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 the emergency room delivering another precious baby. She too was not long for this world.
I was the one in four.
I was given the opportunity to attend the annual Hope Mommies retreat in 2015. I honestly did not think the retreat would be something I needed. Through the early months of my grief, the Lord surrounded my husband and I with a community of people who came alongside us in our sorrow. People sent flowers and brought over meals. Our mailbox was flooded with letters of encouragement, and we were covered in prayer. But I decided to go so that I could extend the same comfort that I had received in grief to the other women in attendance.
As soon as I arrived at the retreat center, I was greeted by name and given a name tag that read:
Ashlee Schmidt, Hope Mom to Simeon and Odelle
My babies’ names were spoken all weekend and displayed all over the camp. I had no idea how much this would mean to my aching heart. I experienced new layers of healing that I didn’t know I needed. It was so uplifting to be surrounded by women who had tasted the bitterness of loss and still chose to praise the Lord in the midst of their sorrow.
Throughout the weekend, I saw God’s hand powerfully at work through Hope Mommies. I watched as broken-hearted mommas encountered the hope of Christ in these sacred moments, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of what God was doing through this incredible ministry.
Just a few months later, I stepped into the role of Editorial Coordinator, and have had the privilege of writing new studies for our Hope Groups and overseeing the outstanding team of women who write for the Hope Mommies blog.
I have seen God multiply my meager offerings in ways I could never have imagined. It has been an absolute joy to come alongside grieving mommas and share with them the abounding grace and hope that has been freely offered to them through Christ. In a world that is trying to silence biblical truth, Hope Mommies is committed to connect grieving women and families to God’s truth—where hope is restored, faith is renewed, and brokenness is mended.
This ministry is run entirely by volunteers and the generosity of our donors. What an incredible joy it is to announce that we have already succeeded our goal for our Giving Tuesday campaign. We are humbled by your generosity and grateful to be linking arms with so many of you in this great work. By giving to Hope Mommies you are enabling us to reach more women with the hope of Christ. More hospitals will be equipped with Hope Boxes. More women will be able to attend our annual retreats. More resources will be shared with grieving women and families. We cannot wait to see all that God will accomplish for His glory through Hope Mommies in 2019!
As a way of saying thank you for your generosity, we will be giving away this WOOD FRAMED SIGNBOARD of ROMANS 12:12.
Anyone who has made a donation of $75 or more by December 31 at 11:59 CST will be entered to win. The winner will be announced on Friday, January 4.
**UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Brittany Mondlak has won the WOOD FRAMED SIGNBOARD of ROMANS 12:12. Please watch for an email, Brittany. Thank you to everyone who donated as a part of our Giving Tuesday campaign. Together we raised over $15,000!
It’s not too late to give. If Hope Mommies has impacted your life or touched your heart in any way, would you join us in serving other grieving moms? The more we raise, the further our reach will be. This year, Hope Mommies has a free gift for those who want to donate* to the ministry through the annual Giving Tuesday campaign—a new book, Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss, written by Lianna Davis with Brittnie Blackburn, Stephanie Blanks, Lindsey Dennis, Abigail Eades, Sam Martin, Ashlee Schmidt, Meg Walker, and Calli Williams.
You can follow this link to give. Thank you for helping us spread the hope of Christ to grieving hearts.
* For a donation of $25 you will receive a free ebook copy of the new book.
For a donation of $50 you will receive a free physical copy of the new book.
- Ashlee
Hope Mom to Simeon and Odelle
Ashlee is the Editorial Coordinator for Hope Mommies, and author of I AM (Hope Mommies, 2016), and Identity (Hope Mommies, 2018). She and her husband, Jesse, live in Milwaukee with their children—five on earth and two with the Lord. You can read more of her writing on her blog.
Are you a writer who would like to join the blog team? Learn more and apply here.
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Carolyn Wallis
May 22, 2019 (12:35 pm)
My daughter experienced one stillbirth and three miscarriages. She has made it clear that she wants NO MORE PHYSICAL items. She was given something like a HOPE Box with the first experience and has a memorial stone. As her mom and grandmother to these precious lives, I have looked for opportunities each year to remember their lives while honoring my daughter’s wishes of “no more physical items.” I have donated to a photographer who gives away such donations to parents of stillborn children so they can have photos. I have given magazines to children’s hospitals and one year, a party for a young boy whose family could not afford a party. I also provided curriculum for a family whose special needs child required additional supplies. From all of these, I received a letter that I could pass onto my daughter so she would know that her heavenly children were remembered. I also provided boxes similar to what a HOPE box is. I would like more ideas similar these. Please let me know if you have any ideas that are NOT physical items for the grieving mom. Thanks so much.