While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

In this second half of our two-part  conversation, David and Tracie Freeman discuss specific issues faced by a parent whose child died due to fentanyl poisoning, including forgiveness for the decisions that child made. They also share some very practical advice for parents who are in the early months and years of grief, discuss how the loss of their son Nic has impacted their faith, and talk about the importance of listening to God's voice.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 

David and Tracie Freeman join me today on what would have been their son Nic’s 34th birthday … a perfect time to share his story!  In the first half of this two-part episode, they talk about Nic’s growing up years, the smart and talented young man he was, and some of the struggles he encountered, eventually culminating in his death due to fentanyl poisoning the day after Christmas in 2020.  Their story is one of "grabbing for hope" while they’re waiting to see him again one day.   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 

The Bible tells us in the 14th chapter of John that in our Father's house are many rooms and Jesus is preparing a place for us there.  Today I share the experience of preparing the rooms at the While We're Waiting Refuge in eager anticipation of the grieving parents who would one day come and stay in them ... and compare that with how Jesus may be preparing our rooms in Heaven.  It's fun to think about, and hopefully it will be an encouragement to you today!  Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents at The Refuge 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 

As bereaved parents, I believe each of us has a very distinct dividing line in our lives, separating everything into the "before" and the "after".  In this second half of my conversation with Wende Gaikema, we discuss the "before" Wende and the "after" Wende over the last four years since the suicide of her son Matt.  Our conversation also includes advice for surviving the very early days of grief and dealing with those who may say things that are unhelpful.  I believe you'll be encouraged by our chat.Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  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 

Today Wende shares the story of her son, Matt,  who died by suicide at the age of 22.   Matt was an honor student at Texas A&M University ... a remarkable young with a keen mind, a quick wit, and a love for others and his dog Apple.   As if often the case, there was no indication that Matt was planning to take his own life, and Wende describes suicide like a bomb going off in her family, leaving emotional shrapnel everywhere.  Yet her story is one of a certain hope, anchored in faith in Jesus Christ.  Settle in for a story of grief with hope.   Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  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 a two-part series, Connie describes her intense struggle with self-pity after the loss of her 11-year-old son Paul Michael and shares the moment when things began to turn around for her in her grief journey.  She and Mike also give some very practical tips about survival after child loss, particularly in the early months and years, and Mike shares what he's learned about the sovereignty and character of God.  We conclude this two-part series by discussing the ministry that has been born out of their shared grief.To learn more about the Eternal Surrender ministry, click the following link:  https://www.eternalsurrender.org/To learn more about the Monkey Run or to register, click the following link:  https://www.monkeyrun.org/Additional links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  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 

"Pure Joy" ... that's how Connie Washburn describes her blond-haired, hazel-eyed 11-year-old son Paul Michael.  In fact, she never had a "bummer day" with him.  In the first half of this two-part episode, Connie shares Paul Michael's story and how the Lord took him home the day before Mother's Day in 2008.  You will also meet Connie's husband, Mike, who shares his own personal journey with grief and how through their common losses, God brought them together to form a remarkable team.  I hope you’ll settle in for a beautiful story of both sorrow and joy.  Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  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 

When her daughter Allison was killed in a preventable accident involving a tourist duck boat, Martha Warmuth found herself grappling with how to forgive the unforgiveable.  In this second half of our two-part conversation, we discuss issues of forgiveness for others and for yourself, dealing with the sometimes awkward things people say, finding healing through serving others, and the “mighty movement” with which she’s become involved.For information about the Families For Safe Streets movement, click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtinM0DZSxAAdditional links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  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 

Allison Warmuth was a beautiful and talented young woman who had a knack for accomplishing anything she set her mind to.  When Allie was tragically killed in an avoidable accident in April of 2016, her mother Martha was launched on a journey she never could have anticipated.  In today's episode (the first in a series of two), Martha joins me for a wide-ranging discussion which includes Allison's story and a number of very practical tips for survival on the child loss journey.  You may want to grab a pen and take some notes!  GriefShare has been very helpful for Martha.  Here is a link to find a GriefShare group near you:  https://www.griefshare.org/Martha's description of climbing the mountains of grief:"When we started this journey it was like I was hiking one of our favorite mountain trails in the Adirondacks, or perhaps the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The base of the mountain is interesting but you can not really perceive the vast shape and size of the mountain. As I begin to climb the mountain I face fatigue and my heart aches. I'm not sure my heart can make it, but know I can with help and taking it slowly. I am afraid at times that I may fall and twist or break a leg and need carried out. Sometimes I stop to rest on a rock or go to the edge and peek out at the lovely views. It takes a long time to climb this mountain of grief, this mountain that I did very little training on how to climb before hand. The trail is steeper and longer than I realized. I've brought along a few provisions...my faith and some friends and family members who are understanding. We encourage each other along the way. But I am the one who must climb this mountain of grief to acceptance of my loss and joy again. So when I post pictures or stories of Allie it is just my way of stopping along this difficult and grueling trail to peek out and appreciate the beautiful view... to not forget one of my girls. It is medicine for my aching heart and weak knees.The beautiful view helps me to not think of giving up ever. I will, we will, make it. I know I may never come to the end of this mountain trail or if I do, like my husband hiking all 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks, I may climb them again even after I achieve my badge. But I hope each trip up and then down will make me stronger and better able, with God's help to handle any mountain I find myself on and perhaI 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 

"How can I help my surviving children?" is one of the most common questions that comes up at our While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents.   Today I host a return guest, my daughter Bethany, and we expand on our last discussion by addressing a series of questions submitted by bereaved parents.   Our conversation is very open and honest regarding these difficult issues.   I believe this is an episode that both grieving parents and grieving children will glean something from ... and that hopefully will open doors of communication between them.   If you'd like to listen to the previous episode Bethany and I recorded together in April of 2021, please click here:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1230350/8282823Here is the link to our private While We're Waiting Facebook group for bereaved siblings:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/268079066696898Additional links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  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