This Wasn’t the Plan—It Was the Beginning | Mandy Woodward on Blended Family, Adoption & Redemption

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you expected? When the story you imagined falls apart—can God still bring something beautiful out of it? In this heartfelt episode of Table Talks, I sit down with my daughter-in-law, Mandy Woodward, to talk about the power of second chances and the unexpected ways God restores what feels broken. Years ago, Mandy was a young mom of three, walking through the pain of abandonment after her first husband left. She never imagined she’d remarry—let alone blend a family, walk through an adoption journey, and co-pastor a thriving church. But God had more in store. In this conversation, we talk about:

• Finding love again after heartbreak

• The realities of blending a family

• What it was like waiting for adoption to be finalized

• Parenting through transition and healing

• Leading in ministry with honesty and grace

• Why your past doesn’t disqualify you from purpose

Mandy’s story is real, redemptive, and full of hope. Whether you’re walking through your own hard season or supporting someone who is, this episode will remind you that God still works in the unexpected.