The Oak Life Journal
Nov | Dec 2021

Dear Reader,
There’s a saying we use to encourage caregivers in our training sessions, “Let the kids borrow your brain and your body.” We say this because children of trauma often have a difficult time processing information and assessing their bodily needs. They need help! Parenting children in an orphanage or foster home means daily sacrificing our own mental and physical energy.
And, of course, we do this willingly because we love our children from hard places.
But sometimes, you just need your brain and body back, for goodness sakes!

So, this edition is dedicated to all of the exhausted caregivers and the (secretly) overwhelmed directors out there.
The article on Enneagram personality types in orphan care is a brief, fun focus on our brains. What are our strengths and weaknesses? How did God make each of us perfectly for this job?
Ann Houck’s article is a helpful reminder to care for your body. Here at Oak Life, we have the privilege of working in-person with Ann, and can attest to her powerful encouragement to everyone, that they take care of themselves effectively.
But before you throw your feet up, relax, and dive into this edition, here’s some motivation and a laugh—you are absolutely incredible. We support you! And…

Last one, I promise!


Cameron Talbot
Founder of Oak Life, he has been working alongside children's homes since 2015. His passion is to learn and share the tools to help heal children of abandonment. Sustainable alternative-care. Proud husband and father.

Cameron Talbot
Founder of Oak Life, he has been working alongside children's homes since 2015. His passion is to learn and share the tools to help heal children of abandonment. Sustainable alternative-care. Proud husband and father.
