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Still Being Molly

#424 – Healing From the Pain of Your Past with Tori Hope Peterson

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  • #424 – Healing From the Pain of Your Past with Tori Hope Peterson
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This week, I’m joined by the incredible Tori Hope Petersen. She is an author, speaker, Bible teacher and fierce advocate for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children. Raised in and out of the foster care system herself, she has dedicated her life to sharing her testimony and offering hope to others. Tori is also a wife, mom, and lover of people, with a deep appreciation for cooking, family, community, and hospitality.


Tori has so many incredible insights to share about healing from the past, breaking destructive patterns, and finding lasting hope. Plus, we talk about her upcoming book, Breaking the Patterns That Break You, which is set to release on February 4th, 2025.

I was so moved and inspired by this conversation and I’m so excited to share it with you!

5:36 – Tori 101

  • Growing up in and out of the foster care system
  • Working in foster care advocacy
  • Releasing her first book, Fostered
  • Second book release in February

8:57 – Resilience and Hope

  • The healing Tori experienced through her track career
  • The power of having supportive figures in your life
  • The lasting impact of words and emotional abuse

15:05 – Finding Lasting Healing

  • Having deep self-compassion
  • Recognizing and addressing harmful patterns
  • Having trusting people around you to provide feedback

26:24 – Inviting Jesus Into The Healing Process

  • The misconception that Jesus is a band-aid solution
  • Jesus is a true healer who repairs and rebuilds
  • Putting in the foundational work and continuing ongoing maintenance

40:39 – Encouragement For The Healers And Hurting

  • Avoiding quick fixes
  • Being a good listener and question asker
  • Your life has purpose
  • Continuing to fight to find people who truly love you

FEATURED QUOTES

” That’s healing- to accept sometimes the sad version of ourselves and not to try and change her.”

“We think that Jesus is coming in and just slapping a band aid on it, but really that that’s sometimes what his people do. That’s not who Jesus is…I think we just need to change our perspective and understand that like God is coming in and he wants to truly repair the home.”

“More than people need advice. People need someone to sit with them, walk with them. Listen to them.”

“Your life has purpose… There’s a beautiful plan for your life. God loves you and for you to stay here very well may be the thing that someone else needs.”

Learn more about Tori:

https://www.torihopepetersen.com

Pre-order your copy of Breaking The Patterns

Get your copy of Tori’s book, Fostered

I Love You Already Podcast

Tori on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen/?hl=en

Tori on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@iloveyoualready

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Can’t stop won’t stop.

#galileejoy #newbornlife #babyhumor

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Can’t stop won’t stop. 

#galileejoy #newbornlife #babyhumor

Just got our maternity pictures back and I love them so much. And so thankful we got them taken in the nick of time. Grateful doesn’t cut it. 📸 @stellaandbirdiephotography //

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Just got our maternity pictures back and I love them so much. And so thankful we got them taken in the nick of time. Grateful doesn’t cut it. 📸 @stellaandbirdiephotography //

Extra extra thankful this year. Happy Thanksgiving from the fab-5 Stillman crew. 🦃🍁🍽🧡

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Extra extra thankful this year. Happy Thanksgiving from the fab-5 Stillman crew. 🦃🍁🍽🧡

Two weeks with this punkin’ and I’m wondering if there’s some sort of serum we could give her to keep her this precious and tiny forever. Also, this is a Galilee fan account now. #galileejoy

(sweater from her seminary auntie @13buttercreamstreet)

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Two weeks with this punkin’ and I’m wondering if there’s some sort of serum we could give her to keep her this precious and tiny forever. Also, this is a Galilee fan account now. #galileejoy 

(sweater from her seminary auntie @13buttercreamstreet)

On #worldprematurityday, our preemie, Galilee Joy, would like to say: “Already this household is bending to my every will! Muahahahahaha.”

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On #worldprematurityday, our preemie, Galilee Joy, would like to say: “Already this household is bending to my every will! Muahahahahaha.”

World, meet the miracle we never knew we’d witness… our daughter, the best surprise of our lives: Galilee Joy Stillman.

I’ve wrestled with how I’d even begin to write a post like this, but at this point, this is my imperfect attempt. For those that have followed along, in 2018, we lost our sons Elijah and Malachi in back-to-back second trimester losses. After that, we essentially were told we couldn’t have more children and so we’d grieved, but accepted the reality, and trusted God in it all.

Fast forward to April of 2025, and I find myself with the surprise of a lifetime - a positive pregnancy test. We chose to keep the news close to ourselves and just our close friends and family… this pregnancy was not without its complications (pregnant at 40 is NO JOKE 🥴), but God’s hand was in every detail. Also, hiding this from the internet was a challenge! 😂

This past Monday, I went in for a routine OB checkup at 35 weeks and, long story long, ended up in the hospital, diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and sent into an emergency c-section. Our miracle was born at 5:25pm and the sound of her cry filled the room with JOY. We didn’t find out her gender until birth so hearing “it’s a girl!” was such sweet news!

This week has not been without its challenges for us both and we’re not out of the hospital yet, but we’re thankful that God’s been protecting us all along. I’m at a loss for words at how the people in our lives have showed up for us this week and beyond. There aren’t enough thank yous to adequately express our gratitude.

I’ll share her full birth story at some point because it’s a doozy.

For those who pray, we will gladly accept any you would like to send our way.

For now, enjoy a few pics of our Galilee Joy. 💕 #galileejoy

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World, meet the miracle we never knew we’d witness… our daughter, the best surprise of our lives: Galilee Joy Stillman. 

I’ve wrestled with how I’d even begin to write a post like this, but at this point, this is my imperfect attempt. For those that have followed along, in 2018, we lost our sons Elijah and Malachi in back-to-back second trimester losses. After that, we essentially were told we couldn’t have more children and so we’d grieved, but accepted the reality, and trusted God in it all. 

Fast forward to April of 2025, and I find myself with the surprise of a lifetime - a positive pregnancy test. We chose to keep the news close to ourselves and just our close friends and family… this pregnancy was not without its complications (pregnant at 40 is NO JOKE 🥴), but God’s hand was in every detail. Also, hiding this from the internet was a challenge! 😂

This past Monday, I went in for a routine OB checkup at 35 weeks and, long story long, ended up in the hospital, diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and sent into an emergency c-section. Our miracle was born at 5:25pm and the sound of her cry filled the room with JOY. We didn’t find out her gender until birth so hearing “it’s a girl!” was such sweet news!

This week has not been without its challenges for us both and we’re not out of the hospital yet, but we’re thankful that God’s been protecting us all along. I’m at a loss for words at how the people in our lives have showed up for us this week and beyond. There aren’t enough thank yous to adequately express our gratitude. 

I’ll share her full birth story at some point because it’s a doozy. 

For those who pray, we will gladly accept any you would like to send our way. 

For now, enjoy a few pics of our Galilee Joy. 💕  #galileejoy

Six years ago I felt God calling me to go to Seminary. I ignored that call, coming up with excuse after excuse as to why I shouldn’t or why I *couldn’t* do it. Then in 2024, God swung the door to attend @denverseminary wide open to join the Women’s Leadership Cohort and practically shoved me through.

I’m finishing my first full year and just completed my first residency week on campus studying the Epistles and Revelation. I didn’t know what to expect walking into this week, but any expectation I COULD have had was completely blown away.

To study under the brilliant Dr. Joey Dodson (@jrrdodson) and guests like @preston.sprinkle, @madisonpiercephd, @studies_in_revelation, and more was incredible. To learn alongside some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met was a gift.

I’m leaving with even more questions than I arrived with, but also more assurance that I am PRECISELY where I am supposed to be. I can’t help but smile thinking about the Apostle Paul learning that in 2025 a group of WOMEN are studying the Word of God and how much that would delight him. I pray I steward this responsibility well. #womeninseminary #densem #denverseminary #seminary #densemwlc #womensleadershipcohort

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Six years ago I felt God calling me to go to Seminary. I ignored that call, coming up with excuse after excuse as to why I shouldn’t or why I *couldn’t* do it. Then in 2024, God swung the door to attend @denverseminary wide open to join the Women’s Leadership Cohort and practically shoved me through. 

I’m finishing my first full year and just completed my first residency week on campus studying the Epistles and Revelation. I didn’t know what to expect walking into this week, but any expectation I COULD have had was completely blown away. 

To study under the brilliant Dr. Joey Dodson (@jrrdodson) and guests like @preston.sprinkle, @madisonpiercephd, @studies_in_revelation, and more was incredible. To learn alongside some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met was a gift. 

I’m leaving with even more questions than I arrived with, but also more assurance that I am PRECISELY where I am supposed to be. I can’t help but smile thinking about the Apostle Paul learning that in 2025 a group of WOMEN are studying the Word of God and how much that would delight him. I pray I steward this responsibility well. #womeninseminary #densem #denverseminary #seminary #densemwlc #womensleadershipcohort

“Let the strength of your passion match the depth of your study.”
-Preston Sprinkle

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“Let the strength of your passion match the depth of your study.”
-Preston Sprinkle

Two days in to my seminary residency week at @denverseminary and I feel like I’ve aged 1,000 years in oddly the best way.

What a gift, what a joy, what a PRIVILEGE to study God’s word under some of the greatest scholars of our day alongside the most brilliant group of women.

We are being stretched, challenged, affirmed, convicted, and shaped. Nary a one of us will leave this place the same.

But isn’t that the goal? To encounter Christ and walk away different every single time.

To God be the glory. #denverseminary #womeninseminary #womensleadershipcohort #densemwlc

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Two days in to my seminary residency week at @denverseminary and I feel like I’ve aged 1,000 years in oddly the best way. 

What a gift, what a joy, what a PRIVILEGE to study God’s word under some of the greatest scholars of our day alongside the most brilliant group of women. 

We are being stretched, challenged, affirmed, convicted, and shaped. Nary a one of us will leave this place the same. 

But isn’t that the goal? To encounter Christ and walk away different every single time. 

To God be the glory. #denverseminary #womeninseminary #womensleadershipcohort #densemwlc

Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

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Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies
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  • Home
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