While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

I’m so excited today to introduce you to my friend Becky Russell, who has been a personal mentor to me ever since my own daughter Hannah went to Heaven thirteen years ago.  Becky’s blog "Weepyseeds" was a lifeline to me in the early days of my grief and gave me hope that I could survive my loss.  In the first half of this two-part episode, Becky shares the story of her beautiful 16-year-old daughter Jae Lynn who died along with two other girls in a car accident in 2004.  She talks about how she dealt with the “What Now?” in the aftermath of that terrible day and shares words of encouragement to others who find themselves reeling after the sudden loss of a child.  I believe you’ll be blessed by listening in.   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 

Welcome back for the second half of my conversation with Chrisy Slate, whose son Caleb took his own life with absolutely no warning just as he was beginning his senior year of high school in 2019.  Today we expand our discussion to include some very practical issues faced by bereaved parents, particularly those who have lost children to suicide. Chrisy shares some encouraging words from her blog and talks about the Caleb Cares Project she and her husband Joe have begun in honor of their son.  To access a transcript of our conversation, please click HERE. Links related to The Caleb Cares Project:Click HERE for The Caleb Cares Project Facebook page. Click HERE for The Caleb Cares Project website.Click HERE to read Chrisy's blog, "A Journey for Caleb"For more information about the While We're Waiting support group the Slates facilitate in the Clarksville, Tennessee, area, contact them at joechrisys@gmail.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/Make 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 

Chrisy Slate joins me today to share the story of her remarkable son Caleb, who died by suicide just as he was beginning his senior year of high school with absolutely no signs or indications of what he was about to do.  Chrisy is still in the thick of her grief, but she is beginning to see glimmers of beauty coming from the ashes of her loss.   I hope you'll listen in for a very honest and open discussion of teen suicide and its impacts on a family. To access a transcript of our conversation, please click HERE.   Links related to The Caleb Cares Project:Click HERE for The Caleb Cares Project Facebook page.  Click HERE for The Caleb Cares Project website.Click HERE to read Chrisy's blogFor more information about the While We're Waiting support group the Slates facilitate in the Clarksville, Tennessee, area, contact them at joechrisys@gmail.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/Make 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 

Jason and Amy Carter are my guests again today as we continue our discussion of their book "Oaks and Ruins - Letting God Redeem Your Loss", which they wrote after the death of their daughter Katie Beth in the fall of 2016.   This book is based on Isaiah 61:3-4 and includes eight chapters brimming with wisdom and encouragement for grieving moms and dads.  Last week we talked about the first four chapters (Loss, Listen, Look, and Learn), and today we discuss the last four - Live, Love, Laugh, and Legacy. Click HERE to purchase your own copy of "Oaks and Ruins - Letting God Redeem Your Loss" by Jason and Amy Carter on Amazon.Click HERE to learn more about Live & Love Ministries. 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/Make 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 

Jason and Amy Carter join me today to share the story of their spunky ballerina Katie Beth and the book they have written about their experience as grieving parents, "Oaks and Ruins - Letting God Redeem Your Loss".  The book is based on Isaiah 61:3-4 and includes eight chapters brimming with wisdom and encouragement for hurting moms and dads.  Today we discuss the first four chapters:  Loss, Listen, Look, and Learn.  Click HERE to purchase your own copy of "Oaks and Ruins - Letting God Redeem Your Loss" by Jason and Amy Carter on Amazon. Click HERE to learn more about Live & Love Ministries.  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/Make 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 

My husband Brad joins me on the podcast today to discuss what his role with the While We're Waiting ministry will look like now that he has retired after 31 years in public education.  We discuss the expansion of the While We're Waiting ministry across the nation and our gratitude that God continues to open up opportunities for us to meet more and more bereaved parents and hear the stories of their beautiful children.   We stand amazed at what God has done with the WWW ministry over the last eleven years and look forward with great anticipation to what He may have ahead of us.Want to know more about what goes on at a While We're Waiting weekend?  Listen here to Episode #53:  Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about a While We're Waiting Weekend But were Afraid to Ask   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/Make 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 

In this second half of my conversation with Charlotte Miller, we expand our chat to include a wide range of issues faced by bereaved parents, such as dealing with the dreaded “things people say”, saying "Yes" to the Lord (when we really want to say "No"), and how we can view all of our pain through the rosy-colored glasses of the cross.   You’ll also learn about the Helping Hurting Hearts Ministry and find out how it can serve you as a bereaved parent.  I believe you’ll be greatly encouraged by what Charlotte has to share.  Link to the Helping Hurting Hearts ministry:   https://helpinghurtinghearts.org/You can reach Charlotte by email at:  hhh45@att.netClick HERE to find "Experiencing Grief" by H. Norman WrightClick HERE to find "Recovering from Losses in Life" by H. Norman Wright Click HERE to find "A Decembered Grief" by Harold Ivan SmithLinks 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/Make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting miniI 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 conversation over the next two episodes is with Charlotte Miller, the founder of the Helping Hurting Hearts ministry, which provides support and encouragement to hundreds of bereaved parents around the nation.  I believe you'll be encouraged today as she shares the story of her 17-year-old son Calvin who went to Heaven in May of 2001, and discusses issues of bitterness, secondary losses, embracing grief, and the freedom to "not do it perfectly".  She reminds us that, "If you grieve a lot, it's because you loved a lot."   Link to the Helping Hurting Hearts ministry:   https://helpinghurtinghearts.org/Click HERE to find "Experiencing Grief" by H. Norman Wright Click HERE to find "Recovering from Losses in Life" by H. Norman Wright  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/Make 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 

In this second half of our conversation, Melissa shares three specific pieces of advice for newly grieving parents and talks about how we can stop striving and be still before the Lord.  We also discuss some ideas for dealing with holidays and birthdays and talk about how Melissa's relationship with God has changed since the homegoing of her daughter Kristen due to laced heroin in the fall of 2019.  I believe our conversation will be an encouragement to you on your journey!You can find some of the devotionals Melissa has written here:  https://christiandevotions.us/viewauthor/3651You can connect with Melissa on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/melissa.crone.948Links 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/Make 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 

Melissa Crone joins me today to share the story of her beautiful daughter Kristen, who was gentle and kind with an innate gift for music and an affinity for sharks … and someone who lived her life fearlessly.  In the fall of 2019, laced heroin took Kristen to Heaven.  I hope you’ll listen in to the first half of this two-part episode as we discuss specific issues faced by parents who lose children to drug-related causes, dealing with forgiveness, and the evolving of grief over time.   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/Make 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