Raegan’s Story
"I had a textbook pregnancy. It was my first pregnancy, and I enjoyed every second of it. We didn’t find out the gender because we wanted it to be a surprise. I chose to use a midwife for my prenatal care and delivery. It was always my dream to have a completely natural birth in water at a birth center. I went into early labor on my due date which was May 8th at about 11 pm. This was when the contractions first woke me up. They weren’t bad, so I just tried to get as much sleep as possible. When my husband woke up to go to work, I told him that I’d been ...
Jessica’s Story
"A little before we made the decision to start trying for baby number three, my older sister and her husband found out that their son, Jaxson, had a hereditary genetic disorder that was complicated. It would require a bone marrow transplant along with additional, life long, support of various kinds. Of course this was difficult news for our entire family to digest but I didn’t worry about the effects that it could have on my family- until a conversation that I had with someone close to the situation. I was excited to share that we were going to start trying for ...
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. ...
