All Episodes

This podcast episode was sponsored by John and Tricia Ferreira in memory of their son, John Ferreira, Jr.

Laura has decided to spend a couple of weeks during the holidays to talk about whether our children can give us signs that they are around at times or are able to communicate with us in some way after they die. This can be a very controversial topic in the Body of Christ, but it is an extremely important one to tackle.

Laura does not use any titles, but she has been an ordained minister since 2009 and functioned in that role for many years previously, before being ordained. This may be important to some listeners, especially as she has spent time studying the Word of God on this topic, and shares much of what she has seen and learned over the years in the previous episode.

Today, Laura brings on Nancy Weil, who has dealt extensively with this topic for many years.

Note: If you would like to comment from theological or Biblical thoughts, please listen to episode 189 and share those thoughts there. Any comments along this line found under this episode will not be accepted.

If you would like to share your own stories, you can do so here.

Nancy Weil is a leading authority on the relationship between humor and grief, and is known for her energetic, entertaining and content rich programs. She runs a national virtual grief support group through her work with the Order of the Golden Rule, an association for independent funeral homes. Nancy is Certified as a Funeral Celebrant, Grief Management Specialist, and Laughter Leader.  She is the founder of The Laugh Academy and the author of, If Stress Doesn’t Kill You, Your Family Might.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

Connect with Nancy: [email protected]

Get more information to join Laura and Nancy on The Grief Cruise!

Sponsor a podcast episode in memory of your child.

Join the discussion! Leave a question or comment on today’s talk here.

Choose GPS Hope as your charity of choice on Smile Amazon here.

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

Austin Smith was born on December 18 and is forever 30.

Luke Getchell was born on December 19 and is forever 14.

Carissa Perkins was born on December 21and is forever 29.

Dylan Bieber was born on December 21 and is forever 16.

Jonathan Granick was born on December 21 and is forever 36.

James Anthony Walkley was born on December 23 and is forever 28.

John Ferreira Jr. was born on December 24 and is forever 32.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope

Laura has decided to spend a couple of weeks during the holidays to talk about whether our children can give us signs that they are around at times, or be able to communicate with us in some way after they die. This can be a very controversial topic in the Body of Christ, but it is an extremely important one to tackle.

Laura does not use any titles, but she has been an ordained minister since 2009 and functioned in that role for many years previously, before being ordained. This may be important to some listeners, especially as she has spent time studying the Word of God on this topic, and shares much of what she has seen and learned here in this episode.

Along with looking at what the Bible has to say on this subject, going to psychics to communicate with our children is also discussed.

The purpose of this week’s episode is more to lay a Biblical-based foundation for the topic of signs and communication from our children. Next week Laura will bring in an experienced guest to share more thoughts and lots of stories.

Join the discussion! Leave a question or comment on today’s talk here.

To sponsor a podcast episode in 2023 in memory of your child click here.

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

Sarah Jordan was born on December 11 and is forever 42.

DW Grubbs was born on December 12 and is forever 27.

Tanner Allen-Harris was born on December 13 and is forever 20.

Cameron Paddock was born on December 14 and is forever 22.

David Paul French was born on December 16 and is forever 52.

Brian was born on December 17 and is forever 26.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

With the Christmas season in full swing, it can make missing our child brutal. Finding the right gift to give others may not be on your radar right now, much less giving any gifts to yourself. However, those who have been on this journey for a while know how important it is find helpful ways to get through this painful time of year.

In this episode, Laura helps us to be okay with giving gifts to ourselves, with a few suggestions on how to possibly make this time of year a tiny bit more bearable.

Help GPS Hope continue to provide support and resources in 2023 with a financial gift here.

Sponsor a podcast episode in honor of your child.

Add your child’s name in a heart decal to travel the nation on the Hope Mobile.

Request What Grieving Parents Want You to Know by Anne Moss Rogers here.

Join Dave and Laura on a cruise! Click here to find out more.

Click here to find out more about the live reading and lighting of candles during advent based on Laura’s book Hope for the Future:An Advent Journey for Bereaved Parents.

Find out more about joining Laura on her health journey and having her as a health coach.

Angie Mata was born on December 4 and is forever 36.

Fill out the short form with the needed information to have your child’s birthday shared with our listeners.

The special song “I Remember Well“, which was written by Laura for our children’s birthdays, can be heard on your favorite music app. To hear samples of Laura’s other songs, click here.

www.gpshope.org

Would you like to have Laura come and speak to your group? Contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

Last week Laura was talking with Lynda Cheldelin Fell about ten tips to help bereaved parents get through the end-of-the-year holiday season. They only got through eight of the ten. (You will want to listen to episode 186 first to catch up, plus it is full of things that are good to know, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and even physically.)

In today’s episode, Laura and Lynda finish their conversation, and then Laura brings on another mom from Canada, Melanie Delorme, to share some more thoughts about surviving the holidays.

Lynda Cheldelin Fell is a founding partner of the International Grief Institute and international bestselling author of over 35 books including the award winning Grief Diaries series. Linda has a background in trauma, grief, and holds a national certification in critical incident stress management. She has earned six national literary awards and five national advocacy award nominations for her work.

Melanie Delorme was a content English teacher, wife, mother, sister, and friend. Then, without warning, she gained the title of bereaved parent when her eight-year-old son, Garrett, was accidentally killed in a hunting accident in 2008. Her road to healing brought her to write her first book, After The Flowers Die: A Handbook of Heartache, Hope and Healing After Losing a Child. Melanie is currently living on a ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada with her husband, Gerry, and their two children, Morgan and Justin.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

Join the discussion! Leave a question or comment on today’s talk here.

To connect with Lynda: LyndaFell.com  or internationalgriefinstitute.com

To connect with Melanie Delorme: Website –  melaniedelorme.com

Find out more about The Grief Cruise.

Go to the GPS Hope store to order When Tragedy Strikes and get My Grief Journey for FREE (through November 30).

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

Chase Hairston was born on November 28 and is forever 32.

Joseph Nicodemus Amaha was born on November 28 and is forever 29.

Liam “Trip” Nugent was born on November 29 and is forever 21.

Raelyne Ten Bruggencate was born on November 29 and is forever 1.

Ginny Rettig was born on November 30 and is forever 21.

Andreas Claren was born on December 1 and is forever 30.

Jesus Ortega was born on December 2 and is forever 20.

Drew Jaggars was born on December 2 and is forever 19.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

As we come into the end-of-the-year holiday season, it can help to hear from others who are further down the road and can offer some encouragement and guidance. Lynda Cheldelin Fell is one of those pareavors.

Lynda has ten tips to share with us as we go through the emotional kaleidoscope of missing our child during a time of year that is full of festivities and “joy”.

Lynda Cheldelin Fell is a founding partner of the International Grief Institute and international bestselling author of over 35 books including the award winning Grief Diaries series. Linda has a background in trauma, grief, and holds a national certification in critical incident stress management. She has earned six national literary awards and five national advocacy award nominations for her work.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

Join the discussion! Leave a question or comment on today’s talk here.

To connect with Lynda: LyndaFell.com  or internationalgriefinstitute.com

Go to the GPS Hope store to order When Tragedy Strikes and get My Grief Journey for FREE (through November 30).

Click here to find out more about joining Laura live on Sunday evenings for advent, and about the book Hope for the Future: An Advent Journey for Bereaved Parents.

Choose GPS Hope as your charity of choice on Smile Amazon here.

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

Austin Lotterman was born on November 20 and is forever 8 ½.

Benjamin Krawiec was born on November 21 and is forever 32.

Logan Singer was born on November 21 and is forever 17.

Jacinda Avina was born on November 22 and is forever 18.

Jacob LeTourneau was born on November 22 and is forever 21.

Skylar Spencer was born on November 23 and is forever 24.

Melissa Sulikowski Hill was born on November 23 and is forever 38.

Josie Floyd was born on November 24 and is forever 25.

Austin Delgado was born on November 26 and is forever 21.

Tyler Green was born on November 26 and is forever 27.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

All the holidays are a struggle, but Thanksgiving is unique in that the entire purpose is to be thankful and grateful for the ways God has blessed us. If you are in those first two to three years of child loss, you may not feel even remotely blessed, believing it is impossible to have anything to be thankful for.

This episode is not to pump you up, trying to help you find things to be thankful for. Instead, author Laura Diehl, talks about how real and valid the struggle is by reading an email she received from someone who has been on this journey for over 20 years.

Laura also shares an illustration of why this is the case, both for your own benefit and to be able to explain to others who think “getting into the holiday spirit” is what you need.

Click here to find out more about the live reading and lighting of candles during advent based on Laura’s book Hope for the Future:An Advent Journey for Bereaved Parents.

Click here to order Hope for the Future on Amazon using the GPS Hope affiliate link. (A small amount of your purchase price will benefit this ministry.)

To contact Dave and Laura to get together as they travel in the Hope Mobile send an email to [email protected].

Casen Sancraint was born on November 14 and left us at age 10.

Lara Ann was born on November 17 and left us at age 15.

Timothy Krawiec was born on November 17 and left us at age 27.

Cord Ramsey Davis was born on November 18 and left us at age 24.

Philip Bouthillier was born on November 19 and left us at age 49.

Fill out the short form with the needed information to have your child’s birthday shared with our listeners.

The special song “I Remember Well“, which was written by Laura for our children’s birthdays, can be heard on your favorite music app. To hear samples of Laura’s other songs, click here.

www.gpshope.org

Would you like to have Laura come and speak to your group? Contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The last few episodes have been discussing Isaiah 61:3 that says God will give those who mourn a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy for their mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness and despair.

This verse continues to say they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

In this final episode on Isaiah 61:3, Laura takes an interesting look at how this last part of the verse also applies to us as bereaved parents.

To comment or join in the conversation, click here.

To join thousands of other parents recieving the Weekly Word of Hope click here.

To contact Dave and Laura to get together as they travel in the Hope Mobile send an email to [email protected].

Beau-Dean Gordon was born on November 10 and left us at age 23.

David Shelton was born on November 11 and left us at age 23.

Nathan Theriault was born on November 11 and left us at age 2.

Austin Augustine was born on November 14 and left us at age16.

Fill out the short form with the needed information to have your child’s birthday shared with our listeners.

The special song “I Remember Well“, which was written by Laura for our children’s birthdays, can be heard on your favorite music app. To hear samples of Laura’s other songs, click here.

www.gpshope.org

Would you like to have Laura come and speak to your group? Contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

Today’s episode is continuing to look at Isaiah 61:3 through the eyes of a parent who has lost a child from this earth.

Laura has asked worship leader, Angelique Marketon, (who lost her 16-year-old son and only child in a senseless single-car accident) to join her in talking about the struggle of allowing God to give us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness and despair.

Angelique Marketon was born and raised in Germany until she moved to Florida where she met her husband, Tony. Because worship has always been something that draws Angelique closer to God, she has a heart to lead others closer into His presence as well. For many years God has flowed through Angelique, opening the door for people to experience the freedom, healing and hope we have in God and His love.

On October 27th, 2018 Angelique lost her only child, Isaiah, in a tragic accident. Isaiah was only 16 years old. It took some time to get the strength back to sing and lead again.  As God continues to heal Angelique’s own heart through worship, her ministry of healing, comfort and hope, has now deepened greatly, as God flows through her music to others who have also faced deep hardships.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

Join the discussion! Leave a question or comment on today’s talk here.

To connect with Angelique:

On Facebook  Angelique Marketon Music

Look for Angelique Marketon on iTunes, Spotify or your favorite music app.

Choose GPS Hope as your charity of choice on Smile Amazon here.

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

Mary Elizabeth Englebert was born on October 30 and left us at age 21.

James was born on October 30 and left us at age 17 months.

Zen Dylan Koh was born on November 1 and left us at age 17.

Chaney Partrich was born on November 4 and left us at age 20.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

Laura is taking a few episodes to dig into Isaiah 61:3 from the view of child loss. This week she is excited to share how the Holy Spirit shed new light on God giving us the oil of joy in the place of our deep grief.

If you are a bereaved parent who struggles with the thought of having joy in your life again, be sure to listen.

To comment or join in the conversation, click here.

Click here if you would like to know more about Laura’s health journey.

Email Laura at [email protected] if you would like to be added to the GPS Hope & Health group.

Don’t forget about joining Laura and Dave on the Grief Cruise! Find out more here.

Dustin Clements was born on October 26 and left us at age 21.

Dawson Morris was born on October 29 and left us at age 19.

Donice Vaughan was born on October 29 and left us at age 30.

Marisa Diaz was born on October 29 and left us at age 20.

Kyle Samuel Donnelly was born on October 29 and left us at age 21.

Fill out the short form with the needed information to have your child’s birthday shared with our listeners.

The special song “I Remember Well“, which was written by Laura for our children’s birthdays, can be heard on your favorite music app. To hear samples of Laura’s other songs, click here.

www.gpshope.org

Would you like to have Laura come and speak to your group? Contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

In today’s episode, Laura is joined by two ladies who have together, as a team, faithfully served those who have lost a child for twelve years.

Carol Keefer and Pat Wentworth have been connected with GPS Hope from the beginning, inviting Laura to speak to their support group in Florida when Laura’s book When Tragedy Strikes first came out, which was even before GPS Hope became a full-time ministry with Laura and her husband, Dave, traveling in the Hope Mobile.

Carol and Pat have learned how to go from that place of mourning to a place of joy in their lives. You will hear them share nuggets of encouragement and wisdom from their place of being seasoned pareavors and feel their heart’s desire to walk with others who are on this same journey.

Carol Keefer (pictured right) is married, lives in Deltona, Florida and will celebrate her 70th birthday this December. She is the mother of three and grandma to one. Carol lost her sweet 15 1/2-year-old daughter in a car accident on Mother’s Day weekend in 2004. She started H.U.G.S. (Healing Under God’s Sovereignty), as a co-leader with Pat Wentworth in 2010. Carol’s desire is for everyone to know Jesus and the unconditional, never-ending love of God.

Pat Wentworth (pictured left) is married, a mother of three and Nana to six boys. She has been a computer analyst and consultant for 43 years, originally in Massachusetts but is now in Central Florida. Pat keeps busy with exploring the outdoors, cooking, gardening and family get-togethers. H.U.G.S. (Healing Under God’s Sovereignty) was cofounded with Carol Keefer after the death of Pat’s youngest son, Brian, in March of 2010. They have met weekly since that time, helping other pareavors in the surrounding communities know they are not alone, they are not crazy and there is hope to be able to live with this devastating loss of a child.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

Email Carol: [email protected]

Email Pat: [email protected] 

Information about the October 2023 Grief Cruise.

Bub Amis was born on October 16 and left us at age 36.

Carissa Ellen Hunsaker was born on October 19 and left us at age 1.

Taylor Contreras was born on October 20 and left us at age 16.

Mckenzie Aucapina was born on October 21 and left us at age 7.

Matthew Anthony Sulikowski was born on October 22 and left us at age 36.

Nate Wilson was born on October 22 and left us at age 30.

Fill out the short form with the needed information to have your child’s birthday shared with our listeners.

The special song “I Remember Well“, which was written by Laura for our children’s birthdays, can be heard on your favorite music app. To hear samples of Laura’s other songs, click here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.