Episode 66 - April Guffey

Episode 66 - April Guffey

In honor of Oregon Adoption Day on August 25th, we are honored to share April's story. April Guffey entered foster care as an infant after being born to a mother struggling with substance abuse. Adopted at age two, she grew up in a home that welcomed foster children, where she learned compassion, empathy, and the power of unconditional love. In this moving episode, April shares her journey of faith, healing, and identity—from becoming a wife and mother of three daughters to meeting her biological father for the first time at age 28. She reflects on the love of her adoptive parents, the complexities of reunion, and why healing from the wounds of adoption matters for future generations. Today, April advocates for adoptive families and encourages others to approach adoption with compassion, understanding, and hope. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing begins when we're willing to feel our pain—and that faith can be an anchor through every chapter of the journey. Connect with April at mercyandhealing.com, [https://mercyandhealing.com/] Substack [https://substack.com/@mercyandhealing], instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mercy.and.healing/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@april.guffey], or email april.n.guffey@gmail.com  [april.n.guffey@gmail.com] Check out her book list here [https://amzn.to/3T88dSN]. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze [https://www.grazecraze.com/locations/mcminnville-or]! Thank you to our Premiere Sponsor R&R Therapy and Wellness [https://rrtherapyandwellnessllc.squarespace.com/]! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website [https://www.storynighthope.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storynighthope] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/story_night_hope/] Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation  [https://givebutter.com/story-night]so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

Episode 65 - Kristy Sturn

After her divorce, Kristy Sturn found herself as the single mother of two amazing daughters. She knew she wanted more children, but she never could have imagined the winding path that would grow her family. Kristy reflects on building a new life with her partner, Amy, celebrating the birth of their son, and facing the unthinkable after Amy's sudden death from a heart attack changed everything. As she navigated unimaginable grief while raising three children, Kristy discovered that healing doesn't mean forgetting—it means learning to carry love forward. Wanting to preserve Amy's Korean language and culture for their son, she welcomed a Korean exchange student into their home. What began as a temporary arrangement became something much greater, as she became a beloved and adopted member of their family. As Kristy's heart began to heal, love found her again. Along with a new chapter came a stepdaughter, and today Kristy is the proud mother of five: three biological children, one adopted daughter, and one stepdaughter. Kristy's story is a beautiful reminder that life's greatest chapters are rarely the ones we plan. Through divorce, loss, healing, and love, she discovered that family can grow in the most unexpected ways—and that even after heartbreak, there is still room for hope, joy, and new beginnings. Learn more about Hello Care here. [https://www.hellocareinyourhome.com/] Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze [https://www.grazecraze.com/locations/mcminnville-or]! Thank you to our Premiere Sponsor R&R Therapy and Wellness [https://rrtherapyandwellnessllc.squarespace.com/]! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website [https://www.storynighthope.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storynighthope] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/story_night_hope/] Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation  [https://givebutter.com/story-night]so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

Episode 64 - Leigha Hill - Part 2

On Henry's birthday, we are honored to share Part 2 of Leigha Hill's story. After the unimaginable loss of their six-month-old son, Henry, Leigha and her husband discovered what it looks like to be carried by a community through life's darkest moments. In this heartfelt conversation, Leigha shares how friends, family, and even strangers became the hands and feet of hope when they needed it most. Today, Henry's legacy continues to touch lives through Henry's Little Free Library, a place where books, kindness, and connection are shared with the community. Leigha also reflects on the joy of welcoming their daughter, Vivienne, whose vibrant spirit is a beautiful reminder that love and hope can exist alongside grief. Henry's story did not end with his passing. It lives on through the people who remember him, the community that rallied around his family, and the countless acts of kindness inspired by his life. To follow Henry's legacy, visit @henryslittlefreelibrary [https://www.instagram.com/henryslittlefreelibrary/] on Instagram. This episode is a beautiful reminder that even in our deepest sorrow, we are never meant to walk alone. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze [https://www.grazecraze.com/locations/mcminnville-or]! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website [https://www.storynighthope.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storynighthope] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/story_night_hope/] Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation  [https://givebutter.com/story-night]so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

Episode 63 - Heather Maytum - Part 1

Heather is a mom, a soldier, and a member of the Story Night Board of Directors. She shares the story of a childhood and adolescence marked by abuse and trauma. By the age of 18, she had dropped out of high school and found herself pregnant by her drug-dealer boyfriend, who had just been arrested. Determined to create a different future for her daughter, Heather got clean, left an abusive relationship, earned her GED, and joined the military. Her courage and perseverance transformed the trajectory of her life. Heather's warrior spirit shines throughout her story, reminding us that our past does not have to define our future—and that it's never too late to choose a new path. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze [https://www.grazecraze.com/locations/mcminnville-or]! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website [https://www.storynighthope.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storynighthope] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/story_night_hope/] Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation  [https://givebutter.com/story-night]so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

Episode 62 - Leigha Hill - Part 1

Leigha's story takes us from California, where she was raised, to Georgia, where she met her husband, and finally to Oregon, where they dreamed of building their family. If you ask Leigha, "How many children do you have?" she will always answer, "Two," even though today you would only get to meet one of them. Leigha's son, Henry, was a micropremie, born weighing just 14 ounces. As days in the NICU turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Henry became known as the "comeback kid," defying the odds time and again whenever it seemed his family might lose him. In Part One of Leigha's story, we're reminded to celebrate every small victory and to keep believing in miracles. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze [https://www.grazecraze.com/locations/mcminnville-or]! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website [https://www.storynighthope.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storynighthope] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/story_night_hope/] Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation  [https://givebutter.com/story-night]so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.