Book Review: “Lord Willing?” by Jessica Kelley
Recently, Lord Willing?, by Jessica Kelley came to the attention of women in our Hope Mommies private Facebook group. We are so thankful this group is a place for discussion and sharing of our ideas and journeys. Our shared Hope Mommies group has been founded upon a set of beliefs about the character and ways of God. So, when appropriate, we want to carefully provide a review for you of material introduced to our group that we consider outside of the scope of the Biblical beliefs this organization was founded on.
Here, we extend to the author of Lord Willing? our own ...
Bethany’s Story
"My story is not one I would have chosen to write. It isn’t glamorous, it hasn’t been easy, but I would not be who or where I am today if I were the one writing it. God has written my story, and throughout my story there have been many beautifully broken moments that I have had to desperately cling to what I know of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I have been challenged in my faith and have still been able to boldly say that God is Good.
Just shortly after our first year of marriage, we were joyously surprised to find out we were going ...
Kathryn’s Story
"October 2nd of last year I found two very dark pink lines on a stick, discovering that I was four weeks pregnant. This was one of the most joyful days of my life. Instantly, I called my mom and shared the news. We both cried in overflowing joy and thankfulness. She was going to be a grandmother and I a mom! It was the greatest feeling in the world. A miracle was being knitted together inside of me. That weekend Evan and I had a camping trip planned, which was a perfect time to share the news with him. I made a little note that said “I’m going to be a big sister!” ...
Caitlin’s Story
I came across an old Instagram post of mine that showed a handwritten definition of glory. It said, “Glory-original meaning ‘weightiness.’ Like the force of a sledgehammer to our lives.”
That was written four years ago, long before I knew the true force glory would have on my life.
Six months into our marriage, my husband and I started to experience some swells in the waves of daily married life. I hurt my back, rendering me almost immobile despite months of physical and drug therapy. Surgery was imminent. Relief was on its way!
The day of my back surgery found ...
Liv’s Story of Hope
My life plan was abruptly interrupted on April 14, 2010 when I got the most earth-shattering news I could have imagined. Our 11-week-old baby's heart was no longer beating. With the swirling of an ultrasound wand and seven horrible words, "Honey, more people miscarry than you know," I was broken.
I had longed to be a mommy since my baby doll days. But just like that, in one little moment, it was stripped away. The doctors scheduled my D&C for two days later. Could they really take my baby? What if they were wrong about that little heartbeat?
That night was the ...
A Letter from Erin, Founder and Director of Hope Mommies {On Future Leadership}
“Establish the work of our hands upon us,
Yes establish the work of our hands!”
-Psalm 90:17
“We do not know what to do,
but our eyes are on you.”
-2 Chron. 20:12
“This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.”
-Psalm 118:23
In the past five years, these prayers have been repeatedly on my lips as the Founder and Director of Hope Mommies. What began as a tentative, fledgling idea has grown into a national and international ministry with a mission that is zeroing in on two principle needs for those that grieve: Truth and Community.
These ...
Hope Dads: Shepherd Your Family
“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.”
-Psalm 128:1-4
Dads, this Psalm was directed at you and me. Every time I read this passage, I want to say YES PLEASE! This is the family life that we all want, a family that is flourishing! This is what we want for our family when we celebrate Fathers Day, when we go out ...
Saran’s Story
"A few months ago my life changed forever.
I was about 6 months pregnant with our first child, a baby boy named Riley, and up until this point it had been a smooth and happy pregnancy. I dealt with those typical pregnancy symptoms, and even though those can drive you crazy, the thought of becoming a mommy was the most beautiful gift that I could have ever been given. On January 17th of this year, my husband and I both started having stomach pains before bed and we naturally thought it was probably something we ate. His pain was gone by morning but mine was intensifying. ...
Identity: We Are Loved
Love stories. We've read them in books. We've watched them on tv and movies. We are drawn to the romance, the passion, the security. We long to know that true love exists and that it exists for us. That need for love, to feel loved, is in every person. The key is to make sure that the love that defines us is from the right source.
In order to embrace our identity of "loved," we need to know where love is not found.
Love is not based on appearance. Your hair, your skin, your weight, those things don't earn you love. When we look in the mirror, we all see things we'd ...
Betsy’s Story
"July 14, 2010, I waddled into the labor and delivery wing full of excitement and hope. This time it was real labor and I would soon be able to meet this long-awaited baby girl! It was my first time pregnant and it was a lot harder than anyone could predict. With active rheumatoid arthritis, my doctors and I had a master plan based on all the known research and statistics. I had an expert team of High Risk OBs and Rheumatologists monitoring every step.
Most women with RA go into remission during pregnancy as the body turns its attention away from attacking your joints to ...
