1104 results for author: Ashlee Schmidt

The Gift of Noah and Isabelle

As we consider the profound impact that our Hope Babies have had on our lives, we can be filled with gratitude toward them, and toward the Lord. In this series, we reflect on some of the ways that we can say "thank you" to our precious babe(s) for the gifts that they have been and continue to be to us. We welcome you to contribute to this series by writing your own reflection on the impact your baby(ies) has had on your life and submitting it HERE. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a mother. God, in His loving wisdom, did not bring that deep desire to fruition until I was twenty-seven years old. I longed for and prayed ...

Tenderly Cleansed

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Psalm 139 together. This Psalm is used often (and rightly so) to demonstrate the value of human life, and God's care for us from even before we were conceived. What can we learn about God's tender care for us and for our babies from these verses? How does a greater knowledge of these truths offer hope and comfort to us in the midst of grief? Tenderly Cleansed “Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts!And see if there be any grievous way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm ...

Local Chapter Spotlight: Dallas Chapter

What's happening in Dallas: I became a Hope Mom in 2016 when my son Angel was stillborn at 20 weeks. I received a Hope Box in the hospital and got involved with the Dallas Chapter almost immediately. I have had many opportunities to serve within the Dallas Chapter, serving as the Dinner Host in Richardson for two years, starting our Care Team, organizing our 2017 Balloon Release, assisting with our 2018 5k, and planning our first "Night of Hope," a fundraising dinner and silent auction. I began interning with Jenny Williams, Dallas' second Chapter President in the summer of 2018, and on March 1st of 2019 I took over as the third Dallas ...

His Name is Gideon (Through the Eyes of a NILMDTS Photographer)

His Name is Gideon. He wasn’t here long.  But in the hour, give or take a few minutes, that he was on this earth, he was loved and cherished by his mom and dad. No child could have ever been nor ever will be adored any more than how Gideon was. I met this family last night shortly after 9PM.  Gideon’s mom, Kayla, had reached out to me months ago checking to see if I still take pictures for NILMDTS, an organization that networks photographers around the country to offer their services when a newborn child will not be leaving the hospital alive due to complications that develop during pregnancy.  I assured her that I did ...

Links for Hope Moms: Fall 2019 Edition

We want to share with you links to posts, videos, and resources from around the web to uplift, help, and encourage you in your walk with the Lord as you grieve. {The Fruit of the Wilderness} // "What’s the point of the wilderness anyway? I’ve asked that question numerous times when I’ve been lost in the desert, wondering if I’d ever find a way out. People told me that God was working, but since I didn’t know what He was doing, I secretly wondered if He was doing anything at all. I didn’t choose the wilderness. No one does. It’s a dark place of loneliness, rejection and despair. But it also cultivates the most life-giving ...

Gospel of Peace

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. Shoes. I really like shoes. A lot of shoes. In college, my boyfriend made me a four–tiered shoe storage unit because I had so many shoes. He designed it to hold about 35 pair of shoes. Ha! I managed to get 54 pair in by ...

In the Word: Purposefully Planned

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Psalm 139 together. This Psalm is used often (and rightly so) to demonstrate the value of human life, and God's care for us from even before we were conceived. What can we learn about God's tender care for us and for our babies from these verses? How does a greater knowledge of these truths offer hope and comfort to us in the midst of grief? Purposefully Planned “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your ...

The Gift of Paige

As we consider the profound impact that our Hope Babies have had on our lives, we can be filled with gratitude toward them, and toward the Lord. In this series, we reflect on some of the ways that we can say "thank you" to our precious babe(s) for the gifts that they have been and continue to be to us. We welcome you to contribute to this series by writing your own reflection on the impact your baby(ies) has had on your life and submitting it HERE. My Sweet Paige Abigail, I can’t believe you’ve already been snug in our Savior’s arms for a whole year already. Time sure does fly. But I thank God daily for the gift of you! Even ...

Brittany’s Story

I still remember the morning I found out I was expecting. It was something Kory and I had been trying for, even though it really didn’t take us long. Kory was at work two hours away with limited phone service, and had told me they would probably be working real late. As soon as I took that pregnancy test and saw it was positive, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I knew there was no way I could tell Kory the news in just a text message, so I started browsing on Pinterest some fun ways to tell the new dad. Once I had decided on something, I went to Walmart, and found myself looking through the baby stuff. I imagined what it would be like to ...

Encouragement for October 15

To my fellow Hope Mommy on October 15th— I see your pain and loss, and I want you to know you’re not alone. I remember my first Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day being only a week after my baby was born into heaven. It felt painfully ironic, yet I was grateful for another way to share about her—to be seen and understood in my grief. I am so sorry this is now your bittersweet day too. I find it bitter because it is still a reminder of what is missing in this life: an empty space in our family unit, and a missed chance to mother a child here on earth. Yet it still remains somewhat sweet because it is our day to share ...