“What does this whole child-loss-thing look like, years down the road?” Believe it or not, this is a question Laura has been asked a few times.

Those first few years, we are just trying to get through the next minute, much less the next day or the next year. But after a while, when a pareavor realizes they have to figure this thing out for however long they remain here without their child, some direction and insight is helpful.

Unfortunately, today’s guest could be considered a “seasoned veteran” in this area. Debra Hayes, has lost three children, three different ways, starting several decades ago.

Today’s episode is a continued conversation, so it is highly recommended (but not necessary) to start with last week’s discussion, titled “Is God Punishing Me”.

Debra Lynn Hayes is an author and speaker who understands everyone’s journey through mourning and into healing is an individualized process and it is priceless to connect with someone who “gets it”.  She has many years  of corporate experience where she strategized success for individuals and teams. Today she uses those same skills as she leads and guides those who have experienced major tragedies, deep heartaches and mind altering disappointments. 

(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 Debra: Debra.life

 

 

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

Find out more about Refections of Hope here.

Find out more about My Grief Journey here.

Click here to order Reflections of Hope and My Grief Journey in the GPS Hope webstore. Be sure to use the code MGJfree to take advantage of getting the My Grief Journey book free, for the month of August.

Birthdays:

Whitney Leanne Garkow Seehusen was born on July 30 and is forever 31.

Lauren Miller Dobbins was born on July 30 and is forever 33.

Neena Renee Rey was born on August 3 and is forever 2.

 

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.

 

In today’s episode, Laura talks with a guest who questioned if God was punishing her with child loss because of an abortion she had in her younger years (based on the shame of losing her image as a good Christian girl).

This is an excellent talk for those who have the same question, wondering if God allowed your child to die as a punishment for something in your past.

Debra Lynn Hayes is an author and speaker who understands everyone’s journey through mourning and into healing is an individualized process and it is priceless to connect with someone who “gets it”.  She has many years  of corporate experience where she strategized success for individuals and teams. Today she uses those same skills as she leads and guides those who have experienced major tragedies, deep heartaches and mind altering disappointments. 

(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 Debra: Debra.life

Click here to find our more about adding your child to the Hope Mobile on an In Loving Memory Heart decal.

After you order the newly released audio book When Tragedy Strikes, click here to get your promo code (to get one course free when purchasing the Rebuilding Your Life After Child Loss course bundle).

Find out more about the Rebuilding Your Life After Child Loss guidance courses here.

 

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

 

Birthdays:

Oscar Lopez was born on July 23 and is forever 23.

Cayden Josephine Turner was born on July 26 and is forever 18.

Jordan Speers-Hodson was born on July 26 and is forever 32.

Claire Rebecca was born on July 27 and is forever 5.

Daniel Krawiec was born on July 28 and is forever 32.

Easton Holden was born on July 28 and is forever 5.

Joseph Ray was born on July 28 and is forever 26.

Dayne Sturm was born on July 29 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.

 

Many of us struggle with our faith in God after He didn’t answer our prayers for our children.

We may have prayed daily for protection, but he or she was in an accident that took their life. We may have prayed for healing from an addiction, or a mental illness like being bi-polar or manic depressive, but our child is no longer here because they were not freed from their struggle and even died by their own doing.

Then there are those children who had a long-term illness, and hundreds of prayers went up by many people for their healing.

Today’s discussion is with one of those parents. Rhyl Venning’s daughter, Kari-Lee, was born with cystic fibrosis, giving her a short lifespan. Over the years, multitudes of people prayed for her healing. Some even “spoke” over her, declaring that God was going to heal Kari. Rhyl was a mom who walked in faith for that healing, whether it was miraculous, or through a medical breakthrough.

This is similar to Laura’s situation with her daughter, Becca, which made for a very interesting conversation in how they both overcame the hurt and disappointment when God did not step in with the healing miracle they both thought was coming for their daughters.

 

Rhyl Venning lives on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia, and had the privilege of being Kari-Lee’s mother. She is married to Peter and has one remaining daughter, Tiana. Rhyl currently works as a nanny, but before Kari-Lee went to Heaven, she worked as an Occupational Therapist, spending the last twenty years working with children who had moderate to severe disabilities.

She facilitates a support group for bereaved mums, is the Volunteer Care Coordinator for the local Make-A-Wish group, and is a puppy carer for Seeing Eye Dogs. Rhyl is also writing a memoir about Kari-Lee’s life and how she has managed to survive without her daughter. In her free time, she loves to walk on the beach, scrapbook, swim, grow veggies, read, and catch up with friends and family for a cuppa and chat.

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

This podcast episode was sponsored by Dave and Kathi Crean in honor of their son, Jack.

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Email Rhyl at: pven2000@yahoo.com 

Click here to take a look at the GPS Hope website where you will find a memory wall to have your child added, a free members library with resources to download, a store with Hold On Pain Eases shirts, books by Laura, and other helpful resources.

Sponsor a podcast episode in memory of your child.

 

Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents.

(GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)

 

Birthdays:

Madeline Youngdahl was born on July 16 and is forever 14.

Jack Crean was born on July 16 and is forever 18.

Duy Leo Weigert was born on July 16 and is forever 8 months.

Jimmy LaPlante was born on July 19 and is forever 39.

James Nesrsta was born on July 19 and is forever 8.

Charlotte Gray Perry was born on July 20 and is forever 26 days.

Logan Bauer was born on July 20 and is forever 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.