Walk with me as I live life and see God at work in the good, the hard, and all the in-between. I've experienced death, fear, muddy hands, love, forgiveness, and even potty-training. Life is not always easy but I am not alone in living it and neither are you.
I had the honor of sharing in church on Mother's Day. Publicly acknowledging other "Loss Moms" on this emotional day is something I take great delight in doing. This is what I shared.
Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday. As a Loss Mom this day is really hard for me. American Evangelical Christianity is... Well, not what I'm about. On this Sanctity of Life Sunday 2023 I remember ALL lives... Even and especially the lives gone too soon.
I see you. I hear you.
This summer brought lots of big changes to my life... Listen to hear what they are!
Scripture Reference: Psalm 18:2
Prelude Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Today my friend Ira and her husband Ivan share what they did when they heard the first explosions from their home in Kyiv in the early morning of Feb 24 and how they are processing what is going on. I am humbled by their bravery in sharing this part of their story and I am honored to be able to share it here.
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Two of my heroes growing up were Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton. When this war first started in Ukraine I immediately wanted to sign up to join Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief Team and be a nurse in Ukraine. After seriously talking about it together my husband supported me applying with them. I spent the next few days praying seriously about it because that is a big decision, always, but also when you have 3 young children still traumatized by the personal deaths we experienced last year.
After three days of prayer God filled me with peace about the decision I made and has shown me how I can support the people of Ukraine.
Scripture Reference: Romans 8:38-39
Prelude Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Postlude Music: God My God
Artist and Composer: Brandon Reid
Played with Permission from Brandon Reid
My beautiful friend Ira shares her heart with us again. I continue to be honored by her bravery in sharing her heart in the midst of the war and devastation that is going on around her.
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
We have the honor of hearing from one of my beautiful new friends from and currently in Ukraine with her family. Thank you, Ira, for sharing bravely from your heart in this time of great pain and tragedy.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 118:1, 6-7
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
As a follow up from last week, here are some specific requests for some of the children we know in Ukraine and Russia. For their safety there are not many details but that is not important. God knows who they are.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 19:14
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
I have a Ukrainian friend who has fled her city with her family for their lives. We also have Russian friends who are horrified at what is going on.
Scripture References:
Psalm 23:5, ESV
Psalm 46, ESV
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
We celebrated Promise's birth day yesterday as a family. We don't have all the answers on how to process the death of a younger sibling with kids but how we chose to do it with our family turned out to be really special.
Thank you to everyone who has and is standing behind us and with us loving us as we remember both Promise and Emmanuel.
One year ago today I gave birth to my second son, Promise. This past Saturday was a really hard day that started out in deep and passionate mourning and ended with 3 different people/groups showing me and my family the love we needed to feel.
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
I recently had the honor and privilege of sharing my experience with death at a class for seminary students at my alma mater, Dallas Theological Seminary. I am really honored I got to share, and I am thankful to the kind students who grieved with me and asked me thoughtful questions that have helped me process my experience further. Thank you, Dr. Thacker, for that opportunity!
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
And I'm back! Covid, Pneumonia, school, life, have kept me busy. How am I doing in that busy-ness? I am doing well, but I am also still grieving. I invite you to grieve with me.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 56:8
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
My kids went from praying every night the baby growing inside would stay alive to praying that we wouldn't die. I wrestled with my feelings dealing with my second baby boy dying in 6 months. There have been lots of feelings in my house.
We have talked about prayer with our kids and how God does not always answer how we want Him to BUT He still hears and He walks gently with us through the painful answers.
Scripture:
Psalm 56:8
People/Books/Author Mentioned (simply because I like them):
Amy Carmichael
"Hinds Feet On High Places" by Hannah Hurnard
"Jewel of the Nile" by Tessa Afshar
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
On Thursday I had a c-section to deliver a still born son at 16 weeks 3 days. For the second time in less than 6 months I have given birth to a tiny little boy. My body hurts and my heart hurts. Thank you for all the people who have been and continue to surround me with love and are letting me grieve for this little son, Emmanuel: God with us.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 34:18
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Today was Promise's Due Date. The day has not snuck up on me, and the last week and a half have been emotional. But. In the sadness I know that God is with me. I believe that truth and I am teaching it to my children.
Scripture:
2 Kings 6
Isaiah 40:11
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
A month ago I embarked on potty training the little lad. One thing I learned with my daughters was that the same parents and the same technique do not yield the same results so I was not looking forward to this battle of change. Through potty training the little lad I was convicted of the wet diapers in my own life I cling to.
Every year on our anniversary my husband and I go on a date. This last Thursday, our 9th anniversary, my husband called me on his way home from work to pick me up for our date and told me his truck had broken down. Our life together is an adventure and I am thankful I get to be journeying it together with him.
Scripture Reference: Romans 8:38-39
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
I had the honor and privilege of sharing an exhortation for mom's at my church yesterday. Mother's Day is a day of great joy, but also great sadness. I have lost children. I know the pain. I know many others who have also lost children, and many more who long for children. I hear you. God hears your cries. He is near to you.
This week my home has been invaded by ants. There have been various reinforcements called in to help me win this battle and I have been reminded of the importance of diligence and perseverance.
Scripture Reference:
Romans 5:3-5
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
On Saturday my sister was coughing and having trouble breathing. She went to the ER and was diagnosed with Covid. On Tuesday she went into labor. Almost 1,000 miles away I prayed and waited, waited and prayed, on repeat. We did not know how the day would end but God did. And our prayers went directly from our mouths to God's ears.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 62:8
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
On Monday I got to see 3 different gardens -- The Garden of Hope where Promise's ashes were scattered, the rose bush by my front door, and my neighbor-friend's beautiful and carefully tended garden. They were all different but they reminded me of the great care God has for me.
Scripture References:
Psalm 32:7
Luke 12:27028
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Here’s another honest episode at where I am and how my life has been the last week. There is hard and there is good. There are tears and there are laughs. There is light and there are shadows. And. I have hope.
Scripture References:
Isaiah 41:10, NLT
Isaiah 43:2, ESV
Song Referenced: The Detour
Artist: Savannah Lock, Sarah Kroger, Tamar Chipp & FAITHFUL
Writers: Sarah Kroger, Kelly Needham and Christa Wells
© 2021 Integrity Worship Music
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Last weekend we were in Colorado and I got to see my mountains — the beautiful Rocky Mountains. God spoke peace and life to my soul as I drank them in.
Scripture reference:
Psalm 121
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Here is some more of my story of what makes me who I am -- Jesus and His love for me. I have been through good times and hard times. God has been with me through it all and my hope is in Him.
Scripture References:
Romans 10:9
Revelation 21:4
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
It has been a month since I gave birth to Promise. I have cried every day and am experiencing grief in a new way. In my grief I have also been loved well and I know that through it all God is carrying me and holding me close to Him.
Scripture References:
Moses Story: Exodus 17
David Story: 2 Samuel 12
Psalm 121
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Two days ago, on Valentine's Day 2021, I gave birth to a baby boy. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done since he was 18 weeks 5 days along. My journey is fresh, it is real, it is hard, but I am not alone. I am loved, I am surrounded by prayer, and I have hope.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 23
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Last week was a rough week for me. Nothing bad happened but lots of hard just compiled together made it a stretch of hard days. I realized a few things throughout the hard, like how important it is to have my family and friends pray for me specifically when life is hard, and to just take life one second at a time.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 46
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
This weekend I was convicted of the important of walking in forgiveness to walk close to God. It is not always easy to forgive or to apologize, but God calls us to forgive and in that forgiveness He brings healing and freedom. Note. It is really hard to forgive sometimes. Like so hard. I know. Two of the people who have hurt me the deepest never apologized and it took me going through counseling to recognize the importance of forgiving them and then going through the process so I could forgive them. Note this is not an exhaustive discussion of forgiveness, like how important it is to forgive yourself, just what I was thinking back on this weekend.
Scripture References:
1 John 1:9
Ephesians 1:7
Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 6:14
Matthew 18:21-22
Mark 11:25
2 Corinthians 10:5
Here is my plug for counselors and a link to find a counselor from one of my trustworthy counseling professors:
https://www.caps.net/online-directory/
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day yesterday we read the fabulous book God's Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri and then listened to Dr. King's powerful "I Have A Dream" speech. I talked with my kids about God and how He created us all in His image and He created us to love each other, even in ways we are different.
My podcast is not political and I do not have a hidden agenda. It is simply about what my husband and I are teaching our kids about who God is, who He created us to be, and His plan for us.
Link to God's Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri:
http://www.trillianewbell.com/gods-very-good-idea/
(Scroll to bottom of page for purchasing options.)
(I am not promoting this nor do I get any kind of commission for including this link, I just think it is that great.)
Link to Dr. King's Speech on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP4iY1TtS3s
Scripture Reference:
John 3:16
Zephaniah 3:17
John 14:6
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
My girls both had whooping cough in the summer of 2016. It took a full year for their lungs to heal completely and that year taught me to respect those respiratory illnesses, no matter how minor they might be. This last year Covid-19 got me thinking back to whooping cough. God used those memories to remind me of His breath of Life and the work and fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life now.
Scripture Reference:
Galatians 5:22-23
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H.G. / Arranger: Bliss, P.P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
I created my own advent to do with my kids this year, 12 Days of Christmas style. The theme of my advent is God's redemptive plan for us from the very beginning. God's plan for us has always been life forevermore!
Specific Scripture Reference:
John 3:16
Let me know if you want a copy of my advent!
Yesterday I felt sick all day. I realized that even the littlest things make the biggest impact on my day. I also realized I can't do life on my own which made me really appreciate my husband. My big take away from yesterday though was that it doesn't take much to brighten up the day of the people around me -- a smile, genuine interest in their life, acknowledging they are human... What better way to approach Christmas than with a happy heart, contagious with the love of Jesus?
Scripture References:
Psalm 139:14
Proverbs 16:24
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
Oren talked to Jesus on the phone last night. He was excited, yet reverent. It was special for him to talk to Jesus, and he did not stop his conversation with only words. He went around the room showing Jesus things that were special to him. I was reminded of the importance of treating God with that reverence, and also including Him in all of the parts of my life.
Scripture Reference:
Hebrews 4:16
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
This is Part 2!
This week we get to learn from someone I have known for about 19 years: Megan White! She has been a pastor’s wife for as long as I have known her and she shares with me a little what it is like to be a pastor’s wife with younger kids, how to love pastor’s wives well, and encouragement for moms with younger kids in general. I am so thankful for who she has been in my life and how she helped guide me when I was in high school in the right direction of loving God and living well.
Thank you so much, Megan!
Scripture References:
Proverbs 14:1
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
This is Part 1!
This week we get to learn from someone I have known for about 19 years: Megan White! She has been a pastor’s wife for as long as I have known her and she shares with me a little what it is like to be a pastor’s wife with younger kids, how to love pastor’s wives well, and encouragement for moms with younger kids in general. I am so thankful for who she has been in my life and how she helped guide me when I was in high school in the right direction of loving God and living well.
Thank you so much, Megan!
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
I have been battling fear this month. When I called to schedule something the Office Manager I talked to heard those fears and encouraged me to remember God's promises. When I remember those promises and to be thankful to God the more I remember how big God is and can walk forward in God's joy and strength.
A Big Thank you to my family and friends who contributed to sharing what they are thankful for!
Things the younger people were thankful for: "tractors," "my house," "my self," "newspapers," "back hoes," "green tractor," "seals."
Scripture Reference: Psalm 118:14
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
My husband brought someone I didn't really know home for lunch last week. As we got to know him I realized anew how important it is to welcome people into our lives and be normal and real with them, letting them get to know us, and getting to know them. Everyone needs to know they are loved and cared for, and when we love the people around us, we all thrive.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 13:2
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul Most
My daughter asked me yesterday if God changed His mind. She is asking God for something specific and was asking me, without asking me, if she could trust God. Can we trust God? Yes. We talked about a few of the verses and Bible stories that show us that God does what He says He is going to do.
Scripture References:
Numbers 23:19, Genesis 9, Genesis 17:19, John 3:16, the ends of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, John 14, Galatians 5:22-23, Psalm 46. Hebrews 13:8.
Music: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul MostThank you for listening! Connect with me on instagram. Contact email: mommingonthego@gmail.com.
Are you stressed because of the future? Last week we were almost hit by a car and I was reminded tangibly of how God sees what is happening and how He protects us in what is going on. No matter what happens, He is still God and He is my hope, peace, and joy.
Music: "It Is Well With My Soul," Lyricist: Spafford, H. G. / Arranger: Bliss, P. P.
Public Domain, played by Paul MostContact email: mommingonthego@gmail.com
Connect with me on Instagram.
My two year old has a habit of running away. He knows what he wants and he figures out how to go for it. Although this is not a good thing, and we have taken steps to make it harder for him to do, I realized there is a positive spin on his actions. Am I doing what I can to live the FULL life God created me to live?
Scripture references: Psalm 16:11, John 10:10b, Psalm 145:18, Psalm 73:28, Matthew 28:20.
Link to episode 22: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1237064/5833207
*If your child has actually run away, I am so sorry. I do not want to make light of that.
If you have been encouraged, let me know! If you want to be encouraged, let me know that too!
Contact email: mommingonthego@gmail.com
Connect with me on Instagram.
My girls recently performed in their first piano recital. Although they had practiced and were prepared, they were nervous they would mess up. We got to encourage them that it is ok to mess up. We are humans. We all mess up. All our mess ups keep us from God. But God has a good plan and His plan means we are not stuck in our mess ups.
If you have been encouraged, let me know! If you want to be encouraged, let me know that too!
Contact email: mommingonthego@gmail.com
Connect with me on Instagram.
Margarete Weise is the respected mother of 7 adult children and their spouses, and a first born son who lived for 3 months. She has 26 grand children and 13 great-grandchildren with 1 on the way. She loves children and has been involved with teaching children for over 60 years, including having Bible clubs at her house, teaching Sunday school, taking kids on field trips, and countless other activities. She is passionate about loving Jesus and spends as much time in the Word as she can, teaching others what she learns. I have learned many things from watching her love Jesus and love people and am thankful for her wisdom in my life.
If you have been encouraged, let me know! If you want to be encouraged, let me know that too!
Contact email: mommingonthego@gmail.com
Connect with me on Instagram.
We watched a movie about emotions the other day that elicited lots of emotions from our kids. They reminded me that God created us to have feelings and emotions. Sometimes the emotions are pleasant and sometimes they aren’t. As we identify our emotions we can teach our kids to identify their emotions too. When we identify our emotions it is easier to figure out what to do with them.
If you need a counselor, here is a website recommended by one of my counseling professors who is a trustworthy psychologist: https://www.caps.net/online-directory/
If you have been encouraged, let me know! If you want to be encouraged, let me know that too!
Contact email: mommingonthego@gmail.com
Connect with me on Instagram.
This week we started our 8th week of school. Overall it is going well, but I am always surrounded by people. How do I get the alone time I need? I am figuring that out. Jesus was always surrounded by people too. Be encouraged. God has promised you strength and He is making something beautiful with your life.
*If you have been encouraged, let me know! If you want to be encouraged, let me know that too!
Link to Bible Study Fellowship: https://www.bsfinternational.org
(It is international!)
Link to Online BSF: https://www.bsfonline.org
Contact email: mommingonthego@gmail.com
Connect with me on Instagram.
My daughters asked me this question this past weekend. As I shared some of our story with them I reflected on how my parents gave me the gift of loving God, each other, and me and my siblings. If you are a single parent or feel alone in your parenting you too can show your kids healthy love.
Book Mentioned in Podcast:
"8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child's Intelligences" by Kathy Koch, PhD
*I’m not promoting this book, just sharing about it since my husband and I are enjoying it right now.
**Guest vocal appearance by Greta.
***If you have been encouraged, let me know! If you want to be encouraged, let me know that too! Connect with me on Instagram.
This past Sunday was Grandparent's Day. This episode is to honor my grandmas and great grandmas, which includes my husband's grandma. I learned something from each grandma on how to love Jesus and my kids better. Learn with me from these older and wiser women of God who I love!
Books mentioned:
"How I Know... God Answers Prayer" by Rosalind Goforth
"Married For Life" by Stuart and Jill Briscoe
"Passion & Purity" by Elisabeth Elliot
I recently learned how to can -- make jam, or relish, and then put it in a jar that goes into a water bath so it can be stored on a shelf until a later date. The process of canning reminded me of how God is working in my life. It is definitely a process and God is making me more like Him through this process.
We took the scenic route on our way home from Nebraska. Even though it took a little longer it was well worth it because we happened upon, thanks to my husband, the Little House on the Prairie Museum in Kansas. Sometimes in life it is okay to go the fast way. Other times you can see more of the things God made for you to enjoy and be thankful for when you go the slow route.
This is the second part of my miscarriage story. My miscarriage story has been a journey in my life, and this second part has more peace in it than the first part. If you have had a miscarriage, know that you are not alone, and it is okay to mourn for your baby. I have prayed for you and I am praying for you.
I had a day of wrong choices this past week. In the midst of the day I knew I needed to reset but it wasn't until my hands, and one of my kids, were covered in mud that my reset came. God was faithful, and is faithful, and gives grace with forgiveness.
We just went on a road trip across the country on short notice. My kids were part of this long car trek, and watching them adapt and be flexible with their attitudes confined in their seats reminded me that I can choose my attitude when life happens to me too.
This is Part A.
I have had 3 miscarriages. They are painful in many ways. If you have had a miscarriage, I am so sorry. You are not alone. Here is the first part of my story. If you know someone who has had a miscarriage, here are 5 tips for how to be with them through their pain.
Today was a hard day -- my daughter starting kindergarten had to completely let go of her dream of starting kindergarten at school, and I quit my job. There are lots of hard things we face in life, but we do not face them alone.
Sometimes my kids have the best intentions but they make big messes. I make messes in my life too. God is patient and merciful. He is not overwhelmed by my messes and He always welcomes me with open arms.
Our son had GERD (gastro-esophageal disease). It threw our life into upheaval for many months. There is hope!
*This is not about medical advice, I'm just sharing how my family survived the trials that come with baby GERD.
My husband joined us on or pool trip today. Our kids were not expecting him and were thrilled when he joined us: he made things that much more fun for us. Do we invite God in to what we do every day?
Sometimes it is very obvious when my kids want something but they never actually ask... Do we remember to ask God when we need or even want something? He hears us!
My kids are works in progress. Sometimes the best form of discipline is to sit down and speak to them with all love and grace.* I'm a work in progress too. God is always ready to embrace me, US, with forgiveness, love, and grace.
*Disclaimer: this is not always the best choice. I am sharing what has worked for me and my family in specific instances.
Are there people or circumstances in your life that are scary and intimidating? You are not alone in them.
We all have fears. What are you doing with your fears? You do not have to walk in them alone!
Do you every have those days when your kids wear you out? Not that anything terrible happened but all day was spent doing something for someone and you are exhausted and discouraged.
With two kids in school this year and the whole coronavirus pandemic causing academic upheaval we had to decide what school was going to look like for our family. Our older daughter has gone to the public school in our neighborhood for two years which and it has been a good experience for us. Will keeping them in public school while the guidelines and requirements are doing flip flops be bad for their well being and negatively impact their actual learning?
In this episode you will learn a brief history of me, where I've come from, and why I am doing this podcast on encouraging moms.