Testimony Tuesday {Jacquelyn’s Retreat Experience}
My name is Jacquelyn Hayden, Hope Mom to Beanie (7 week loss), Nole (7 weeks 3 day loss), and Case (28 week preemie who passed away at 10 days old). All of my losses happened between November 2012 and November 2013. I found out about Hope Mommies after Case passed away, because a coworker of my sister-in-law sent me a Hope Box. It meant the world to me to receive something during that time, especially something from a stranger that was filled with so much love, hope, and care. A few months later, I found the Hope Mommies Facebook group, learned more about the ...
Meghan’s Story
I grew up thinking if you worked hard, you could accomplish your dreams. I was very much a planner, and for the most part, things went according to plan. School, graduation, marriage, more school, job. It all flowed so easily from one stage to the next. So, when I didn’t get pregnant in those first 2 months, I was completely thrown. When those months turned into years, I struggled with knowing who I was as a woman, with trusting God to provide, with patience as I waited while friend after friend conceived. I often wondered what was ...
Hope for the Holidays {All Things New}
As Christmas celebrations begin to come to a close, we find ourselves in anticipation of a brand new year. In many ways, the new year feels like an opportunity for a fresh start. We resolve to read more, work out more, be more organized, more patient, more loving…
But inside many of us long for the new year to bring something more meaningful than better eating habits and more trips to the gym.
We long for the shattered pieces of our hearts to be brought back together.
We long for the undoing of all the pain and sorrow of this world.
We long for the ...
Testimony Tuesday: Christy’s Testimony
I know suffering. Most of the seasons in my adult life have been a season of suffering. From the emotional and sexual abuse I experienced to my early miscarriage. However, none of these forced me to truly dig deeper in my relationship with God than the death of my daughter, Chloe. She was stillborn in May of 2016 and it shook me in a way that nothing else has.
I did something after my daughter’s death that I really hadn’t done after my other sufferings: I pursued God. Really pursued Him. I wanted to feel His comfort, know I wasn’t being ...
Christmas Day Encouragement: “I Miss Your Baby”
"I miss your baby." Are you going to hear those words today? Will someone you are with acknowledge your baby? Is anyone going to speak any thoughts to you of him or her?
Is anyone going to say the name of your son or daughter? “I miss him so much,” or “I really miss her,” or “I wish we were together with your baby too,” or “Your son is a part of this family even though he cannot be in the family pictures, see the family traditions, and eat the family meals,” or “I know that your baby is in the best place of all in ...
Christmas Eve Encouragement: “Please Don’t Try to Fix It”
The baby you greatly miss is not here. I know, I feel it too for mine. She was not here when we were hanging ornaments, and not here when wrapping last-minute presents in glowing Christmas light. They are not here with joy on their faces to receive gifts in celebration of the only Savior of this world. They are not here. And there is a felt void at every step through this time of year. We cannot fix it or change it. It is.
"Please don't try to fix it."
We resist when the words of others appear to be applying remedy for what they cannot fix—...
Hope for the Holidays {Hope Came Down}
How can I feel joy when I'm just so sad? How can I enjoy Christmas when my baby was suppose to be here? How do I go on when my heart is broken? I hear you, sweet mommas, and I understand.
On December 21st, my daughter will turn 6. There will be no trip to the American Doll store. We won't go get her first pedicure. She won't unwrap any presents. We've never done any of those things because Kinley has celebrated every birthday in heaven. So, I will do what I do every year--I will make pink cupcakes. I will sing happy birthday. And I will miss my sweet girl. Then 4 ...
Testimony Tuesday {Waiting in Hope}
I have lived two Christmases in the shadow of loss. First we lost our son during birth on his due date at the end of October. With two healthy toddlers I couldn’t just skip that holiday season. Then six years later with three growing boys at home we were surprised with another pregnancy and almost as quickly learned we would lose it. Our baby went to heaven during the end of September. My natural reaction would have been to hold my breath until the holiday season was over. What was there in joy and festivity for me? I was grieving—how could I hang lights, ...
#ILoveHopeMommies and a Giveaway!
Thank you for considering making a donation to the ministry of Hope Mommies through our #ILoveHopeMommies Fundraising Campaign. It is estimated that, in the United States alone, 1 in 4 women will experience miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. This is a staggering number, and one, quite honestly, I never knew existed until it happened to me. We greatly appreciate donors like you who are the hands and feet of Jesus in this broken world. The women we support carry a story within and throughout themselves that no mother should ever have ...
