Book Release: “Made for a Different Land” {And a Giveaway!}
Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss is now available for purchase. Find it at Amazon here. Today, Hope Mommies’ executive director, Jennifer Parks, is sharing her foreword to the book.
Foreword
Lianna came into my life about three and a half years ago when I first read her writing at Hope Mommies. Hope Mommies is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. Each time a new post of hers was published on the blog, I devoured it immediately. She was able to articulate feelings and ...
Resolved to Hope
Tomorrow we will wake to the start of a brand new year. New Years is accompanied by the idea of a fresh start. We make lists of the ways we’d like to grow or change, and make plans to implement new habits, learn new skills, or embrace new experiences.
Often, these resolutions are driven by a desire for self-improvement. But what if this year we allowed our resolutions to be rooted in a deep desire to exalt Christ? What if we welcomed 2019 with a resolve to anchor our hope in the Lord and magnify His name through our grief?
There is no circumstance in life in which ...
In the Word: God is Glorious
Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be pouring over Scripture with the goal of knowing God increasingly as He truly is. As we study together, we encourage you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you study these names of God along with us!
God is Glorious
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much ...
Share Hope: Hope SHARE Foundation
I was heading home from a meeting while tears streamed down my face. Before leaving, several ladies had gathered to pray over my unborn son and me. I had been very open with those around me about his prognosis and any miracles or glimmers of hope we experienced during the pregnancy. I had not, however, been so transparent to others concerning the answer God was giving me. I coveted others’ prayers and wanted so desperately for God to change His mind. While the tears poured this day, my prayer wasn’t for God to change His mind, but simply for His will to be done. ...
Our Hope This Christmas
The people of Israel were waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah. They were living under the threat of the Assyrians, who would later bring the northern kingdom of Israel into captivity, when the prophet Isaiah delivered news of a child who would come to dissipate the darkness and redeem the world from sin. This birth announcement was a glimmer of hope in the midst of the fear and sorrow.
“For to us a Child is born,
to us a Son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
and His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everl...
Advent: The Gift of Love
I was eight and a half months pregnant that first Christmas in my grief. Just four months before, we had received a diagnosis for our unborn son that left us knowing that, barring a miracle from God, we’d be saying goodbye to him way sooner than we ever imagined.
There was something so significant that year about being pregnant at Christmastime.
I had low energy, both physically and emotionally, and so in some ways Christmas became a little bit simpler. But, honestly, it became a little bit more meaningful too.
I would go about my days, obviously with child, and I ...
Kacie’s Story
I feel like I have told Isaac’s story hundreds of times over the past seven years, and yet, each time it’s difficult to know where to start. Because the Bible says that God knew us before the foundation of the world, I know that Isaac’s story began before I was laying on the ultrasound table that day in March of 2011. However, for the purpose of this blog, that is where I will begin.
That day, a day that will forever be etched in my memory, we were at the doctor for a followup. Our “routine” genetic screening, just three weeks prior, had indicated that the ...
Why Give to Hope Mommies? {And a Giveaway!}
It is estimated that one in four pregnancies will end in loss. I had been aware of the statistic for a long time, but I always assumed that most of these losses occur in countries where there isn’t easy access to affordable health care. Surely, with all of the medical advancements we have in the United States, baby loss could not be that common.
Then, in May of 2014, I watched the monitor as the sonographer told me that my baby’s heart was no longer beating. My heart ached knowing that I would not be able to watch this sweet baby grow. Eight months later, I was in ...
Advent: He is Joy
I have to admit that writing about joy in this Advent season feels deeply bittersweet for me. Two years ago, when I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my firstborn son, Max, my church asked me to write a personal Advent piece also centered on joy. At that time, I talked about choosing to find joy in Max’s Down syndrome diagnosis. I reveled in the parallel between awaiting the birth of our Lord Jesus and that of Max. I wrote, “Spencer and I are filled with joy as we anticipate the arrival of our baby who we know will change our lives. And as we wait for Max, we ...
In the Word: God is Great
Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be pouring over Scripture with the goal of knowing God increasingly as He truly is. As we study together, we encourage you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you study these names of God along with us!
Knowing Our Glorious God
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.”
Ps...
