269 | God Was There (Part One) with Kelly Uribe
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Kelly Uribe joins me today to share the story of her son Ernesto—a vibrant, adventurous, and deeply loved young man. She describes his big personality, his penchant for "people gathering", and the artistic eye that set him apart. She also shares about the spring when everything began to change, leading their family into a long and arduous journey through the mental health care system, and ultimately to Ernesto's death by suicide in the fall of 2022.
With great transparency, Kelly recounts the countless appointments, medications, therapies, and programs they pursued in hopes of finding healing for Ernesto. She talks about the challenges of navigating insurance, the hidden isolation families often feel, and the exhaustion of trying to parent a teen in crisis while clinging to hope.
This episode gives us a window into the realities many families face but few discuss openly. It’s a story of deep love, heartbreaking struggle, and the assurance that God was there with them through each uncertain step.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
268 | Writhing, Wrestling, and Worshiping (Part Two) with Chad and Ronni Fellers
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
In last week’s conversation with Chad and Ronni Fellers (listen HERE), we heard the story of their son Paxton—his adoption, his joy-filled spirit, and the day their lives changed forever. We also heard how grief has forced them to wrestle deeply with their faith and the goodness of God in the wake of profound loss.
In today’s episode, part two of our conversation, we focus on something many grieving hearts struggle to understand: lament. Chad and Ronni speak honestly about what it means to bring their pain, their questions, even their anger to God—not as a lack of faith, but as a vital expression of it. As Ronni puts it, “When you're wrestling with someone, you're face to face. And if I'm still wrestling with God, it means I haven't turned away.”
We talk about how lament has shaped their grief, their marriage, their parenting, and their perspective on worship. Ronni shares the story behind her blog, The God Kiss, and the healing she’s found in writing her wrestle.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that God welcomes our sorrow—and meets us there with His presence. We’ll pick up right where we left off last week.
Click HERE to watch the Fellers' video testimony produced by Fellowship Bible Church.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
267 | Writhing, Wrestling, and Worshiping (Part One) with Chad and Ronni Fellers
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
We’re beginning a two-part series today with Chad and Ronni Fellers, who invite us into their story and help us understand what it means to grieve with both faith and honesty.
In today’s episode, Chad and Ronni share about their son Paxton, a young man his dad describes as “all gas, no brakes”—his adoption story, his bold and fearless personality, and the morning that marked the beginning of a life-altering journey.
They talk about the six weeks spent in the hospital, the thousands of people who prayed, and the moment they realized God’s healing would look different than they had hoped. Through it all, they speak openly about writhing in pain, wrestling with God, and slowly learning how to worship in the midst of deep grief.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Paxton’s adoption and early years
- His vibrant, fearless personality
- The morning everything changed
- Their six-week stay in the ICU
- The role of faith during trauma
- Honest wrestling with God in grief
- Why lament is a faithful response to suffering
- The recalibration of life after child loss
This episode is not about resolution—it’s about invitation: to lament, to question, and to trust that even in the ache, we are not alone.
Click HERE to watch the Fellers' video testimony produced by Fellowship Bible Church.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
266 | A Lifeline for Bereaved Siblings ... with Bobby Bisterfeldt and Gabby Bisterfeldt
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
As bereaved parents, one of the most pressing questions we grapple with is this: How do I help my surviving children? We want to support them well, but sometimes we’re met with silence or withdrawal. It can feel like we’re walking blind through their grief. That’s why I’m so honored—and genuinely excited—to share this episode with you today.
In this important conversation, I’m joined by Bobby and Gabby, a father-in-law and daughter-in-law who have each experienced the loss of not just one, but two siblings. With honesty, faith, and compassion, they invite us into their stories—stories marked by sudden loss, complicated family dynamics, delayed grief, and eventually, renewed hope.
Together, Bobby and Gabby talk about:
- Why surviving siblings may struggle to talk to their parents
- How grief changes over time, especially as siblings mature
- The impact of loss on their relationships with their parents
- How their own faith has been both tested and strengthened
- Practical ways parents can support their children through sibling loss
They also share about the ministry they co-lead: Sibling Lifeline, a retreat-based community that brings adult grieving siblings together for connection, healing, and hope. The work they’re doing is so needed—and I believe you’ll finish this episode feeling both better equipped and more hopeful as a parent.
Whether you’re longing to understand your child’s grief, or you’ve experienced sibling loss yourself, this conversation will speak to your heart.
Links from the Episode:
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
265 | Hope Comes to Stay with Clarissa Moll
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
I'm so pleased today to be joined by Clarissa Moll—an award-winning writer, podcaster, and author of the bestselling book Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving After Loss. While Clarissa is not a grieving parent, I invited her to the show because of the practical insights she offers about parenting grieving children.
In this episode, she shares her personal journey as a widow and how she’s found hope and healing through faith, community, and creativity. Her wisdom, born from walking alongside her own children through loss, speaks directly to the challenges many of us face as we support our kids through heartbreak.
Clarissa shares the inspiration behind her newest book for children, Hope Comes to Stay, a gentle and beautifully written story that helps young readers understand and process grief. If you’re a parent navigating your own sorrow while trying to care for your child’s heart, this conversation will offer comfort, language, and hope.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Clarissa’s journey after the sudden death of her husband
- How Beyond the Darkness offers practical, compassionate help for grieving hearts
- What it means to parent children who grieve
- Tools and language to help kids process loss
- The inspiration behind her new children’s book, Hope Comes to Stay
- How faith and lament can live side by side
- What flourishing after loss can look like for families
Whether you’re grieving yourself or walking alongside your children in their grief, Clarissa offers a tender reminder that healing is possible—and that you’re not alone on this journey.
Resources Mentioned:
- Beyond the Darkness by Clarissa Moll
- Hope Comes to Stay (Clarissa’s new children’s book)
- Hurt Help Hope (Clariss'a book written with her teen daughter, Fiona)
- Clarissa’s website
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
264 | Blessings for Barrett (Part Two) with Katy Bone
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
In this second half of my conversation with Katy Bone, we explore how grief has not only reshaped her life, but also refined her faith and revealed a deeper sense of purpose. Nearly six years after her son Barrett went to heaven, Katy reflects on the ways his short life continues to make an impact.
Katy shares how her grief has evolved over time—from the early days of guilt and resistance to joy, to a place of acceptance where sorrow and hope coexist. She speaks candidly about her struggle with faith in the wake of loss, her anger toward God, and how He patiently met her in every question, every tear, and every step toward healing.
We also talk about Blessings for Barrett, the nonprofit Katy and her husband founded to honor Barrett’s legacy by supporting grieving siblings. Through thoughtfully curated care boxes and a newly released children’s book, their ministry is reaching surviving siblings across the country with the important message: You are not alone.
This episode is a powerful testament to how God brings beauty from ashes—and how even in our deepest pain, He can redeem and restore.
Topics Covered:
- How grief changes over time
- Giving yourself grace in the healing process
- Faith, doubt, and honesty with God after loss
- Supporting grieving siblings through their nonprofit ministry Blessings for Barrett
- Katy’s new children’s book, Buzzy the Bee
- Worship music as a companion in grief
Connect with Katy:
🌐 Blessings for Barrett
📘 Buzzy the Bee and Buzzy the Bee Coloring Book
Be sure to check out Part One of Katy’s story if you haven’t already (linked HERE), and share this conversation with someone who needs to be reminded that God is near in the midst of grief.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
263 | Blessings for Barrett (Part One) with Katy Bone
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
In today's episode, I’m joined by my new friend Katy Bone, a wife and mother whose story is marked by both profound loss and enduring hope. In this first part of our conversation, Katy shares the early chapters of her motherhood journey—beginning with the heartbreaking miscarriage of her first son, whom she affectionately nicknamed “Little Bit.” She speaks about the grief that followed, the anxiety of pregnancy after loss, and the joy of welcoming her daughter Poppy.
Katy then invites us into the story of her son Barrett. From a concerning 20-week ultrasound to a complicated delivery and three challenging weeks in the NICU, Katy and her husband walked through a season of emotional whiplash—clinging to hope, praying for healing, and ultimately facing Barrett's homegoing.
Through it all, Katy’s faith shines. She shares how the love of family, the compassion of medical staff, and the promises of Scripture sustained her through the hardest days of her life. This episode is a powerful testament to the strength of a mother’s love and the unwavering presence of God in the midst of suffering.
Topics Covered:
- Miscarriage and pregnancy after loss
- Choosing Barrett's name
- Complications during pregnancy and delivery
- Life in the NICU and the emotional toll of uncertainty
- Barrett’s diagnosis and their final days together
- Making precious memories in the midst of grief
- The nearness of God in deep sorrow
Scriptures Mentioned:
- John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”
- Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Connect with Katy:
🌐 Blessings for Barrett
In next week's episode, we’ll continue our conversation as Katy reflects on how grief has shaped her over the past six years—how it’s changed her identity, her faith, and even her career path. She also shares the beautiful ways Barrett’s legacy lives on through their nonprofit ministry, Blessings for Barrett, which brings hope and comfort to grieving siblings across the country. Be sure to subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode of the While We're Waiting podcast!
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
262 | The Empty Chair Endeavor (Part Two) with Greg and Cathy Buffkin
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Welcome back to the second half of my conversation with Greg and Cathy Buffkin.
In today's episode, the Buffkins speak directly to the grieving parent—especially the one who has lost a child to suicide and is wondering how to take the next breath, let alone the next step. With transparency and tenderness, they offer hard-won wisdom from their own journey, sharing what sustained them through the darkest days and how God’s presence, along with the support of others, helped carry them forward.
They share honestly about the emotional weight of guilt, the unique struggles of grieving as a couple, and the often-overlooked pain of surviving siblings. They also introduce us to their beautiful ministry, The Empty Chair Endeavor, and the purpose it’s brought in the wake of devastating loss.
This episode is filled with insight, encouragement, and a message of enduring hope for anyone navigating the deep waters of grief.
Click HERE to listen to the first half of my conversation with the Buffkins.
Click HERE to listen to the Empty Chair Endeavor podcast with Greg Buffkin.
Click HERE to visit the Empty Chair Endeavor website, and HERE to follow their Facebook page.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
261 | The Empty Chair Endeavor (Part One) with Greg and Cathy Buffkin
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Greg and Cathy Buffkin join me on the podcast today to share the story of their son Ryan—a funny and tenderhearted young man who brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. As we get to know Ryan through their memories, we also learn about the hidden struggles he carried and the heartbreaking loss they experienced when he died by suicide in the fall of 2015.
With honesty and grace, Greg and Cathy open up about the complicated grief that comes with suicide loss, including the misconceptions that often surround it. They speak directly to the false belief that suicide is the unforgivable sin, offering reassurance that Ryan knew the Lord and is with Him now. Our conversation is both tender and powerful, offering hope, truth, and the comforting reminder that God’s love never lets go—even in our deepest sorrow.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Stories of Ryan’s life and personality
- The events leading up to his death
- The discovery of deeply painful truths after his passing
- How Greg and Kathy have processed their grief over the past ten years
- The impact of sibling loss on their surviving daughter
- Gentle, faith-filled advice for parents grieving a suicide
- A reminder that God’s love reaches even into our darkest places
This episode is tender, honest, and full of hope. If you’ve lost a child—or know someone who has—Greg and Cathy’s story will remind you that you are not alone and that God is present, even in the pain.
Resources & Links:
- While We’re Waiting – Support for bereaved parents
- Scripture References:
- Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
- Romans 8:38-39 – “Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”
Connect with Us:
- Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode
- Leave a review to help others find hope
- Visit whilewerewaiting.org to learn more about our ministry for bereaved parents
- Come back next week to hear the rest of the Buffkins' story
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
260 | Desperate Prayers (Part Two) with Rachel Wojo
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Rachel Wojo is my guest once again, and today we shift from her story of parenting her daughter Taylor through a terminal illness to the deeper spiritual lessons that followed her death—lessons about grief, surrender, and the hard, holy work of prayer when God’s answer is “no.”
Rachel shares the story behind her latest book, Desperate Prayers, and talks honestly about wrestling with God, receiving painful judgment from others, and redefining what healing really means. We also explore how prayer connects us to God in the midst of spiritual warfare and how—even when words fail—God hears the cries of our hearts.
Rachel’s story offers not only honest insight but deep encouragement for those walking through grief. Whether you’re wrestling with God, struggling to pray, or simply trying to make it through the day, I believe her words will meet you where you are.
Listen to the first half of our conversation HERE.
Connect with Rachel:
🌐 DesperatePrayers.com
🎙️ Untangling Prayer with Rachel Wojo Podcast
📘 Book: Desperate Prayers
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
259 | Desperate Prayers (Part One) with Rachel Wojo
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
In this first half of our two-part conversation, author and speaker Rachel Wojo shares her journey with her daughter Taylor, who was diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition. Rachel opens up about the challenges and the joys of parenting a special needs child, walking through divorce and disappointment, and holding onto her faith as Taylor's health declined, ultimately leading to her homegoing at the age of 22 in 2019.
Rachel is the author of Desperate Prayers and a multitude of other helpful books and resources related to Bible study and prayer. She also hosts an excellent weekly podcast called Untangling Prayer with Rachel Wojo.
In this episode:
- Parenting a child with a terminal illness
- The joys and challenges of special needs caregiving
- God’s grace in the midst of grief and loss
- The miracle of Taylor’s adoption before her homegoing
Connect with Rachel:
Click HERE to visit her website where you can find ALL her resources!
Click HERE to connect with her podcast!
Click HERE to find all of her resources on Amazon!
Next week:
In next week’s episode, we’ll continue our conversation as Rachel shares how her experiences led to her latest book, Desperate Prayers. We’ll talk about what it means to pray when words are hard to find, how to define healing from an eternal perspective, and how to move beyond survival mode after child loss.
You won’t want to miss the wisdom and hope Rachel brings in Part Two. We hope you'll join us then!
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
258 | Questions About Heaven (Part Two) with Austin DeArmond
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
In this second half of our two-part conversation, Austin DeArmond returns to the mic to continue exploring some of the most common myths and misunderstandings people have about heaven—especially those that surface in grief and longing after child loss. Austin brings deep scriptural knowledge and a tender heart shaped by personal experience as a bereaved dad himself.
Together, we dive into thought-provoking questions like:
- Do our loved ones in heaven know what’s happening on earth?
- Will our children still be children when we see them again?
- Is heaven really "up in the clouds"?
- Will everyone receive the same rewards in eternity?
- What is the “new earth,” and how does it differ from heaven as we typically imagine it?
- Will we grow, learn, and discover new things in heaven?
Austin also offers biblical encouragement for bereaved parents, reminding us of the hope we have in Christ and the beautiful truth that the best is yet to come.
Be Encouraged: Heaven is not just consolation—it’s compensation. As Austin shares, our sorrows will not only be ended but fully mended in God’s presence. If you’ve ever longed to understand more about where your child is now and what lies ahead for you, this conversation is for you.
Click HERE to listen to the first half of my "Questions About Heaven" conversation with Austin!
Click HERE and HERE to listen to my conversation with Austin and Valerie DeArmond in which they share the full story of their son Gabriel.
Click HERE and HERE to listen to my conversation with Austin regarding myths and cliches about grief.
Click HERE to connect with Austin's blog.
Click HERE to get a copy of Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Also available on Amazon.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
257 | Questions About Heaven (Part One) with Austin DeArmond
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
My friend, Austin DeArmond, returns to the podcast today to explore some of the most common myths and misconceptions people have about Heaven. As a bereaved Dad, Bible translation consultant, and faithful follower of Christ, Austin brings both personal insight and biblical depth to this important discussion.
We talk about questions many of us have wrestled with: Will Heaven be boring? Do we become angels? Will we recognize our loved ones? Is there time in Heaven? What happens to us when we die? With wisdom and grace, Austin walks us through what scripture really says—and doesn't say—about our eternal home, helping us ground our hope in truth rather than cultural myths.
Whether you’re a bereaved parent or simply someone simply curious about what comes after this life, I believe our conversation will bring comfort and encouragement.
Click HERE and HERE to listen to my conversation with Austin and Valerie DeArmond in which they share the full story of their son Gabriel.
Click HERE and HERE to listen to my conversation with Austin regarding myths and cliches about grief.
Click HERE to connect with Austin's blog.
Click HERE to get a copy of Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Also available on Amazon.
Don't Miss Next Week:
Be sure to join us again next week as we continue this discussion with Austin. In Part Two, we’ll tackle more cultural myths about heaven and dig deeper into what the Bible reveals about our future hope.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
256 | Lamenting in the Waiting ... with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
As we continue our conversation from the previous episode, Josh and Nicole Kingsbury open up about how they’ve walked through grief as a couple after the loss of their daughter, Amber, to suicide in 2021. They share the early commitment they made to protect their marriage amidst the pain and the ways they’ve learned to communicate through their differing grief styles.
We also discuss the "before and after" of child loss, hear some of their favorite scriptures, talk about the importance of lament in the grief journey, and hear how doing ministry together has been a big part of their healing process. I believe you'll be blessed by listening in!
Missed the first half of our conversation? Listen HERE.
To learn more about Operation Christmas Child or to get involved, click HERE.
To visit The Corner Room website (scripture set to music), click HERE.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
255 | Wrestling in the Waiting ... with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury as they shared the beautiful and heartbreaking story of their daughter Amber. A vibrant, creative, and compassionate young girl who loved Jesus, Amber touched the lives of everyone around her. Josh and Nicole reflect on her love for art, her deep bond with her brother, and her passion for helping others.
They also discuss the subtle changes they noticed as Amber entered her teenage years — changes that were very typical for an adolescent girl. In a moment that would forever alter their lives, Amber made a choice that left her parents grappling with shock, grief, and countless unanswered questions.
Josh and Nicole reflect on the unexpectedness of Amber’s death, the unanswerable questions they've had to lay at the feet of Jesus, and how they are learning to wrestle in the waiting.
Be sure to come back for part two next week, where Josh and Nicole delve deeper into their grief journey, how they are navigating life after loss, and the ways they are finding hope amidst the heartache.
Click HERE to learn more about our FREE While We're Waiting Weekends for Parents Touched by Suicide, currently available in Arkansas, Maryland, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
254 | Sacred Circles with Michael and Peggy Mages
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Welcome to Episode #254, which is a continuation of my conversation with Michael and Peggy Mages. In our last episode, we were introduced to their son Mason—a bold, kindhearted, and faith-filled young man—and the tragic day they lost him in a drowning incident.
In this second half, Michael and Peggy open up about life in the aftermath of loss. They share advice for newly bereaved parents, reflect on how grief has changed their marriage, their parenting, and their walk with the Lord, and offer insight into what it means to persevere in faith when the pain doesn’t go away. From grief brain and “Mason Days” to sacred circles and heavenly hope, their words are honest, practical, and rooted in Scripture.
Whether you are fresh on the road of grief or walking beside someone who is, this episode is full of grace and truth for the journey. We’ll pick up right where we left off last week.
Missed the first half of our conversation? Click HERE to listen!
To register for our FREE While We're Waiting Weekend for Bereaved Parents scheduled for October 3-5, 2025, in Hesston Kansas, led by Michael and Peggy Mages, click HERE.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
253 | An Eternal Hope with Michael and Peggy Mages
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Today, I’m honored to welcome Michael and Peggy Mages to the podcast to share the story of their son, Mason—a deeply thoughtful young man often referred to as an "old soul", who loved everything John Deere and Star Wars, was always prepared with a pair of pliers, and displayed confidence in exactly who God created him to be.
In this first half of our conversation, you’ll hear about Mason’s unique personality, the impact he had on those around him, and the day that changed everything—the drowning incident that placed Mason into the arms of Jesus.
Michael and Peggy share their story with honesty and faith, reminding us of the hope we have in Christ, even in our deepest sorrow.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
252 | See the Good (Part Two) with Brad and Karen Nadolson
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
In Part Two of this powerful conversation, Brad and Karen Nadolson continue sharing the story of their daughter Bethany—this time focusing on how life has unfolded in the wake of her homegoing.
With honesty and grace, they talk about walking through the earliest days of grief, how their relationship with God has deepened, and the ways they've learned to honor Bethany’s life while continuing to live with purpose and hope. They speak about how grief affects marriage, how they’ve navigated holidays, and what it means to truly see the good even when your heart is broken.
This episode offers tender encouragement for any parent learning how to carry their child’s memory forward while holding tightly to the promises of God.
Click HERE to listen to the first half of my conversation with the Nadolsons.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
251 | See the Good (Part One) with Brad and Karen Nadolson
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
In this first part of a two-part conversation, Brad and Karen Nadolson share the story of their daughter Bethany—a vibrant, faith-filled young woman whose life was defined by compassion, courage, and an unwavering desire to serve others.
Listeners will get to know Bethany through her parents’ eyes—from her love of travel and missions, to her selfless work with children in Haiti, to her brave fight with cancer. Through every chapter of her life, Bethany chose to see the good, a motto that shaped how she lived and how she faced unimaginable challenges.
Brad and Karen reflect on the early days of her diagnosis, the van project that became a treasured father-daughter experience, and the faith that sustained their family through deep grief. This episode offers a powerful testimony for any bereaved parent walking the road of loss with hope in Christ.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
250 | Butterflies and Grace (Part Two) with Brian and Danna Mayhall
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Welcome to Episode #250, which is a continuation of my conversation with Brian and Danna Mayhall. Their daughter Amelia went to Heaven in July of 2013 after sustaining a devastating brain injury due to a woman’s deliberate decision to drive the wrong way down the freeway. In last week’s episode, we came to know Amelia’s beautiful and compassionate spirit and the painful circumstances surrounding her death.
Today, we continue that conversation by stepping into some of the most tender parts of the Mayhall's grief journey—walking through forgiveness, learning how grief evolves over time, and discovering how hope can rise even in the darkest places. You’ll hear how they’ve kept Amelia’s memory alive in meaningful ways, how their faith has been refined through suffering, and how God continues to use their story to comfort and support other grieving parents.
This episode is for every parent who has known deep sorrow—and who is holding on to the hope of eternity. Let’s listen in.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
249 | Butterflies and Grace (Part One) with Brian and Danna Mayhall
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
I was honored to sit down with Brian and Danna Mayhall recently, who joined me to share the story of their daughter, Amelia—a young woman whose life was characterized by kindness and compassion.
Amelia sustained a devastating injury after a woman made a deliberate choice to drive the wrong way down the freeway and crashed into her car. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about the months Amelia lived beyond the crash, the tender loving care given by her parents, and her ultimate homegoing in July of 2013.
You’ll also hear how the Mayhalls have walked through the legal system after the driver was charged with felony homicide, including the victim’s impact statement Danna gave to the judge. This is a conversation about loss—but more than that, it’s a conversation about love, grace, and the presence of God in our deepest valleys.
This is part one of a two-part series that speaks directly to the hearts of grieving parents. We pray this conversation reminds you that you're not alone, and that God is near to the brokenhearted.
Topics Covered:
- Amelia’s life and legacy of kindness
- The tragic crash that took her life
- Caring for an adult child with traumatic brain injury
- God’s presence in grief and suffering
- The unique grief of losing a married adult child
- Faith, family, and the power of community support
- Finding meaning in moments of heartbreak
Stay Connected:
If this episode was meaningful to you, we’d love to hear from you. Subscribe, leave a review, or share this episode with someone who may need it today.
Resources:
Click HERE for more information about the Our Hearts Are Home conference. I would love to see you there!
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
248 | Jeffrey Is With Jesus (Part Two) ... with Jeannie Williams
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Last week I introduced you to my friend Jeannie Williams, and we heard the story of her precocious and compassionate 11-year-old son Jeffrey, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a hotel room in 2013, an incident that left her with permanent after-effects as well.
In today's episode, Jeannie shares how grief has impacted her relationships with others, the challenges of finding a new identity after child loss, and the advice she would offer to newly bereaved parents. We also discuss the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning—what she has learned from her own experience and the precautions she now takes to protect herself and others. I believe Jeannie’s words will encourage you, wherever you are on your journey.
To listen to the first half of my conversation with Jeannie, click HERE.
For more information about the Our Hearts Are Home conference for bereaved parents, click HERE! I would love to see you there!
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
247 | Jeffrey is With Jesus (Part One) ... with Jeannie Williams
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Today, I have the privilege of introducing you to Jeannie Williams, a mother, wife, and "retired" homeschool teacher, whose life took an unimaginable turn in June of 2013.
Jeannie will share the story of her son, Jeffrey—his kind heart, his love for reading and Lego (with no “S”), and the joy he brought to those around him. She’ll also open up about the tragedy that took place in a hotel room one summer night and the journey of grief, faith, and healing she has walked ever since. I believe you will be comforted and inspired by our conversation.
Click HERE to register for the Our Hearts Are Home conference. I would love to see you there!!
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
Bonus 200 | Finale
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
Thank you for joining me for the final bonus episode in this series in which I’ve been sharing our family’s experiences in the last year of our daughter Hannah’s life, which spanned from February 2008 through February 2009. I’ll be completing the series today with a wrap-up about the ministry which developed out of Hannah’s homegoing. As always, my desire is to give glory to God and point listeners to hope in Jesus along the way. I’m so grateful you’ve joined me over this past year … Your listens and your kind comments have been a blessing to my heart.
Click HERE for more information about the While We're Waiting ministry or to register for one of our free retreats. We'd love to have the opportunity to serve you at an event!
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
Bonus 199 | The Origin of While We're Waiting (Part 8 )
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
A friend of ours got us connected with an architect who donated his time and drew up a plan for our dream retreat center. The facility would incorporate the existing house, adding a large dining room, a commercial kitchen, and ten private guest rooms, each with its own bathroom. No more bunk beds with creaky plastic mattresses or shared bathrooms! This gentleman created a beautiful concept drawing and presented it to us one snowy Sunday afternoon. Then he told us the estimated cost ... One MILLION dollars! We had $3,000 in our While We're Waiting bank account.
Thank you for joining me for another bonus episode in this series in which I’ve been sharing our family’s experiences in the last year of our daughter Hannah’s life, which spanned from February 2008 through February 2009. This series would not be complete without a discussion of the ministry which developed out of Hannah’s homegoing. If you’ll indulge me for a few more bonus episodes, I’d like to share how God used Hannah’s storm to birth the While We’re Waiting ministry to bereaved parents. As always, my desire is to give glory to God and point listeners to hope in Jesus along the way.
** 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: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
269 | God Was There (Part One) with Kelly Uribe
53:29
268 | Writhing, Wrestling, and Worshiping (Part Two) with Chad and Ronni Fellers
36:15
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267 | Writhing, Wrestling, and Worshiping (Part One) with Chad and Ronni Fellers
40:47
266 | A Lifeline for Bereaved Siblings ... with Bobby Bisterfeldt and Gabby Bisterfeldt
1:28:46
265 | Hope Comes to Stay with Clarissa Moll
29:41
264 | Blessings for Barrett (Part Two) with Katy Bone
28:58
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263 | Blessings for Barrett (Part One) with Katy Bone
37:05
262 | The Empty Chair Endeavor (Part Two) with Greg and Cathy Buffkin
46:06
261 | The Empty Chair Endeavor (Part One) with Greg and Cathy Buffkin
34:36
260 | Desperate Prayers (Part Two) with Rachel Wojo
37:07
259 | Desperate Prayers (Part One) with Rachel Wojo
31:31
258 | Questions About Heaven (Part Two) with Austin DeArmond
41:12
257 | Questions About Heaven (Part One) with Austin DeArmond
38:05
256 | Lamenting in the Waiting ... with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury
43:29
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255 | Wrestling in the Waiting ... with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury
39:50
254 | Sacred Circles with Michael and Peggy Mages
44:50
253 | An Eternal Hope with Michael and Peggy Mages
51:35
252 | See the Good (Part Two) with Brad and Karen Nadolson
42:10
251 | See the Good (Part One) with Brad and Karen Nadolson
38:57
250 | Butterflies and Grace (Part Two) with Brian and Danna Mayhall
34:25
249 | Butterflies and Grace (Part One) with Brian and Danna Mayhall
41:53
248 | Jeffrey Is With Jesus (Part Two) ... with Jeannie Williams
32:07
247 | Jeffrey is With Jesus (Part One) ... with Jeannie Williams
40:23
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Bonus 200 | Finale
5:14
Bonus 199 | The Origin of While We're Waiting (Part 8 )
4:56