For grieving parents, holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, can be especially difficult. This podcast airs the audio from a recent webinar that discusses strategies for navigating these special days, and also suggests a host of ideas of how you can honor and remember your loved ones during the holidays. If you've lost someone dear to you, we hope you'll find encouragement and new ideas in this podcast. And if you haven't lost someone, we hope you'll find insights to help equip you to minister to those who have.

Today we welcome to the podcast, Mike Straley, a dad, author, and along with his wife Robin, founder of Leah's Legacy. An amazing and talented young woman, Leah suffered from addiction for many years. After she passed, he and Robin started an organization to help women in recovery. Incredibly, a few years after Leah died, they lost their son, Christopher, in a car accident. In the midst of the unfathomable grief of losing both children, Mike can testify to the goodness of God in holding them and strengthening them through the devastating days of grief.

Today’s podcast features a conversation with Dave and Janet Boxx, bereaved parents who have three children in Heaven. Their first child, Cole, was born still, then Bethany and Katie passed after a car accident involving the whole family. As they share the story of their children, they share insights that are helpful to those who are new to this journey. If you are grieving the loss of someone you love, this podcast will encourage you.

In today’s episode, Emily Matuza shares her heart about the deep losses of several family members and how the Lord has faithfully held her in her grief journey. She experienced the devastation that suicide brings in the loss of her precious son, Joey. In a short period of time, she also lost her brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and recently, her mother went to Heaven after suffering with Alzheimer's. Through all of the grief, Emily has seen the hand of God working in her life, and felt His sustaining love surrounding her. Emily also offers her thoughts directly to bereaved parents and shares truths learned from her own journey. Her words will encourage you!

In today's podcast, we share a conversation with Dr. Yevgeniy Dovgalyuk, president of Liya Christian Ministry. The ministry was started in memory of his sister, Liya, who went to Heaven at the age of thirteen. The focus of the ministry is to share the Gospel and make disciples through the power of music. As Yevgeniy shares about the work of the ministry in Ukraine, music therapy programs for special needs families, and other areas of ministry, we think you'll be encouraged!

In today’s podcast, speaker and author Nancy Guthrie, and Pastor Gabe deGarmeaux share their stories of child loss. With honesty and transparency, they recount their experiences and testify to the faithfulness of God throughout their grief journeys. They offer words of encouragement to those who are experiencing loss and share a wealth of spiritual insights that they have learned along the way.

If you are a grieving parent, you may especially enjoy the conversation about Respite Retreats — special opportunities to find community and hope with others who are walking the same path of grief.

In today’s episode, Leonard and Amy Bailey share the story of their daughter, Ilona, and of her homegoing, just two years ago. They share with honesty and transparency about their grief journey, and offer insights learned through suffering. Prompted by the Lord to use their pain to comfort others as they have been comforted, they founded the Ilona Foundation, a ministry to help other bereaved parents. (theilonafoundation.org)

On today's podcast, we welcome Brad and Jill Sullivan, co-founders of the While We're Waiting ministry. The conversation is rich and covers a variety of topics. The conversation begins by talking about their daughter, Hannah, and her cancer journey, which took her to Heaven in 2009. Brad and Jill testify to God's faithfulness through grief, and offer such encouragement to those who are grieving. We also spent time talking about the While We're Waiting ministry. If you are a bereaved parent, we hope you'll attend a weekend retreat and find comfort, community, and hope that comes from being with others who are traveling the road of child loss.