophetic messages seemed strange at first, but as I read and gained the bigger picture, she shared a way to take the lies in our heads, hearts, and actions because we are looking to self and not fully trusting God that was broken into baby steps. She’s honest and says the process is simple, but painfully annoying, and aspects can take years to fully embrace and live out. But the Spirit helps, and the Father seeks and loves us through it all.

I made many notes, trying to see where I have room to grow, and what to focus on. This book will appeal to someone who can embrace a counseling or therapy approach embedded with Gods Word and standards.

[Stormy Rothkamm-Hambrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother of 5 children, 3 biological and 2 adopted, Grafted In really spoke to me.
Michelle Weusthoff shares her experience as the parent of 5 (4 of hers are adopted) into the Christians experience of being rescued by God from our own orphaned state. The book is well written, full of encouragement and plain spoken scripture on how live life fully as a child of God. We are orphans no more. Thank you Michelle for this lovely book.

[Amanda Osenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has a huge heart for adoption, and who has been through a rough patch in my faith lately, this book came into my life at the perfect time.

I absolutely loved how Michelle used the story of her adoption to help readers understand OUR adoption in Christ. The book encouraged me, uplifted me, and helped me to truly feel the love of our Father for us. I greatly appreciated the honesty and vulnerability in this book, as well as the encouragement and reminder that God is a loving Father who is perfect for us and does not leave or forsake us.

I found this book to be a breath of fresh air for my weary soul.

I was thankful for the chance to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of this excellent book to share my honest opinions with you.

[Carolyn Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book beautifully describes the state of an orphan heart, both for those who are adopted and in a spiritual sense. There are some great spiritual truths throughout the book. While some of the book seems written for an audience of people who have a fair background in Christianity, some of the explanations seem more suitable for someone who has never read the Bible or been to church. This makes parts of the book drag. Overall, though, the message is good and thought-provoking. I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher.

[Stacy Propfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book by a gifted author, who tells a her compelling story, with vulnerability and practical application for people who are struggling with feeling the Father’s love.

[Anthony Cappoferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly Impactful and Life Changing

An absolutely amazing book that I was so blessed and encouraged to read. The paths to biological adoption and spiritual adoption are so profoundly intertwined that whether you are in the process of adopting, being adopted by God, or have been adopted yourself (pretty much all of us fit into one of these categories), you will be so richly blessed, encouraged, and uplifted by this beautifully raw, masterfully written revelation of what it truly means to be “Grafted In.” An incredible work that I cannot recommend highly enough whether you are growing in your relationship with God or involved in adoption in any way. It made for a phenomenal devotional for me and I can’t wait to get more copies for friends and family. Thank you for baring your soul and taking us on such a profoundly enriching journey, Michelle!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Michelle Wuesthoff’s Grafted In has a really good way of seeping into your heart and soul; leaving your soul resting in The Father’s Love. In particular, her book speaks relevance to the reader since Michelle has gone through all the stages of pain, healing, and renewed strength which are detailed in her book. Michelle illuminates the Love of the Father in ‘strength infused in abounding gentleness’; in ways I have not encountered through the reading of other books on this subject. May your soul find The Father’s Love, in ways that have yet to be encountered, through the reading of this well-written book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grafted In is well written and rooted in scripture. It was a challenging book to read. Subject matter hit close to home and pushed me in areas I had not wanted to explore before. I love the authors willingness to expose her vulnerability and share her journey. One of my favorite passages is “how much God gives and whom He lives are not based on merit, our bloodline, our position, or at what point we became part of the family. He simply lives us because He chooses to.”

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle has written an enjoyable, wonderful, and important book. She masterfully illustrates through her own experience as an adoptive mother what it is to be adopted into God's family. Through her transparent storytelling, she brings in truth in the parallels that she has faced not only with her own children, but also and how she relates to God. It's amazing how personal and specific that God can be with us as he's trying to teach us life lessons. This book provides an opportunity to gain insight into these truths. I definitely recommend this book. I was given an advance copy to preview.

[Terry Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know many people who haven’t felt a little like an orphan from time to time. In her new book Grafted In, Michelle Weusthoff weaves her experience as the parent of 5 (4 adopted) children into the Christians experience of being rescued by our Father God from our own orphaned state. The book is well written, full of scripture and practical encouragement on how to experience the full joy of being welcomed in as a child of God.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wuesthoff draws a parallel between her own experiences as an adopted mother and how we have been adopted in to God’s family. There is a basic need we all have to feel like we belong. We sometimes feel that orphan thought maybe we aren’t “good” enough to be adopted into God’s family. But Wuesthoff does a wonderful job of showing us how to overcome those feelings and accept how we are truly “grafted in” to God’s family.

I received an ARC of this book.

[Dianna Sandora Sandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing blessing

I had never heard of an “orphan spirit” until last week although I knew I felt like one. I have finished reading this book, but now I will go back and do the exercises so I can evict this spirit and take another step to healing. I am so thankful for the author’s honesty and willingness to share her journey. I am thankful that God directed me to this book because it confirmed so much and I am certain I have another piece to my healing.

[Lisa P Clement · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many struggle with feeling left out. We all need to learn more about the unconditional love God has for us. We are adopted into his family and it is time we understand what that really means for our lives.
If you struggle at all with feeling alone or lost or less than I highly recommend you read this book. Oh how he loves us so!!!
I will be ordering a few copies to share.
I was given and advanced copy by the publisher. This is my honest opinion.

[Cat Haist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought of myself as an orphan. But in little ways, we all are. We all need to learn to receive God’s love for ourselves and learn how to live and love from that place instead of any number of other things.

Grafted In taught me how to walk more intimately with my heavenly Papa. It helped me see places where I need more of Him and less of my old ways of thinking. Having grown up in the church, but not always knowing how personal my relationship with Christ could be, this book was a great refresher and true nourishment for my soul.

Whether you know Jesus or not, if you’re brand new to Christianity or have been around the block a few times, this book is for you. Be ready to breathe deeply and experience more of God’s heart for you.

[Lori Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you struggle with being able to feel the Fathers love?? Are you lonely? This book is a good one to help you learn and teach yourself what the Spirit of Adoption means. Step by step this book will help you learn how to apply this in your life. Don’t live life like an orphan and not grasp a real relationship with God.

[Shelley Sisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grafted In by Michelle Wuesthoff
I never felt like an orphan until both of my parents were gone. I was in my 40s. God quickened my heart to realize I’m not alone. Michelle was adopted, and she shares her story in how we are all “Grafted In” into our Father’s family. This is encouraging and uplifting, and a must read. I was provided an ARC.