While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

293 | Shaken, But Not Abandoned (Part One) with Kristi Kirk

When life no longer feels safe or predictable, trust in God can feel fragile.In this first half of my conversation with Kristi Kirk, we talk about what it means to be shaken to the core by loss—and how faith can be tested, reshaped, and rebuilt in the aftermath.Kristi shares her story of profound grief, including the sudden death of her husband and, less than two years later, the loss of her 18-year-old son, PK. She speaks honestly about fear, trauma, and the struggle to trust God when life no longer feels secure and the future feels uncertain.This episode focuses on the early terrain of grief: the shock, the unanswered questions, and the fear that “the next shoe might drop.” Kristi reflects on how losing her assumptions about protection and control led her into a deeper, more honest relationship with God—one marked by lament, transparency, and the slow work of learning to separate feelings from truth.Rather than offering easy answers, this conversation makes space for grief as it really is, while holding onto the truth that even when our faith feels shaken, God has not abandoned us.To connect with Kristi, visit her website HERE.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** 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

292 | A Life Worth Living (Part Two) with Ken and Mary Sue Grein

Today, we resume our conversation with Ken and Mary Sue Grein as they recount the events surrounding their son Jacob’s unexpected passing in 2019, the way their family was gathered together, and the profound sense of God’s presence in those hours. They speak honestly about shock, sorrow, and the weight of saying goodbye, while also sharing moments of comfort, reassurance, and hope that met them in the midst of deep grief.We also explore what the long road of loving and losing Jacob has taught them—about surrender, about living with unanswered questions, and about allowing grief to unfold without rushing it. Ken and Mary Sue offer gentle wisdom for grieving parents, encouraging listeners to feel what they feel, to take grief one day at a time, and to trust that God meets us even when the pain doesn’t quickly resolve.As the conversation continues, they reflect on Jacob’s ongoing legacy and the calling they felt to share his story through their book and beyond. Jacob’s life, they remind us, continues to speak—pointing others toward faith, compassion, and the enduring truth that every life is worth living.Click HERE to listen to Part One of our conversation.  Social Media links for the Greins:Facebook -  Jacob's Story the Book ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579352574360)Instagram - JacobGreinStory (https://www.instagram.com/jacobgreinstory/)YouTube - @JacobGreinStory (https://www.youtube.com/@JacobGreinStory)TikTok - @jacobgreinstorywebsite - jacobalifeworthliving.comI would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** 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

291 | A Life Worth Living (Part One) with Ken and Mary Sue Grein

Today I’m joined by Ken and Mary Sue Grein as they begin sharing the story of their son Jacob—a story that would shape their family, their faith, and their understanding of what gives a life meaning.Our conversation takes us into the early years of Jacob’s life, including his fragile beginning, a prolonged hospital journey, and the realities of raising a child with significant disabilities. Ken and Mary Sue reflect on the emotional and practical challenges they faced, as well as the unexpected joy and purpose they discovered along the way.They talk about Jacob’s personality, his love for people, his unique way of communicating, and the quiet ways he ministered to others. Ken and Mary Sue also share how their questions, grief, and uncertainty gradually gave way to trust—and how Jacob became a teacher in their home, shaping their hearts and their perspective.  In next week's episode, Ken and Mary Sue will continue sharing Jacob’s story—walking us through the day his earthly journey came to an end, the sacred moments that followed, and the way God has met them in grief, healing, and hope. They’ll also reflect on what Jacob’s life and legacy continue to teach them, and how his story is still reaching others today, so be sure to come back next week!Social Media links for the Greins:Facebook -  Jacob's Story the Book ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579352574360)Instagram - JacobGreinStory (https://www.instagram.com/jacobgreinstory/)YouTube - @JacobGreinStory (https://www.youtube.com/@JacobGreinStory)TikTok - @jacobgreinstorywebsite - jacobalifeworthliving.comI would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** 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

290 | When the House Grows Quiet (Part Two) with Dawn Helms

Today's episode features a continuation of my conversation with Dawn Helms as we focus on life after the loss of her only child, Ben.Dawn shares practical, compassionate wisdom for parents in the early days of grief—about accepting help, resisting isolation, and leaning into community even when it feels hard. She reflects on the quiet that follows years of caregiving, navigating everyday questions, and approaching holidays when traditions feel overwhelming.Throughout our conversation, Dawn points to the faith that has sustained her—not a faith that takes the pain away, but one that meets her in it. She shares the Scriptures, music, and moments of God’s provision that have helped her keep going.If you’re a grieving parent listening today, I want to remind you that you don’t have to walk this road alone. The While We’re Waiting ministry hosts free, faith-based retreats for bereaved parents across the country, offering space for rest, understanding, and community.  I would love to have the opportunity to meet you at one of our retreats!  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** 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

289 | When the House Grows Quiet (Part One) with Dawn Helms

Today's episode features the first half of my recent conversation with Dawn Helms, in which she shares the story of her only son Ben and the long journey of loving him through significant mental health challenges.For years, Dawn lived in a constant state of vigilance—managing diagnoses, medications, school struggles, substance abuse, and periods of incarceration. Her home was rarely quiet, not because life was easy, but because Ben required constant attention and advocacy. Dawn helps us get to know Ben beyond his struggles—his humor, compassion, and the deep bond they shared. She also reflects on a brief, sweet season when Ben was home before his death, and how everything changed for her when the caregiving ended and the house grew quiet.This episode will be especially meaningful for parents who have lost an only child or who spent years living on high alert due to a child's mental health issues. Be sure to return for next week's episode when Dawn will share more about the early days of grief, the choices that helped her survive, and how God met her in the quiet. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** 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