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 course of my own grief, but it also gave my loved ones tangible ways to support me. My mom and mother-in-law took the lead right away and began what would become our chapter by providing Hope Boxes to one of our local hospitals.  When I later moved back to Albuquerque, my mom, mother-in-law, three sisters, and I made the commitment to really get our chapter up and running. Every day since then, we have seen answers to our prayer that moms and families in our area would find comfort and hope instead of loneliness after the loss of their precious babies.

In the beginning, we gave Hope Boxes to a hospital in which one of my sisters works as a NICU nurse.  This was a great way to provide initial support for moms. As we’ve grown, we’ve expanded to new hospitals and been able to deliver for individual requests as well. We now host in-person Hope Groups, create awareness by partnering with other local organizations, hold Hope Box Gatherings, and plan events for Infant Loss Awareness Day. Through all these avenues, we’ve gotten to meet, know, and love so many women who have experienced loss at some point in their lives. With each one, I’m reminded that no matter how much time passes, we never forget our children. We never just “move on.” Instead, we carry them with us every single day, and being a part of the Hope Mommies community gives us a way to love and remember them. With every mom who participates in a Hope Group and then becomes a volunteer, I’m also reminded of the beauty that God allows a time for all things; for us as Hope Moms, He allows a time to be consumed with grief and to be served and then somehow (though we would never think it’s possible in the early days), He makes way for hope and a time to serve others. What a gift!

As a chapter, we take one day at a time. We plan events and fundraise, that’s true. But more importantly, we meet each new mom wherever she is in her grief and let her know that she is part of a community that understands. We shed tears, pray, laugh, and seek hope and truth together. Though I would have never chosen this journey for myself or anyone else, I am so grateful for this ministry and for all my Albuquerque Hope Moms.

^“See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:19

Hope Mom Testimony:

The first time I was supposed to meet a Hope Mommy, I stood her up. It was completely unintentional. After emailing with Jamie who heads our local chapter of Hope Mommies, we decided to meet at a coffee shop close to my house.

The morning we were supposed to meet, I received a text message right as I was beginning a Pilates class. “I’m wearing blue shorts and am in the corner. Looking forward to meeting you soon!” I immediately called Jamie, apologized profusely, and said I would be there in 15 minutes. Because Jamie had also experienced the loss of a child, she understood. She knows that our brains are never the same, especially so soon after our child departs us to be with the Lord. She offered me so much more grace and forgiveness than I was offering myself. We rescheduled.

This grace-filled interaction was my first introduction to the community of Hope Mommies.

The most striking difference for me that I have seen between Hope Mommies and other organizations for bereaved parents is the hope we have in Christ. All grieving parents are struggling to find hope, but without Christ, we can only anchor ourselves to what we see and feel, and the experiences of others. Even when our hearts are breaking, we can rest in the hope of Christ.

Pray for Albuquerque:

• We ask for prayers that the moms in our area will find comfort in community and hope in Christ as they walk through the most painful days of their lives. We pray that they will see light in the darkness and feel overwhelming peace as they are surrounded by the stories and strength of other Hope Moms.

Hope Mommies Chapters assist in our mission to share the Hope of Christ with bereaved mothers and families experiencing infant loss by serving their local communities through providing on-the-ground support in their geographical area.

Would you like to see a local chapter in your area?

We are currently accepting new Chapter applications.
Submissions will be accepted July 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019.

Learn more and apply here!