In today's episode, Jill takes a fresh look at Isaiah 40:31 through the eyes of a bereaved parent ... and why it makes sense that we go from flying, to running, to walking. 

For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free retreats we offer for bereaved parents, please click HERE. 

To make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry, please click HERE.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

In today's episode, Jill talks with Carol Mathus, the stepmom of Danny, a young man with a passion for cycling and a contagious laugh.  With great honesty and transparency, Carol shares about her crisis of faith after Danny's death,  dealing with grief as a stepparent, surviving the holidays, and the ministry that has come from her experience with child loss.

For more information about the Hope Dawning ministry to bereaved moms in the Dallas, Texas, area, please click HERE. 

For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry, our support groups around the country, and the free retreats we offer for bereaved parents, please click HERE.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

It's hard to celebrate a birthday when the guest of honor is absent.  This past week, my daughter Hannah would have turned 30 years old.  Today's episode is my reflection on that milestone, and a reminder that though she was absent for this special day, I can praise God that she is not lost.   

For information about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free retreats we offer for bereaved parents around the country, please click HERE.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

Continuing our recognition of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, today's episode includes the second half of my conversation with Hattie Grace's mom and dad, Bryan and Brandy Davis.  Today's chat builds upon last week's episode, as we discuss some very practical issues faced by those who have lost infants, dealing with triggers, and some of the ways that Hattie's life, though brief, has had an impact on the world.

For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry and to learn about the free retreats we offer for bereaved parents, please click HERE. 

If you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry, please click HERE.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

October has been designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  One in four families will lose a baby during pregnancy, delivery, or infancy.  Bryan and Brandy Davis became one of those families in January of 2018.  Their sweet Hattie Grace was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 while in the womb, and the Davises had ten precious hours with her before she went to be with Jesus.  Though it was brief, Hattie's life had meaning and purpose and continues to have an impact today.  In the first half of our conversation, Bryan and Brandy share Hattie's story, talk about grieving as a couple, and discuss how God has worked in their lives since that time.  Be sure and come back next week to hear some practical advice from the Davises about life after the loss of a baby. 

For information about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free bereaved parent retreats we offer, please click HERE.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

In today's episode, Jill goes a little deeper with Tristan's parents, Todd & Melissa Shaffer, as they discuss issues specifically related to suicide loss and spend some time talking about some of Melissa's most popular blog posts.  Be sure and listen to Part One of our conversation to hear more about their remarkable son Tristan.

You can find Melissa's website by clicking here:  https://christiansuicideloss.com/

You can find our private While We're Waiting Facebook group by clicking here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhileWereWaiting.SupportForBereavedParents

You can find out more about our free, faith-based While We're Waiting Weekends for Parents Touched by Suicide by clicking here:  https://whilewerewaiting.org/services/retreats/parents-touched-by-suicide-weekend/

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

My conversation today is with Tristan’s mom and dad, Todd and Melissa Shaffer.  In this first half of our discussion, they share the story of their "Sunshine Boy", and the shadow that gradually began to move across his face … ultimately leading to him taking his own life in their garage. They describe their efforts to seek help for him and the peace they’ve found as they’ve learned to rest in God’s sovereignty over Tristan’s life.  They also share about issues specific to suicide that can complicate the grief journey.  I hope you’ll come back next week for the second half of our discussion, when you’ll hear more about the website Melissa has developed specifically for Christian parents whose children have died by suicide, and some practical tips for this journey that no one would ever choose.

Melissa's website:  www.ChristianSuicideLoss.com

For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry, visit our website at www.WhileWereWaiting.org

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

Miss Havisham, a character in the book "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, was jilted on her wedding day at precisely 9:20 am, and for her, everything stopped at that moment.  She spent the rest of her life sitting at her dressing table in her wedding dress, one shoe on and one shoe off, with her wedding cake moldering beside her.  In today's episode, Jill talks about how we, as bereaved parents, can find ourselves feeling just like Miss Havisham, and reminds us that we have a Bridegroom who is just waiting for us to take His hand.

For more information about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free faith-based retreats we host for bereaved parents, please click HERE. 

To make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry, click HERE.  Thank you!!

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

Today I’m pleased to bring you the second half of my conversation with Millie’s mom, Courtney Mount.  If you missed last week’s episode, I encourage you to go back and listen to it to hear the story of sweet and sassy Amelia Joy who was carried home to Heaven by neuroblastoma cancer in July of 2020 … You really don’t want to miss that!  Today’s episode builds on her story as we discuss some very practical issues commonly faced by bereaved parents – grief brain, the one-year mark, parenting our surviving children, dealing with awkward comments by well-meaning people, the importance of gratitude, and finding your smile again.

To follow Courtney's blog about Millie's Miracle and see pictures of sweet Millie, please click HERE.  To find Courtney on Instagram, click HERE.   

To learn more about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free faith-based retreats we offer for bereaved parents, please click HERE.

To make a tax-deductible donation or to become a monthly supporter of the While We're Waiting ministry, please click HERE.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]

Over 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States.  In June of 2019, Courtney Mount's 2-year-old daughter Millie was one of those kids.  As Millie battled her cancer with simple faith and sass, her mom and dad prayed, "Lord, please heal her and allow her to tell Your goodness with her own lips, but if You don't, we will tell her story for her."  In the first half of our conversation, Courtney shares Millie's story for her. 

To follow Courtney's blog and see pictures of their beautiful Millie, please click HERE. 

To learn more about the While We're Waiting ministry and the free faith-based retreats we offer for bereaved parents, please click HERE. 

To make a tax-deductible donation or to become a monthly supporter of the While We're Waiting ministry, please click HERE.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.)

** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.

We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!

Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents

Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram

Click HERE to follow us on Twitter

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry

Contact Jill by email at: [email protected]