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Today we want to give you first-hand experiences for those who have attended our most recent conference. Like you perhaps, these ladies had some fears about attending the first time. Were they recent widows? Yes and no. Some had experienced loss just weeks before. Some had been years. Were they married for decades? Yes and no. Some had lost spouses of over forty years and some just a few years. Do they still have children at home? Yes and no. Some had no children, some had grown children, and some had young children.

You see, there is no formula for who comes. That’s because our conferences are for YOU. And YOU are unique. But we all have one thing in common: we are looking to HOPE again. So as you read these comments from our attendees, put yourself in each story. Our conferences are called AWM HOPE™ Conferences. And HOPE is what we offer from Christ and His word.

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (TLB)

The conference was so much more than I expected. Though it has been some time since my husband’s passing, I was taken through all the old feelings and reminded of God’s great love and how HE has helped me along this journey. Through the other widows around me, I was able to relate to and be understood. And as Sheryl said, “feel normal.” Not like a fish out of water… -Michelle

My husband has been gone for over 14 years. In that time, there have been few instances where I have felt like I belong, and the conference was one of them. For the first time in a very long time, I didn’t feel like a square peg in a round hole. I see the other women at the conference as friends. We all have a different story, yet are bound together through a great loss… -Pam

My husband had been with Jesus for not quite three years when I first attended a conference in 2019. I invited another newly widowed friend to attend with me so I wouldn’t have to travel alone. As soon as we entered the building, we both felt totally understood and accepted in our widowhood. We were with sisters in Christ who cried, laughed, and worshipped our great God together. In 2021, another friend lost her husband to COVID. I told her about the conference and she agreed to go if I went with her. I thought I was going just to support her, but I was again so blessed. It was a beautiful time of being loved, encouraged, and a little more healed. The Lord really works through this team of lovely women who work so hard to create this healing experience for grieving hearts. – Vanessa

Attending the conference in 2022 was the best thing I’ve done since my husband died from COVID in Jan. 2021. I especially bonded with the other widows whose husbands died from COVID. I felt loved, accepted, uplifted & most importantly, understood! I’ve lost close friends due to my “being too sad & depressing” & being “too emotional”. That alone puts another crack in my already broken heart. These ladies at the conference were instantly accepting & welcoming. I look forward to many more conferences! Praising our Lord with these ladies was an experience like no other! And learning from their experiences was invaluable! – Robin

I attended the AWM conference in 2022 for the first time. My husband passed away after a 2 year battle with esophageal cancer… I found AWM on Facebook and was excited about the conference. I had been talking to my friend who had lost her husband recently from Covid and realized she was having the same problems I had for so many years. I wanted to help her and the others I knew that had lost their spouses and were struggling… Five of us from the church attended and for me, it was like finally recognizing and treating a deep wound. Painful at times but encouraging to know that there is help in AWM and friendship with others who understand where you are and why and are willing to encourage and offer support no matter where you are in your grief journey. After so many years of trying to ignore the feelings of loss, avoid discussing those feelings, and pretending like it doesn’t still hurt some days, to be able to be encouraging for others and to hear their stories has been such a blessing. It’s never been “too long” to seek out the help you need and with God’s direction. -Gina

I was fearful to go, not really knowing if I was ready for something like this. These women showed me such bravery, love, acceptance, and HOPE! … I now have a new tribe of ladies who can encourage me, if even from afar. The Spirit moved in a mighty way, especially during worship, proclaiming songs of HOPE and gratitude for our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who makes it possible to see our husbands again someday SOON! -Kathy

It’s incredible how “normal” I felt being in a room filled with other widows who love Jesus—a room filled with precious women who understand—a room filled with women who are offering up sacrifices of praise because they never wanted to be in this club.-Stacey

If you would like to read more click here.

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