1104 results for author: Ashlee Schmidt

Planning a Funeral Instead of a Birthday Party

Each child gone ahead from among us is a precious person made in the image of God—and all having been made into Hope Moms, we together declare motherhood in each of our journeys. Through this series, we honor each other’s experiences of motherhood in love through our shared God of hope. It’s the big day. There really should have been more planning involved. Everything was thrown together at the last minute. The food has been taken care of. The flowers have already been arranged. We’ve selected some great music. The purple bear we bought her is perfect. The guests will be arriving soon, and we haven’t even left the house yet! ...

The Child Born to Save

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Isaiah 9 together. In this passage, Isaiah gives us insight into the incredible hope that was given through the birth of Christ. Join us as we discover how the grieving mother can find comfort, especially in the holiday season, in the following descriptions of Christ. The Child Born to Save “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah ...

The Sword of the Spirit: How God’s Word Fortifies Us in Grief

Grief is often accompanied by a myriad of temptations: anger, bitterness, fear, and despair, just to name a few. But God has provided us with everything we need to overcome these temptations, and to move forward in our sorrow with His strength. In this series, we will be studying the various pieces of our spiritual armor, and how each of these pieces uniquely equip us to cling to the hope we have been given in Christ. “Can I say it to you again?” My sweet husband asked me that question many times over the course of several months while he was working to memorize Romans 8. I had no idea how hearing this passage recited over and over ...

MaKenzie’s Story

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,” Matthew 6:28 “What does it say?” my husband asked anxiously. “It’s…it’s…I think…it might be…positive?” I couldn’t believe my eyes. After three years of praying and trying and trying and praying, we were parents. I shouldn’t have been so surprised. I felt that God had shown me the Christmas before that I would become pregnant at the same time as my friend found out the gender of her child, and that’s exactly what happened. We danced. We sang. We prayed. We cried and shouted for joy! We were parents. I was a mom, and the man I love most ...

Helmet of Salvation

Grief is often accompanied by a myriad of temptations: anger, bitterness, fear, and despair, just to name a few. But God has provided us with everything we need to overcome these temptations, and to move forward in our sorrow with His strength. In this series, we will be studying the various pieces of our spiritual armor, and how each of these pieces uniquely equip us to cling to the hope we have been given in Christ. Before experiencing loss, I had a general understanding that Satan has a level of control over the world today. Yet, I often lived flippantly, as if the effects of this invisible war waging above had me ...

In the Word: We’ve Seen a Great Light

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Isaiah 9 together. In this passage, Isaiah gives us insight into the incredible hope that was given through the birth of Christ. Join us as we discover how the grieving mother can find comfort, especially in the holiday season, in the following descriptions of Christ. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone.” Isaiah 9:2 READ: Darkness took on a new meaning for me the day that we buried our daughter, Paige. It became a ...

Local Chaper Spotlight: Houston Chapter

What's happening in Houston: In July of 2017, my husband and I welcomed our son, William, into the world and ushered him into heaven at the same moment. A couple of weeks later, I was gifted a Hope Box and an invitation into the Hope Mommies Community. I was so thankful a group of women existed that could understand and give me language for the astounding direction life had taken. That fall, I joined an online Hope Group through which I was given incredible support and encouragement. I knew my journey through grief would not have been the same without this special group of women who understood my pain like no one else in my life. Halfway ...

Power, Love, and Strength for National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Father, I do not bring myself to October 15, this day of national remembrance for my baby who has gone to be with You, thinking like the world. Joining with others to sweetly remember, my child visibly recognized in this world, is a joyous gift. Yet, the grounding I seek in grief is of a different source.Before You, my Maker, I bow. And I pray as a believer who has committed my life to You in faith, that You would strengthen me with power in my inner spirit through the Holy Spirit.Strengthen me; I need this. Strengthen me to be rooted and grounded, planted firmly, in the knowledge of Your love for me that changelessly is mine because of the cross of ...

Hillary’s Story

Jesus is better. One short sentence. Just three simple words. Yet, in it there is so much theology. Truth. Depth. Conviction. Jesus is better. Do I really believe that? I mean sure, I know it's true. But deep down in the real me, do I believe it? After I lost my son to miscarriage, can I still live my life in such a way that reflects that belief? Some days, I do. But if I'm really honest, there are days I don't. Like the days I'm really missing Jeremy.  Jeremy, my third child, is my Hope baby. I miscarried at 15 weeks, on August 1, 2018.  When I woke up that morning, I never expected it to be any different from any other day. I never ...

The Shield of Faith:

Grief is often accompanied by a myriad of temptations: anger, bitterness, fear, and despair, just to name a few. But God has provided us with everything we need to overcome these temptations, and to move forward in our sorrow with His strength. In this series, we will be studying the various pieces of our spiritual armor, and how each of these pieces uniquely equip us to cling to the hope we have been given in Christ. “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,with which you can extinguish all the flamingdarts of the evil one.”  Ephesians 6:16 I didn’t grow up in a military family, so we didn’t talk ...