Light Your Heart With Hope

At some point in our lives, we all go through heartbreak and loss.
It's the most difficult, painful experience to navigate.

How do you deal with it?
Is it possible to have joy in the midst of heartbreak?
Is it possible to still have hope after loss?

In this week's episode, we share our experience with heartbreak and loss, and what we've learned as a result. We also talk about what God has shown us through our greatest loss and the healing He has brought through our deepest heartbreak.

Words to remember:
"Although loss is so hard and so heartbreaking, there is also redemption in loss. There is saving power in loss." - Erin
"Cry out to Him, go to Him, wrestle with God. Talk to Him. Express your anger and your sorrow, your fear, your loss. He understands, and He knows exactly how to heal your broken heart." - Jill 

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Have you ever prayed over and over again about something and felt like God was distant, maybe even non-existent?
Have you been in a relationship with God for a long time and lately it seems like He is no where to be found?
Are you overwhelmed by what's going on in your life and no matter how much you've prayed God seems silent? It's as if He doesn't see or care about what you're going through?
You're not alone.
In fact, what you're going through and how you're feeling about God is very common.
We talk about it in today's episode and hope that what we share encourages you.   

Words of truth:

"When God speaks, it will always be in line with His word and the truth of who He is, His character. You will know when God is speaking, because His voice is so different than any other voice you will hear. And when you are in His word, if you know who God is, you will know what's His voice and what's not." - Erin 

"God wants us to hear his voice. He's not hiding from us." - Jill 

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

In the fast paced, highly advanced, materialistic, chaotic culture we live in, it's easy to get distracted. On any given day we're all inundated with information pulling us in a thousand different directions. Pulling us away from what matters most - our relationships and more specifically our relationship with God. 
 
 In today's episode, we talk about how to stay connected to God in a culture that tries to push Him out of everything. We share what has helped us prioritize our relationship with Christ over everything else. Ultimately, culture can try to take God out of everything, but it can never take God out of us. 

Quotes: 

"We can't know what to do in a culture that's stripping God out of it unless we know God, unless we know His will, unless we know His character, unless we know that He's good and faithful and kind and loving." - Jill

"Our culture can try to take God out of everything. But culture cannot take God out of us. We belong to Him." - Erin 

"We do not find our true self by seeking it. Rather, we find it by seeking God. For I have said, in finding God, we find our truest and deepest self."  - David G. Benner

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Love is the point... Of everything. 
We were created and called to love God and love others. 

On Valentine's Day, a day that is supposed to represent "love," we decided to talk about God's love and why it's the most important and powerful gift you'll ever receive. Once you know His love, you can't help but love others... including your enemies.

And lastly... Happy Birthday to Hunter and Jim Kelly!!
In today's episode, we also talk a little bit about Hunter's love and how his life taught us the love of God. 

Join the conversation! 

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

With Cam home from college for a few days we decided to invite her to join us on the podcast. 
This is a fun, light-hearted conversation where we talk about a few things we love - faith, family, football, and fashion! 

This episode is a reminder to appreciate and spend time with the people you love... the people God has placed in your life.

Cam is an amazing person and has so much to give, so this will definitely not be her last time on the podcast. Many more to come!

We hope as you listen to this episode you smile, laugh, and get to know us a little better! 

Sneak Peak Quotes:
"Jim, you really need to change your outfit." - Jill
"It's not like it was a trend... it was just a Cam thing." - Cam
"Thank God for Josh Allen coming in and just taking this team over. We finally have hope now that we can actually make it to the Super Bowl." - Erin
"You guys go to battle for each other in every instance, and I'm just so thankful that you have that relationship with each other." - Jill
"It doesn't matter what you're going through, God is always there, and Hunter was just a sign of that." - Cam

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

This episode is based on three very important questions we received...
1. How do you deal with being anxious about the future?
2. How do you know what God's will is for your life?
3. How do I know what God created me to do? 

At some point in everyone's life these questions have been asked. 
In this episode we share what we've learned and what God says in His word.
We're all a work in progress and have so much to learn. 

Join the conversation! 

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Expectations... 
We all have them... Of others. Of ourselves. Of God. 

It's hard to have expectations and it can be even harder to try and meet the expectations of others. 
But the hardest part... trusting God with the expectations of the people you love.

But there's a way to navigate all of this in a way that brings freedom. 
We're talking about it today on today's Conversations with Erin & Jill!

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Because of the overwhelming response we received and all of your questions, we decided to continue the Conversations with Erin and Jill! 

So many people reached out to us about mental health. In today's episode, we talk about what to say and what not to say to someone who is struggling with depression and anxiety. We've both struggled with depression and anxiety. We've received words that hurt and words that heal. And what we share today is based on what we've walked through. We hope and pray that you are encouraged! 

Disclaimer: Everything we share regarding mental health is based on our own journey. We are not mental health professionals. Please understand that we are not suggesting that you do exactly what we have done. We simply want to share our story in hopes of encouraging you in your own story. 

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Welcome to 100th Episode!

It's hard to imagine that we have recorded 100 episodes for the Light Your Heart with Hope podcast.
To make this episode even more special and memorable we decided to record with our entire family. 
We talk about faith, family, and of course... football.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for listening and being a part of this incredible journey!
We have so much more planned for 2024!
And we trust that God will continue to do immeasurably MORE than we can ask or imagine.

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

We are so thankful for all that God did through this podcast in 2023 and we can't wait for all that's in store for 2024!

In today's episode, Erin does a quick recap of her favorite quotes and verses that were shared in episodes over the last year - truths that apply to every day of every year! Then Erin gives a glimpse into what God walked her through in 2023 and how she's walking into 2024. 

Happy New Year!!!

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

The most asked question to close out 2023!

What's the point?

Most of us have asked this question at least once. What's the point? Of everything...

It's easy to lose sight of the point when you're focused on the pain. 
But what if the point of everything, including the pain, was to point to a Person? 
What if the point was the Person of Jesus? 
Would it change how we live? 

In today's Conversation with Erin and Jill, they dive in deep to answer this question.

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Sometimes it's hard to have faith.
When things don't go the way you hoped and prayed they would...
When life doesn't make sense...
When everything feels like it's falling apart and out of control...
When you're hurting and heartbroken and pain is more prevalent than joy...

In this week's episode, Erin and Jill talk about how they've clung to their faith in God even after all that they've been through. They talk about their doubts, their questioning, and how their faith has carried them in the midst of it. 

"Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

We all have a tendency to care too much about what other people think of us. The opinions of others oftentimes tend to influence and impact our lives in ways we don’t even realize. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can actually be secure in who God says we are and free ourselves from worrying about what others think… and say. 

In this week’s episode, Erin and Jill address this very important topic sent in by a listener. They vulnerably share how they have struggled with caring too much about what other people think. In addition, they discuss tips on what has helped them focus on what God thinks of them.    

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

There is so much going on in the world, in our communities, and in our homes. Some things we're able to control, but most of what we go through is beyond our control. Daily circumstances can cause us to worry and become anxious. Anxiety is also a very real and difficult mental health issue that so many people face. 

Erin and Jill have both dealt with anxiety. In today's episode, they talk about their experience and the things that have helped them overcome. 

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

The holidays can be really hard for so many people... 

One of our listeners sent in a difficult but very important topic for us to talk about - How do you navigate deep depression during the holidays? 

Erin and Jill share their own journey through this and what has helped them along the way. 

Disclaimer: Everything we share regarding mental health is based on our own journey. We are not mental health professionals. Please understand that we are not suggesting that you do what we have done. We simply want to share our story in hopes of encouraging you in your own story. 

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Conversations with Erin & Jill - Question #1 

How do you have the courage to be so vulnerable in sharing your story? 

In this episode, Erin and Jill talk about why they've chosen to be open, honest, and vulnerable in sharing what God has walked them through. They also talk about how this podcast came to be and what encourages them to continue to share with freedom!

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

Here is a look back at our most significant takeaways from SEASON FOUR - 10 Truths to Anchor You in Healing!

We hope that you are encouraged, filled with hope, and reminded that you matter, your life matters, and your story can make an impact that matters for eternity!

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

In Season 3 we shared the incredible story of the Abner family. But, in honor of the amazing announcement of the $1 Million Endowment in honor of their daughter Katelynn, we want to share their story again! 

This endowment was given in honor of Katelynn Abner (10/31/08 – 7/4/14) and will establish the “Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses Program”, ensuring that the legacy of Katelynn will continue for years to come. 

The Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses Program provides support for individuals with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), Newborn Screening, the Leukodystrophy Care Network (LCN), MLD Families, and Sibling Support, with priority given to military families affected by Leukodystrophy.

The Abner family’s dedication to the legacy of Katelynn is evident in all they do to make a difference each day in their lives. Hunter’s Hope is honored to partner with the Abner family to help families through the Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses Program.

To learn more about Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses, please visit: https://www.huntershope.org/home/partners/katelynns-butterfly-kisses/

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

We have an amazing announcement that we want to share with all of you! Some incredible things are happening at Hunter’s Hope, and we are so thankful for God’s provision.

Jill interviewed Chris and Kristal Abner to share this amazing news!
Hunter’s Hope Foundation is excited to announce a $1 Million Endowment from an anonymous donor!

This endowment was given in honor of Katelynn Abner (10/31/08 – 7/4/14) and will establish the “Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses Program”, ensuring that the legacy of Katelynn will continue for years to come. We are honored to share this exciting news today, October 31st, on what would have been Katelynn's 15th birthday.

The Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses Program provides support for individuals with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), Newborn Screening, the Leukodystrophy Care Network (LCN), MLD Families, and Sibling Support, with priority given to military families affected by Leukodystrophy.

The Abner family’s dedication to the legacy of Katelynn is evident in all they do to make a difference each day in their lives. Hunter’s Hope is honored to partner with the Abner family to help families through Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses Program.

To learn more about Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses, please visit: https://www.huntershope.org/home/partners/katelynns-butterfly-kisses/

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

10 Truths to Anchor You in Healing - #10 You’re Worth It!

In today’s episode, Erin talks about how she found herself in a season of questioning her worth and how she found where her worth truly lies - in Jesus! 

Her message encourages you to see your immeasurable worth in who God says you are! God created you on purpose for a purpose. Nothing and no one can change your worth! 

You’re worth loving.

You’re worth healing. 

You’re worth fighting for.

You’re worth living. 

Don’t give up!

You. Are. Worth. It!

Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.