Ep:31 Hannah Weir - Grief, loss and faith in God

The Full Life Podcast with Melanie Lynam

Hannah is a high school teacher and Mum to 3. In 2017 Hannah was pregnant with their 2nd child however, at the 20 week scan they received devastating news that the baby had a life-threatening disease. Hannah takes us through that journey of faith, believing for a miracle, and the loss of a child. She tells of how they came through that traumatising experience with their faith still in tact, how they moved forward, and navigated marriage as two people grieving in their own way yet together. Yes it is a sad story about the loss of a child however it’s not just that. It is also a story of resilient faith, and how a couple found strength and peace in a loving God. I know that you will be inspired and encouraged.
At their 20 week scan baby Ezra was diagnosed with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD)

Very few survive outside the womb. 1 in 25,000 babies born with ARPKD.

Hannah says of their story, “We just were guided so much by God’s peace in that time. That was just our foundation.”

Prior to falling pregnant Hannah went through a season where she felt like she could not get enough of God. She constantly craved His presence. She now looks back and sees that as the Lord preparing her for the journey she was about to walk through. “I was able to stand quite firmly even despite the questions and the struggles and I suppose the fear of losing a child. I felt like God was just strengthening me all through that journey.”

Some scriptures that Hannah held onto were:

Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”

Psalm 71:6 (NIV)

“From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.”

“I just knew that I had to be raw and real and say God this is how I’m feeling.”

The Holy Spirit ministered to Hannah with Worship. One song was Bethel song - You can just rest.

“He won’t always answer that question of why. That’s where our faith comes into it.”

How did they go back to life after their baby’s death?

Both took time off work.

Went away for a weekend childfree and did some fun things to have some light hearted moments and take the pressure off.

How did you navigate how you and your husband grieve differently?

Kept the lines of communication open, kept checking in with each other. “How are you doing today?” “How are you doing with Ezra?” Spending time with God separately. They’d work things out separately and then come back together. Prioritising time together. Maintain intimacy and connection. Talking about Ezra and the milestones that Ezra would be going through right now. Talking about him and keeping him in your conversations.

It doesn’t upset her at all when people bring Ezra up. It’s quite soothing and healing. They celebrate his birthdays.

We talk about how 3 year old big brother Seth went.

How did they feel falling pregnant with their 3rd child?

“God is not confined to statistics.”

We just went in praying and believing that this baby would be healthy. They knew that it was a risk but chose to trust God.

Thankfully their 3rd child Marlie was born perfectly healthy.

Hannah has encouragement for any other Mum right now who is walking through a similar journey right now.

The feeling of empty arms when you leave the hospital without your baby. “Through God’s healing he can bring such peace and comfort to your heart.”

“Be real with Him. Don’t shy away from having those hard conversations with Him and just pouring out your heart to Him. It helped me for sure.”

Hannah chose to do a 30 days of gratitude challenge and post them on Instagram.

Support the show (http://paypal.me/thefulllifepodcast)