While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

In today's solo episode, Jill compares life as a grieving parent to a ride on a roller coaster.  She reminds her listeners that roller coaster rides are temporary and points us to "the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10) For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry, please visit our website at www. WhileWereWaiting.org. ...

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...

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 com...

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, th...

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 rea...

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 "...

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 hund...

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...

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...

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.  Vis...

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.) **...

Ten years have passed since five-year-old Leightyn Nan Holmes went to sing and play in Heaven with Jesus.  She dreamed of being a princess and was eager to begin Kindergarten at the time of her homegoing. Today I talk with Leightyn's mom and dad, Landen and Missy, about their experience as bereaved parents from the perspective that a decade brings. Join us to hear how Leightyn's Lifesong...

By God's grace, Adam Brown overcame drug addiction to become a member of Navy SEAL Team SIX.  In this episode, Jill talks to Adam's parents, Larry and Janice Brown, about Adam's growing up years, his struggles with drugs as a young man, his quest to become a member of the elite Navy SEALs, and his death in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan in March of 2010.  They share how his...

When Hannah Sullivan was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer at the age of 16, she accepted it as "her storm" and faced her battle with grace and without fear.  Today I talk with Hannah's dad, my husband, about his experience with child loss from a dad's perspective.   For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry, visit our website at www. WhileWereWait...

In this introductory episode, I share my personal story of the loss of my 17-year-old daughter Hannah to cancer, the ministry born out of that experience, and a preview of future episodes.  To learn more about our faith-based ministry to bereaved parents, click the link below: http://www.whilewerewaiting.org I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I...