Cradled in Hope | Podcast for Grieving Moms | Biblical Hope for Miscarriage, Stillbirth, & Infant Loss

Join us for a conversation with Jonathan and Jackie Gibson about seeing God's goodness even when your baby has died. After their daughter was stillborn, Jonathan wrote a book called The Moon is Always Round. 

The book is based on a catechism he taught his oldest living son about how God is always good even when we can't see it (just like how the moon is always round even when it's not fully visible).

Jonathan (Jonny) shares the inspiration for his book as well as his grieving journey alongside his wife, Jackie. They share practical wisdom and hope with couples grieving a baby in Heaven.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Processing grief and explaining the loss of a baby to living children
• Conversations with siblings of a baby born stillborn
• The story behind the book, The Moon is Always Round
• Why the Resurrection and New Creation Heaven brings us hope
• Faith moving from theory to reality
• Intimacy with Jesus in the loneliness of grief
• Grieving differently than your spouse, but moving in the same direction
• How to support bereaved dads
• Reading the Bible systematically
• About his new devotional book, Be Thou My Vision

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode32

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a conversation with Kristin Hernandez about finding hope when the holidays hurt. Kristin shares from her new advent journal about how to grieve with hope through the Christmas season when you're missing a baby/ies in Heaven.

After losing five precious babies, Kristin talks about how her faith helped her through the holidays. Our topic is Advent, which in Latin means "coming" referencing the longing of our Messiah. We discuss parallels between the Jews waiting in the Old Testament for Jesus' First Coming and now in the New Testament how we are currently awaiting His Second Coming!

In this episode, we discussed:

• Experiencing grief and gratitude at the same time
• How conflicting emotions can coexist
• Why we don't need to be grateful for all things
• What is Advent and why does it point to Jesus' Second Coming?
• Why Christmas (Jesus' First Coming) gives us hope for the future
• The faithfulness of God's promises
• How the Old Testament beginning in Genesis 3 points to Jesus
• Unexpected grief on New Years and why moving on to a new year can be hard
• Do our babies need us to honor them with special traditions?
• Christmas memorial ideas in memory of our babies in Heaven

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode31

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a conversation with Pastor Kerry and Chris Shook about how to grieve a grandchild and support an adult child who has lost a baby. After losing their grandson, Jude, they had to learn how to navigate grief both from the perspective of grandparents and parents. In this episode, they share how they came alongside their son and daughter-in-law and walked with them through their grief.

Kerry and Chris give practical ideas on how to show up for your children who are grieving a baby and how to navigate family traditions and holidays. They also share hope-filled lessons they learned from Jude who lived for one day on this earth. Their story will inspire us to live with intention for Jesus in memory of our babies in Heaven.

In this episode, we discussed:

• What to do when you can't fix your children's pain when they've lost a baby
• How to be a safe place for your child who is grieving
• Seeing God work even in the middle of difficulties
• Starting a Miracle Book and the impact it made on their faith
• "Just for today" prayers
• Honoring grandchildren in Heaven through family traditions
• Special memorial ideas for the holidays
• Normalizing talking about babies in Heaven and going to their graves
• Learning the lesson: "Hard is not the opposite of good"
• The power of vulnerability, including in the Church
• About their book, The Gift of One Day

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode30

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

This is a special bonus episode highlighting the program from the Wave of Light event that Bridget's Cradles hosted in Wichita, Kansas on October 15, 2022, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

In this episode, we shared:

• The program and announcements from our Wave of Light 2022 event
• Scott Evans' remarks and Ashley Opliger's speech and prayer from event
• A thank you to our generous corporate and memorial sponsors
• The Shine Their Light Award Winners' speech (Jon and Kelcey Crone, parents to David Bruce Crone in Heaven)
• Reading of Names of Babies in Heaven (for families that registered/attended or sponsored the event)

EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
https://www.bridgetscradles.com/post/waveoflight2022

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a conversation with Julie Busler about mental illness amidst loss and grief. Julie shares her story of how loss and trauma impacted her mental health and caused her to become suicidal. As a missionary overseas, she was hospitalized in a Turkish psychiatric ward due to her suicidal ideation.

Through intense healing from the Lord, medication, and therapy, Julie found hope and joy again. But God didn't heal her entirely of her depression. She has learned how to allow joy and sorrow to coexist in her life. In this episode, Julie shares her testimony of finding hope through the Gospel and how grieving moms can find hope after the loss of a baby.

In this episode, we discussed:

• It's okay to struggle even as a Christian
• What to do about intrusive thoughts even if they initially seem innocent
• How to get help and tell someone that you're struggling
• PTSD and how the loss of a baby is traumatic
• What is trauma and how does it affect our mind and body?
• Amygdala hijack and its impact on us
• Unhealthy coping mechanisms in grief
• The importance of allowing yourself to grieve
• Why is it so easy for us to pretend we are okay?
• Allowing Jesus to use our pain and struggles to help others
• Science and faith (and why therapy and medicine can be good things)
• Cognitive distortions and how they impact our thinking
• Letting God use our weakness and humanity for His glory

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode29

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

When you lose a baby, your whole world falls apart. It's common to wonder where God is and why He would allow you to suffer in this way. You feel abandoned by Him and question why He would let your baby die.

Unfortunately, we are not immune to the fallen nature of our world corrupted by sin and death. But take heart! Jesus has overcome the world and defeated death forever. And, best of all, He promises us eternity in Heaven with Him and our babies through salvation in Him. In this short episode, Ashley shares her story of trusting God's character after losing her daughter, Bridget. She encourages grieving moms to find healing by studying His Word and drawing near to His heart.

In this episode, Ashley discusses:

• Feeling abandoned by God after loss
• How could a good God allow bad things to happen?
• Walking with Jesus in the trenches of life
• Trusting God's good nature
• The immutability of God and why circumstances can't change Him
• How God numbers the days of our lives and our babies' lives
• God's sovereignty and faithfulness and why this brings us hope
• Finding joy and purpose in serving Him

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode28

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a conversation with Misty Phillip about abortion, pregnancy loss, and the God who forgives and comforts. Misty shares her vulnerable testimony of finding freedom in God's forgiveness after having an abortion. Through her repentance, she has become an advocate for the unborn and shares about the sanctity of human life.

After also experiencing pregnancy loss and the stillbirth of a baby boy with a life-limiting diagnosis (and choosing to carry him), Misty shares how she grew in faith through her losses and pain. Her testimony is one of redemption and points us to the hope of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Guilt and shame after having an abortion
• Finding freedom in Christ's forgiveness and grace
• The importance of confession of sin and the sharing of our testimony
• Combating the lies in culture from the Enemy
• How God can heal the wounds of an abortion
• Honoring your baby's life by sharing the Gospel
• How do you become spiritually mature through trials?
• Gratitude in the midst of grief
• God's sovereignty and how He never wastes our suffering
• The hope and promise of Heaven for all babies who pass away

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode27

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a conversation with Todd Hampson about why Bible Prophecy gives us hope to see our babies again in Heaven. Todd is the co-host of the Prophecy Pros' Podcast and a grieving father to two babies in Heaven. 

Todd shares about the unexpected death of his son, Ethan, and how his faith proved to be real as he trusted in God to carry him through. His love for Scripture and Bible Prophecy allowed him to find hope in the midst of his grief. Todd encourages us to focus on our glorious future and spend the short amount of time we have on earth to reach people for Christ. 

In this episode, we discussed:

• The apologetic of fulfilled prophecy and how it led to Todd's salvation
• Grieving differently than your spouse from a father's perspective
• Faith becoming a matter of life and death and moving from theory to reality
• The urgency in reaching people for Christ now
• Why people aren't talking about Bible prophecy
• Systems of theology within eschatology (the study of the End Times)
• Interpreting the Bible literally and taking God's Word at face value
• What Heaven will be like
• Looking forward to the Rapture as a reunion with our babies
• What will we do during the 7-Year Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom?
• What is the Bema Seat of Christ?
• How old will our babies be in Heaven?
• Where is the hope for grieving parents in these dark times?

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode26

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a conversation with Kelley Ramsey about waiting in hope through infertility and pregnancy loss. Kelley is the founder of Waiting in Hope Infertility Ministries and has experienced multiple miscarriages and waiting seasons as she has tried to grow her family.

In her heartache, God revealed to her where her true hope really lies—not in a baby—but in her Savior. As she walked with Jesus in her sorrow, she surrendered her desires and trusted God's will for her life. Kelley encourages grieving moms to trust that God knows what is best for them and will use their pain for His glory.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Relying on God in moments of utter despair and sorrow
• Why you need to grieve in order to find healing
• Our identity as mothers and as Christians
• Songs of lament in the middle of the waiting season
• Intimacy with Jesus in our brokenness
• How our neediness leads us to dependence on Christ
• Desiring God's will more than having a baby
• How babies can become idols and what should our hope be in?
• The even-if mentality and coming to a place of surrender
• Heaven's perspective and how it changes us
• More information about the ministry of Waiting in Hope

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode25

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a conversation with Rebekah Beresford about how she found hope and healing after a traumatic experience delivering her stillborn daughter, Eliana, at a hospital. She was not offered to hold or see her daughter and later realized that Eliana's ashes were taken as medical waste to a landfill. 

Through her story of deep pain and sorrow, Rebekah shares why offering compassionate care and dignified decisions at the hospital is crucial for grieving families to have peace in their grieving journey. She shares practical advice for nurses and points them to pursue bereavement training through the organization Rachel's gift. Rebekah speaks to grieving moms about how Jesus' light can overcome the darkness of grief and trauma.

In this episode, we discussed:

• What is hospital disposition and why are babies being taken to landfills?
• The importance of bereavement training for nurses
• Why offering dignified decisions should be the standard of care at hospitals
• The victory of Jesus and how He will redeem and restore our pain
• How do we find justice in devastating experiences?
• God's presence in pain and how to feel Him when He feels far away
• How God loves us so personally and how much He loves our babies
• Rachel's gift organization and what they offer to hospitals
• Why there must be a distinction between human life and trash
• Serving others and being a voice for our babies in Heaven

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode24

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles