While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

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 soci...

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 too...

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 web...

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 smi...

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 reall...

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 wri...

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 th...

I remember how I felt about the passing of time in the early days after Hannah went to Heaven.  How at first I counted every day that she had been gone.  How I eventually started counting in larger units of time ... a week, two weeks, a month, three months, six months, nine months, a year, five years, a decade.  How I dreaded those anniversary dates to the point where it made me physically ill.  I...

When Nan's 12-year-old son Connor died suddenly and unexpectedly after a brief illness, she descended into a very dark place, and remained there for over a decade.  She was adept at hiding her darkness, so her friends and family weren't aware of the battle she was fighting.  But at her deepest level brokenness, God met her and drew her out of that pit.  Today's episode is a continua...

Connor Deal was a 12-year-old boy with big plans for his life; in fact, he had dreams of being the next George Lucas.  He loved his brothers and his mom and dad, and he also loved the Lord.  A sudden illness that began with a simple headache rapidly became critical, and he went to Heaven in February of 2009.  Today, I talk with his mom, Nan.  Nan describes herself as a messy griever, an angry grie...

The story of Jesus calling the disciples to drop their nets and follow Him made me think about some ways we might relate to that story as bereaved parents.   I share those thoughts in today's episode. Links related to the While We're Waiting ministry: Our website:  www.whilewerewaiting.org Our public Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting/ Our private Facebook group j...

Anthony Villaflor was a sensitive and thoughtful young man who loved others well.  The murder of his father when he was a young teen caused him to seek God, which ultimately led his mom, Erica, to a relationship with the Lord as well.  In the spring of 2014, Anthony went to sleep and didn't wake up due to an accidental drug overdose.  In today's episode I chat with Erica about Anthony&ap...

As bereaved parents, we know that some dates will be difficult -- Christmas, our child's birthday or Heaven Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day -- but we are often completely caught off guard by how difficult it is to turn the calendar to a new year for the first time after our child goes to Heaven.  Today, Jill reprises a previous episode and shares some resolutions that may be help...

Today's bonus episode offers just a brief word of encouragement as we step into Christmas this weekend.  Hope may not be cheap ... But, thank God, it is free!  For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free retreats we offer for bereaved parents, please click HERE .    To make a tax-deductible year-end donation to the While We're Waiting ministry, please cl...

When her daughter Lauren went to Heaven in 2011 after bravely battling an aggressive cancer, Lisa Crook found herself on a journey she never would chosen.  As we pick up our conversation today from where we left off last week, we discuss a wide range of issues faced by bereaved parents and share some very practical advice for life after child loss.  I believe you'll be encouraged by our conve...

Lauren Crook was a remarkable young woman with dreams of graduating from Ouachita Baptist University and becoming a speech-language pathologist.   She was well on her way to accomplishing her goals when a simple runny nose led to a devastating diagnosis.  Growing up in a Christian home and never experiencing much adversity in her life, Lauren had prayed that God would give her a testimony so she c...

After the death of her 5-year-old daughter Lydia in a car accident, there was a period of time when Daphne Greer felt so much guilt she could not even look at herself in the mirror.  In this second part of our interview, she talks about working through that guilt with God's help, dealing with the holidays, and developing a habit of gratitude.  Click HERE to visit Daphne's website, "...

"Spunky and vibrant" are the words Lydia's mom, Daphne Greer, uses to describe her.   She loved shopping, going to concerts, and creating art.   Life changed in the blink of an eye in the summer of 2008 when a car accident took 5-year-old Lydia to Heaven, leaving Daphne riddled with guilt and feeling as though her life was over.   Over time, as God began to mend her broken heart, sh...

As we step into the official start of the difficult holiday season with Thanksgiving this week, Jill shares a story that illustrates how a simple bouquet of thorns can remind us that even in the midst of grief, there are still things for which we can be thankful.   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...

Greg and Paula Roberts  have two children in Heaven ... their daughter, Kaitlyn, who was stillborn in 1992, and their son, Matt, who drowned in 2009.  I hope you’ll listen in as they share their stories and talk about the impact these losses have had on their lives and the lives of others.  Then we’ll dig a little deeper into some advice for newly-bereaved parents, dealing with anger, what happens...

In today's episode, Jill takes a fresh look at Isaiah 40:31 through the eyes of a bereaved parent ... and why it makes sense that we go from flying, to running, to walking.  For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free retreats we offer for bereaved parents, please click HERE .  To make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry, please...

In today's episode, Jill talks with Carol Mathus, the stepmom of Danny, a young man with a passion for cycling and a contagious laugh.  With great honesty and transparency, Carol shares about her crisis of faith after Danny's death,  dealing with grief as a stepparent, surviving the holidays, and the ministry that has come from her experience with child loss. For more information about t...

It's hard to celebrate a birthday when the guest of honor is absent.  This past week, my daughter Hannah would have turned 30 years old.  Today's episode is my reflection on that milestone, and a reminder that though she was absent for this special day, I can praise God that she is not lost.    For information about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free retreats we offer for...

Continuing our recognition of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, today's episode includes the second half of my conversation with Hattie Grace's mom and dad, Bryan and Brandy Davis.  Today's chat builds upon last week's episode, as we discuss some very practical issues faced by those who have lost infants, dealing with triggers, and some of the ways that Hattie's l...

October has been designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  One in four families will lose a baby during pregnancy, delivery, or infancy.  Bryan and Brandy Davis became one of those families in January of 2018.  Their sweet Hattie Grace was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 while in the womb, and the Davises had ten precious hours with her before she went to be with Jesus.  Though it was br...