Through the Lens

As we continue the conversation on hope in the hospital, we're joined by our friend Tanisha Garnier of Namesake Ink. Tanisha shares her story of hope in the hospital, including the pain of infertility, the loss of her precious son Xavier at 21-weeks gestation, and the miraculous life of her daughter Ezra, who spent the first 3.5 months of her life in the hospital. Tanisha beautifully shares how the church reflects Christ in how we love one another through suffering and of the unshakable hope we have in Jesus in the midst of our deepest grief. We were so incredibly encouraged by Tanisha's story and we hope you will be too!

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook or Instagram @throughthelenspodcast. We'd be honored to hear your story.

The hospital is a place of new beginnings and heartbreaking endings. It is simultaneously full of the hope of birth and new life, and the sorrow of death and earthly loss. As loss mamas, memories of the hospital evoke emotional pain and even PTSD, and in other ways these memories can be quite comforting. I guess you could say our emotions surrounding the hospital are quite complicated. In today's episode, we're talking about both the joy and trauma of our own hospital experiences and how God's grace meets us in the middle of codes and beeps, the doctor rounds and diagnoses, and the sacred tears shared with family and friends. We hope you leave this conversation reflecting on the unshakeable hope we have in God's sovereignty and Christ's victory over death. Episode 37: Hope in the Hospital is now available for download.

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This month we're continuing to address loss upon loss, sorrow upon sorrow. Rather than a life of comfort, Jesus promised us that His children would face heartache in this world. Even if we never walk through two identical losses, it is likely that the trials of this life are not all behind us and will result in the loss of something--perhaps our health, a friendship, a dream. Even when the hits seem to keep coming, Jesus encourages us with the truth that He has overcome the world. As we continue this discussion, we are joined by our friend and author Rosemary Pope. In our latest episode, @rosemarypope.author shares her story of stillbirth, infant loss and miscarriage, and encourages us to trust God to carry us through the deepest valleys. Grab some tissues or a cozy blanket and join us for Episode 36: Joy in Suffering with Rosemary Pope, now available on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify.

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook or Instagram @throughthelenspodcast. We'd be honored to hear your story.

When we've walked through a traumatic event such as the loss of a child, it is easy to feel like we "paid our dues". It seems as if we've had more than our fair share of suffering and things can only get better from here. But what about when things don't seem to get better? How can we reconcile the goodness of God when the worst happens again and it feels like lightning keeps striking in the same spot? In today's episode, we're sharing some of our own experiences with recurrent loss, as well as the frustrations and questions we've wrestled with. We also take a closer look at the Biblical account of Job--a righteous man who walked through incredible suffering upon suffering. No matter what your suffering has looked like in the past, this conversation is for you. If you're reading this and you haven't experienced multiple losses, we want to acknowledge that one loss is profoundly painful and is one too many. We encourage you to stick with us because we think there is something in this episode for all of us, as Jesus did tell us that we would face trials in this world. Even if you never walk through a loss like a previous loss (and we pray you don't), it is likely that we will all walk through trials--resulting in the loss of something. Our comfort, our health, a dream. Grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage and join us as we link arms with one another and discuss this difficult topic. Episode 35: Hope in Loss Upon Loss is now available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook or Instagram @throughthelenspodcast. We'd be honored to hear your story.

In today’s episode, Holly sits down with certified enneagram coach Elisabeth Bennett of @enneagram.life to discuss grief and the enneagram! Elisabeth breaks down each of the nine types and shares how each type may process grief differently. We chat about the three stances (compliant, aggressive and withdrawn), which types fall into which category and how someone’s stance may influence the way in which they walk through grief. Elisabeth also addresses how Christians should view the enneagram, the importance of finding our identity in Christ and scripture truth for all types. We were thrilled to have Elisabeth on Through the Lens and we think you will be encouraged and ennea-educated by her perspective! Episode 34: Enneagrief Pt. II: An Interview with Elisabeth Bennett is now available on iTunes and all major podcast apps!

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook or Instagram @throughthelenspodcast. We'd be honored to hear your story.

We’re kicking off the fall season with a two-part series on grief and the enneagram. In today’s episode, we discuss the ways our enneagram types have influenced the way we grieve and the areas in which we struggle, especially as it relates to suffering and sanctification. Kristin (1w9) admits her desire to “grieve the right way” (whatever that is) and her need to continually be reminded that our righteousness can be found in Christ alone. Holly (8w7) shares her struggle to surrender control and rest in God’s sovereignty and goodness. We also share listener feedback and discuss the way God created each of us uniquely and the importance of finding our true identity in Christ alone. Pull up a chair, grab a friend, and join us for our fall launch! Episode 33: Enneagrief Pt. I is now available on all your favorite podcast apps.

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook or Instagram @throughthelenspodcast. We'd be honored to hear your story.

"I don't care, as long as they're healthy!" Chances are, you've heard this phrase spoken by or to a pregnant woman. You've likely said it yourself a few times. We're right there with you and have uttered these words more times than we can count. It wasn't until our firstborn sons came into the world, both with conditions deemed incredibly "unhealthy", that we began to take a deeper look at the implications of this phrase. Where do we place our hope when our babies aren't healthy? As we wrap up the spring season, we're chatting about the phrase "as long as they're healthy". We talk about our natural longing for wholeness and health, as humans created in the image of God, and the hope we can cling to when sickness enters our lives. We discuss the value of all life, healthy or sick, and the way God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Episode 32: I Just Want a Healthy Baby is now available on all your favorite podcast apps.

While Mother's Day is a day of celebration for many, we know it can be bittersweet for our sisters who have lost children, have lost mothers, have strained relationships with their mothers or their children, are walking through infertility, or are walking through a variety of challenges unique to their motherhood. As we come out of Mother's Day weekend, we've compiled an audio Mother's Day card containing words of encouragement and support from mamas within this community. Join Amy Balentine ( @youmadememom), Kelley Ramsey ( @waiting.in.hope), Kristen Ironside ( @k_ironside), Maci Johnson ( @macecakes11), Sarah Rieke ( @sarah_rieke), T Lopez ( @officialtlopez), Holly Colonna ( @movemoregirls), and Kristin Hernandez ( @sunlightindecember) as we each share what God has been laying on our hearts in this season. We hope you walk away from this conversation feeling loved, supported, and known--not just by your sisters, but by a loving Father who sees you, even when you feel forgotten. Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers. To the ones who ache with empty arms and the ones who feel as if their hands could not be more full. To the ones who have carried babies in their hearts, their wombs, or their prayers. To the ones who feel overlooked or unknown. To the ones who carry the pain of losing their own mother. To the ones who view this day with joy, the ones who approach this day with dread, and the ones who feel a complicated mixture of both. No matter what motherhood looks like for you, this one's for you. We love you.

In today's episode, Holly sits down to chat with our friend Kristin Ironside about the difficult journey of carrying a baby who isn't expected to live outside the womb. Kristin shares the grief that came with her daughter's diagnosis, as well as the ways God has revealed Himself to her and given her strength in the midst of the heartache. She explains how people have demonstrated the love of Christ, practical ways she is preparing for her daughter's birth, and the way this diagnosis has shaped her view of eternity and the hope we have in Jesus. This conversation is especially unique as it comes from the perspective of a mama who is currently pregnant and walking this road, anticipating the arrival and departure of her precious daughter. We are so honored that Kristin entrusted us with her story and we look forward to sharing her words with you today. Episode 30: A Fatal Diagnosis with Kristin Ironside is now available.

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook or Instagram @throughthelenspodcast. We'd be honored to hear your story.

Pregnancy is arguably one of the most exciting times in a mother's life. But for some, it can also be one of the most painful and challenging seasons--especially for a mother carrying a baby with a terminal diagnosis. We often talk about the grief that follows the loss of a child, but today we're talking about the complicated mixture of grief and expectation that comes with carrying a child who may not come home. We're sharing our stories of prenatal diagnoses, as well as the ways we "prepared" for the unexpected and the unimaginable. We discuss baby showers and nurseries (or lack thereof), as well as the encouragement we have in Christ when we are faced with a heartbreaking prognosis. Whether you have carried or are carrying a child with a terminal diagnosis, or have walked through anything difficult (that's all of us, because let's be real--who hasn't?) we invite you to join us as we talk about a topic so dear to our hearts. Episode 29: Preparing for a Baby You Won't Bring Home is now available.

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook or Instagram @throughthelenspodcast. We'd be honored to hear your story.