Hope Speaker

Join us virtually on May 22 ❣️💜💙

https://realizefoundation.org/booklaunch

There are conversations people are afraid to have..

About pain.
About struggle.
About what’s really going on underneath.

But those are often the exact conversations that save lives.

Scars to Stars™ was built on one belief:
👉 Conversation is prevention.

On May 22nd, we’re creating a space where those conversations can begin.

No pressure.
No expectations.

Just real people, real stories, and real connection.

👉 Join us (Link in comments)

Christian widows are different.❤️‍🔥

Not because we have it all figured out, or hurt less. But because when everything in this world gets stripped away from us, Christ remains.

That changes everything.

One of the hardest parts of widowhood is that suffering suddenly becomes personal. Tragedy is no longer just something that happens in the world. It’s YOUR husband. YOUR empty bed. YOUR children grieving. YOUR world.

And if this life is all there is… then honestly? Widowhood would feel, and perhaps be, hopeless.

Sister… your pain is real, and also, pain is not your identity.

✝️Christian widows are not hopeless!

We are Kingdom widows.
Women of valor.
Warrior brides of Christ.

This week’s Blog is just a few minutes to help bring your heart deeper into grieving WITH Christ versus grieving WITHOUT hope.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, numb, fearful, or like your life ended when his did… I really want you to read this one. Be blessed! 💗

www.hopespeaker.com/post/hope-for-christian-widows-after-loss-hope-speaker

With you,
Rachel

We grieve with HOPE, and that's a very different experience from grieving without it (I've done both💔).

I moved off the hopeless path and back into gritty hope by anchoring myself on my rock (Christ), instead of staying chained to anguish and calling it "love."

Don't get me wrong- all grief can be painful. But the same storm beating down has a different impact on a house built on the rock, than a house built on sand.

I kept returning to my foundation. ✝️

"Brothers and sisters [in Christ], we do not want you to be uninformed about those who [preceded you] in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have [passed on before us]... [We will be together again]. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
-1 Thess. 4:13-14, 17-18

Stay tuned for more encouragement about this in tomorrow's Hope Speaker Blog.💜

And in the meantime, find another post there to give you some hope today. ❤️‍🔥

www.hopespeaker.com/blog

With you,
Rachel

CELEBRATION TIME❣️🔥💙🎈

Today I elevate my husband with gratitude, because let me tell you, combining our lives hasn't been easy😅:

Marrying a widow
Blending families
Moving states
Changing jobs...

But you know what I honor most about Mike?

He did all of this, he lives his life, following where the Lord directs him. With his eyes on Jesus above all people and all things.

He steps into what is uncomfortable, he fights through what is hard, and he walks in purpose WITH the Lord.

Happy Birthday, my Love. 🎉🎂🎁🥳

I know life together has been a lot of self sacrifice for us, and I look forward to seasons of respite and rest with you, too! 😌

❤️‍🔥 Rachel

PS- If you have an encouragement for Mike on his Birthday, feel free to drop it below (or shoot him a text). 💙

"You might think that after navigating and experiencing love the first time, we might be more certain and confident about the idea and process of doing it again as widows.

But actually, the opposite is often true.

Love after the death of a spouse often brings more confusion than clarity. Widows have a lot of fear, questions, guilt and uncertainty (around dating and let's be honest- about ourselves)."

This week in the Hope Speaker Blog, we are talking about love after loss for Christian widows.

In the midst of all the unknowns, let's anchor ourselves in real, deep, LOVE- and bring it to a couple practical applications in the realm of dating, remarriage (or NOT) after being widowed.

I've poured my heart into this one. May it richly bless you! 💜✝️

https://www.hopespeaker.com/post/love-after-loss-a-biblical-guide-for-christian-widows-hope-speaker

With you,
Rachel

Every 42 seconds, we lose someone to su***de.

Someone’s partner. Someone’s friend. Someone’s person.

With time, most people will be impacted for it to be one of their "people."

That’s why we do this work.

On May 22nd, we’re not just launching a book…
We’re opening a space for real stories, real conversations, and real connection.

Because silence and darkness are dangerous, and stories can save lives.

I'm honored to share my story and knowledge as a su***de widow and attempt survivor, as a contributing author.

👉 Works you consider joining us for the Scars to Stars™ Book #5 Virtual Launch?

📅 May 22 | 6–7:30 PM MST

If this even slightly resonates… come!
And if someone comes to mind—send this to them.

With you,
Rachel