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GPS Hope

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April 22, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

293: Child Loss by Suicide (with Greg and Cathy Buffkin)

Today Laura is diving into the topic of suicide with guests Greg and Cathy Buffkin. However, their conversation goes beyond that, giving help and hope to anyone who has lost a child.

Greg and Cathy Buffkin lost their son, Ryan, to suicide in 2015. On their journey that began out of unspeakable trauma and brokenness, God has brought them through to a place of restoration, hope and joy with a passion to help other grieving families on their journeys. They are co-founders of The Empty Chair Endeavor, which is designed to support and equip survivors of child loss in rediscovering life, hope, and joy after unspeakable tragedy. Additionally, their mission involves educating the public about the life altering impact the death of a child has upon survivors, both parents and siblings, and equipping them to better support and minister to them. Greg and Cathy live in South Carolina.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Greg and Cathy Buffkin at www.emptychairendeavor.com.

Click here to order Laura’s books at 20% off from April 22-25. (Note, this does not include the Reflections of Hope books on Amazon.  The Hard Cover option link is already discounted.) Remember to use the code bookday for any other book iny our store.

Find out more about the 2026 Grief Cruise and/or the Renew and Remember Retreat here.

Birthdays:

Stephen Francis Reeve was born on April 25 and is forever 25.

Michael Patnaude was born on April 27 and is forever 21.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

 

Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!

www.gpshope.org

 

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

 

April 15, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

292: Helping You Navigate Through the Darkness of Child Loss

Today’s episode is being sponsored by recent followers of GPS Hope, in honor of Becca’s birthday (Laura and Dave’s daughter who passed). Laura was asked to share some stories about Becca as part of the sponsorship, so she asked Dave to join her for this.

As listeners of the Grieving Parents Sharing Hope podcast, you may not know a whole lot about GPS Hope, which is the ministry behind the podcast. We are here to help you navigate through the suffocating darkness of child loss, and wanted to share with you the God-story of how it all got started, how God has used it over the past ten years, and the various resources GPS Hope offers that you might not be aware of.

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Take me to www.gpshope.org.

Click here to see the video that is played in todays episode.

Click here to see photos and read more about Becca or here to read more about Laura and Dave with photos.

If you want to know more about the Wall of Remembrance, click here.

Sign up for the Weekly Word of Hope.

Sponsor an episode the week of your choice here.

Click here to make a donation to GPS Hope or to become a monthly supporter.

Find out more about the 2026 Grief Cruise and/or the Renew and Remember Retreat here.

Birthdays:

Becca Diehl Howard was born on April 13 and left us at age 29.

Jodie Fuller was born on April 14 and left us at age 37.

Briana Martinez was born on April 17 and left us at age 17.

 

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!

www.gpshope.org

 

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

 

April 8, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

291: When We Don’t Think God is There

As parents who have lost a child from this earth, we know what it is like to be in a place that is so dark it does not seem like Jesus is there for us.

In today’s episode Laura reminds us that there are several people in the Bible who also went through a dark time that felt like God was not there with them, including Jesus Himself.

 

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about the 2026 Grief Cruise and/or the Renew and Remember Retreat here.

 

Birthdays:

David J. Spinnanger was born on April 9 and left us at age 19.

Colby Lewis was born on April 12 and left us at age 20.

 

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!

www.gpshope.org

 

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

 

April 1, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

290: The Gift of the Holy Spirit in Our Grief

As believers in Christ, we are familiar with who Jesus is and what He did for us. We hear a lot about who God (our Father) is as well. But how much do we know about the third part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit?

Why do we need the Holy Spirit, and how can He help us in our grief? This is what Laura talks about in today’s episode.

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Order the April Edition of Reflections of Hope: Daily Readings for Bereaved Parents here.

Click here to see/order the award winning Reflections of Hope: Daily Readings for Bereaved Parents (complete year hardback book).

 

Birthdays:

Jonda Steinkamp was born on April 5 and left this earth at 4 ½ months.

Amie Bichard was born on April 5 and left this earth at age 45.

 

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!

www.gpshope.org

 

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

 

March 25, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

289: When God Doesn’t Make Sense

There have been plenty of times when God does not make sense, but none as much as when our child dies and leaves this earth ahead of us.

Join Laura today, as she talks about this, with some scriptures that might bring some clarity to our thought process on this topic.

 

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Order the April Edition of Reflections of Hope: Daily Readings for Bereaved Parents here.

Click here to see/order the award winning Reflections of Hope: Daily Readings for Bereaved Parents (complete year hardback book).

 

Birthdays:

There are no birthdays to share this week.

 

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!

www.gpshope.org

 

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

 

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Recent Posts

  • We Heal Better Together: Watering the Seeds of Hope
  • How Writing Can Help Heal Grief After Child Loss: John DeDakis’ Story
  • Healing After Pregnancy Loss: A Mom’s Story of Hope
  • Keep Walking One Step at a Time Through Your Grief



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FREE DOWNLOAD

Rebuilding Your Life: A Gentle Guide Toward Hope and Healing After Child Loss

Download our FREE GUIDE, Rebuilding Your Life: A Gentle Guide Toward Hope and Healing After Child Loss. Discover how to find light in the darkness, reclaim peace in your broken heart, and start moving toward a life of meaning and purpose again.

 

IN THIS FREE GUIDE, I’LL SHOW YOU:

💛 GRACE FOR YOURSELF
How to release the pressure of grieving “the right way” and be gentle with yourself.

🕊️ LETTING GO OF GUILT
Steps to begin loosening the heavy “should haves” and “if onlys” that keep you stuck.

🌿 HEALING CONNECTIONS
Ways to engage with other grieving parents (pareavors) so you don’t feel so alone.

🌸 HONORING YOUR CHILD
Meaningful ways to carry your child’s memory forward with love and hope.

✨ FAITH & HOPE
Practical encouragement for walking with God through grief and discovering His healing touch.

and the exact 8 steps that have helped thousands of grieving parents move toward light, hope, and purpose after child loss.