Spark Directory

SUMMARY:

The conversation is centered around Lisa Espinoza's experience with child loss, focusing on her son, Chandler. 

Lisa shares that Chandler was adventurous and lived life fully, participating in various activities and sports.

Chandler had a philosophy of life and was deeply affectionate and protective of others, never meeting a stranger.

Lisa recounts the tragic accident that led to Chandler's passing and the subsequent 18 days of struggle before his death on January 1, 2019.

The grief process for Lisa involved accepting the loss, processing pain, adjusting to life without Chandler, and maintaining a connection with him.

She emphasizes the importance of not minimizing grief and allowing oneself to feel all emotions, including anger and sorrow. 

Lisa discusses honoring Chandler's memory through writing a book and helping others who have experienced similar loss.

She finds joy in simple moments and believes in the possibility of joy coexisting with grief.

Lisa encourages others to accept help from friends and community and to remain open to moments of joy.

The conversation concludes with a focus on finding purpose and meaning after loss and the importance of inviting joy into one's life.

PODCAST INTRO:

The process of grief is as different as the person it comes upon but none-the-less we can find incredible value because shared story is how grieving hearts find encouragement. Child loss is an indescribable pain that no parent wishes to be part of. For Lisa, the loss of her son Chandler was a life-altering event that reshaped her world in countless ways.

Lisa shares a heartfelt conversation of her experiences, providing us with a glimpse into a love that will never end coupled with the grief that accompanies the loss of a child. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the unwavering belief in the power of connection both with having Christ as your foundation and staying connected to life by way of offering practices of remembrance whether that be spontaneously and deliberately.

You’ll hear Lisa’s reflection on Chandler’s adventurous spirit, the kind of person who embraced life with open arms and an open heart. Chandler was one of the four children that Lisa and her husband have (and I do say have because the fact that Chandler is their son will never change)…, a son who brought joy and chaos in equal measure (If you’re raising boys you’ll know exactly what she’s talking about when she shares those examples). You’ll definitely see that Chandler lived life to the fullest.

The journey of grief is a roller coaster ride at best, yet it is also a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Lisa's approach to grief involved reclining in the Lord and trusting Him to be with her through the dark valley. With God beside her, she decided to embrace the pain and allowed herself to feel deeply. She talked about other healthy ways of processing emotions and pain whether through counseling, writing, or simply sitting with the emotions; maybe with trusted friend who can bear that type of weight (in a healthy way).

By accepting the loss and finding ways to adjust to a world without Chandler, Lisa not only finds encouragement for each day but peace and dare I say it (in this context of grief), she finds joy that honors her son's adventurous spirit.

In her quest to find meaning amidst the sorrow, Lisa found purpose in helping others navigate their grief (her coaching services). Her writings, initially shared on a blog, became a source of comfort for many, offering a candid and raw portrayal of her journey. Through her words, Lisa provides a lifeline to those who feel isolated in their pain, reinforcing the knowledge that

On today’s episode of Fierce Calling, I’m talking with Hadassah Treu, an award-winning international author, poet, and blogger, who is passionate about encouraging the brokenhearted and helping others find hope in difficult seasons. Hadassah encourages us to discover the blessings and purposes in the painful seasons of our lives.

From Bulgaria to Austria and back, Hadassah shared how her most painful experiences have become the birthplace of blessings, and how surrendering our struggles to God can transform our journey.

If you’re ready to rediscover lasting joy and resilience through faith, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical encouragement to help you keep moving forward, no matter what you’re facing. I know what Hadassah shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Hadassah Treu.

00:00 Surrender to Rediscover Joy

06:32 From Illusions to Spiritual Growth

09:46 Faith Journey Through Writing

13:01 Spiritual Journeys in Christian Europe

17:37 “Finding Growth Through Pain”

21:47 Faith and God’s Definition of Good

24:53 Facing Failure: Losses and Gains

28:39 Pursuing Spiritual Maturity and Growth

30:58 Reflecting on God’s Work Through Journaling

34:02 Prophetic Poetry of Eternal Hope

37:16 “New Creations in Christ”

40:14 Inspiring Interview with Hadassah

You can connect with Hadassah at onthewaybg.com where you’ll find her blog posts, books, social media links, and helpful resources.

Hadassah Treu is an award-winning international author, blogger, poet, speaker, and spiritual growth mentor. She is the Encouraging Blogger Award Winner for 2020, the Literature Award Winner of the Municipality of Pazardzhik, Bulgaria for 2024, and a winner of the National Literary Translation Award “Stoyan Bakardzhiev”, Bulgaria for 2025.  Hadassah loves to encourage and motivate people to stand firm in the faith, and grow spiritually by applying biblical truths in their lives. She loves diving deeper into the Word of God and finding hidden treasures. Her blog is on the Top 100 Faith Blogs (spot 19) on the web by Feedspot in 2025.

Hadassah is a regular contributor to several faith-based platforms like Devotable, Koinonia, COMPEL Pro Proverbs 31 Ministries Blog,  COMPEL Pro Training Freelancing Group leader, and Blogger Voices Network contributor. She has been featured on The Upper Room, (In)Courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, 

What does it mean to live worthy of the calling you’ve received?

In this week’s episode of Conversations with Christians Engaged, we’re featuring a stirring message from Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) at the 2024 Christians Engaged Conference.

From humble beginnings in East Texas to the halls of Congress, Rep. Moran shares his personal testimony of finding his God-given call, surrendering to it, and faithfully walking it out—through seasons of success, sacrifice, and family trials. Anchored in Jeremiah 1:5, this message is a powerful challenge to:

• ➡️ Find your calling
• ➡️ Follow it without hesitation
• ➡️ Fulfill it with bold obedience

“Your calling may not be flashy—but it carries eternal value when lived for God’s glory.”

Watch now, and be inspired to answer the call God placed on your life.

Subscribe to our channel for weekly episodes of Conversations with Christians Engaged as we inspire you to pray, vote, and engage with biblical clarity and conviction.

We exist to awaken, educate, and empower believers in Jesus Christ to:

• ▪️ PRAY for our nation and elected officials regularly
• ▪️ VOTE in every local, state, and national election to impact our culture
• ▪️ ENGAGE our hearts in civic education or involvement for the well-being of our local communities and our nation

Learn more about Christians Engaged
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Take the Pledge to PRAY, VOTE, & ENGAGE

How did a former anorexic learn to hunger for God?

On today’s Flourish-Meant episode, we dove deep with Emily Wierenga, award-winning author and founder of the Lulu Tree, as she shared her powerful journey from battling anorexia to discovering how true fulfillment comes from hungering for God. Emily opened up about overcoming deep-rooted struggles, finding healing through serving others, and building a purpose-driven life that impacts communities worldwide. Her message? Your pain has a greater purpose and you’re never alone in your struggles. Let Emily’s story inspire you to pursue healing, embrace your calling, and make a difference.

Key Takeaways from Emily’s Story:

• The Roots of Disordered Eating: Emily recalls how the loss of connection and early comments about her body triggered her battle with anorexia. She powerfully reminds us that comparison often lies at the heart of eating disorders, but true healing comes from connection, not competition.

• A Walk Towards Healing: From the brink of death at age 13 to relapsing after marriage, Emily shares honestly about the ongoing process of healing and the importance of confronting life’s root issues—not just symptoms.

• Finding Purpose in Service: Serving her mother during a cancer battle and later founding The Lulu Tree taught Emily that healing can multiply when we serve others. Her experience reminds us that true joy and restoration often begin with blessing the person right in front of us.

• Daily Practices for a Hungering Spirit: Emily shares practical wisdom: set boundaries around daily distractions, start with praise and worship, spend intentional moments in God’s presence, and protect your healing by knowing and avoiding your triggers.

• The Power of Worship over Performance: Emily encourages us to lift our gaze from ourselves and fix our eyes on Christ, discovering our true identity in Him. Worship isn't about working harder—it's about surrendering everything.

• Miracles in Obedience: You’ll love Emily’s remarkable story from Uganda, where a prayer for multiplication resulted in more resources than they could have ever planned—proving again that God meets us when we step out in faith.

Support Emily’s Work & Stay Connected Want to dive deeper into Emily’s journey or support The Lulu Tree? Visit emilytwierenga.com for her books, resources for eating disorder recovery, and details on The Lulu Tree’s mission.

Final Encouragement Emily’s heartfelt message to anyone struggling with eating disorders or feelings of unworthiness: You are valuable. God has a plan and a purpose for you—and even in the darkness, hope and healing are possible when you seek Him first.

We hope you’re as encouraged by Emily’s story as we were. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend who might need hope today, and stay tuned for more stories to inspire your own journey toward flourishing.

We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant.

To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/

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