While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

"Just today" ... Two simple words that can have a profound impact in the life of a bereaved parent.  As I continue my conversation today with Judy Hostetler, mom of Joshua and Kayli, she shares how she has adopted that phrase as a way of life, reminding us that we don't have to carry a whole lifetime's worth of grief at once ... but "just today."  I hope you'll listen in for a wide-ranging and encouraging discussion of issues faced by bereaved parents.  To view Kayli's videos and to read her (and Judy's) blog, click here:  www.finishwell.weebly.comLinks related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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 a young wife expecting her first baby, Judy had a certain picture of how the path of her life would go.  When her son Joshua went to Heaven just minutes after he was born, she realized that God was calling her and her husband Michael to walk through a new doorway.  I know you will be blessed by listening in on the first half of our conversation today, as we hear the story of Joshua and the impact that his life has made in the world.  You will also be moved and inspired as Judy shares the story of her daughter Kayli, her courageous and faith-filled battle with cancer, and her ultimate healing in Heaven.  To view Kayli's videos and to read her (and Judy's) blog, click here:  www.finishwell.weebly.comLinks related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website with information about our free retreats for bereaved parents:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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's conversation with Doug and Raquel Lawrence picks up right where we left off last week and covers a wide range of issues bereaved parents encounter in their daily lives ... sadness over the things our kids missed out on, the marriage relationship after child loss, going back to church, forgiving God, and parenting surviving siblings.  We even discuss some of the darker thoughts that bereaved parents sometimes have.  You may find yourself saying, "I thought I was the only one!" as you listen in, and hopefully that will help you feel a little less alone on the journey.  Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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 

Doug and Raquel Lawrence affectionately describe their daughter Parker as "a lot of sass with a little bit of class".  In fact, her nickname was "Sassy", given to her by her big brother before she was even born.  Parker was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was in fifth grade, but never let it slow her down, playing a variety of sports and maintaining a very active social life.  Two days after her 21st birthday, a car accident caused by another driver's negligence took her home to Heaven.   In this first half of my conversation with her parents we discuss how this incident put them in a position of having to consider forgiveness and led them to give even "this" to God.  Be sure to come back next week to hear the rest of our chat.  Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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 Deborah's daughter Katelyn was murdered in 2018, she found herself in the middle of a challenging legal process filled with delays and frustrations.  (You'll want to listen to last week's episode to hear more about Katelyn and her story.)  Today, Debbie shares what God taught her as she moved through that process, and discusses issues of forgiveness in regard to the man who took Katelyn's life.  We also talk about handling with grace the inappropriate things people sometimes say, and how what's happened in her life has impacted her relationship with God.  She believes the Lord has called her to "be bold" as she shares her story, including how He is faithfully restoring her joy.    Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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.givingfuel.com/donateYou 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 February of 2018, Deborah Ervin's life was forever changed when her 26-year-old daughter Katelyn's life was taken by an intruder in their home.  In the first half of this two-part episode, Deborah shares the story of Katelyn's remarkable life and how God called her to “be still” throughout the ensuing legal process.  Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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.givingfuel.com/donateYou 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 

Shortly after my 17-year-old daughter Hannah died, I began blogging, and I kept it up for several years.  In the winter of 2011, about 2 ½ years after Hannah’s death, I wrote two blog posts … one titled Ten Things That (Still) Make Me Sad (last week's podcast episode), and one titled Ten Things That (Still) Make Me Smile, which I’ll be sharing in today's episode.I remember literally smiling as I compiled this list of Ten Things, something that didn’t always come easily in those early years after Hannah’s death.  My hope is that by sharing these things today, someone listening to this podcast may realize that even though we miss our kids desperately, it’s okay to smile … and even to laugh!  In fact, I truly believe that my smiles honor my daughter’s life just as much, if not more than, my tears. Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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.givingfuel.com/donateYou 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 

This coming Saturday will mark 13 years since my 17-year-old daughter Hannah went to Heaven, and I hope you won’t mind indulging me with some memories over the next couple of episodes.  Shortly after Hannah died, I began blogging, and I kept it up for several years.  It was always so helpful to me write out my thoughts, struggles, and victories.  I seem to be one of those people who doesn’t really know what they’re thinking until they put it in writing!  In November of 2011, about 2 ½ years after Hannah’s death, I wrote two blog posts … one titled Ten Things That Still Make Me Sad, and one titled Ten Things That Still Make Me Smile, and over the next two episodes, I’d like to share those. I remember as I compiled the Ten Things That Still Make Me Sad, I was trying to clarify for myself what things were triggering my sadness.  My thought was that by specifically identifying them, I could be better prepared for their onslaught.  And maybe there's someone listening to this podcast who can relate ... who might hear this list and realize that they are not the only one who struggles with this kinds of things. Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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.givingfuel.com/donateYou 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 

Have you been looking for a fresh, new Bible study as we move toward springtime?  Maybe one that's not necessarily about child loss ... but one that was written by a bereaved parent so a "child loss perspective" is woven seamlessly throughout the study?  Then you'll want to listen in to today's episode to hear about "A Race Well Lived",  a 13-week Bible study written by Michelle Moore, in which she incorporates the lessons God has been teaching her since her son Joshua's death in 2013.  She shares some of those lessons in our conversation today, and I know you'll be blessed and encouraged by listening in. To purchase Michelle's book, "A Race Well-Lived", click HERE.You can find Michelle's blog, "With Eyes on the Cross" by clicking HERE.If you'd like to hear Michelle and her husband Michael share Joshua's story more fully, you can listen to that episode at this link:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1230350/5556703 Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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.givingfuel.com/donateYou 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 

Grieving parents are often encouraged, explicitly or implicitly, to "move on" with their lives.  In today's conversation with Joshua's mom, Michelle Moore, we discuss how hurtful that idea can be, and propose a much better alternative ... Moving F.O.R.W.A.R.D.  If you'd like to hear Michelle and her husband Michael share Joshua's story more fully, you can listen to that episode at this link:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1230350/5556703To purchase Michelle's book, "A Race Well-Lived", click HERE.  You can find Michelle's blog, "With Eyes on the Cross" by clicking HERE.  Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry:Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.orgOur public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/Our private 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.givingfuel.com/donateYou 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