Hard Pressed Hope

That's a wrap for now!Luke 6:38

Don't miss this one! Help us welcome Amanda Norton. She is a living example of what it means to lean on God’s strength and find joy in EVERY circumstance. Tune in to be encouraged, inspired, and reminded that there is light even in the darkest seasons. Notes:Nehemiah 8:102 Corinthians 4:8-9

Feeling weighed down or overwhelmed? Us, too. Turns out, we don’t have to carry the burden alone. Jump in as we talk about how, practically, we can rely on a strength other than our own.Notes:Romans 8:28Philippians 1:6Deuteronomy 31:6Hebrews 13:5Galatians 5:22John Bevere - X Book: Multiply Your God Given Potential

Our friend Hilary joins us to talk about taking big leaps and thinking outside the box, in seemingly impossible situations. Join us as she shares her story of adding extra kids to her family even when it was “against the rules,” trusting God with all the possibilities, and facing decisions with grace and discernment.

Decision fatigue? YUP. Some decisions are hard, some are fun, but all of them require brain space. Listen as Katherine and Kate encourage you to take the worry out of even the biggest decisions in your life.

We are so excited for Kate’s sister, Hannah, to be joining us today! Her journey to parenthood through international adoption was long and difficult. So many of us know what that’s like: waiting for a positive pregnancy test, a healthy baby, a placement or a match, and the heartaches and joys that come along the way. We think you will find this episode encouraging to stay the course!

Gratitude can transform our lives, our relationships, and even our mental health! Join us as we discuss gratitude's meaning, where it can be rooted even in difficult times, and what might be preventing us from expressing it!Notes:Colossians 2:6-7Hebrews 12:281 Thessalonians 5:16-18Luke 17:11-19Gratitude Challenge proposed by Harvard Researcher, Shawn AchorShawn Achor’s TedTalk 

Oh, we love our friend Deb and her parenting nuggets of gold! She describes her son David as a highly sensitive child - you know, the one with the big feelings, big heart, deep thinking, occasional big behaviors, and frequent problems with sock seams! She gives us so much encouragement to navigate tough parenting moments and give it our best. Enjoy!Notes:Dr. John Gottman - Bringing Baby HomeMegghan Thompson - parenting coach2 Corinthians 10:5Romans 8:281 Peter 5:7Find Deb on Instagram @debismyhomegirl

This week, Katherine and Kate discuss how they have been encouraged in times of difficult transitions or hard seasons. Listen to the end as Katherine shares a story of encouragement from her life that will be sure to give you goosebumps!Notes:John 15:162 Kings 4:8-37

Our first guest has arrived! Welcome Jennifer Brosi for our first segment of “Stories from the Road.” Jen encourages moms and women of all kinds to live life to the full! She makes life an adventure no matter where she is, and we love her for it!Notes:Jen’s spoons!Kate’s spoons!Jen’s (& Hannah’s) Youtube and Facebook

We are back with Episode 6! We missed you guys! Today we start off talking about being in a rut and end up talking about how to live an abundant life, no matter the circumstance. Join us as we piece our way from one to the other. We hope there are some “a-ha!” moments in there for you, just like there were for us.Notes:John 10:10Zephaniah 3:17John 3:30She Reads Truth AppFind us on socials:Katherine @katherinerose_hph on InstagramKate @kateblakenotes on Instagram and Facebook

The whole sha-bang! In this episode, we share where we find hope, especially down difficult, dark roads. For those of you on hard paths, this one is for you! Let us hold the hope for you and point you to Hope, when you need it most.Notes:Hebrews 6:19Annie F. Downs “That Sounds Fun” Podcast, Episode 295 with Tim TimmonsKatherine: @katherinerose_hphKate: @kateblakenotes

What does being intentional mean to you? Does it sound kind of boring? It does to Kate! In this episode we hold the ideas of being wild and free, present in meaningful relationships, and living intentionally all together! Notes:Katherine: @katherinerose_hphKate: @kateblakenotes

Sometimes we aren’t just waiting, sometimes we are IN it - a mess, a time of suffering, grief, discontent. So what then, when it’s dark, and hope is gone? In this episode, we tackle what it means to persevere during dark seasons.Notes:Romans 5:3-5; James 1:4Emily P. Freeman: The Next Right Thing (Podcast & Book)Katherine: @katherinerose_hphKate: @kateblakenotes

Let’s be honest, waiting is usually no fun at all. Join us as we discuss waiting and how we can do it well, because we might as well make it count!Notes:James 1:2-3; Romans 11:36"When God says, 'Wait,' we can control only two things: how we wait, and who we become along the way." - Elizabeth Laing ThompsonKatherine: @katherinerose_hphKate: @kateblakenotes

Ever walk the road of life and you just COLLIDE with evidence that maybe there is more to this story? Listen as Kate shares a story to encourage us when we feel like life is just a series of mundane, or even difficult, beginnings and endings.Notes:Philippians 1:21-26; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9Katherine: @katherinerose_hphKate: @kateblakenotes

Welcome to Hard Pressed Hope! Katherine and Kate are relentlessly bent toward hope, purpose and humor while walking the road of life. Offering encouragement in the mess, light in the darkness, and reminding us of promises in the midst of problems. We are moms experienced with adoption, foster care, and parenting children with disabilities and special needs. Hard Pressed Hope is for everyone, especially moms walking these roads too. We see you and are glad you’re here!Find us on socials!Katherine: @katherinerose_hph on InstagramKate: @kateblakenotes on Instagram and FacebookTheme music by: JuliusH "Bluegrass - Banjo & Harmonica" on Pixabay