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OVERCOMING THE STRUGGLES OF ADOPTED TEENS

Join us for an exclusive weekend retreat designed for parents of struggling adopted teens, hosted by Parenting Today’s Teens at Heartlight in Longview, Texas. This intimate event, limited to 25 couples, offers a focused opportunity to transform your family dynamic, deepen relationships, and chart a new path for your family’s future.

JANUARY 31ST - FEBURARY 2ND, 2025

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Special Speakers

Chelsea Cameron

Wife of Kirk Cameron, who is adopted and once had a house of 6 teens, some adopted, some biological, and bi-racial.

Mark Gregston

Founder of Heartlight and Host of the Parenting Today’s Teens Radio Program and Podcast

Steven Curtis Chapman

Special guest for Q&A session & Friday night concert

An Invitation From Mark Gregston

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Over the last 36 years, almost 35% of the 3,300 struggling teens that have lived with us at Heartlight have been adopted. Our hope for this weekend event is to take the wisdom we’ve learned from these kids and parents, and share it with you to help you through your sometimes difficult times with your adopted teen.

This is an exclusive weekend for just 50 people and packed with opportunities to learn more about handling your struggling teen and developing a healthier family with styles and techniques that are biblical in nature, relational in approach, and practical in methodology.

You’ll get to listen to biblical wisdom that is relationship oriented and proven effective with those adopted teens that have lived with us.  You’ll learn some new skills, meet others that are struggling perhaps like you are, and get to have a great time in the process.  Why, you’ll even come to my home for a great Texas steak dinner!  And have an opportunity to spend time with Steven Curtis Chapman and listen to him perform in the Heartlight Conference Center.

We’ve brought together a weekend that you’ll find refreshing and invigorating as you put some new tools in your parenting toolbox. You’ll be with other parents dealing with the same issues, all desiring to set a new course for their family.

Join us for this weekend that will be magnificent, measurable, and memorable.  This weekend can change the destiny of your family.  It can change your approach so that you have the relationship with your teen that you’ve always hoped for.  You won’t be disappointed.

Registration

When

Friday – Sunday
January 31 – February 2

Where

Located at the beautiful Heartlight campus in Longview, Texas.

Cost

$850/couple
$400/single parent

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Weekend Schedule

Friday, January 31

8:30 – Breakfast
9:30 – Welcome
10:00 – Session #1
11:00 – Session #2
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Session #3
2:15 – Small Group Discussion
3:30 – Break
4:00 – Q&A with Steven Curtis Chapman
5:00 – Silver Oak Wine & Cheese Pre-Concert Reception
6:00 – Pereni Ranch Dinner
7:00 – Concert with Steven Curtis Chapman
8:30 – Conclude for the Evening

Saturday, February 1

8:30 – Breakfast
9:30 – Session #5
10:30 – Session #6
11:30 – Q&A Opportunity with Mark & Chelsea
12:30 – Lunch
1:00 – Session #7
2:00- Small Group Discussion
3:00 – Session #8
4:30 – Cheese & Hors D’ouevres On Joey’s Porch at VC
5:30 – Break
6:30 – Dinner @ Mark & Jan Gregston’s
8:30 – Conclude for the Evening

Sunday, February 2

8:30 – Breakfast
9:30 – Session #9 + Q&A Opportunity
10:45 – Session #10 & Conclusion

Core Session Topics

  • Understanding the Root of an Adopted Teen's Mindset & Past Trauma
  • Determining the True Needs of the Struggling Adopted Tee
  • Identifying the Challenges for Parents of Adopted Teens
  • Overcoming A Parent's Feelings of Frustrations
  • Practical Ways of Handing Difficulties & Struggles When You're at the End of Your Rope
  • The Seasons of Adoption
  • What Works and What Doesn't Work
  • Putting into Practice Some New Concepts that Further Relationships
  • The Prognosis of the Days Ahead
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Group Discussion Leaders & Heartlight Staff

Leading the small group discussions will be experienced Heartlight staff who oversee the program and experience daily the challenges of adopted teens with a purpose to help families resolve the presenting challenges.

Layne Smith, LPC

Heartlight Director of Counseling

Courtney LaFleur, LPC

Counselor & Co-Host of Parenting Today’s Teens

Blake Nelson, LCCA

Executive Director of Heartlight

Travel Information

American Eagle is the only carrier that services Longview Airport (GGG). If you wish to fly into a larger airport serviced by most airlines, Shreveport, Louisiana (SHV) is located 40 miles east, Tyler, TX (TYR) airport is 40 miles west, or Dallas, Texas (DFW or DAL) is a 2-hour drive west of the Heartlight campus.

In order to receive negotiated room rates for our event, be sure to use the phone numbers listed, and ask for the Heartlight rate when reserving your room. The hotels highlighted on the map are in close proximity.

HomeTown Inn & Suites

Hilton Garden Inn

Hampton Inn & Suites

Homewood Suites

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If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call.