Made for a Different Land: In Honor of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day
“they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one”
Hebrews 11:16a (NIV)
With Hebrews 11:16 coming to mind, I uttered the following words in the hospital room after the stillbirth of my first child: “She was made for a different land.” Soon, we announced the death of our child instead of her birth, and the same words were written across the title of our blog post. As the years have gone by, this is the phrase I have written on balloons released in memory of my daughter. And most recently, “Made for a Different Land” is the title of a forthcoming collabo...
Kayla’s Story
Today marks 10 months without our first child, Anna. When I think back to the week that lead to her death and every day since I can’t say I have one specific thought or feeling that captures it all. Words fail to express the overwhelming emotions and lessons that come with the loss of a child because it’s messy, grievous, and at times embarrassing. But what has been clearly defined through it all is that God is who He says He is, even when life isn’t what you’ve expected.
At 16 weeks pregnant I experienced mild cramping all morning at church. I remember worshi...
One Week until October 15
Hope.
This four-letter word has lost its rich significance in our current vocabulary. It is tossed around flippantly as a way to voice our personal desires.
I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.
I hope this goes on sale.
I hope I get the job.
I hope….
But hope is more than wishful thinking. It's more than putting a patch over the not-yets and wish-they-weres, because it has nothing to do with what might happen in the future. Instead, the beauty of this profound word is that it has everything to do with what has already been accomplished.
You see, hope ...
In the Word: Jehovah-Rohi
Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at different names of God found in Scripture, and how these different aspects of who He is offer us hope in the midst of our grief. 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!
Jehovah-rohi,: “The Lord is My Shepherd”
"The Lord is ...
Local Chapter Spotlight: West Texas
What's happening in West Texas:
The West Texas chapter was formed in May 2016 to help support the mission of Hope Mommies by sharing the hope of Jesus Christ and creating a network of local support to help with the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of a grieving family. We provide this support in the larger communities of Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, San Angelo, and Abilene, as well as the smaller communities within 50-100 miles of these major cities. Sadly, our chapter has grown so much in the three years it has existed! What began with a small group of five volunte...
Andi’s Story
My husband and I always wanted to have kids, and started family planning while we were working in Apartment Life Ministry as a CARES Team. Our job at the apartment was to live on property, help build community, and share the love of Christ in tangible ways. Along that journey, we got pregnant in February 2017. We didn’t think it would happen easily as the doctor had already told me the year prior that I would have trouble because of some thyroid and hormone issues. It all happened fast, and we got very excited about the pregnancy. But later that week my body started to ...
By His Strength: 2019 Retreats
Grief is the intended consequence of losing someone that you love. Grief is natural—even though it feels anything but—and we can know this to be true because of the lament we see in the Psalms.
"My tears have been my food day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
'Where is your God?'"
Psalm 42:3
"Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish."
Psalm 25: 16-17
I am currently eight years out from the stillbirth of my daughter, and though I have in no way fully processed ...
Local Chapter Spotlight: Albuquerque
What's happening in Albuquerque:
Being a part of the Hope Mommies Albuquerque Chapter has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. The road after the loss of a child is full of dark and winding places. I know now that there were times when my wonderful family and friends were unsure of how to walk alongside me after the loss of my firstborn son Jett in 2012. I was living away from home at the time, which made it even more difficult on some of Jett’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Thankfully, this ministry was there to not only change the ...
In the Word: The Lord my Healer
Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at different names of God found in Scripture, and how these different aspects of who He is offer us hope in the midst of our grief. 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!
Jehovah-rophi,: “The Lord My Healer”
"Then ...
Links for Hope Moms: Fall 2018 Edition
We want to share with you links to posts, videos, and resources from around the web to uplift, help, and encourage you in your walk with the Lord as you grieve.
{Trusting God in Grief} // "In the darkness and chaos of grief, we can somehow think that our tears reflect a lack of faith or that our questions about what God is doing constitute rebellion. But is this true? Is it possible to hurt deeply, question God boldly, and not only remain firm in faith but even grow in faith and confidence in God? A panel of those who have dealt with grief and loss will share their ...
