While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

Samantha Quinn was a smart and funny child with an infectious smile and a remarkable memory for song lyrics.  She loved horses and successfully participated in hunter jumper competitions.  She was a joy to her parents and older siblings.  But in her early adolescence, she began to struggle with mental health issues which seemed to intensify as she grew older.  Her parents Stephen and Linda walked this difficult journey with her and sought out the best treatment options available.  At the age of 20, Samantha's earthly life ended when she died by suicide, and her new life in Heaven began.  In this episode, Jill talks with Sam's mom and dad about the chaotic nature of mental illness, issues related to suicide, how their faith in God has been impacted by this experience, and their choice between two roads set before them.     For more information about our While We're Waiting Weekends for Bereaved Parents, please visit our website at https://www.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 

Parents who have experienced the loss of a child are often hurt by the things well-meaning people say in an earnest attempt to comfort them.  This is always one of our most popular topics of discussion at our While We're Waiting Weekends, as it seems every bereaved parent has a story of a particularly hurtful or inappropriate thing that has been said to them.  Even Job had "miserable comforters"!  In this episode, Jill discusses some of those comments, and shares how we as bereaved parents might handle them.  She closes by reminding us that God can also use people to bless and encourage us with their words.  To learn more about our While We're Waiting Weekends for Bereaved Parents in Arkansas, Oregon, Maryland, Alabama, Nevada, or Arizona, visit our website at www.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 

Joshua Moore was a young man with a bold faith, who was affectionately known as "The Chaplain" by his high school band director.  He never missed an opportunity to share Jesus with those around him.  One evening he went out for a run and never came back home.  In this episode, Jill talks with his parents, Michael and Michelle, about the events of that night and the days that followed, the grief they've experienced in his loss, and how God has redeemed this race they would never have chosen for His glory.  Michelle hosts While We're Waiting Mini-Retreats for Bereaved Moms at her home in Springdale, Arkansas, from time to time throughout the year.  You can read more about these events which are specifically for moms who have lost children (in both Springdale and Hot Springs, Arkansas) by clicking the following link:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/services/retreats/mini-retreat-for-bereaved-moms/Michael and Michelle host a monthly support group meeting for bereaved moms and dads at their home in Springdale, Arkansas.  More information about those meetings is available here:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/services/support-groups/Michelle is a gifted writer who blogs on grief-related topics.  You can find her blog here:  https://witheyesonthecross.home.blog/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 today's solo episode, Jill shares a list of 14 things she wishes she had known early on after the loss of her 17-year-old daughter to brain cancer.  Whether you've just begun your own grief journey or are many years down the road, hopefully you can find some encouragement from this episode. 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 

Zach Jones was a young man with a promising military career whose life was cut short by an accidental drug overdose.  In today's episode, Jill talks with his mom and dad, Rex and Mary, about Zach's distinguished military service, his struggles with an addiction to prescription drugs, how his life was not defined by his death, and how, because of Jesus, they have the assurance that "IGBOK" -- It's Gonna Be OK.  While We're Waiting has a private Facebook group just for bereaved siblings.  You must be a bereaved sibling to join!   It can be found here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WWW.BereavedSiblingsClick the following link to learn more about our newest retreat location at the Jones's home in Arizona:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/state/arizona/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 today's episode, Jill shares ten things that bereaved parents wish you knew.  This is a podcast for those who love bereaved parents and want to "be there" for them, but just don't know how.  Of course, everyone grieves differently, and someone else's top ten list may be different ... but these items have been compiled from personal experience and conversations with hundreds of bereaved parents over the past decade.  Hopefully you will find it helpful as you minister to hurting hearts.  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 

Sarah Harmening was a shy, quiet, 17-year-old girl with a maturity beyond her years.  She had a strong faith in God and felt called by him to serve on a short-term mission trip to Botswana.  On the way to the airport, her life was taken in a tragic bus crash.  In this episode, Jill talks with her parents, Scott and Karen, about the events of that day, what Sarah had been journaling as she rode the bus, dealing with the publicity surrounding the incident, and what they've learned about God, grief, hope, and joy since that time.  Scott and Karen Harmening host While We're Waiting Weekends for Bereaved Parents at their home in Huntsville, Alabama.  You can read more about these events on our website by following this link:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/locations/the-harmening-home-in-huntsville-alabama/The Harmenings also host monthly While We're Waiting Support Group meetings in Huntsville.  You can read find out more about these meetings (and the locations of our other WWW support groups) by clicking here:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/services/support-groups/Karen is a gifted writer and blogs about her family's testimony and other grief-related topics at https://listeningtohim.com/The Harmenings have remained involved in ministry to Botswana.  You can read more about this at the following links:  https://www.imb.org/2017/10/26/serve-like-sarah/https://www.imb.org/2020/03/17/daughters-legacy-continues/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 episode, Jill talks about how joy can exist even in the midst of great sorrow.  After the loss of a child, we may feel that joy is something we will never experience again ... and it can certainly be elusive.  But when we understand what true joy is ... that it's not based in our circumstances but rather in the person of Jesus Christ ... that makes all the difference.  And when we see that its actually biblical for joy and sorrow to co-exist, it frees us to experience both.  Sources quoted in this podcast:"A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis"Holding On to Hope" by Nancy Guthrie"Prayers of Hope for the Brokenhearted" by Jill KellyI 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 

Joel Smith was just three years old when he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.  His parents Bobby and Amy join me on the podcast today to share the story of his courageous battle, including his Make-A-Wish adventure as the Caped Crusader.  They share what they've learned about grief, faith, and joy over the past nine years.  I believe you'll be encouraged by our conversation.  Visit our website at www.WhileWereWaiting.org to learn more about the While We're Waiting ministry and our retreats for 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 

In this episode, Jill addresses a common question asked by bereaved parents ... "How do you keep from losing your faith?"  She discusses how easy it is to trust our feelings and emotions rather than the truth of God's Word.  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