Welcome to Mommies with Hope

Come and find solace as you get to know us who share in this journey of grief. We have been praying for you and extend our deepest and sincere sympathy. We “hope” you experience comfort and peace in this safe haven of love and support.

Monday, October 11, 2010

(in)couraged by an Eternal Hope (and free stuff!)

To all my fellow "mommies!" I have a guest post running on the (in)courage site about Chloe, titled, She Made me a Mommy with Hope. Be sure to check it out and browse around the (in)courage site! You will certainly be encouraged by this amazing community of Jesus-lovin' women!

Welcome (in)courage friends! Thanks for visiting...get comfy, get some tissues, and read more about what it means to possess an eternal hope. Also, what kind of host would I be if I weren't offering up some free stuff?? Be sure to leave comments to enter into the drawing for one of three prizes! Details below!

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Hope. A word we use so very flippantly. We hope for many things in life. Something as mundane as the ability to get all the laundry done to more serious things like a job promotion or the health of our children. Hope. We toss this word around in our daily repertoire of conversation and discussion, often referring to things or outcomes. Hope. A word that, by definition, means: "to desire with expectation of obtainment" (thank you very much, Mr. Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Hope. What have you hoped for, just today?

I have to admit, when I entered that ultrasound room nearly 5 years ago, I hoped to go home with some good pictures. I hoped to get to record a video. I hoped to find out the sex. I hoped many, many things. Then, all of my hopes came crashing down when I heard the harsh words of my doctor: "Your baby is going to die." All I could feel in that moment were the hopes and dreams I had for my baby unraveling right before my eyes.

Hope. It took on an entirely new definition. Hope. It was my pregnancy with her, anticipating her death, that drove me to my knees. Hope. Found in the promises of His Word. Hope. Discovered as I weeped and wailed at His feet. Hope. Revealed so boldly when her daddy gave his heart to Jesus in the aftermath of her death. Hope. In the big brown eyes of her brother who proudly declares her heavenly dwelling. Hope. In the innocence of a baby sister who never knew her, yet clings to Chloe's blankie as if she knows it's something special.

Hope.
A confidence in knowing what lies ahead. Hope. Trusting in God's grace, which ushered my precious Chloe into heaven. Hope. A promise to be fulfilled for those who are (in)Christ. Hope. For that unimaginable reunion. Hope. To press on, trudging through the deepest darkest valley, to then climb to the top of the Mountain where God's glory is revealed. Hope. In the miracle of His creation of this tiny baby girl. Hope. God used her life to transform me into a Mommy with Hope.

The one true source of my hope eternal...Jesus. Where is your hope?

"...we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."

Hebrews 6:18-20

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I "hope" you enjoyed your visit, (in)courage friends! Everyone is invited to leave a comment below pertaining to today's post on the topic of "Hope." If you have also experienced loss, I'd be honored to pray for you and to remember your precious child by name, just leave that in the comments as well. Or, feel free to ask questions of me if you have them....pretty much just say something and you'll be entered into the drawing! :) Each comment will be entered for a chance to win one of the following three (yes three!) prizes:

1) A copy of Becky Avella's book, And Then You Were Gone: Restoring a Broken Heart After Pregnancy Loss. Ladies, you will certainly be blessed by this book!! It is a great read for anyone who has experienced loss and also for women who are coming alongside a friend in her grief. We are currently reading through this book for a bible study and each week, on Wednesdays, there is a post pertaining the book! Thank you, Becky, for donating your book for the giveaway!!


2) Starbucks ($10 gift card)!! Yeah, that never gets old....And, they are now serving their pumpkin spice lattes! Woohoo!

3) A super cute "Hope" magnet, pictured below (thank you to my husband for your keen eye at Hallmark)! It says, "Have hope God will guide you through." Yes, He will...can I get an "Amen?!"


So...comment away, fellow "mommies," friends, and (in)courage gals! Winners will be posted on the blog on Wednesday morning, so stay tuned!

13 comments:

Connie Webb said...

I read your post on the (in)courage site about Chloe. Ten years ago this past October 4 was the birth and resurrection day of my son Wyatt Earl.

As time passes, that raw pain subsides, but there is always an empty chair at the table, a Christmas stocking that should be hung and a deep longing for life the way it should have been. Life with another energetic, noisy, red-headed boy tearing through my heart and my house!

Mommies with hope. We are blessed to have survived near devastation of our marriages, our happiness and our faith. We are blessed to now be able to turn to those experiencing this anew and assure them that they will find life again and find it abundantly. Mommies with HOPE! I love it!

I look forward to getting to know this site better and the women who come here for encouragement, prayers, understanding and hope.

Connie

Rachel said...

Thank you for this sweet post about HOPE. So thankful for Jesus...where He is, there is always hope. Thank you for the chance to win one of the three great gifts! The book looks wonderful!

Mom said...

Teske;
Thank-you for telling your story of hope and of Chloe. It truly is a remarkable testimony. I daily check your web-site to read your posts, just because it lifts me up so much with your stories. I will continue to be blessed to have you as my daughter and thank God every single day for you in my life, not just as my daughter, but as such a precious friend. I Love you. Mom

JenniferSaake.blogspot.com said...

Please don't enter me for the drawing (I would rather another Mommy receive the blessing and I'm already reading And Then You Were Gone), but I wanted to let you know that I'll be linking to you from my blog. :) Thank you for sharing Chloe and your very heart with us. {{{hug}}}
Mommy to 3 miracles sharing our lives her on earth and to Noel, Joel and Hannah living fully in Heaven
http://www.HannahsHopeBook.blogspot.com

Tammy said...

Thank you for your post! I'd love to win. I have a wee one who was ushered into heaven this March.

Mrs. Bob said...

Thank you for your post!
We lost our wee one three years ago.

Unknown said...

This is awesome!! Thank you!

We lost our daughter in December 2007 and miscarried in November 2005.

Theresa said...

I'm so glad I found your website. I picked up your brochure at the Walk to Remember yesterday and saw a link on the Hannah's Prayer site today. Is it too late to join your Bible study in Ankeny? I lost my baby (Laurel Hope) at 8 weeks in April. What should have been my due date is rapidly approaching and I am really struggling.

Teske said...

Ladies, I cannot begin to tell you how touched I've been by your comments. It is a blessing to be able to share Chloe with you, and a privilege to learn more about your own precious children!

Teske said...

Theresa...I'm so glad you found us too! :) I am so sorry to hear about your precious baby girl...what a beautiful name, Laurel Hope! Love it. It's not too late to join the bible study in Ankeny...email me at teske@mommieswithhope.com for details. Feel free to come tomorrow evening if it works for you - 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Diem. Hope to hear from you.

java diva said...

Rachel Beran told me about this blog and I'm so happy I finally visited. We birthed our daughter exactly one week ago (10-4-10) into Jesus' arms. She was alive, but never took a breath.
What you have written about hope resonates in my soul. When we received lulu hope's diagnosis, we could have hope ONLY in our Father to heal her. No medical breakthroughs, no surgeries, nothing could heal her but a miracle. Which was not part of God's plan. We accept He has a bigger and better plan, and He has been so faithful to let us get a glimpse already. She became a tissue donor, through Gift of Hope. It's amazing to see the theme of hope from the pregnancy through her death.
I really want to do the Wed study, it sounds perfect.
Thank you so much for this blog! My heart is full of gratitude.

Anonymous said...

Im thankful for this blog..after two miscarriages this year and two d and cs...I was hurting pretty bad..
-Carolyn

Diers said...

I love you Teske and thank God daily for the work you are doing as Christ's hands and feet! That's it....still your bff....J