The Joyful Mourning - A Podcast for Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy or Infant Loss

In this episode Mary Holloman joins me to talk about her motherhood and grief journey. She shares about her experience with consecutive first trimester losses, what surprised her about grief and the very practical ways she navigated the grief of that season. Then we spend time talking about pregnancy after loss where we discuss questions like:

Making the decision to try to grow your family after experiencing multiple losses, the most challenging aspect of her pregnancy after loss and what it looked like to navigate those challenges.

Throughout our time together Mary gives wisdom, encouragement and practical help for navigating the anxiety and fear and the angst that comes from the constant 'what-ifs' that so many of us experience after loss and in a pregnancy after loss. Mary wrote a children's book all about this that is such a wonderful picture of what this looks like in our life. Her book is The Anxious Lily and she shares about this helpful resource as well.

If you are feeling anxious, if you are navigating a pregnancy after loss, if you have questions about faith, if you have wondered if your 1st trimester loss counts – this episode is for you.

HELPFUL PREGNANCY AFTER LOSS / GROWING YOUR FAMILY AFTER LOSS RESOURCES:

1. Free Pregnancy After Loss Community – it's a private group and conversation within our main community where you can feel the freedom to have honest conversations about the unique journey that is pregnancy after loss. themorning.com/pal

2. Free Download: 40 Verses for 40 Weeks - this download includes 1 verse to meditate on, pray, or memorize for every week of your pregnancy. themorning.com/pal

3. All of our best and most helpful blog articles and podcast episodes about growing your family after loss into one place. themorning.com/pal

HELPFUL RESOURCE FOR ANXIETY & GRIEF: Download the Simple Coping Strategies Workbook - themorning.com/copingtools

THIS EPISODE IS IN MEMORY OF CECILIA LARZABAL.

This episode is sponsored in memory of Vada June Driggers.

A special thank you to Sarah Damoff for sponsoring this episode.

We remember Cecilia with you.

If you love this podcast and are interested in sponsoring an episode in honor of your baby, head to themorning.com/sponsor for all the details.

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode195

In this episode I have the honor of interviewing Natalie DiCicco about her motherhood and grief journey. She shares about her experience with a first trimester loss, a baby she named Ezekiel, as well as a second trimester loss, her daughter Naomi Hope.

During our time together Natalie shares honestly and candidly about her experience navigating grief – what surprised her and what practical advice she would give to a newly grieving mom. We also talk about pregnancy after loss, what that was like for her, the challenges she faced and how she navigated those challenges – and again she shares very honestly about the difficulties of that season and what practically helped.

We finish up with a few thoughts about her faith journey and what it was like for her to navigate, as she said, 'her grief insecurity in faith circles' – if you have had a hard time navigating the faith community since your loss, this part of the conversation will be especially helpful.

This entire conversation is tender and honest and I am sure will encourage you no matter where you are in your journey.

HELPFUL PREGNANCY AFTER LOSS / GROWING YOUR FAMILY AFTER LOSS RESOURCES:

1. Free Pregnancy After Loss Community – it's a private group and conversation within our main community where you can feel the freedom to have honest conversations about the unique journey that is pregnancy after loss. themorning.com/pal

2. Free Download: 40 Verses for 40 Weeks - this download includes 1 verse to meditate on, pray, or memorize for every week of your pregnancy. themorning.com/pal

3. All of our best and most helpful blog articles and podcast episodes about growing your family after loss into one place. themorning.com/pal

THIS EPISODE IS DEDICATED TO VADA JUNE DRIGGERS.

This episode is sponsored in memory of Vada June Driggers.

"Sending love to Heather, Jeff and Macklyn as they celebrate and grieve Vada June on what would be her first birthday! Vada June Driggers on what would be her first birthday! We are praying for you and remembering with you. Love, your Brave Learner family"

A special thank you to Holli and the Brave Learner family for sponsoring this episode.

We celebrate Vada June and we remember her with you.

If you love this podcast and are interested in sponsoring an episode in honor of your baby, head to themorning.com/sponsor for all the details.

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode194

In this episode Meg Walker, The Morning's Content Editor and Community Manager, and myself are answering a handful of your questions about pregnancy after baby loss. Questions like:

• When is the right time to try to conceive again?
• How do I practically get through a pregnancy after loss
• How do I honor and remember the baby I lost?
• Will I love my new baby as much as I long for my baby in heaven?
• I feel guilty for having another child.

We're discussing all of those and more in this honest conversation.

Over the next few weeks we will continue this conversation about what it looks like to grow your family after loss. We will have resources for those trying to conceive again, thinking about trying to conceive again, pregnant after loss and also for those who have either by choice or factors beyond their control made the decision to not pursue growing their family in this season. As we kick off this series I would love to share with you 3 very helpful resources:

1. Free Pregnancy After Loss Community – it's a private group and conversation within our main community where you can feel the freedom to have honest conversations about the unique journey that is pregnancy after loss. themorning.com/pal

2. Free Download: 40 Verses for 40 Weeks - this download includes 1 verse to meditate on, pray, or memorize for every week of your pregnancy. themorning.com/pal

3. All of our best and most helpful blog articles and podcast episodes about growing your family after loss into one place. themorning.com/pal

THIS EPISODE IS DEDICATED TO CAROLINE CRAWFORD COURVILLE.

"This episode is dedicated to Caroline Crawford Courville in honor of her first birthday in heaven. Caroline, you are so missed but the short time you were with us was such a gift and our hearts are filled with gratitude over the impact you have had in our lives. We are more compassionate, more patient, and filled with a greater understanding of God's love for us. Thank you for reminding us daily to keep our eyes fixed upon heaven. We look forward to the day we will be together again. With love, Mom, Dad, and your big brothers!"

A special thank you to the Courville family for sponsoring this episode.

We celebrate Caroline and we remember her with you.

If you love this podcast and are interested in sponsoring an episode in honor of your baby, head to themorning.com/sponsor for all the details.

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode193

A very, very helpful and hopeful resource for navigating life after loss is a book called, What Grieving People Wish You Knew (about what really helps and what really hurts) by Nancy Guthrie. Over the last month we have been reading this book together in The Morning Book Club and while the book is written with those who love a grieving person as the intended audience – this book is incredibly helpful for someone grieving as well.

So, whether you are a grieving mom or you love a grieving mom, this episode is for you.

I'll be sharing my favorite takeaways from the first four chapters in the book and answering the Book Club discussion questions – I would love to hear your thoughts as well so make sure to head here to share your thoughts about the book.

Book Club Discussion: Let's Discuss!

THIS EPISODE IS DEDICATED TO TRU TUMBLESON.

A special thank you to the the Tumbleson family for sponsoring this episode.

We celebrate Tru and we remember him with you.

If you love this podcast and are interested in sponsoring an episode in honor of your baby, head to themorning.com/sponsor for all the details.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

1. The Joyful Mourning Community (Join us here.)
2. Resource Bundle (Check it out here.)
3. 10 Ways to Love a Grieving Friend | Friend & Family Guide (Check it out here.)
4. Care Cards for the Grieving Mom (Check those out here.)
5. Let's Discuss: Book Club Discussion

JOIN THE BOOK CLUBThe Morning Book Club is here to provide a little extra support and thoughtful conversation about grief and life after loss. We're here for the books that will offer insight on navigating grief, life after loss and finding hope. We will do so in a super simple way — because as fellow grieving moms, we know how hard it can be to read more than a few words at a time. To learn more about the Book Club, to see our latest book club pick and join the conversation > themorning.com/bookclub

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode192

In today's episode I am sharing with you what I have learned about managing grief in a healthy way – the importance of finding healthy ways to cope, finding expressions of grief that are helpful to you, why taking good care of yourself is helpful in this process and simple ways to mother your baby. I share a new-to-me simple strategy for managing intense grief waves as well as my favorite coping method, why its helpful and tips for putting it into practice.

We put together a free worksheet for you that will be really helpful at putting into practice some of the things I'm sharing with you in this episode. If the waves of grief feel overwhelming right now – this free worksheet is going to be a practical tool that will help. Download that worksheet at themorning.com/copingtools

I pray they offer you hope. I pray they remind you that you are not alone.

THIS EPISODE IS DEDICATED TO FREDDIE SUTTON.

A special thank you to the Sarah Sutton and family for sponsoring this episode.

We celebrate Freddie and we remember him with you today and always.

If you love this podcast and are interested in sponsoring an episode in honor of your baby, head to themorning.com/sponsor for all the details.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

1. Resource Bundle (Check it out here.)
2. The Morning Library (Check it out here.)
3. The Joyful Mourning Community (Join us here.)
4. Healthline: Amygdala Hijack
5. 10 Things to Know About Grief, No 190

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

JOIN THE BOOK CLUB The Morning Book Club is here to provide a little extra support and thoughtful conversation about grief and life after loss. We're here for the books that will offer insight on navigating grief, life after loss and finding hope. We will do so in a super simple way — because as fellow grieving moms, we know how hard it can be to read more than a few words at a time. To learn more about the Book Club, to see our latest book club pick and join the conversation > themorning.com/bookclub

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode191

In this episode I am sharing with you what I want every grieving mom to know about grief after the loss of a baby.

If we were sitting down for coffee and I could share with you what I have learned in the nearly 15 years since losing my infant son about grief and navigating this journey of life after loss, these are the things I would tell you.

I pray they offer you hope. I pray they remind you that you are not alone.

THIS EPISODE IS DEDICATED TO JACOB WALKER.

Today's podcast is in honor of Meg Walker, and her son Jacob, on his birthday. Meg, your son has changed all of our lives. Thank you for the work you do and the care you give to this community of grieving women. We are better because of you and because of your son.

We celebrate Jacob and we remember him with you today and always.

If you love this podcast and are interested in sponsoring an episode in honor of your baby, head to themorning.com/sponsor for all the details.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

1. Book Club (Check it out here.)
2. The Morning Library (Check it out here.)
3. The Joyful Mourning Community (Join us here.)
4. Learn more about the Host: Ashlee Proffitt (No. 01, No. 90, No. 124, No. 170)
5. 5 Things to Know About Grief, No 100

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

JOIN THE BOOK CLUB The Morning Book Club is here to provide a little extra support and thoughtful conversation about grief and life after loss. We're here for the books that will offer insight on navigating grief, life after loss and finding hope. We will do so in a super simple way — because as fellow grieving moms, we know how hard it can be to read more than a few words at a time. To learn more about the Book Club, to see our latest book club pick and join the conversation > themorning.com/bookclub

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode190

Today's episode is all about the end of a year and the beginning of a new one. I'm sharing with you 3 things to know as you enter a New Year and a few practical tips for each. The New Year can catch a grieving mom by surprise in it's heaviness and I hope these thoughts I'm going to share with you bring you hope and give a few practical tips for navigating the days ahead.

For an extra bit of encouragement go back and listen to Episode #143 for hope and encouragement about beginning a New Year from our Morning Team members – I promise it will bring you hope and remind you that you are not alone.

FREE NEW YEAR WORKBOOK: www.themorning.com/newyear

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF GUIDE

Our best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode189

Welcome to part 4 of our 4 part Holiday series – a discussion about finding hope when the holidays hurt. Kristin Hernandez, author of the Advent Journal, Hope When the Holidays Hurt, is joining me for this series.

In the first part of this episode Kristin talks about God's love for you and knowing that grasping that love can feel very, very difficult for a grieving mom Kristin shares what helped her to see that God had not forgotten her and how He did love her even amidst devastating loss and deep grief.

In the second part of this episode Kristin gives her best advice for navigating Christmas morning and moving into a New Year. The wisdom Kristin shares is practically helpful – giving you freedom to grieve this holiday season, freedom to be sad, to say no, to make space to rest. About the New Year she said this: This was the hardest holiday for me the first year. It caught me by surprise. Everybody is celebrating that we're leaving the year and they're looking forward to the next year. And I felt so sad that everyone is moving forward and moving forward with excitement and I didn't want to move forward. And moving forward scared me.

Listen in to hear the hope and wisdom that Kristin shares about both Christmas morning and the New Year but mostly I hope you hear us both say, you are not alone friend. If the next week or so are especially difficult for you, remember, it's ok to be sad, it's ok to not feel merry or excited for a new year… you aren't alone in that and also it won't always feel this way.

Throughout this series and season of Advent, Kristin and I will be discussing an entry from that week of journal entries here on the podcast as well as our free online community. If you haven't already joined us in our free community, this is a great time to do so. Don't navigate the holidays alone, come join us and find women who understand, women who get it and can offer a listening ear, understanding and wisdom. Our free online community is not on social media so as to provide a truly safe place for grieving moms. To join us click here. We will be sharing insights from our daily readings from the journal as well as honest thoughts and conversation about navigating the holidays as a grieving mom.

WE LOVE LAURELBOX: GIFTS FOR GRIEVING HEARTS

This episode is sponsored by Laurelbox. We love Laurelbox for the beautiful and tangible ways they help us as grieving moms to honor and celebrate our babies this holiday season. Laurelbox has the most beautiful personalized candles and ornaments– the perfect addition to your holiday season. It's simple while being intentional, thoughtful and as I said, beautiful. Check out our favorites by heading to themorning.com/laurelbox.

FREE HOLIDAY RESOURCES: www.themorning.com/holidays

1. Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle
2. Join us for a Christmas Devotional Book Club for December (Get the devotional here.)
3. Our Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms
4. Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here)
5. Get your Christmas Apparel (Back in the shop!)

> www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF GUIDE

Our best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode188

Welcome to part 3 of our 4 part Holiday series – a discussion about finding hope when the holidays hurt and our first ever virtual book club. Kristin Hernandez, author of Hope When the Holidays Hurt, is joining me for this series and our book club discussions. Whether you are following along in the Advent Journal or not, I wanted to remind you that the hope shared in this series and episode is valuable and helpful either way.

In this episode Kristin talks about the shepherds that were given the good news of this baby being born, they were the ones that God chose to tell first and yet they were considered lowly, outcasts and most likely felt unseen by those around them and by God. We talk about how knowing that God told them first and entrusted them with this announcement, gives us as grieving moms hope this holiday season.

We finish up our time together with Kristin sharing about the most meaningful way she felt loved at Christmas. If you love a grieving mom, make sure to listen in as we share what that practically looked like for both of us. If you are a grieving mom, consider sharing this episode with a friend or family member as it will help them to understand what you are walking through this season, what it feels like and how they can tangibly help.

Throughout this series and season of Advent, Kristin and I will be discussing an entry from that week of journal entries here on the podcast as well as our free online community. If you haven't already joined us in our free community, this is a great time to do so. Don't navigate the holidays alone, come join us and find women who understand, women who get it and can offer a listening ear, understanding and wisdom. Our free online community is not on social media so as to provide a truly safe place for grieving moms. To join us click here. We will be sharing insights from our daily readings from the journal as well as honest thoughts and conversation about navigating the holidays as a grieving mom.

WE LOVE LAURELBOX: GIFTS FOR GRIEVING HEARTS

This episode is sponsored by Laurelbox. We love Laurelbox for the beautiful and tangible ways they help us as grieving moms to honor and celebrate our babies this holiday season. Laurelbox has the most beautiful personalized candles and ornaments– the perfect addition to your holiday season. It's simple while being intentional, thoughtful and as I said, beautiful. Check out our favorites by heading to themorning.com/laurelbox.

FREE HOLIDAY RESOURCES: www.themorning.com/holidays

1. Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle
2. Join us for a Christmas Devotional Book Club for December (Get the devotional here.)
3. Our Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms
4. Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here)
5. Get your Christmas Apparel (Back in the shop!)

> www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF GUIDE

Our best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode187

Welcome to Part 2 of our 4 part Holiday series – a discussion about finding hope when the holidays hurt and our first ever virtual book club. Kristin Hernandez, author of Hope When the Holidays Hurt, is joining me for this series and our book club discussions. Whether you are following along in the Advent Journal (you can order here) or not, I wanted to remind you that the hope shared in this series is valuable and helpful either way.

As a reminder, it is never too late to start the Advent Journal and follow along in that way – the truths and promises shared there are applicable all year long. You can start now! You can purchase the Advent Journal here. I am really loving working through this content with our community and the conversations we have been having have been so beautiful. Again, if you want to order the journal to follow along, it's not too late (you can order here).

In this episode we are talking about how God values our babies, even those who never lived outside the womb. We also talk about the nearness of God and how that brings us hope but can also be hard to hear when our hearts are broken and death has entered in. So we spend some time discussing what to do with that wrestling and what that has looked like in our own life.

We finish up our time together with Kristin and I sharing about our favorite ways to honor our babies at christmas. Kristin also shares some really helpful advice about this idea of honoring our baby that will be incredibly helpful to you, especially if the idea of doing anything this year feels too weighty and overwhelming.

Throughout this series and season of Advent, Kristin and I will be discussing an entry from that week of journal entries here on the podcast as well as our free online community. If you haven't already joined us in our free community, this is a great time to do so. Don't navigate the holidays alone, come join us and find women who understand, women who get it and can offer a listening ear, understanding and wisdom. Our free online community is not on social media so as to provide a truly safe place for grieving moms. To join us click here. We will be sharing insights from our daily readings from the journal as well as honest thoughts and conversation about navigating the holidays as a grieving mom.

WE LOVE LAURELBOX: GIFTS FOR GRIEVING HEARTS

This episode is sponsored by Laurelbox. We love Laurelbox for the beautiful and tangible ways they help us as grieving moms to honor and celebrate our babies this holiday season. Laurelbox has the most beautiful personalized candles and ornaments– the perfect addition to your holiday season. It's simple while being intentional, thoughtful and as I said, beautiful. Check out our favorites by heading to themorning.com/laurelbox.

FREE HOLIDAY RESOURCES: www.themorning.com/holidays

1. Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle
2. Join us for a Christmas Devotional Book Club for December (Get the devotional here.)
3. Our Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms
4. Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here)
5. Get your Christmas Apparel (Back in the shop!)

> www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF GUIDE

Our best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode186