An incredibly supportive and faithful group of women is gathering tonight in Madison, Mississippi. Those Who Speak is a casual support group for women who have had trouble getting pregnant, staying pregnant, or who have lost a child at a very young age. Founder Laurel Donahoo says, “After I had a miscarriage back in July of 2013 and was going through a very difficult grieving process seemingly by myself, the Lord laid it on my heart to start a group where women who had had difficulty in similar areas could come together for support, prayer, accountability, advice and just general friendship in a super casual setting! He also laid the names of two other girls on my heart I knew had experienced child loss in different ways (miscarriage, stillbirth, and loss of a weeks-old infant), both of whom I reached out to with the idea. They were all in! The first meeting was at my house in April of 2014 and we had almost 20 people there! That, to me, was affirmation that a group like this was so needed!”
We spoke with Laurel (of The Lovely Bee) to learn more about this wonderful group of women:
Tell us about the name of the group, Those Who Speak!
“I’ve had several people ask about the name of the group. It comes from a C.S. Lewis quote that I found shortly after my miscarriage that I just loved! It made me realize that getting together with several others and talking about my hurt may actually help my healing! 'I have learned now that while those who speak about one's miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.'”
Can you outline what happens at a typical meeting?
“We have changed up the format of the meetings a little bit since the beginning, but currently we all come over to the host’s house (the January 8th meeting is at my house again!) and have a bite to eat, a glass of wine, and get to know anyone who might be new to the meetings! Lately, we have been writing down topics or questions and putting them in a bowl, then sitting down and opening discussion up with prayer. (This is a faith-based group by the way!) We then start drawing pieces of paper out of the bowl and conversation just flows very naturally! The thing I love about this format is that nobody feels pressured to say anything. If someone wants to come and simply just sit and listen, that is 100% OK! Since everyone is different, this makes it more welcoming for the super talkative types as well as the more closed off types. Any woman who has experienced difficulty getting pregnant, staying pregnant, or who has lost a child at a young age is welcome to attend!”
How has this group encouraged you?
“I have made so many sweet friends through this group!! It has helped me to find that I’m not the only one who has experienced the feelings I’ve had. And I’m not the only one whose husband deals differently than I do. And I’m not the only one who faces this crazy fear when I do get pregnant that I’m going to miscarry again. I have a group of girls who I can float a specific prayer request to and they totally get where I’m coming from. It’s been incredible to walk joyful journeys of successful IVFs and natural conceptions with some of the members, and it’s been a huge boost in my prayer life to pray for patience and understanding for others who are still waiting on God’s timing.”
Thank you, Laurel, for sharing your story, your faith and Those Who Speak with women across the state and Inspiration Mississippi! The group meets tonight at 6:00pm in Madison and anyone is invited to attend. Laurel says, “We meet every two to three months, so if this group sounds like something you might want to attend but you don’t feel ready yet, that is OK! We will have another one soon! I post to my blog (www.thehiveblog.com) each time we set a date for a new one so you can keep up with the meetings there!”
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
We spoke with Laurel (of The Lovely Bee) to learn more about this wonderful group of women:
Tell us about the name of the group, Those Who Speak!
“I’ve had several people ask about the name of the group. It comes from a C.S. Lewis quote that I found shortly after my miscarriage that I just loved! It made me realize that getting together with several others and talking about my hurt may actually help my healing! 'I have learned now that while those who speak about one's miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.'”
Can you outline what happens at a typical meeting?
“We have changed up the format of the meetings a little bit since the beginning, but currently we all come over to the host’s house (the January 8th meeting is at my house again!) and have a bite to eat, a glass of wine, and get to know anyone who might be new to the meetings! Lately, we have been writing down topics or questions and putting them in a bowl, then sitting down and opening discussion up with prayer. (This is a faith-based group by the way!) We then start drawing pieces of paper out of the bowl and conversation just flows very naturally! The thing I love about this format is that nobody feels pressured to say anything. If someone wants to come and simply just sit and listen, that is 100% OK! Since everyone is different, this makes it more welcoming for the super talkative types as well as the more closed off types. Any woman who has experienced difficulty getting pregnant, staying pregnant, or who has lost a child at a young age is welcome to attend!”
How has this group encouraged you?
“I have made so many sweet friends through this group!! It has helped me to find that I’m not the only one who has experienced the feelings I’ve had. And I’m not the only one whose husband deals differently than I do. And I’m not the only one who faces this crazy fear when I do get pregnant that I’m going to miscarry again. I have a group of girls who I can float a specific prayer request to and they totally get where I’m coming from. It’s been incredible to walk joyful journeys of successful IVFs and natural conceptions with some of the members, and it’s been a huge boost in my prayer life to pray for patience and understanding for others who are still waiting on God’s timing.”
Thank you, Laurel, for sharing your story, your faith and Those Who Speak with women across the state and Inspiration Mississippi! The group meets tonight at 6:00pm in Madison and anyone is invited to attend. Laurel says, “We meet every two to three months, so if this group sounds like something you might want to attend but you don’t feel ready yet, that is OK! We will have another one soon! I post to my blog (www.thehiveblog.com) each time we set a date for a new one so you can keep up with the meetings there!”
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
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