Heidi Indahl, M.Ed, is a speaker, author, teacher, and most importantly- mama! She and her husband live on 8 acres in Southeastern Minnesota, where they manage a small menagerie of species (both plant and animal).

She is an education author, curriculum designer, and homeschooling mom. An advocate of making informed choices as parents and intentionally building an authentic culture of family, Heidi can be found regularly blogging for Peanut Butter & Grace, in addition to her work at Work and Play, Day by Day.

In addition to seven living children, she and her husband are also the proud parents of four miscarried babies, their stillborn daughter, Kenna, and Siena, who passed away shortly after birth. Through continuing to write about both the trials and joys of pregnancy and infant loss long past when others may consider it socially acceptable, Heidi hopes to support other women in understanding that life after loss is not merely about surviving but thriving.

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Susan Skinner is a wife, mom of 4 beautiful children on earth and 1 little saint in heaven. She currently serves as the RCIA and Adult Faith Formation Director; and humbly serves on the deliverance team at St. Philip Neri in Franklin, TN.

Over 10 years ago, Susan was traumatized by the murder of her best friend Veronica and something profound happened to her. Through her own grief and restoration God captivated her heart and she started living her life for God. She shares how to listen to the voice of God and to walk in grief with all of the emotions that come along with losing someone you love.

Walking with grief can seem terrifying, and it's totally normal, but keeping your eyes on Christ is the key to not sinking in despair. Her eloquent way of sharing about how looking away at the wind can be the difference in surviving loss and actually thriving after loss. Susan has this beautiful way of looking at situations since her loss and says that sometimes today we just have to breathe. Restoration and healing comes one day at a time.

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In 2016, Stephanie lost her son Jackson Jumonville. He was only 7 years old at the time of his accident.

Jackson had come down with a stomach virus at his dad's house. He went from a healthy child to passing away within less than 24 hours later. After getting to the hospital she found out Jackson was not intubated correctly and was declared brain dead.

Jackson saved 4 lives and gave eye sight. Stephanie found her platform to to tell others about donation through losing Jackson.

After his death, she could not believe she was a grieving mom. She was in shock and felt like she was living in a BAD dream. 6 months later, this bad dream was her "new" normal. She immediately felt the need to help other grieving moms, because as she helped others she felt that it was helping her. She has felt the calling to journey and talk to other grieving moms.

Today, you will find Stephanie telling other grieving moms to "call me" Because what we are all looking for is something positive to this awful new life.

God has a big purpose on your life, because this does not happen to many moms, but when it does .... you have big purpose.

Stephanie has been known to always say "God knew that I would do anything for him," so taking Jackson home early has changed her forever and now God has my full attention.

She often shares that this is is not her story - this is God's story because her story would look different. She would be a mom with 3 living children not a mom of 2 living and 1 deceased. However, she knows we are passing through this temporary life and one-day she will see him again, so she just tells her "Jesus" story of how grief has changed her.

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Lisa is a writer, Entrepreneur, and our founder. A big foodie, she’d be the #4 Sweet & Spicy on a combo meal menu — born in Metro Detroit and raised Daddy’s princess with three older brothers. She now calls Austin, Texas home and loves to travel through life and around the world with her mountain-man husband, Mike. A fusion of creative and strategic with a penchant for storytelling across the digital landscape, this Franciscan University grad studied writing, mental health, and Theology. Through her non-profit, iAmplify, she helps organizations address the challenges of modern ministry and serves those serving the Church. She is working on a project to help others suffering from infertility. Lisa’s calling is to bring restoration in Christ to the brokenhearted. Learn about her work here.

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Cassie Everts is the mother to five little ones in heaven and five children on earth. She is a contributor to Catholic Mom and her writing has appeared in Catholic Exchange and Blessed is She. She is a former producer at Relevant Radio and blogs at Everyday Ann. Cassie has a degree in Theology and Communication Arts from Franciscan University.

Cassie Everts co-authored the beautiful book, Nursery in Heaven, and we have been using this as a resource with our parents of loss.

Miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss happen more often than we realize, leaving many to suffer in isolation. Nursery of Heaven is a companion to help those grieving from child loss as they search for comfort and meaning. Not only will couples be able to relate to the experiences from saints such as Louis and Zelie Martin, Gianna Molla, and Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo, they will also receive hope and consolation in their sufferings from parents who have suffered a similar loss.

Along with such beautiful prayers as Blessing of Parents After a Miscarriage or Stillbirth, the Order for the Naming of an Infant Who Died Before Birth, and various Novenas, this book also provides practical wisdom for our pastors, family and friends to help those who are grieving their child find healing.

Purchase the Book Here:

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Emma Grace Pourciau is a dynamic teen allowing the Lord to take the lead in her life. She is passionate about empowering young women to embrace their feminine genius role through dignity, purity, and modesty.

Emma is a Breaux Bridge native and attends John Paul the Great Academy She desires to work with Red Bird Ministries because she sees the impact and beautiful work this ministry has made in her life and the lives of others around her.

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Hugs from Heaven - a doll company for believers, was founded by a south Louisiana Catholic wife and mom of four, Julie Marceaux Romero. She was inspired by her own real-life experience when her brother Chad went through life-threatening transplant surgeries at Mercy Medical Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the operations, Julie prayed in the chapel, wishing for the Lord’s physical presence to hold and comfort her. In this moment, she received a clear vision from Jesus to create a “hug from heaven” - a soft pillow doll in His image.

In 2017, Julie sold the Hugs From Heaven brand to a fellow south Louisiana native, customer and friend, Jennifer Angelle. Now, Jennifer and her family are taking these beloved characters beyond Louisiana, expanding across the country and sharing Hugs around the world.

“Sharing HUGS is our answer to Saint Pope John Paul II’s call for New Evangelization. With each sale, we give back a portion of our income to those in need like the Sisters of Life in New York City, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù (Baby Jesus Children’s Hospital) Rome, Italy, Don Bosco Center for Youth, St. Martinville, LA and others that our family encounter who may need a HUG. We believe that when you get a hug, you should hug back! And we love the fact that each plush replica of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary have a heart monogrammed on their chest to serve as a reminder of GOD’S COMFORT, GOD’S PRESENCE, GOD’S MERCY but most of all GOD’S LOVE! Pray with us “Jesus, I trust in you!” and share a hug today!

Jenn

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Frachelle Jaeger is a co-founder of the Bellator Society, but mostly, she’s a spectacularly flawed follower of Jesus Christ. She and her husband have four sons and go back and forth about whether God gave them all boys because they are good at raising them or because He knows they need a lot of practice. She had a degree in Theater and after a short -lived career upon the wicked stage, she maintains her craft by acting like she is keeping her head above water to do stuff on the internet.

Brie Head is a wife and stay at home mom to 4 beautiful children. In a previous life, she was a NICU nurse.

“It was not until the death of my 30 year old brother that I felt a true chasm in my own faith.” - Brie Head

You can find Brie and Fran on Bellator Society, sharing thier beautiful hearts all while seeking the true, the good, and the beautiful. Fran and fellow co-founder Tracy have their very own podcast that seeks to reveal the trancendentals of the Catholic Church. Click here to subscribe to their podcast. Bellator Colloquium

Here are a few of my favorite sayings from Brie and Fran from today's podcast.

Anytime you a crisis, it's not a crisis of your faith, it's an opportunity to deepen your faith. God is asking you to go deeper. - Brie

It was only through losing one of those friends, one of my siblings, that I was able to appreciate my other friends, the other siblings that God gave me. - Fran

If you have enjoyed the podcast today, please share it with someone you know and if you feel called to help support our mission, please donate here [Red Bird Minsitries.](www.redbird.love/donatenow)

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Season 2 - Episode 1

I began following Christ after the death of my three-year-old son, Austin, from strep throat in 2008. God rescued me in that moment when Austin went to Heaven by allowing me to understand that heaven is a real place, more wonderful than we can imagine.

With my newly discovered belief in heaven, I began to search for what else was true about God. I gave my life to Jesus Christ in just days after Austin died. A dear friend gave me my first Bible following the funeral. A local Christian church, its pastor and his family, showed us the love of Christ. Although my faith journey began with death, Jesus brings me joy and wonder as I long to grow closer to God every single day.

When Kim’s three-year-old son tragically passed away, she found plenty of resources on grieving. She says what she really needed, though, “was someone who would give me advice for living, not just grieving . . . How do I get through the grocery store without crying? What do I do with my son’s things? When will my mind stop replaying the emergency room scene?”

Now, ten years later, she’s written that book. With raw vulnerability, a deep well of wisdom, and the practical knowledge of someone who’s been there, she walks grieving moms through the life- after-death process from how to plan the funeral to how to deal with friends, family, holidays, and birthdays.

This is a profound and powerful resource that’s invaluable for the mom who has lost a child—and for her friends and family who want to love her well. Her book "Surviving Sorrow" will be release March 3, 2020. Pick up your copy on Amazon or on her website www.kimaerickson.com

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What our love creates is the source of the growth of our family. When that source dies, the child, there is something that happens. Today I will focus on the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage, and how best to articulate what losing a child does to a family while looking to the Trinity.

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