Tears of Gold :: Stories of Hope

Tears of Gold provides stories of God's hope in the midst of a world full of heartache and suffering. Guests share their experience of God's compassion in their live while walking through a time of grief.

Season Two Closer and A Ministry Update (ToG Ep 28) 08/16/2018

To Know Christ in His Suffering :: Loss of Husband and Son : Debi Rooney (ToG Ep 27) 07/27/2018

Despite the Diagnosis :: Living with Lupus : Jena Holliday (ToG Ep 26) 06/29/2018

Redeeming the Pain :: Loss of Father to Lewy Body : Dana Bonilla (ToG Ep 25) 06/08/2018

A God Outside the Box :: Recovering from a Destructive Marriage : “Joan” (ToG Ep 24) 05/18/2018

God with Skin On :: Loving an Adult Son with Alcoholism : Marla Christian (ToG Ep 23) 04/20/2018

God in the Mystery :: Having a Baby with an Unknown Condition : Rebecca Ortiz (ToG Ep 22) 03/30/2018

Look Up : Loss of Father and Brother :: Marisa Wagner (ToG Ep 21) 03/16/2018

Unchosen Grief :: When Other’s Choices Cause Heartache : Alison Dear (ToG Ep 20) 03/03/2018

Trusting in the Lord :: Husband's Diagnosis with Cancer : Lesley Miller (ToG Ep 19) 02/16/2018

Childlike Faith :: Raising a Child with Special Needs : Mary McBrearty (ToG Ep 18) 02/02/2018

Tears of Gold Podcast:: Season One Closer (ToG Ep 17) 08/25/2017

A Mother's Steadfast Love :: Adult Child's Painful Choices : Jill Levsen (ToG Ep 16) 08/11/2017

Art of Grieving :: Loss of Child to Krabbe Disease : Christina Levasheff (ToG Ep 15) 07/28/2017

Art of Grieving :: Loss of Child to Krabbe Disease : Christina Levasheff (ToG Ep 15) Christina Levasheff had a beautiful and simple life with her husband, young son, and infant daughter. When her 29 month old son, Judson, began to show some atypical physical symptoms, Christina and her husband began the process of seeking medical attention to discover what was going on. After some incorrect diagnoses, Judson was ultimately diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy Disease, a genetic disease that destroys the white matter in the brain. In just five months, the Levasheffs watched their bright and active two year old lose vision, speech, and all body movements to eventual death. Throughout the short but intense suffering, Judson retained his mental functioning and joy. As with all the stories told through Tears of Gold, this is a story of suffering and heartache, but it is also a story of how God met Christina in her pain. It is a story of how the compassionate Lord gathered her in His arms and comforted her in ways only the good Father can. And how God has taken that pain and transformed it into a ministry of hope to walk alongside others in their pain. Christina and her husband, Drake, and their daughter, Jessie use to bless the children and families walking a similar journey they did. I pray you'll be blessed as you hear Christina's sharing in this episode. Books mentioned during episode: by Jerry L. Sittser by Nicholas Wolterstorff by L.B.E. Cowman by Charles H. Spurgeon by Kelsey Crowe and Emily McDowell The book Christina wrote about her loss: by Christina Levasheff Follow Tears of Gold: Instagram : Facebook : Website : To Leave a Review on iTunes: Click blue button on left "View in iTunes" Click "Ratings and Review" Click "Write a Review" Thank you for taking the time to write a review on iTunes! If you or someone you know would be interested in being a guest on Tears of Gold, fill out a contact form . /episode/index/show/tearsofgold/id/5562013

Trusting God's Character :: Trisomy 18 and Placenta Abruption : Havah Felker (ToG Ep 14) 07/14/2017

Redefined :: Life after Divorce : Anne Dawson (ToG Ep 13) 06/30/2017

Pain to Purpose :: Growing Pains : Paul Angone (ToG Ep 12) 06/16/2017

Deep Gladness :: Healing Grief Through Music : Denny Flanagan (ToG Ep 11) 06/02/2017

Through the Curtain :: Daughter Passing Away : Jenny Griffith (ToG Ep 10) 05/20/2017

Through the Curtain :: Daughter Passing Away : Jenny Griffith (ToG Ep 10) The Griffith family was an active, joyful, and well-loved family in their Costa Mesa community. When their middle child, 15-year-old, Emma, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in 2013, the Griffiths lives were put on an abrupt hold has they did everything in their power to get Emma healed. After a two year battle with the cancer, Emma left this earth and walked into the arms of her Savior on August 4, 2015. In this episode, you will hear from Jenny, Emma's mom, about the heartache of the illness and Emma's passing. But you'll also hear how God was and is working in their hearts and lives to be present with them in the grief. I was honored to have Jenny share her story with me and all of you. As a head's up, the sound is not the most consistent in regards to volume. You may find yourself adjusting the volume in your car or headset. I apologize for this and thank you for your grace as the podcast is a work in progress! References to Bible verses mentioned: Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) "Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”(v. 51) John 8:48-59 (NIV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. I Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 (NIV) Links to other mentions in show: (now ) - oncologist /episode/index/show/tearsofgold/id/5373590

All Things New :: Divorce and Loss of Parents : Adam Bansmer (ToG Ep 09) 05/05/2017

All Things New :: Divorce and Loss of Parents : Adam Bansmer (ToG Ep 09) Keeping it all in the family for this episode as I interview my brother, Adam Bansmer! In the last episode (08), you heard my story of losing my parents and how God walked me through that. In this episode, you will be hearing from my younger brother, Adam. Though we both lost the same parents, you'll hear how his grief was expressed in ways that were different than mine. In addition to losing our parents, Adam had another layer of grief when his first marriage ended in divorce after a year and half of marriage. By the time he was 30 years old, Adam had been through a divorce and loss of both our parents. Through his grief journey, Adam was confronted with the truths he thought were in the Bible to rediscover what the actual truths were about God and what He promises for His followers. In this episode, you'll hear Adam share how he wrestled with the grief, how people loved on him, and how he ultimately came to the hope available in a life of Christ. I had fun getting to interview my little brother in this episode and you'll definitely hear a bit of playful digressing at one point....wait for it. ;p I hope you enjoy this episode! Resources mentioned: by C.S. Lewis by Granger E. Westberg Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Follow Tears of Gold:: Web: Instagram: Facebook: Email: If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing your story for Tears of Gold, please email me at the above email address! /episode/index/show/tearsofgold/id/5328109