Hope Group Testimonies {And a Giveaway}

Hope Groups are a group of women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss (up to two years of age) at any point in their life. It’s a collection of women who meet and share their stories with one another, pray together, ask questions, share hurts, share happinesses … and cling to His Word to find that there is still hope after the death of their precious sons and daughters.

Hope Groups are a nine week, Bible study and small group. Some meet online through Facebook and some meet in person. Each group will establish a specific meeting time. Even if you can’t make it for that specific time each week, we encourage you to join a group. The topics will be posted online and dialogue will continue beyond the specified time and throughout the week.

Here is what other women who have gone through Hope Groups in the past have to say:

Lindsey M – Hope Mom to Faith:

Hope Mommies has been God’s light house for me in the midst of the raging storm of grief I am enduring. When my daughter passed away in May 2013, I was broken hearted and confused. Why would God let this happen to me? Hope groups gave me a place to process my thoughts and emotions with other women who were going through the same storm I was, and many of whom had recently come out of the grief storm with hope on the other side. They were helping me to shore. God used many of the women in my group as well as the study to remind me of His truths and sovereignty over my daughter’s life and eternity. Hope groups is a place where grief meets His hope.

 

Anne U – Hope Mom to Ava:

Being in a Hope Group has been such an answered prayer for me. Though my husband and I have wonderful families and precious friends, I’ve often found myself drowning in a silent loneliness as we’ve grieved over the loss of our daughter, Ava. Having a group of women who have tasted the same sadness and know the same thoughts and fears that run through my own head and heart has been such a blessing. Being able to study God’s Word and find our deepest comfort in His truths has allowed me to not only grow, but to dispel some of the lies that had crept into my grief. This group has helped me find freedom and allowed me to grieve for Ava in a hope-filled and life-giving way. I am so grateful.

 

Leslie M – Hope Mom to Graham:

I joined a Hope Group just 6 weeks after we lost our baby boy, Graham.  Joining the online Bible study from the comfort of my own home was a great way to ease in to a Bible study, “be” with others, and find hope after loss that can only be found in Christ.  Myself and other women who had experienced similar loss walked along side one another, prayed for one another, loved on one another, encouraged one another, and grieved with one another.  The friendships I have made through Hope Groups are life-long.  While we all have friends who support us through difficult times, there is nothing like the support from a sister in Christ who understands the exact pain from loss, and is walking the same road.  I am so thankful for the Hope Groups offered through Hope Mommies, and the encouragement it provided on my journey! 

 

Michelle G – Hope Mom to Jaxon:

Being involved in Hope Groups was God’s way of leading me into His embrace. When I dug deep into the questions and scripture that were presented each week I knew that I wasn’t alone in my thoughts and that I was indeed walking this journey with women who understood my heart. I needed rest and Hope Groups is where I began my journey of giving up control for trust in the One who provides true rest. ?

 

Stephanie C – Hope Mom to 2 precious children in Heaven:

Hope Groups allowed me to see my suffering and pregnancy loss through a different lens; a lens in which I walked confidently with God again as I allowed his Word to transform my mind, revealing brokenness and bringing healing to my heart. Hope Groups has given me lasting friendships, repaired the dark places in my life, and refreshed my soul. If I chose one word to describe my experience with Hope Groups I would chose repaired.

 

Leah V – Hope Mom to Sophia:

Shortly after losing my precious daughter Sophia, I was privileged to join a Hope Group. A safe place I was welcomed in just as I was, raw and real, amongst other ladies who were also hurting and had experienced pain as deeply as mine. Not only were we given a weekly topic with correlating Scripture verses and discussion questions, but we also had a chance to minister to one another what the Lord was teaching us through each session. And to be able to share with one another about our personal journeys through the loss of our babies. For me, the most healing aspect of all was getting the chance every week to openly talk about my daughter. To hear others use her name, ask questions about her, to share her birth story…oh the joy it brought this grieving mother’s heart. It was a one-of-a-kind bond I have never experienced before, to walk together in close community with the hope of Christ as our anchor.

 

Holly S – Hope Mom to Landry:

Hope Groups has given me the courage to share my heart and hurt with others that truly grasp the deep heartache that comes from having a child in Heaven. Joining a Hope Group will allow you the opportunity to walk alongside other moms that have been marked (by loss), and during the 8 week session you will begin to see God’s amazing love shining down and turning your ashes in to beauty. By delving into scripture readings together, you will begin to fully embrace your story as a Hope Mom.

 

Heather D – Hope Mom to Anthony Jr., Malia & Nathan:

For me, Hope Groups meant a community of women who not only had a similar loss in their lives that I could relate to and connect with, but a community of women who didn’t look at me weird for talking about my children who had died, or turn away when I would bring them up, or stare at me in silence because they didn’t know what to say. I think it’s important to join a Hope Group to have this community, to feel accepted in a world where what our family looks like to this world is one that isn’t always accepted. It’s important to focus on the hope we have of being reunited with our children because of what our Savior did for us that fateful day on the cross.

 

Lindsey D – Hope Mom to Jonah:

I wasn’t originally planning to join a Hope Group. I thought I was doing pretty well with my grief and walking with the Lord through it, but God knew I needed more. I needed to allow Him to take me deeper in my faith, and better understand His purpose and plan for me through it all. He put me in just the right place at the right time, at a dinner with other hope moms including one who was leading a Hope Group. She, and the other moms, encouraged me to consider it. I did, and I went, and I am forever grateful. It was a continual healing process each week getting to speak Jonah’s name and talk about Him with other moms who understood. We spent time going through the Bible and discussing His truths regarding our losses, combatting the many lies I had heard and told myself after such a great loss. I am so grateful I took that step forward and joined a Hope Group. And I am so very grateful for each of the new hope moms I have met and continue to share friendships with even today.

 

Jessie V – Hope Mom to Hope & Ethan:

I decided to join a hope group last fall when the stress of my losses got me to the point of needing some release, and I couldn’t find a good grief counselor. I wasn’t sure if a small group was going to be the answer I needed, but I had to start somewhere.  The hope group quickly became a place of refuge for me, where I could use the weekly devotional to look at my losses with a godly perspective, and get help from other women to change my own views about my journey. I met some incredibly inspiring women in my hope group, several of which I am still friends with today. Even though we have never met in person because my hope group met online, I feel very connected to the women I met who continue to bless me with their friendship and support. Joining a hope group gave me friends I know I will have for life, and the support I needed to get to a much healthier place about my losses. I am very grateful to God for giving me my band of sisters to walk with me through the storms of loss.

 

Hope Group Coordinator Jennifer Parks – Hope Mom to Paige:

I am so honored every time I get to share my story with others and listen to them speak about their precious children who have gone before them.  It is an absolute privilege to hold their hand, to validate their pain, to hear their anger and confusion and to share humbly how I continually experience the love of a present, affectionate and marvelous God in the midst of my own sorrow.  My wish is that Hope Moms would feel bold and courageous as they sign up for a Hope Group this fall.  I want them to experience the refreshment of speaking their child’s name and sharing their child’s photos and stories in a place where they are met with loving sincerity and empathy.  I pray that these moms will find friendship and a place where they belong.  But most importantly, I pray they find restoration for their hearts and healing for their souls as they fully embrace their stories while running with arms wide open into the precious and grace filled, redemptive love of our Savior and Lord.

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Registration for our Fall Hope Groups is now open!  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with other women, share your story, and experience the hope of Christ! Hope Groups begin the week of Sept. 28 and run through Nov. 23

To learn more about our fall group leaders click HERE
To register for a group click HERE

 

As we anticipate the start of our Hope Groups this fall, Hope Mommies is excited to partner with Richelle of maehandmade for this fall giveaway:
Richelle has graciously donated one of each of the prints pictured throughout this post to our readers.  Five women will be chosen to receive one of these beautiful prints!  To learn more about her shop and see her beautiful artwork you can check her out on Facebook,  follow her on Instagram @maehandmade, or visit her Etsy Shop

A Rafflecopter Giveaway


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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