While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

"Wherever you are, be all there."   This was the motto of Kim's son Timothy, and he truly lived it out ... traveling to countries all over the world, parachuting, scuba diving, and flying his airplane.  All these things could have combined to make his mom nervous, but she rested in the knowledge that Timothy was indestructible until his purpose was finished.  When she got the news that his plane had gone down in a rural area of Arkansas in April of 2021, she fully believed he would walk away.  When the news came that there were no survivors, she and her family were launched on a journey of grief.  One year later, a second blow came with the sudden passing of her husband by suicide.  In today's episode, she shares how God is carrying her sorrow and anger for her, enabling her to continue walking in His peace.  Click HERE for Kim's book:  Desperate Trust - Clinging to God When Your World Falls Apart.  This book shares the stories of her babies in Heaven. Click HERE to visit Kim's website:  A Life Well Lived - Timothy Christian AllisonThis website shares the story of her 28-year-old son Timothy, who went to Heaven in 2021.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 

My friend Kim Allison is the mother of nine children ... five "on the ground", as she likes to say, and four in Heaven.  She joins me on the podcast today to share the stories of her three babies, Benjamin, Jeremiah, and Jordan.  We discuss the struggles she experienced as she endured these multiple losses, including guilt, bargaining, anger, and the desperate trust in God that developed as she laid up these treasures in Heaven, one after another.   Be sure to come back next week as Kim will be sharing the story of her 28-year-old son Timothy, who went to Heaven in 2021 as a result of a plane crash.  I believe you will be so encouraged by what she has to share.   Click HERE for Kim's book:  Desperate Trust - Clinging to God When Your World Falls Apart.  This book shares the stories of her babies in Heaven.  Click HERE for Kim's website:  A Life Well Lived - Timothy Christian AllisonThis website shares the story of her 28-year-old son Timothy, who went to Heaven in 2021.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 

Becky Carpenter joins me again today for a rich discussion of issues faced by bereaved parents, including parenting surviving children, navigating grief as husband and wife, dealing with the dreaded "things people say", and how to face the holidays, as well as our children's birthdays and Heaven Days.  She also shares how God called her to start One Day Closer ministries and how He is using it to bring a message of hope to people around the world.  Settle in for some very practical words of wisdom ... You may even want to take notes!   Connect with Becky:Click HERE for her Becky's personal websiteClick HERE for the One Day Closer Ministries websiteClick HERE for the One Day Closer Ministries Facebook pageClick HERE to connect with Becky on InstagramClick HERE to connect with Becky on TwitterI 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 

My friend Becky Carpenter likes to introduce herself as a "dysfunctional servant for Jesus".   She joins me on the podcast today to share how the sudden loss of her 15-year-old daughter Skylar jarred her from a place of complacency in her faith to a Christian who seeks God's face.  She describes how He met her at the scene of Skylar's accident and assured her of His presence, and how He has carried her since that terrible day.  Becky is the founder and president of One Day Closer Ministries, a nonprofit organization committed to sharing the powerful message of love, truth, grace, and hope found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I believe you'll be encouraged by our conversation today!  Connect with Becky:Click HERE for her personal websiteClick HERE for the One Day Closer Ministries websiteClick HERE for the One Day Closer Ministries Facebook pageClick HERE to connect with Becky on InstagramClick HERE to connect with Becky on TwitterI 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 

Steve and Heather Colvin are my guests again today as we continue our discussion of infant loss and its impacts on a family.  When their daughter AnnaJoy was born at 27 weeks gestation and went to Heaven one short week later, they found themselves on a journey they never would have chosen.  Today they share some thoughts for other moms and dads who have recently experienced infant or womb loss, including a discussion of the immense value of every life, no matter how brief.   They also discuss AJ's Place, a nonprofit ministry they've founded that seeks to come alongside infant-loss parents in some very unique and meaningful ways .  Connect with AJ's Place - A Foundation of HopeWebsite:   https://ajsplace.org/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ajsplaceafoundationofhope/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ajsplaceafoundationofhopeEmail:  hello@ajsplace.orgI 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 

October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, and I’m joined on the podcast today by my new friends Steve and Heather Colvin, the founders of AJ’s Place, a nonprofit organization that works to bring healing and hope to families who have been struck by the tragedy of infant and womb loss.  In the first half of this two-part episode, they share the story of their precious daughter AnnaJoy, who was born at 27 weeks gestation and went to Heaven one short week later. They honestly and candidly discuss the impact of AJ’s homegoing on their faith and on their marriage, and I’m grateful to have them as my guests today.  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 

Today’s episode is a continuation of my conversation with Ron and Nan Deal.  Ron is a Director with FamilyLife, the author of more than a dozen resources, and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Nan is a teacher with over 25 years of experience in public and private schools and she also volunteers in a recovery ministry. Ron and Nan travel and speak all over the country on marriage and the loss of a child, and I am grateful to have them join me again today.  We had a great discussion about the marriage relationship after child loss in last week’s episode, so if you didn’t catch that one, you’ll want to go back and listen.  Today we extend our conversation to include issues faced by blended families and parenting surviving children.  I believe you’ll find our discussion both helpful and uplifting. Links related to Ron Deal: Click HERE for Ron Deal's author page on Amazon"As for Me and My House" ministry website:  https://rondeal.org/"Smart Stepfamilies" website:  https://smartstepfamilies.com/about/about-ron-deal"FamilyLife Blended" website:  http://familylifeblended.com/Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents at The Refuge in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and other venues around the United States:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public WWW Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private WWW  Facebook group just for bereaved parents:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhileWereWaiting.SupportForBereavedParentsInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/while.were.waiting/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WhileWeRWaitingMake a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry:  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 

One of the topics that frequently arises at our While We’re Waiting Weekends is the impact that child loss can have on the marriage relationship … so we’ve brought some folks who are very knowledgeable about that subject onto the podcast today!  My friends Ron and Nan Deal have been married since 1986 and have three sons. Ron is a Director with FamilyLife, the author of more than a dozen resources, and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Nan is a teacher with over 25 years of experience in public and private schools and she also volunteers in a recovery ministry.  Their 12-year-old son Connor went to Heaven in 2009, so they are “waiting” parents as well.  Ron and Nan travel and speak all over the country on marriage and the loss of a child, and I am grateful to have them join me on the podcast today.Links related to Ron Deal:  Click HERE for Ron Deal's author page on Amazon"As for Me and My House" ministry website:  https://rondeal.org/"Smart Stepfamilies" website:  https://smartstepfamilies.com/about/about-ron-deal"FamilyLife Blended" website:  http://familylifeblended.com/Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents at The Refuge in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and other venues around the United States:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public WWW Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private WWW  Facebook group just for bereaved parents:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhileWereWaiting.SupportForBereavedParentsInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/while.were.waiting/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WhileWeRWaitingMake a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry:  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 

I’m excited today to introduce you to my friend Celeste Helcel, who has so much wisdom to share after three decades of missing her son Klint.  When Klint went to Heaven in 1991, support systems for bereaved parents really did not exist.  There were no cell phones, no internet, no Facebook groups for grieving parents, and certainly no podcasts.  The handwritten notes and cards she received during those early years were a lifeline to her and helped her realize she was not alone.  In time, she learned that God comforted her, not to make her comfortable, but to make her a comforter, and she certainly is that. Sit back and listen in for some words of wisdom and encouragement today.  Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents at The Refuge in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and other venues around the United States:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public WWW Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private WWW  Facebook group just for bereaved parents:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhileWereWaiting.SupportForBereavedParentsInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/while.were.waiting/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WhileWeRWaitingMake a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/donation/You can reach Jill by email at:   jill@whilewerewaiting.org 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 

Welcome to episode #114, which is a continuation of my conversation with my friend Becky Russell as we discuss a wide range of issues faced by parents who have experienced the loss of a child.  If you missed last week’s episode, you’ll want to be sure to back and listen to hear the story of her daughter Jae Lynn, who went to Heaven in 2004 due to a car accident. God has gifted Becky with a unique ability to share wisdom mixed with humor, which she does in her blog called Weepyseeds, and I know you’ll be blessed by listening in to our conversation.   Click HERE to connect with Becky's Weepyseeds Facebook page (her current writings)Click HERE to link to Becky's Weepyseeds blog (her writings from 2007-2018)Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents at The Refuge in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and other venues around the United States:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public WWW Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private WWW  Facebook group just for bereaved parents:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhileWereWaiting.SupportForBereavedParentsInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/while.were.waiting/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WhileWeRWaitingMake a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/donation/You can reach Jill by email at:   jill@whilewerewaiting.org 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