In today's podcast, Kelly Brockman, a bereaved father and grandfather, talks openly about some of the challenges of bereaved grandparents. He describes child loss as a "pain like no other," and grandparents are not only grieving their own loss, but watching their own child grieve that devastating loss. Do you know a bereaved grandparent? We hope you'll share this episode with them.
Have you lost a sibling or are you a bereaved parent who has children who are grieving? On the podcast today, Bobby and Gabby Bisterfeldt share their journeys of sibling loss. Unbelievably, both have lost two siblings. There are many unique challenges to the grief that accompanies sibling loss, and Bobby and Gabby offer suggestions for bereaved parents to support their remaining children, who are grieving the loss of their sibling.
In today’s podcast, Rhyl Venning shares her journey of loss and hope after the home-going of her daughter, Kari-Lee. Born with cystic fibrosis, Kari experienced the physical challenges that come with the diagnosis, but lived each day to the fullest. She packed in a lifetime of learning, travel, and joy in her twenty-five years and deeply impacted those around her. With honesty and fresh spiritual insights, Rhyl offers hope to those who are navigating the devastation of child loss.
In today's podcast, Tom and Heather Snyir introduce us to their daughter, Katie. After battling childhood cancer at the age of four, she enjoyed ten years of good health. Thinking that cancer was something in the past, it was a shock when Katie received the diagnosis of Stage Four Glioblastoma Multiforme at the age of sixteen. With transparency and insight, Tom and Heather share their journey not only of grief, but of how the Lord has held them. Their words will encourage you, give you hope, and offer spiritual insights that will challenge you to draw nearer to the only One who can truly comfort our broken hearts.
In the blink of an eye, in one horrific accident, Jerry Sittser lost his wife, daughter, and mother. Raising his three remaining children as a single father for the next twenty years, Jerry discovered God's grace in a way he could have only imagined before encountering deep suffering. His book, A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss has touched the lives of bereaved people around the world. He writes, and in this episode speaks, with transparency about the realities of loss and shares insights he has learned about God, the One who can truly comfort our broken hearts.
In today's podcast, Todd and Robyn Leyden share the story of their son, Payton, and his unexpected death from a staph infection at the age of thirteen. With transparency, they offer insights learned through suffering and provide encouragement through sharing the details of seeing God at work in their lives. After the loss of Payton, Todd and Robyn discovered many biblical truths and adopted a new perspective about suffering and loss. Their conversation today offers hope and a path through the wilderness to those who are grieving.
In today’s podcast, author and mom, Jenny Leavitt, shares her story of suffering and the Lord’s faithfulness to hold her through the storms of life. She is a stage four cancer survivor, and experienced other severe hardships, but those paled in comparison to the loss of her son, Jacob, when he went to Heaven from a car accident. She offers encouragement for those who are grieving a loss and shares with transparency about her journey of grief, her search for truth, and the discovery of “GodPrints” all along the way.
In December of 2015, Rob & Pam Stalets nearly sixteen-year-old son, Robbie, received the diagnosis of cancer. Remarkably, the doctors stated that he had a 95% chance of recovery, but in only five weeks, Robbie arrived in Heaven. In today’s episode, Rob & Pam share their journey of grief with honestly and transparency. They discuss the faulty view of suffering and healing they had previously held and their quest to learn about Heaven. As you listen to the insights they have learned about God, you’ll be encouraged as you face your own suffering and loss.
In today's episode, Ashley Opliger, Founder of Bridget's Cradles, shares her story of hope amid loss. As she discusses child loss and the subsequent crisis of faith that so many parents experience, she offers her own experience of wrestling with the difficult questions and surrendering her suffering to God. Filled with theological truths, this podcast will give you hope as you seek to trust the Lord through your pain.
In this episode, Dr. Sean and Candice Thompson share their journey of adoption, special needs, anticipatory loss, helping young siblings process grief, and following Jesus. Their third child, Moses, went to Heaven at the age of six, from a progressive lung disease.
As they share their story with transparency, they offer insights from their journey, and talk about spiritual truths that bring hope to all of us walking through earthly life.
Listen in today...you are going to be encouraged!
Have you ever wondered exactly what to expect if you come to an Our Hearts Are Home conference online or in person? How will it impact your grief journey?
In today's podcast, Gary and Laura House share the details of what you'll encounter if you come. Also in the podcast are the thoughts about the conference from Melanie DeSimone, Bob & Sharon Glazebrook, and Kirk & Lisa Thacker.
While not everyone can make it to the conference in person in Lynchburg, VA, everyone can join in online or participate through listening to the recordings. We believe it could be a pivotal moment in your grief journey. Visit ourheartsarehome.org/conference
Throughout the first few years of grief, you may wonder if things will ever change. Will I always feel this level of pain and grief? Does “grief brain” ever go away? Will I always suffer from insomnia, PTSD, etc.?In this webinar, bereaved parents who are many years down the road of loss will share helpful insights about the changes that take place through the years. We believe you’ll leave the webinar filled with encouragement and hope.Presenters: Gary & Laura House (https://www.ourheartsarehome.org)
and Brad & Jill Sullivan (https://www.whilewerewaiting.org)
In today's podcast, Russ and Nancy Sullivan share the story of their precious daughter, Amberly. For many years she suffered excruciating physical pain and the search for answers through new doctors and treatments was continuous. At the age of twenty-four, Amberly could not fight the battle any longer, and she went home to be with Jesus. As Russ and Nancy share their journey with honesty and transparency, they testify to the love and comfort that only Christ can give.
In today's podcast, Mary McNamera shares her journey of her son, Zack, and his homegoing four years ago from asthma. Mary shares with openness and honesty about the difficulty of grief, and offers more than a dozen resources that helped her find her footing in the midst of grief. Through all of the pain, she has seen the Lord strengthen her and give her His peace — a peace that “surpasses all understanding.”
In today's podcast, author, Pat Elsberry, shares her journey of grief after losing her beautiful daughter, Melanie. As Pat speaks, she gives insight into the devastating illness of addiction, and clearly communicates how the Lord has held and sustained her through each day.
In today's episode, Deb Rhodes shares her journey of loss. Her daughter, Natalie, at the age of thirty, went to Heaven after a battle with osteosarcoma. Then a few years later, Deb's thirty-eight-year-old son, David, was in a serious car accident and passed away shortly after. Through the unimaginable grief of losing both children, Deb has seen over and over, the faithfulness of God to carry her through. As she offers her insights and discoveries that she has found through suffering, you'll be encouraged in your own journey of grief.
On today's podcast, Judi Merriam, an author, speaker, actor, and Jenson's mom, shares her experience of loss and of the hope that she has found in Christ. With transparency and honesty, Judi discusses the difficult journey of loss; the wrestling with God, the searching for answers, the discovery of the truth of God's character and love. Her words bring great encouragement and hope to those who are grieving.
In this message given at the recent Our Hearts Are Home conference, missionary pastor, speaker, author, and bereaved father, Mark Roser, shares his heart and shows us through Scripture, the heart of God. "Enlargement by Grief" (aka Good Grief) is a deep dive into God’s redemptive purposes in allowing grief and sorrow. Because God loves, He knows full well what it feels like to have a heart full of pain. But God can use our greatest sorrow to transform us in ways nothing else can. The Bible has much to say about how God works the worst things in life for our good and the good of others. Listen in and be encouraged.
For those of us who have experienced the pain of child loss, we need to draw near to God now more than ever. However, in the midst of our trauma, God can sometimes feel far away. Questions and confusion naturally arise. If we trusted Him and this horrible event happened, how can we continue to trust Him? Who is this God that allowed this to happen? Does He really care about me? Does it even make a difference? What makes a person cry says a lot about them. We certainly have shed our share of tears while grieving the death of our children. In this session, we will explore the things that brought tears to the eyes of Jesus. By examining these events, we hope to better understand the heart and character of Jesus in a way that will help us embrace His love and trustworthiness and experience His personal presence amidst our sorrow.
In this podcast, Ernie and Karen Richards share the story of their son, Levi, and of the grief journey they have walked since his home-going. Levi was a remarkably talented young man who loved Jesus and was loved deeply by his family and friends. In 2016, without warning, he went to Heaven by suicide.
If you are a bereaved parent, we hope you'll find the words of Ernie and Karen to be a comfort and that you will glean new insights that may be useful in your own journey. And if you are listening today and have not lost a child, this episode will help you better know how to come alongside grieving parents in their greatest time of need.