1104 results for author: Ashlee Schmidt

Bright Hope: Book Release (And a Giveaway!)

Hope Mommies is excited to announce that our founder, Erin Cushman’s, new book, Bright Hope: 28 Daily Devotions for Grief in Light of the Gospel is now available for purchase! Find it at Amazon here. Bright Hope was written to give hope and encouragement to those in mourning. Centered around biblical truth, drawing on historical expressions of faith through hymns and poetry, and infused with personal experiences, Bright Hope is for anyone journeying through the lonely shadows caused by grief and toward the light of the gospel of Jesus. The following is an excerpt from the introduction of Bright Hope, giving you a glimpse into Erin's ...

Ancient Whispers

God’s Word is filled with rich promises for His children. How do these “precious and very great promises” inform and direct your grief? How does keeping your eyes fixed on these truths anchor your hope in the Lord? In this series, we write about how God, through the promises in His Word, comforts and strengthens us in our sorrow. I imagine Eve taking her daily walk, carelessly strolling through the stunning paradise of the garden. No fearful thoughts crowded her mind, no worries filled her heart. She was perfect and whole and happy. Then she heard the whisper. We all know how the story goes. Eve gives into the devil’s ...

Ask the Blog Team: How Has the Death of Your Baby Affected Your Identity and Your Connection to Your Body?

Welcome to our Q+A series, Ask the Blog Team. In this series, the Hope Mommies blog team joins together to answer questions that are commonly asked in grief. If there is a question or topic that you have wrestled with in your grief that you would like the opportunity to see how other Hope Moms have processed or answered, we would love to hear from you. You can submit your questions here. I think the suffering I experienced in becoming a Hope Mommy has been the most life altering and sanctifying gift the Lord has given me. I’ve found a new sense of identity in Him, knowing I’m safe and secure simply because of His identity: trustworthy and ...

Born To Redeem

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Throughout this Advent season, we will be studying Galatians 4:4-5 together. In this series, we wil study the gospel truths found in these verses and discover how the coming of Christ speaks into our sorrow. "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."Galatians 4:4-5 READ: The Son of God came to this world for a purpose. He came to redeem His people. He came to regain what had been lost: us. From that first time sin entered into the ...

Christmas Joy

I spent some time this week looking over all of the Christmas decorations that are scattered throughout my home. The word "joy" appears at least a dozen times. The holidays are characterized by joy. For the entire month of December, families are driving around to stare in awe at marvelous light displays, everyone's kitchen smells like peppermint as preparations are make for an annual cookie exchange, wishlists are created or updated in anticipation of traditions of gift-giving, and playlists are curated so that the songs of the season are always ringing through the air. But, it can be so difficult to participate in the joys of the Christmas ...

Christmas Hope

O holy nightThe stars are brightly shiningIt is the night of our dear Savior's birthLong lay the world in sin and e'er pining'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worthA thrill of hope the weary world rejoicesFor yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Does it seem as though the thrill of hope has been absent this Christmas?  Everywhere you go you are surrounded with glistening lights, songs of merriment, and all of the sights and tastes and smells of the season. But when your heart is aching and broken, these joyful festivities somehow just seem to intensify the emptiness you feel inside.  Maybe you’ve pasted on a smile and ...

Ask the Blog Team: How Have You Handled Well-Meaning But Hurtful Comments From Those Around You?

Welcome to our Q+A series, Ask the Blog Team. In this series, the Hope Mommies blog team joins together to answer questions that are commonly asked in grief. If there is a question or topic that you have wrestled with in your grief that you would like the opportunity to see how other Hope Moms have processed or answered, we would love to hear from you. You can submit your questions here. These comments used to hurt me, and if I am being honest, they still can. But I try to extend grace to these people. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, and I tell myself that they are most likely trying to be helpful and loving. I also pray for ...

Meghan’s Story

“Lord, this is too dark of a valley. I do not want to walk this road again.” Tears ran down my cheeks as I sat by the water by myself. I had just left an emergency midwife appointment where I learned that my baby girl’s heart had stopped beating at 13 weeks. I should have been 16 weeks pregnant.  What stung the most was this was my fourth loss. Four babies in heaven. This time was different, or so I had thought. I had been so peaceful. I had dared to hope! With my 12-year-old daughter and 1-and-a-half-year-old new blessing baby boy at home, we had been getting ready for our tie breaker. Our previous miscarriages had been early, so we ...

Even When I Can’t See

I got off the phone with my doctor, who had confirmed the news that my husband and I had been dreading the past few days. Our baby had stopped growing. I honestly just felt numb. The tears, which had been flowing ever since the doctor first said that he could not find a heartbeat, stopped. The crippling anxiety turned into an all-too-familiar pain. My defenses automatically went up. I deleted all of the baby reveal pictures off my phone, unsubscribed from the pregnancy website where I was registered, and then told everyone the news. I was determined to process this in a healthy way, but I also honestly had no idea what that really meant. I ...

Ask the Blog Team: For those who had an early loss, do you ever struggle with feeling like your grief is “less valid” than others’?

Welcome to our Q+A series, Ask the Blog Team. In this series, the Hope Mommies blog team joins together to answer questions that are commonly asked in grief. If there is a question or topic that you have wrestled with in your grief that you would like the opportunity to see how other Hope Moms have processed or answered, we would love to hear from you. You can submit your questions here. Anna was born prematurely at 17 weeks due to my cervix failing, so my situation was unique; she did not die in utero. We delivered in the hospital and were able to hold her and take pictures, so I feel as though I relate more to women who have experienced loss ...