Our Hearts Are Home Podcast — Trusting God in Suffering

In today’s episode, Leonard and Amy Bailey share the story of their daughter, Ilona, and of her homegoing, just two years ago. They share with honesty and transparency about their grief journey, and offer insights learned through suffering. Prompted by the Lord to use their pain to comfort others as they have been comforted, they founded the Ilona Foundation, a ministry to help other bereaved parents. (theilonafoundation.org)

On today's podcast, we welcome Brad and Jill Sullivan, co-founders of the While We're Waiting ministry. The conversation is rich and covers a variety of topics. The conversation begins by talking about their daughter, Hannah, and her cancer journey, which took her to Heaven in 2009. Brad and Jill testify to God's faithfulness through grief, and offer such encouragement to those who are grieving. We also spent time talking about the While We're Waiting ministry. If you are a bereaved parent, we hope you'll attend a weekend retreat and find comfort, community, and hope that comes from being with others who are traveling the road of child loss.

In August 2022, the unthinkable happened to the family of Kelly Brockman. A deranged neighbor murdered his daughter and granddaughter, and then took the lives of two other people in the neighborhood. In today's podcast, Kelly and his other daughter, Erin Ketchen, join us to share their story. As they recount the events that took Sarah and Kayla to Heaven, you'll be encouraged by the transparency and honesty of the conversation and you will be challenged by the discoveries and truths about God that Kelly and Erin share.

On the podcast today, Carol Brown shares some of the insights that she has learned over the past twenty-seven years since her daughter, Jackie, went to Heaven from a car accident. Carol shares wisdom learned through the crucible of suffering. In her comforting and gentle way, she brings encouragement to those who are grieving, and challenges us all to a deeper relationship with God. As she wrestled with her faith after losing Jackie, Carol discovered that her view of God was flawed, and she found a new understanding of who God really is. As you listen in today, you will find so many new insights that you may not have considered, and a fresh realization of God’s love for you.

Today's podcast is the second of two broadcasts sharing the conversation from a recent webinar. In the webinar, a panel of parents shared their experiences of losing a child by suicide, and shared how the Lord has held them through their grief. If you are a grieving parent, we hope this will bring comfort and hope. And if you have not lost someone by suicide, we hope this will help you better understand this type of loss and equip you to minister to those who are hurting.

Part Two discusses the issue of forgiveness, lament, and finding a way to trust Jesus through suffering.

Today's podcast is the first of two broadcasts sharing the conversation from a recent webinar. In the webinar, a panel of parents shared their experiences of losing a child by suicide, and shared how the Lord has held them through their grief. If you are a grieving parent, we hope this will bring comfort and hope. And if you have not lost someone by suicide, we hope this will help you better understand this type of loss and equip you to minister to those who are hurting.

Part One discusses the stigma and misconceptions surrounding suicide loss; guilt and regret, and trauma/PTSD.

On today's podcast, Cindy Shufflebarger shares the story of her daughter, Ashlynn, and of how God continues to use her story to touch other grieving parents. Several years down the road of grief, Cindy and her husband reflected on what had been instrumental to them in their early days of grief, and realized that the gift of a beach house for a few days alone had been a balm to their souls. The non-profit ministry, P23 Retreat, was born to do the same for other parents who have experienced child loss.

In today’s podcast, Brittany Liberto shares her daughter’s story. It’s a story of how God has used a tiny baby’s short life on earth to impact many. As Brittany shares her story of Talitha Rose, she provides us with glimpses of God’s heart toward us that she has discovered through suffering. With tenderness and compassion, the Lord carries us through the hardest moments of our lives and never leaves us.

In today's episode, Nancy Manos shares her story of loss and hope after the home-going of her daughter, Alex. In the deepest sorrow she has ever known, she sought to know if God was who she had always known Him to be. Is God still good, even in devastating loss? Listen in and be encouraged through the testimony of a bereaved mother who can answer that question.

In today’s episode, Mark and Pat Roser share the story of their son, Ethan. After a “freak” accident, Ethan went to Heaven, and the Rosers were thrown into a whole new existence. They share their journey, how they learned to lament, and what God has done in their lives. You’ll find comfort, encouragement, and so many insights learned through suffering, and you’ll discover the truth of the deep, deep, love of God for you.