Sixteen years ago today was the MRI that changed the trajectory of our lives.  We are thankful to God for the grace that carried us through that day and every day since.  Thank you for joining me for another bonus episode of the While We're Waiting podcast in this year-long series in which I share our family’s experiences as our teenage daughter Hannah battled glioblastoma brain cancer from February 2008 through February 2009.  My desire is to process through the events of those twelve months with the perspective that 16 years has brought … and point people to hope in Jesus along the way.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Both of our girls had doctor appointments on this date sixteen years ago, so Brad and I decided we needed to divide and conquer.  I brought Bethany to her appointment, and Brad took Hannah.  Hannah's doctor did not appear to be overly concerned, but referred us to an ophthalmologist that very afternoon, who examined at her and said, "If it was my daughter, I'd want her to have an MRI."  An MRI was scheduled for the next morning.  Thank you for joining me for another bonus episode of the While We're Waiting podcast in this year-long series in which I share our family’s experiences as our teenage daughter Hannah battled glioblastoma brain cancer from February 2008 through February 2009.  My desire is to process through the events of those twelve months with the perspective that 16 years has brought … and point people to hope in Jesus along the way.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

When Hannah called me from school and said she was having double vision, I knew something wasn't right.  I wanted to pick her up from school and take her directly to the doctor, but she convinced me she was fine and would finish out the day.  When she got home, and I saw how dilated her pupils were, I scheduled an appointment at our doctor's office for the next morning.  Thank you for joining me for another bonus episode of the While We're Waiting podcast in this year-long series in which I share our family’s experiences as our teenage daughter Hannah battled glioblastoma brain cancer from February 2008 through February 2009.  My desire is to process through the events of those twelve months with the perspective that 16 years has brought … and point people to hope in Jesus along the way.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

As Hannah's severe headaches continued, I found myself in the pharmacy section of Walmart, searching for something that would give her some relief.  Maybe she was experiencing migraines.  I bought some Excedrin Migraine, then hurried off to my next responsibility, hoping a name brand medication would be more effective than a store brand.   Thank you for joining me for the third bonus episode of the While We're Waiting podcast in this year-long series in which I share our family’s experiences as our teenage daughter Hannah battled glioblastoma brain cancer from February 2008 through February 2009.  My desire is to process through the events of those twelve months with the perspective that 16 years has brought … and point people to hope in Jesus along the way.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Hannah was a young lady who took school seriously, and even had a goal to be the valedictorian of her graduating class.  So when she asked to stay home from school for the second day in a row, I knew she really wasn't feeling well.  Thank you for joining me for the second bonus episode in this year-long series in which I’m sharing our family’s experiences in the last year of our daughter Hannah’s life on earth, which spanned from February 2008 through February 2009.  My desire is to process through the events of those twelve months with the perspective that 16 years has brought … and point people to hope in Jesus along the way.  I’m grateful that you’ve joined me. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Welcome to the first of what is planned to be a year-long series of bonus episodes on the While We’re Waiting podcast.  This month marks sixteen years since our 17-year-old daughter Hannah was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer, which she battled for a little over a year before she went to Heaven on February 26, 2009.  During that year, I documented her journey through a series of almost daily emails, at first just to family and friends … and eventually to tens of thousands of people, as these email updates were shared around the world.  Over the upcoming year I’d like to share those emails, along with some commentary, with you. My desire is to process through the events of those twelve months with the perspective that 16 years has brought … and if you’d like to follow along, I’d love for you to join me.  Most of these episodes will be very short … five minutes or less … and they will be very simple … just the emails, along with some commentary. The first few episodes will actually be setting the context … sharing how we discovered the cancer … the first email wasn’t actually sent until February 20, 2008.Many people who followed Hannah’s cancer journey sixteen years ago have shared with us that they were inspired by it, that they drew closer to God because of it, and some even came to know the Lord as their Savior as a result of it.  Ultimately, my desire is to humbly and faithfully point people to Jesus as I share these glimpses into our journey through a year of cancer and the loss of our precious daughter.  Thank you for joining me.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Welcome to episode #190, which is a continuation of my conversation with Kim Peacock.  If you missed last week’s episode, you’ll want to go back and listen to hear the story of her 17-year-old daughter Nicole, who was killed in a horrific ATV accident in 1998.  Kim is the author of the book “Victorious Heart: Finding Hope and Healing After a Devastating Loss” which details her grief journey in the aftermath of that event.  She has a lot of wisdom to share, and I’m so pleased to share the rest of our conversation with you today …Click HERE to listen to Part One of my conversation with Kim.   Click HERE to visit Kim's website and blog, "Wild Victorious Heart". Click HERE for an Amazon link to Kim's book "Victorious Heart: Finding Hope and Healing After a Devastating Loss", available in paperback, on Kindle, and on Audible. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

I’m excited today to introduce you to my new friend, Kim Peacock.  Kim’s 17-year-old daughter Nicole went to Heaven right after Christmas in 1998, in a horrific ATV accident while on a family vacation.  Kim is the author of the book “Victorious Heart: Finding Hope and Healing After a Devastating Loss” which details her grief journey in the aftermath of that event.  She has a lot of wisdom to share, and I believe you’ll be blessed by listening in.  Click HERE to visit Kim's website and blog, "Wild Victorious Heart".  Click HERE for an Amazon link to Kim's book "Victorious Heart: Finding Hope and Healing After a Devastating Loss", available in paperback, on Kindle, and on Audible.  ** EXCITING PODCAST NEWS ** - This month marks sixteen years since our 17-year-old  daughter Hannah was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer, which she battled for almost exactly one year before she went to Heaven on February 26, 2009.  During that year, I documented her journey through a series of almost daily emails, at first just to our family and friends … and then to thousands of people, as our updates were shared around the world.  Starting on Valentine’s Day, I’m going to begin a year-long series of bonus episodes, in which I share those emails, along with some commentary, with you. My desire is to process through the events of that year with the perspective that 16 years has brought … for myself, really.  But if you’d like to follow along, I’d love for you to join me.  So next Wednesday, watch for a bonus episode in addition to my typical weekly episode, followed by a series of bonus episodes over the next year.   I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Back in October, my husband Brad and I had the opportunity to meet Mark Vroegop at the Our Hearts are Home conference in Indianapolis. Mark is the lead pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis.  He and his wife, Sarah, are the parents of four living children, and a daughter, Sylvia, who was stillborn in 2004.   He is the author of a book titled “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament”, in which he explores how we can bring our sorrow to God by vocalizing our pain through honest spiritual wrestling. It was a blessing to have the opportunity to meet him at the OHAH conference, and I am sharing his presentation from that event with you today.  I hope this blesses you as much as it blessed me!   Click HERE to get a copy of Mark's book, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy.Click HERE to watch this presentation from the Our Hearts Are Home conference on YouTube.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Today’s episode features the second half of my conversation with Don and Deondra Chamberlain, whose son Dustin was murdered during a home invasion in December 2011.  We extend our conversation to include topics including “the things people say”, dealing with the holidays, the “before and after” of child loss, the support group they lead for bereaved parents, and how Dustin’s life continues to have an impact the lives of people in Guatemala.  I believe you’ll be encouraged by listening in!Click HERE to link to the Dustin's Dream website and learn more about the amazing work going on in Guatemala.   Click HERE to follow the Dustin's Dream Facebook page. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** 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 parentsClick 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 channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick 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 ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org