When Disabilities Spark a Ministry
November 09, 2024
00:26:00
Hannah’s Heart is a half hour program to encourage couples walking through infertility and miscarriage. It’s about clinging to Christ, the ultimate hope and finding peace and joy in the midst of the journey. Hosted by AFA’s very own Anne Cockrell and Kendra White.
Emmie Chavers continues to share about her little guy with disabilities and shares how those disabilities led to her seeking out help from a ministry a few states away. While she was there the Lord spoke to her, and now that same type of ministry is just a few miles away.
Infertility doesn’t play a part in Emmie’s story, but lots of challenges have come her way through rare diagnosis in her youngest son. She and her family have had to lean on the Lord and each other as they have had to be advocates for this little boy. Not many specialists even knew how to diagnose such a rare condition. Emmie shares some of her everyday struggles of parenting a little with disabilities and also shares how that same little guy is one of her biggest blessings.
In 1 Samuel we meet a woman named Hannah who struggled with infertility. She poured her heart out to God in prayer and God heard her! The Hannah’s Heart show and podcast was named after this amazing woman and was launched three years ago. In today’s episode Anne and Kendra share deeper insights into Hannah’s story and also talk about how hosting the show has forever impacted their lives.
Did you know that EVERY major diaper company is pro choice and supports the abortion industry either financially or ideologically? It makes no sense that they would want to kill their clientele but sadly it’s true. Society acts like children are a huge burden and that it is almost shameful to want them! This can be particularly upsetting for godly Christian couples struggling to conceive. The good news is….someone is doing something about it! Don’t miss this eye-opening interview with Sarah Gabel Seifert, the president and co-founder of Everylife- the only prolife diaper company around!
Marie isn’t just a licensed counselor. She has also personally experienced the stress and anxiety of infertility. She now owns her own practice and helps others everyday. In this episode she shares several practical grounding techniques and tips for stress management to help couples deal with the pressures surrounding infertility. Oh and did I mention that she loves Jesus with all her heart? Every tip and trick is based in research and built on a Biblical worldview.
Marie was desperate to have a baby. It was all she could think about. Even when an emergency medical situation landed her in the hospital, she wasn’t worried about living–just whether or not she could still have a child after the procedure. Chaos and anxiety ruled in her mind…. until one day God captured her heart and filled her with a genuine joy and contentment that cannot be explained. Don’t miss her powerful story!
After 13 years of infertility and multiple rounds of fertility treatments, Allyn Ann was blessed with two precious children of her own. Now she has started a non profit to help other families afford treatments that help build families. To find out more about the grant process, visit defiantlyhopeful.org
Infertility and child loss never seems to stop affecting you. It even impacts the way we mother! Host Anne Cockrell returns from maternity leave to discuss having another baby after infant loss and some of the beautiful “God winks” that helped heal her heart as she welcomed baby Nora into the family.
Having medical problems or a disability not only makes trying to conceive difficult, it can also fill couples with a lot of fear about parenting. Kendra and her husband Eric discuss Eric’s disability and how God has used it to make him more like Jesus. They also discuss how they have overcome many parenting obstacles through God’s power and grace.
“When I thought I would be chained to my grief the rest of my life and I would just be "stuck" forever, our good God broke those chains and gave me true freedom in my grief.” These are powerful words from Stephanie Moeknkoff who lost her precious baby girl at just 32 weeks. Listen as she tells the powerful story of God rescuing her from the shell of a person she had become and allowing her to find freedom in the middle of her grief.
Beckett’s Blessing Box is a nonprofit organization that supports families who’ve lost a baby or child. It was founded in 2021 after Taylor and Linlee Morton lost their first son, Beckett to a placental abruption. Their mission and prayer is that these boxes provide comfort and tangible resources to help families grieve well while pointing them to Jesus in the midst of their heartbreak.
After 4 failed IUIs, a failed round of IVF, an ectopic pregnancy and a failed embryo adoption– Meagan and her husband were left wondering if they’d heard correctly from God. Somehow in the middle of all the closed doors and heartache, the Pearsons found peace and a path forward.
Yahweh Jireh is a Hebrew phrase that means “the Lord will provide.” Kendra and Jade discuss how anyone struggling with infertility can turn to the Lord to provide physical and emotional needs in the middle of the storm. They study the powerful story of Abraham offering his son Isaac on the alter where the phrase comes from.
Adoption is a sacred and holy calling. But it’s not without its difficult moments when you lock yourself in the bathroom to cry for a few minutes while setting a timer! Kenzie Killough knows all about the extremely high highs and the very low lows of adoption and she is passionate about sharing her powerful story with others to encourage others on their journey. Don’t miss this episode.
Kendra and her Mom discuss the Hebrew name of God “Yahweh -Shalom: The Lord is Peace” and discuss how couples can find peace in the middle of infertility and miscarriage. This powerful name of God comes from the story of Giddeon during a time when Israel was terrified of its enemies and oppressed in many ways. Despite our circumstances, we can know the God of peace!
Dr. Jessica Peck, host of Dr. Nurse Mama on AFR, shares her own personal story of suffering 3 miscarriages and raising a son with severe medical issues as well as 3 other healthy children. Anyone struggling with grief will be encouraged by this powerful story as Dr. Nurse Mama points them to her ultimate source of strength–Jesus Christ.
Bibles for babies is a week-long initiative to raise funds for mamas who chose life for their babies. This is in honor of John-Micah Cockrill (Anne’s precious baby who left this world too soon) and for all mommas who have lost a child. Anne and Kendra want to encourage couples struggling with infertility or child loss to selflessly serve others in the middle of their deep grief. A one-time gift of $10 will provide one new Bible for a precious new life on the way. Call after Sunday July 21st at 877-616-2396. Or Give online at: afr.net/biblesforbabies
There’s adoption….and then there is what Tami and Ronny Young did! They felt called to adopt an international sibling group who did not speak English! Despite the huge cultural differences and many other challenges, the Youngs formed a beautiful and love-filled family! They share many helpful resources for anyone considering international adoption.
This episode was recorded live from the NICU with returning guest Lauren Bragg as she shares the heartbreaking journey of a son born way too early and a family at home missing their mama while little Archie fought for his life and slowly met every milestone. Lauren felt guilty no matter where she was and needed God to sustain her every single day of this ongoing journey.
Courtney always wanted to be a mama. And not long after she got married, she saw those two pink lines! But all the joyous celebration came crashing down one night when she had an early miscarriage. She was filled with anger towards God and had so many questions. And yet…by the grace of God she found a power not her own to sustain her and help her find peace and acceptance.
