In this moving episode, Ashley welcomes her friend Aubrey Pavlacka to share the story of her daughter, Timber Kai. What began as a joyful babymoon in Kauai quickly became a devastating journey through premature labor, ten days of hospitalization, and the heartbreaking loss of a much-loved baby girl at 22 weeks.
With remarkable honesty, Aubrey recounts the days she spent fighting to keep Timber alive, the faith that sustained her through unimaginable uncertainty, and the grief that followed after returning home without her daughter. Together, Ashley and Aubrey explore difficult questions about suffering, unanswered prayers, pregnancy after loss, and the tension of holding both deep sorrow and deep hope at the same time.
Throughout the conversation, they reflect on God’s faithfulness in grief, the promise of Heaven, and the ways a baby’s life can continue to impact others. This episode is a powerful reminder that while loss changes us forever, our hope in Christ remains secure.
In this episode, we discussed:
Aubrey’s pregnancy with Timber and the unexpected complications that began during a trip to Kauai
Giving birth to Timber at 22 weeks and the precious hours Aubrey and Justin spent with her
Returning home after loss and navigating the early days of grief
How Exodus 14:14 (“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still”) became an anchor during the crisis
Wrestling with unanswered prayers while continuing to trust God’s character
The impact Timber’s life had on others and how God continues to use her story
Pregnancy after loss, cervical insufficiency, and the anxiety of carrying another baby
Honest conversations about “what ifs,” regrets, and the realities of being a grieving mother
Raising children with an awareness of Heaven and helping siblings know and remember their sister
How grief reshaped priorities, family life, and Aubrey’s perspective on what matters most
Finding hope in the promise of reunion and eternity with our children in Heaven
If you are grieving a baby, struggling with unanswered questions, navigating pregnancy after loss, or longing for reassurance that your child’s life mattered, this conversation will encourage your heart. Aubrey’s story is a beautiful testimony of faith in the midst of heartbreak, reminding us that while we may not understand every part of our suffering, we can trust the God who walks with us through it—and cling to the hope that one day we will be reunited with our children in Heaven.
Full transcript below.
MEET OUR GUEST
Aubrey Pavlacka is a wife, mother, Physician Assistant, gardener, and chicken keeper living in the mountains of Nathrop, Colorado. She and her husband, Justin, have been married since 2010 and are raising their three daughters, Rivi, Ollie Lei, and Selah. In June 2021, Aubrey gave birth to her first daughter, Timber, who passed away shortly after birth. Since then, she has learned to carry both deep grief and unexpected joy while continuing to trust God and honor Timber’s life.
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MEET OUR HOST
Ashley Opliger is the Executive Director of Bridget’s Cradles, a nonprofit organization based in Wichita, Kansas that donates cradles to over 1,700 hospitals in all 50 states and comforts over 30,000 bereaved families a year.
Ashley is married to Matt and they have three children: Bridget (in Heaven), and two sons. She is a follower of Christ who desires to share the hope of Heaven with families grieving the loss of a baby.
I have a fancy professional bio here, but what is most important for you to know is that my first and only daughter, Bridget, went to Heaven and Jesus was the only One who could put the shattered pieces of my heart back together. Maybe your heart is broken too?
If so, I'm here to be your friend and walk with you on your grief journey. More importantly, I'm here to point you to Jesus, the only One who can heal your heart and promise you eternity with your baby in Heaven. Hold my hand, friend, and let's start this journey together.
Hosted by Ashley Opliger, this podcast offers Christ-centered comfort to moms grieving the loss of a baby in Heaven. Each episode is rooted in Scripture and points your heart to the truth of the Gospel, the presence of Jesus, and the eternal hope of being reunited with your baby in Heaven.