While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

"Through all of this chaos, you are writing a symphony" ... these song lyrics from Switch are an apt description of Linda Brown's life.  In last week’s episode,  Linda shared about the abuse she endured as a child, some of the poor life choices that led to, the loss of her adult daughter Jessica two years ago, and how God has taken the chaos in her life and is writing a symphony with it. Today we extend our conversation to cover a wide range of very practical issues faced by bereaved parents.  I believe you'll be encouraged by what she has to share and I hope you'll listen in!Click HERE to listen to "Symphony" by Switch.   Click HERE to find the "While We're Waiting - Christian Grief and Hope" playlist, curated by Scott Harmening.  Click HERE to connect with Linda Brown on Facebook.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Sometimes "Jesus, Help Me!" is the deepest cry of your heart.  That's where Linda Brown found herself after the sudden loss of her adult daughter Jessica a little over two years ago.  Linda has dealt with some very difficult circumstances in her life, beginning with sexual abuse as a child, a series of failed marriages as a result of that, and then the tragic death of Jessica.  But hers is also a story of redemption, and I believe you'll be blessed and encouraged as you hear how Jesus flung open the door of her dungeon and let in the sunlight.  Then be sure to come back next week as we extend our conversation to include issues we face every day as bereaved parents.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

"We may not always be on the same page, but we are on the same team ... We are on Team Fowler."   These wise words from Lou-Ann Fowler are a great description of how we can face the grief of child loss as husbands and wives.  We discuss the marriage relationship in today's episode, along with the “things people say”, dealing with the holidays and other special days, the “before” and “after” of child loss, and, as always, we close with the titles of some favorite songs from the Fowler's playlist.   I believe you'll be blessed by listening in!  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Chuck and Lou-Ann Fowler describe their son Aaron as "unflappable, methodical, and competent" and someone who loved a challenge ... exactly the character traits needed to work in explosive ordnance disposal with the Navy!  Aaron was also a young man of strong faith, which became sight when he died in a training accident on Easter Sunday in 2022. They join me today to share the story of his remarkable life. The Fowlers reference their friends Don and Patsy Akin, who have lost all three of their sons.  I interviewed them in Episode #42 of this podcast on April 28, 2021 and you can listen to that episode at the following link:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1230350/8415488I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Fifteen years ago I faced my first Mother's Day just three months after my 17-year-old daughter Hannah went to Heaven  ... and I honestly did not know if I would survive it.   Over the years, this holiday has softened quite a bit, and I'm so grateful for that.  In today's episode, I share ten thoughts that I hope will encourage another hurting mom facing this incredibly difficult day.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Katie Thornhill and I continue the conversation we began last week about the aftermath of her son Marcus's diagnosis with DIPG brain cancer and his homegoing just shy of his eighth birthday.  We address issues related to lack of control, surrender, finding peace, and the importance of vulnerability in our journeys.  Katie also shares about her own podcast and how we can truly be "anchored in always."  Our discussion is uplifting and encouraging, and I believe you'll be blessed by listening in!   Click HERE to visit Katie's website, where you can find a link to the "Anchored in Always" podcast and her Christian Life Coaching information.Click HERE to connect with the Marcus Strong Foundation on Facebook. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Katie Thornhill is a bereaved mom, fellow podcaster, and professional Christian Life coach, and she joins me today to share the story of her son Marcus, a rowdy and resilient boy who once described himself as “the luckiest kid in the world”.   In 2018, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and fought as a fierce warrior for almost two years before he went to Heaven.  I believe you'll be encouraged by our conversation today! Click HERE to visit Katie's website, where you can find a link to her podcast and her Christian Life Coaching information.Click HERE to connect with the Marcus Strong Foundation on Facebook.  Click HERE to see the "It's Gonna Be A Fun Day" book on Amazon.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Author, speaker, and grief coach Shirley Thiessen joins me on the podcast again today.   If you missed last week’s episode, you’ll want to click HERE to hear the story of her 23-year-old son Jordan, who was killed in a workplace accident in 2012.  Today we extend our conversation to talk about how, after the loss of a child, we can find ourselves completely frozen in grief and unable to move forward.  We also discuss how God can use us to become Hope Heroes to others who are grieving and how that can help bring about healing in our own lives.  Finally, we’ll address the question many grieving parents find themselves asking … “Am I Gonna Make it?”     Click HERE to purchase Shirley's book, "The Little Black Funeral Dress".Click HERE to visit Shirley's grief-coaching website. Click HERE to visit the website of CornerBend Ministries.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Jordan Thiessen was a disciplined, introverted young man who enjoyed reading his Bible, the encyclopedia, and National Geographic every evening.  He also kept a prayer journal  where he recorded some of his deepest conversations with the Lord.  On October 6, 2012, he married the love of his life, and less than two weeks later, he was killed in a workplace accident.  His mom, Shirley, joins me today to share his story, and to talk about the the crisis of faith she experienced after he left for Heaven.  We’ll spend some time going through the “Five Things I Wish I Had Known About Grief” from her book "The Little Black Funeral Dress".    I believe you will be blessed and encouraged by our conversation ... and I hope you'll come back next week to hear the second half!Click HERE to purchase Shirley's book, "The Little Black Funeral Dress".Click HERE to visit Shirley's grief-coaching website.  Click HERE to visit the website of CornerBend Ministries.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org 

Easter, like all holidays, can be a painful time after the loss of a child.  Memories of carefully-posed Easter photos,  colorful baskets overflowing with candy-filled eggs, and worship services shared as a family, can make the "missing" seem even more intense.  Today I share some reflections from the blog of Karen Harmening, the mother of Sarah, who died in a church bus accident just a few weeks after Easter in 2017.  I hope these thoughts are an encouragement to you today.  Click HERE to read more from Karen's blog, Listening To Him.  Click HERE to listen to my interview with Scott and Karen Harmening, recorded in September of 2020.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org