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This special bonus episode highlights the program from the Wave of Light 2025 event that Bridget’s Cradles hosted in Wichita, Kansas, on October 15, 2025, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

In this episode, we shared:

• The full program from the 2025 Wave of Light candlelight vigil at Beech Lake, including worship, messages of hope, and the reading of babies’ names in Heaven
• Opening remarks by emcee Scott Evans and an opening prayer by Pastor John Carney of Central Community Church
• A message from Christ Church Pastor Doug Hodgens, representing this year’s Presenting Sponsor, sharing their mission of compassion and faith in Christ
• Worship led by Brice Basquez and the Christ Church Worship Band, featuring heartfelt songs such as Firm Foundation, It Is Well, Homesick for Heaven, and Amazing Grace
• Brice’s personal testimony of loss, faith, and the sustaining hope of Jesus
• Ashley Opliger’s speech, which included gratitude for sponsors, volunteers, and families; a tribute to Susan Burrus and the Burrus family; fundraising updates for the Shine Their Light campaign; and excerpts from her book Cradled in Hope connecting each worship song to Scripture and themes of Heaven, healing, and eternal reunion with our babies.
• Recognition of fundraising families, including Stephen and Laura Ondrovich, who received the Shine Their Light Award in memory of their son Thomas
• Recognition of fundraising families, including Stephen and Laura Ondrovich, who received the Shine Their Light Award in memory of their son Thomas
• A call to faith and salvation, inviting attendees to find hope in Jesus and connect with local churches for ongoing support
• The Hope Walk—a candlelit remembrance through rows of 50,000 pink, blue, and white lights, followed by a lantern release over the lake as each baby’s name was lovingly read aloud
• The Reading of Names of Babies in Heaven (for families that registered, attended, or sponsored the event)
• A closing performance of “Amazing Grace” and final words of gratitude to all who made the night possible

The episode captures a sacred evening of remembrance, worship, and community—celebrating the promise that one day, we will see our babies again in Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.

You can download a digital copy of our event program below:

Full transcript below.

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EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Ashley Opliger: [00:00:00] You’re listening to the Cradled in Hope Podcast. I’m your host, Ashley Opliger. I’m a wife, mom, and follower of Christ who founded Bridget’s Cradles, a ministry in memory of my daughter, Bridget, who was stillborn at 24 weeks. Our nonprofit donates knit and crocheted cradles to hospitals in all fifty states to hold babies born into Heaven.

I’m also the author of the book Cradled in Hope, a biblical guide for moms grieving miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. This podcast shares the same name—and the same heart—as the book: to help you find the comfort, compassion, and healing of Jesus in the midst of deep sorrow.

Rooted in the hope of the Gospel, this podcast is a sacred space for your broken heart to land. Here, we are going to trust God’s promise to heal our hearts, restore our joy, and use our grief for good. With faith in Jesus and eyes fixed on Heaven, we do not have to grieve without hope. We believe that Jesus cradles us in hope while He cradles our babies in Heaven. 

Welcome to the Cradled in Hope Podcast.

Ashley Opliger: [00:01:03] Welcome to the special bonus episode for Wave of Light 2025. On October 15th, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Bridget’s Cradles hosted a community candlelight vigil in Wichita, Kansas at Beech Lake in memory of our babies in Heaven. 

We were so blessed to meet so many of you and give you a big hug at the event, and it was an honor to walk through the rows of twinkling lights together in remembrance of our babies in Heaven.

[00:01:27] I know many of you also live out of state and participated in the Wave of Light from your own homes all across the country. So whether you joined us in person in Wichita, or from afar with a candle burning bright for your baby, we hope you know that we were saying prayers for you and remembering your babies in Heaven with you.

[00:01:43] The Wave of Light event in Wichita was a sacred time of remembering our babies and celebrating the hope that we have to see them again through faith in Jesus. For this episode, we are going to share the program from the event as well as the reading of all the babies in Heaven’s names whose parents either registered, attended, or sponsored the event.

[00:02:01] First, we’re going to listen to an audio recording from the event, starting with the opening remarks from our emcee, Scott Evans, and the opening prayer from our Pastor John Carney. You’ll also hear worship music led by Brice Basquez of the Christ Church Worship Band. Christ Church was our presenting sponsor this year.

[00:02:19] I would love for you to hear a few words from one of the pastors at Christ Church, Pastor Doug Hodgens.

Doug Hodgens: [00:02:26] Thank you to Bridget’s Cradles for including Christ Church as a presenting sponsor of this year’s Wave of Light. 

At Christ Church, where our mission is to reach and lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, we believe in offering compassion, dignity, and hope to all. We affirm that every life is made in God’s image and carries infinite worth. Therefore, we stand with Bridget’s Cradles in supporting families who suffer loss, bringing them comfort and light through our shared care and faith. 

[00:02:56] Within our community we are committed to serving people where they are, loving them unconditionally, helping them find freedom in Christ, and encouraging each person to take their next step towards Him. Thank you again to Bridget’s Cradles for faithfully walking beside families in this community. May your work continue to bring hope, healing, and remembrance in Jesus’ Name.

Ashley Opliger: [00:03:18] We were so grateful for their Spirit filled worship that led us into the presence of Jesus at the event. You will also hear Brice sharing his personal testimony of experiencing loss in his own family. I can’t wait for you to hear his story and the hope that he found in Jesus. 

You will also hear the speech that I prepared for Wave of Light, which weaves together the story behind all the worship songs that we chose for this year’s set list.

[00:03:45] I will also be reading several passages from my new book, Cradled in Hope. I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode. So let’s start with the opening remarks from our emcee, Scott Evans.

Scott Evans: [00:03:56] Hi everybody. Welcome. My name is Scott Evans. I have the honor, the privilege, the blessing to be able to emcee this event again. I think this is my third, maybe fourth time. 

[00:04:08] If you were here, how many people were here last year? Just raise the hands, how many of you? Keep your hands raised if you would prefer last year’s weather over this year’s weather. Oh, no. Really? All right. It’s much nicer. Beautiful evening. Thank you so much for coming.

[00:04:27] I was introduced to Ashley years ago, maybe seven, eight years ago, and when I found out about this organization, it quickly became near and dear to my heart because I lost a sister at a month old back in 2001. I was a year out of high school and was there when she passed, when we felt her spirit leave her body.

[00:04:50] And that was an event that impacted me as a sibling, but it impacted my parents much, much harder. And I don’t need to tell any of you the deep impact that that has. And if Bridget’s Cradles was around then, the resources that it would’ve been able to provide my parents, my mom, would have been an immense blessing.

[00:05:11] So I’m grateful to be part of this, to Ashley, her husband, Matt, and everybody else who makes this organization run. There are so many people. So thank you. 

As is tradition, I’d like to invite Pastor John up. He is from Central Community Church.

Pastor John Carney: [00:05:32] Would you join me in prayer, please? 

Gracious Father, we thank You, Lord, for this opportunity to come together, and Father, to allow You to work in our hearts and in our lives, Father, at this time.

[00:05:52] We thank You, the Lord, for this beautiful day that, God, that You have given to us. And Father, we thank You, Lord, for Bridget’s Cradles, the ministry that, God, You have called Matt and Ashley to and many others that, Lord, serve in this ministry. And Father, we thank You, Lord, for the impact that they’re having on many lives, not just here in the Wichita area, but all across the country.

[00:06:22] And Father, we just would ask that, God, that You would be present with us tonight, and that, Father, as we look to You, we thank You, Lord, for Jesus, the One who gives life and, Father, the One who receives life. And so Father, we just pray Your blessing upon each one, each life. 

[00:06:46] Lord, we’re not here by accident. We’re here by Your divine will. And so, Father, we thank You that You are with us too, that we are not alone, that we are present together with You and with each other. So Father, thank You for this opportunity. And Lord, we give you praise. You are worthy of our praise in all things. And so, Father, receive our praise tonight. And in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Scott Evans: [00:07:19] Thank you, Pastor John.

[00:07:24] Our presenting sponsor this year is Christ Church. We thank them for playing that role. Christ Church has been an incredible support to Bridget’s Cradles over the years and to grieving families in our community. Their compassion, generosity, and partnership really helped make this sacred night possible.

[00:07:44] Their worship band, who has been patiently standing behind me, they want their instruments. They’re going to lead us in worship this evening as we remember our babies in Heaven. We all know the power that music has in our lives, and when I was listening to them earlier, it definitely stirred something inside of me.

[00:08:04] So we want to give them, now, the stage. All right, Brice Basquez and the Christ Church Worship Band.

Brice Basquez: [00:08:12] Well, thank you guys so much. Thanks for having us out and being a part of this. Our church has been walking this journey with Bridget’s Cradles for a little while, and we’re just excited to be a part of this evening with you all.

[00:08:23] And as we’re getting started with that, Ashley asked me if I wouldn’t mind sharing a little bit of my own story with you guys as we’re getting started. And so if you’ll bear with me, I’ll just share a little glimpse into my wife and I’s story. I’ve been married for 24 years now, and my wife and I have gone through three of our own losses in our journey.

[00:08:44] And so I don’t pretend to understand everybody’s pain that they carry into this evening, but certainly I’ve felt my share of that. We lost our first child when we had been married for about three years. And I don’t know what your experience has been with that type of loss, but it’s so hard because the people around you don’t quite know how to treat you in that moment.

[00:09:05] And for them, it’s a bit of just like a physical loss. But for those of us who’ve gone through it, it is more than that. It’s the loss of a dream. It’s a loss of hope. It’s a loss of this future that you’ve envisioned. And so my wife and I went through that. 

[00:09:20] And then a little bit later on, we went through a really unique type of loss. I call it a paper miscarriage because we tried to adopt for five years. We had felt like God really called us into adoption, and so we put all of our eggs in that basket to try to go down that road. And we tried for five straight years and it never happened. 

[00:09:38] And that loss was probably equally if not even harder for me because we really felt this thing that God had called us to and it just didn’t work out. And that left us with a ton of questions about what God was doing in the middle of that. 

And then we had our third loss, which was really a unique story for us. And it kind of highlights something I wanted to share with you guys about having hope and faith in the Lord. We were pregnant again and my wife started to demonstrate all of the signs of miscarriage. And having gone through that already, we knew what it was and what to expect. 

[00:10:10] And so she went to the hospital and just expecting to go through the regular things that come along with miscarriage. And the doctor said that he saw something he had never seen before, that she was pregnant with twins and we had lost one of the twins, but the other baby was still doing well.

[00:10:28] And so we just recently celebrated that baby’s 16th birthday just this past week. And it’s a reminder of: There can be heartache and loss along the way. And there’s also really great things that the Lord does in our lives. 

And I’ll say this, I don’t want to say something controversial because I don’t know if this will meet everybody’s experience, but at least for me, there’s not healing from these things. But there is this promise from the Lord to see us through them. 

The reason I say you don’t get healed from it necessarily is because even 16 years later, we’re still thinking about this loss that we had and just celebrating this 16th birthday with our daughter reminded me that there was supposed to be another one here celebrating this same day. And so it’s never a healing from, but the Lord always promises to see us through. 

[00:11:10] So before we get started, I just wanted to share this little passage of Scripture that has really helped me through a lot of different times in life, and especially that. I don’t know if you’re a person of faith or not, but I just want to share this Scripture that comes from Isaiah 43, says,

Listen to the LORD who created you, the one who formed you says this, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. And when you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

And that’s why I say I don’t know that it’s so much that you get healed from these things, but the Lord is with you, because He doesn’t say, “I’ll keep that fire of oppression from getting you,” or “I’ll keep the waters from going over you.” He says, “I’ll be with you when you go through it.”

[00:12:02] And it’s that promise of always being with us. When we were going through our lowest points, what we really needed was someone to come and be with us. And I’m so thankful that we have the Lord to carry us through that. So just want to encourage you with that. 

And like they said, we’re going to sing a couple of songs together, so I hope that you guys can enjoy and get something out of that.

[00:12:19] But I’d just love to pray for us and I’m going to have you stand up if you want to. You can certainly say seated as well, but if you want to stand with us as we sing through a couple of songs, we’ll do that together. But just let me pray for us.

[00:12:32] Father, I’m so thankful that You’ve given us this promise that You’ll always be with us no matter what we go through, no matter what life brings. And we’re just counting on that even here tonight that You will be with us. You said, Jesus, that the people who mourn would be blessed because they’d be comforted.

[00:12:50] So would You just come and share Your comfort with us tonight as we remember our losses, as we feel that pain, but also this hope that’s ahead of us in Jesus. Lord, we love You and we pray it in Your Name. Amen. 

Okay, y’all. Well, if you would, let’s stand up together. If you feel open to it, you don’t have to, but I’m going to lead you in a couple of songs together.

Worship Band: [00:13:52] Lyrics to Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes

Christ is my firm foundation

The rock on which I stand

When everything around me is shaken

I’ve never been more glad

That I put my faith in Jesus

‘Cause He’s never let me down

He’s faithful through generations

So why would He fail now?

He won’t

He won’t. He won’t

I’ve still got joy in chaos

I’ve got peace that makes no sense

So I won’t be going under

I’m not held by my own strength

‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus

And He’s never let me down

He’s faithful in every season

So why would He fail now? 

He won’t

He won’t

He won’t fail

He won’t fail

He won’t

He won’t 

He won’t fail

He won’t fail

Christ is my firm foundation 

The rock on which I stand

When everything around me is shaken 

I’ve never been more glad

That I put my faith in Jesus 

‘Cause He’s never let me down

He’s faithful through generations 

Oh so why would He fail now?

He won’t. Oh no.

He won’t

He won’t fail

He won’t fail

(Lord You never fail.)

Oh, rain came, wind blew

But my house was built on You

And I’m safe with You

I’m gonna make it through 

Oh, rain came, wind blew

But my house was built on You 

But I’m safe with You

I’m gonna make it through 

Oh, rain came, wind blew

But My house was built on You 

Lord, I’m safe with You

And I’m gonna make it through 

Oh, I’m gonna make it through 

‘Cause I’m standing strong on You 

God, I’m gonna make it through 

‘Cause my house is built on You 

Christ is my firm foundation 

The rock on which I stand

When everything around me is shaken 

I’ve never been more glad 

That I put my faith in Jesus 

‘Cause He’s never let me down 

He’s faithful through generations

Oh, so why would He fail now?

He won’t

I know He won’t

He won’t fail

He won’t fail

He won’t

He won’t

He won’t fail

He won’t fail

He won’t

Brice Basquez: [00:19:58] I can’t tell you how many times this hymn has carried me through, so let’s sing.

Worship Band: [00:20:36] Lyrics to It Is Well by Horatio Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Brice Basquez: [00:24:50] That last verse that we sang in that song just talks about this day when the Lord Himself will come back. And there’s a passage of Scripture, kind of towards the end of all the Scriptures, in the Book of Revelation, in chapter 21. And I just love these words. It says,

Look, God has moved into our neighborhood and He’s making His home with all the men and women. They’re His people. He’s their God, and He’s going to wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death is gone forever. Tears are gone. Crying is gone, pain is gone. 

All these things are going to be gone forever. And that’s really the hope that we’re trying to establish ourselves on is this day when the Lord’s coming, and all these things that we’ve been carrying, all these struggles and all this pain will be gone.

[00:25:34] So going to sing one last song with you before we move on with the program. But I really think it’s got a message for us that just really lift us up.

Worship Band: [00:26:25] Lyrics to Homesick for Heaven by Phil Wickham

My heart belongs to a country and a King

Of a land I’ve always known, but I’ve never seen

Some call it Paradise or the land of the living

Well, I call it home, and I’m homesick for Heaven

I want to walk with Moses on streets of gold

And dance with David before Your throne

To thank You face to face for the grace You’ve given

I want to see my children run to Your arms

And worship the Savior who wears my scars

There’s an ache in my heart, I’m homesick for Heaven

In my Father’s house, there are many rooms

Enough for everyone, enough for you

I know it takes some faith, but today you can know without question

Believe in the power of Jesus’ Name, and you’re going to Heaven, oh-oh

Hallelujah, in Jesus’ Name, we’re going to Heaven

I want to walk with Moses on streets of gold

And dance with David before Your throne

To thank You face to face for the grace You’ve given

I want to see my children run to Your arms

And worship the Savior who wears my scars

There’s an ache in my heart, I’m homesick for Heaven

No more fear, no more pain, every tear wiped away

Crying Holy, Holy

Every knee on the floor, every voice evermore

Crying Holy, Holy, yeah

Oh, I want to go home

Oh, I want to go home

To see the ones I love who’ve gone before

Where death is a memory and tears are no more

To hear the angels praise [To thank You face to face]

Can you even imagine?

I’ll run as fast as I can into Your arms

‘Cause I was created to be where You are

There’s an ache in my heart, I’m homesick for Heaven

There’s an ache in my heart, I’m homesick for Heaven

There’s an ache in my heart, I’m homesick for Heaven

Brice Basquez: [00:29:43] Let’s pray together. 

Lord, thank You so much that this day is coming, when what we’ve gone through in this world will be put to rest. There’ll be no more fear, no more pain, no more tears, and we’ll just be with You. And Lord, our hope is in that. And we thank You that we’ve just had a time together to reflect on that.

[00:30:03] Thanks for Your goodness to us. Even in the midst of pain, in the midst of sorrow, we still turn to You. Jesus, we love You and we pray this in Your Name. Amen. 

[00:30:13] Well, you guys, if you would go ahead, you can grab a seat and as you’re doing that, I want to invite to the stage Ashley. She’s Bridget’s mom. She’s the founder of Bridget’s Cradles. So let’s go ahead and welcome her to the stage. Could we?

Ashley Opliger: [00:30:30] Hello and welcome to Wave of Light 2025. Tonight I’m going to be spending some time thanking everyone that has made this beautiful night possible. I’m going to share some announcements and then I’m also going to share a message of hope with us this evening. 

[00:30:45] First of all, I want to thank God for this weather. I know we’ve already talked about that, but last year I was in a winter coat. My teeth were chattering as I was trying to talk, and so I am very grateful for this beautiful weather. So thank You, God, for that. 

I also want to thank Bridget’s Cradles team. We have an amazing team of staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly this week and many months beforehand to make all of this possible, and so you know who you are. But thank you so much for everyone that came out and worked on setting everything up this week.

[00:31:18] I also want to thank – Yes, you can give a big round of applause for them. Many, many hands went into this. Also Douglas Production Group, they’re the ones that put up the stage and the sound, the lights. Everything that you see that’s running electricity, they had their hands on, and we could not do it without them. So thank you to Douglas Production Group. 

I also want to say a huge thank you to all of our sponsors for making tonight possible. You’ll see on the screen a list of the many companies in the Wichita area that have donated to make this possible.

[00:31:49] You’ll also see their logos on our apparel, on the programs that you have in your registration bags, many banners around the grounds. And so just take a moment to look at those companies, because those are Wichita community companies and businesses that really have a compassion and a heart for what we do and for grieving families. And I think we’re very blessed to have such amazing community members that want to be a part of this.

[00:32:13] I also want to extend our gratitude to Dave and Janet Murfin for graciously allowing us to host Wave of Light here at the beautiful Beech Lake. We always say this is the perfect place for our event, to have this private beachfront property in the middle of Wichita. So thank you so much to Dave and Janet Murfin for making this possible for us tonight. 

[00:32:35] Tonight I also want to pause to honor the beautiful life of Susan Burrus, a beloved friend of Bridget’s Cradles and aunt to our board member Casey Siegrest. Susan went to Heaven on June 29th of this year after a tragic car accident.

[00:32:53] Her warmth, laughter, and deep faith touched everyone who knew her. For years, she and her husband, Brian, lovingly supported this ministry in memory of their four precious babies in Heaven. To honor her life, her family established the Susan Burrus Memorial Fund, which has raised almost $14,000 for Bridget’s Cradles.

[00:33:16] We’re deeply grateful that Brian and their family are here with us tonight. As we see Susan’s lights on the lake and their babies’ lights on the Walk, may they remind us of her love and the legacy she leaves behind. We grieve with the Burrus family, but we know she is rejoicing right now as we speak in Heaven with her four precious babies, and we look forward to the day we will be reunited with her too. Thank you for being here with us tonight and for all you’ve done to bless grieving families. 

[00:33:47] Speaking of blessing grieving families, we are currently hosting our fifth annual Shine Their Light fundraiser, which runs through the month of October, which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month. 

[00:33:59] This campaign, it funds a significant portion of our ministry budget throughout the year and allows us to provide comfort to thousands of families across the country with cradles, with our support groups online and in person, our podcast and events like Wave of Light. Our goal for this month is to raise $75,000, and we’ve raised $31,000 so far, which is about 42% of our goal.

[00:34:24] Every dollar makes a difference. It’s not just a donation to Bridget’s Cradles. It’s blessing another grieving family just like yours. If you’d like to give tonight, you can donate any amount by scanning the QR code on the screen. There’s also a little flyer in your registration bags that has that same QR code.

[00:34:42] You can also stop by the Shine Their Light table inside the pavilion and sponsor a candle on the Remembrance Wall for $25. That’s the wall that’s behind the screen that has all the candles, and you can sponsor one there. 

Tonight we’re excited to honor the teams that have raised over $2,000 for the Shine Their Light fundraiser, starting with my own family, who have raised over $7,000 in memory of my dad, Steven Richard Golik, and our daughter, Bridget Faith Opliger. So thank you to my family for fundraising with me.

[00:35:16] I also want to thank Jake and Casey Siegrist right here in memory of their son, Jack Monroe Siegrist. They have raised over $6,000. They’re board members and have been such a loyal family, a part of this ministry from the very beginning. So thank you to the Siegrist family.

[00:35:34] Each year we also recognize the family who raised the most funds, excluding our board members teams. And this year we’re honored to welcome Stephen and Laura Ondrovich to the stage, who raised $2,000 in memory of their son, Thomas. I’d like to present them with the Shine Their Light Award and allow them to come up and share about their son, Thomas.

Laura Ondrovich: [00:36:00] Good evening. I’d like to thank Ashley, her team, and all the volunteers for this wonderful event. We drive from Oklahoma City. This is a very unique event, even though across the world they’re lighting candles at 7:00 p.m., this is an event unlike any other that I’ve seen, so I want to say thank you. 

[00:36:18] Our son, Thomas, was born still on 12/26/22 at 21 weeks and six days. He was so small, but he was also perfect. He had my nose and the longest feet and hands. He was eventually placed in a cradle and handed to us. We were fortunate to have a photographer from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep take pictures, including him in his cradle. I didn’t realize the significance of the cradle at the time, just that it was beautiful.

[00:36:48] We were discharged with a keepsake box, but I didn’t open it for some time. My sister-in-law did research for a support group and found Bridget’s Cradles for me. When I saw the cradles on the website, I knew it had to be connected. I started attending Hope Online and was able to attend a Mother’s Day event in the Wave of Light in 2024.

[00:37:09] This organization means so much to me. It’s such a blessing to be part of a faith-based support group, and we will forever be grateful for what Bridget’s Cradles has done for us. Raising funds for Shine Their Light means so much because in our darkest hour we had comfort holding Thomas in a beautiful cradle.

[00:37:29] This would not be possible without this fundraiser and all the volunteers. We set a goal of raising $1,000 last year, and we met it. So this year I said, “We’re going to double that,” which we did, thanks to our family and friends. Thank you.

Ashley Opliger: [00:37:44] Thank you, Stephen and Laura. 

Tonight I want to share a few passages from my book, Cradled in Hope, which just released on July 22nd.

[00:37:54] I wrote this book throughout my grieving and healing journey after my daughter, Bridget, was stillborn at 24 weeks. Through the pages of this book, I’ve shared what God taught me through the heartbreak of losing a child, the questions, the tears, the wrestling, the doubts, and ultimately the redemption that Jesus brought to my life and the healing that He brought to my heart.

[00:38:17] When I planned tonight’s worship set list with Christ Church, I chose each song that we sang very intentionally. Every song holds a deep meaning in my own grief walk, and the song and lyrics directly connect to the content in my book. The first song that we sang was called Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes.

[00:38:38] Firm Foundation is also the title of Chapter Four in Cradled in Hope, which is based on Psalm 40:2. “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” In that chapter I wrote about why I believe Jesus really is who He said He is and why we can trust Him in our grief.

[00:39:03] Praise God, our firm foundation of faith isn’t some brain-washed, wishful-thinking kind of hope. This is the bet-your-life-on-it, cling-with-all-your-might kind of hope, secured in the real-life, really-did-happen Resurrection of Jesus. When we take our last breath on this earth, we will be eternally glad we placed our faith in Him – for at that moment our faith will finally become sight as we gaze upon His glory in the splendor of Heaven!

[00:39:35] That’s why this song is so powerful to me. The lyrics, “Christ is my firm foundation, the rock on which I stand”, even when it feels like we are drowning in sadness and our whole lives have fallen apart, His love is unshakeable and He will lift us out of the pit of despair and give us a firm place to stand.”

[00:39:57] The next song we sang tonight, It Is Well, was written by Horatio Spafford in 1873. I wrote about him in Chapter 14, titled Our Future Forever. Horatio was a man who knew deep grief. He lost his four daughters in a shipwreck while they were crossing the Atlantic. 

As he sailed to meet his grieving wife, passing over the very waters where his daughters had drowned, he penned the words to the song, including my favorite lines: “And Lord haste, the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll. The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend. Even so, it is well with my soul.”

[00:40:41] In Cradled in Hope. I wrote: 

Despite losing children in tragic ways, Horatio anchored his hope in Christ. He chose not to look back on the trauma he had experienced on earth, but instead to look forward to when he would be with his children again in Heaven. The sky, not the grave, is our goal! 

As time continues to quickly pass since the last day you carried your baby in your womb or held them in your arms, it may feel as though you are traveling further and further away from them. But I want to remind you of an important truth: Each day further from their death is one day closer to being with them again–whether in the clouds of the resurrection or at your final breath–whichever comes first.

Charles Spurgeon said, the best moment of a Christian’s life is his last one because it is the one that is nearest Heaven.

[00:41:39] Horatio’s faith is the kind of faith I pray we each would find, a faith that says, “It is well,” not because the pain is gone and life is perfect, but because Jesus sits with us in our sadness and He’s coming back again. 

The next song we sang tonight, Homesick for Heaven by Phil Wickham is also a topic I wrote about in Chapter 14.

[00:42:02] I have a chapter subtitle by that same name, Homesick for Heaven, because homesick is truly how I feel and it perfectly describes how I feel living on a broken earth enduring so much sadness, loss, and pain, and longing for Heaven. One day everything will finally be made right and every tear will be wiped away. I wrote: 

[00:42:24] This world is not our permanent home. We can feel it deep within our souls. This homesick feeling is so eloquently expressed as “longing for a better country–a Heavenly one” in Hebrews 11:16. And Paul reassured us that our eternal Home is in Heaven: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). 

Therefore, he urged us to set our minds “on things above, not on things on the earth”. We have a glorious future filled with eternal joy that awaits us. Instead of fixating on what is behind us, we should focus on what is to come. I love these comforting words spoken by Jesus: “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22). 

Read those red letter words again. No one will take away your joy. Oh, this promise hits deep with me. I know you feel it too. Right now, your joy is gone. The brokenness of this world has worn you down and the enemy has stolen so much from you. But to think that one day you will be joyous in the presence of Jesus, and no one–and nothing–will be able to take it away. 

[00:43:54] I love the reminder that our true home isn’t here. It’s with Jesus. And our hearts will always feel homesick until the day we’re reunited with Him and with those we love, including our babies in Heaven. 

And lastly, at the end of tonight’s service, we will be singing one more song, Amazing Grace. This song has been the soundtrack of my life, of both my deepest joy and my deepest sorrow.

[00:44:21] We played Amazing Grace at our wedding, at Bridget’s funeral. We sang it at my dad’s bedside after he was hit by a drunk driver and killed last year. We sang it again at his funeral. Each time those familiar words carried new meaning. 

In Chapter Three, The Gospel Changes Everything, I wrote this about Amazing Grace:

[00:44:46] Jesus is the hope-filled solution to our seemingly hopeless situation. He is the only One who can save us from our sins and assure us an eternity in Heaven. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through Him (John 14:6). There is no other option, no other religion, no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). 

Jesus is the only cure for death, giving us what we so desperately seek: reunion with our babies. His empty tomb is the hope for our empty wombs. And the best news of the Gospel? We will not only be reunited with our babies, but reunited forever! The separation we currently face is temporary. Our reunion will last for all of eternity. 

“Amazing Grace” is one of my favorite hymns. I love the last stanza: 

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, 

bright, shining as the sun, 

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise 

Than when we first begun.

After ten thousand years of being with our children, we will have no fewer days to spend with them than when we first began! Can you imagine that? The short time we carried them in our wombs or held them in our arms on earth will pale in comparison to the endless years we will have together in Heaven (if time is even measured in years in Heaven).

There will be no end to time and we will never fear being separated from them again! In Heaven, your title of “grieving parent” will be no more. It will be a distant memory of your earthly past. You will no longer need to look at ultrasound or remembrance photos and wonder what your baby looks like–instead, you will be gazing upon their sweet face forever. 

Gone are the days of seeing your child’s name on memorial items; instead, you’ll be saying their name in their presence. No more holding onto the clothes you wished they could wear; you will be holding their hand and exploring the wonders of Heaven together. 

I want you to see your baby again. But even more than that, I want you to know the One who made your baby–who made you! I want you to experience His love, mercy, and peace. I’m convinced there is nothing the world can offer you that is better than Christ. 

The Gospel changes everything, and if you haven’t yet accepted Christ, there is no better time than now.

[00:47:13] So tonight, as you walk through these lights and you experience the sacred evening, if the Lord stirs something in your heart, whether it’s the first time that you’re placing your faith in Jesus or it’s coming back to a childhood faith after years of running away from Him, my prayer is that you would surrender your life to Him. 

Salvation is shockingly simple. The Apostle Paul says, “If you declare with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

[00:47:44] And tonight, if you would like to pray that prayer with someone, we have Pastor John from Central Community Church and Pastor Doug from Christ Church here to pray with you. If you’re looking for a church home, both of these churches are wonderful options here in Wichita. You’ll find invitation cards for Christ Church in your registration bags.

[00:48:03] I’d also like to invite you to my own church, Central Christian Church. They are also one of our event sponsors and it’s Central Christian at 29th and Rock. I’ll be sharing my testimony at the 9:30 AM service this Sunday, October 19th, and I would love to see you there if you don’t already have a church home.

[00:48:21] And lastly, if my words bless you tonight, I pray you’ll read Cradled in Hope in its entirety. I wrote this book for you with all the love in my heart because I want to point you to the only One who can heal your broken heart and offer you the hope of eternity with your baby in Heaven. 

[00:48:38] Watermark Books, our favorite local bookstore, is here tonight, selling signed copies of Cradled in Hope inside the pavilion. Thank you so much for allowing me the chance to read some passages to you tonight. May we always remember that Jesus cradles us in hope as He cradles our babies in Heaven. Thank you.

Scott Evans: [00:49:02] All right. Thank you, Ashley. That was beautiful. We’re now ready for the Hope Walk.

Ashley Opliger: [00:49:08] At this point in the event, we do our Hope Walk, which is when we listen to the songs I Will Carry You and Hymn of Heaven, and we walk through rows of 50,000 pink, blue, and white lights with our candles on, shining toward Heaven. Afterwards, we head down to the lake to release our water lanterns while listening to our babies’ names read one by one. 

So now you will hear the reading of the names from the event. These names are the babies represented at the event who either registered, attended, or sponsored the event. I want to thank Scott Evans for doing the recording of the reading of the names for this podcast episode.

[00:49:42] Let’s listen to the reading of the names and then you will hear the final worship song that we sang at Wave of Light 2025, Amazing Grace.

Scott Evans: [00:49:51] 

Ada Grace Schuette

Adalee Elizabeth and Shiloh Keesling

Addison Charlotte

Addison Jack Dugan

Aiden Allen Laird

Alan Tregoning and Baby T

Alexander and Jordan Beougher

Alexander T. Toman

Amelia Ann Dietz

Amelia Rose Pinkerton

Andrew Jaax and Jaax Babies

7 Angel Babies

Angel Maria Dallaverde-Hernandez and Angel Babies

Angelito

Archer Jackson McEntire

Aries Kelley

Ashlynn Marie Akin Davis

Audrey Elizabeth Kalbach

August Alexander King

Babies of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cheney

Baby Akin

Baby B

Baby Bean and Baby Sweets, Baby Tiny, Baby Ruecker

Baby Bergen

Baby Bruno

Baby Cantrell

Baby Cody

Baby DeLeon

Baby H

Baby Jeheil Caldwell

Baby Kiefer #1 & #2

Baby McNiff

Baby Meyer

Baby Neivel

Baby Odom

Baby Ontiveros and Sophia Lynn

Baby Torres

Baby Ziad

Banks Clifford Corwin

Bennett and Presley Farney

Bentley Gene Fitzsimmons and Liana Alondra Carmona

Bridget Faith Opliger

Brooklyn Donyelle Chilcott

4 Burrus Babies

Callie Jean Spence

Candra Elizabeth and Jonathan Isaiah Jenkins

Carmelo Noe Garcia and Yvette Crystal Galvan

Carrion and Louis Wade Jones

Chance, Lane, and Baby Casey

Charles Michael Johnson III

Charlotte Hope and Eden Williams

Charlotte Nicole Bolton

Christian Cruz

Christopher Aaron Kolko

Cooper Cash Masters & Baby Masters #5

Cooper Dean, Baby 4, 6, & 7 Anderson

Dallas Andrew Carrillo and Baby A

David (DJ) Morris Jr.

David Bruce Crone

Dexter Mehle Burnham

Dominic and Baby Nicholson-Saville

Eden Marie and Noah James Burk

Elliot Knopick

Emillian Rosa Janey Cortez, Demetrio Martinez, and Gottivanni Osoro

Emma Lia Cruz Vargas

Erica Rose Jones

Ethan Harrop and Hayley Cullen Fish

Ethan Lee Tague

Evaleina and Amanii-Angel Reddout

Everett Charles King

Everlee Maelynn and Knox Gregory

Everleigh Hubbard

Ezekiel Elijah and Baby Hill

Gabriel Mason Broderick

Gage and Harrison Schaefer

Gary Wilson Jr.

Gentry Immanuel Nelson

Georgia Grace Hummel & Siblings

Gianna Ava

Gracelyn Mia Stimson

Hadley Jo Roy

Harlem James

Harrison Clark and Baby Clark #5

Hayden August and Freckles Turner

Henry Judge Bastian

Hope & Teddy Balint

Hudson Richard Hake

Hymon Barnett and 5 Angel Babies

Imais King Owens

Isidore Pfeifer

Isla Jo Reh

Ivy Lynn Cody

Jack Monroe Siegrist

Jackson Ronald Dawkins

James Parker Kaiser V

Janiah Alyce Edney

Jensen Brooks Tortella

Joanna Hope Ruxlow

John Isaiah Bishop

John Matthew Boyd

Jordan Selah Reynolds

Jorden Barnes

Jordyn Trista & Jalil Terrence

Jubilee Bean Yoder

Judah, Talitha, Gideon, Asrael, Eden, Tirzah Nemitz

Jude Mark Gudenkauf

Juliette Rose Huysman

June

Junie Bea Eden

Ka’Lani Love

Kayden Riley Evans

Kaylynn Mikala Cowdin

Keenan Luis Montez-Hernandez

Khoa Navy Daniels

Kyler George Bahr

Lakota Rae and Jakob Ray Israel

Lane Tucker Burns and Burns Babies

Lark May Brazil

Leighla Mae Seidel

Leilani Reign Garcia and Garcia Twins

Lennox Marion

Levi Carter Cohen

“Lil’ Bug Burrus”

Lily

Lily Foster

Lily Leigh Holloway

Logan Martin

Lottie and Micah Sandusky

Luca David Fenton

Lucas Arie

Lucas Kimble

Lucia Blahuta

Lucy and Thomas Dugan

Lyla Cathleen and Remi Cathleen Brown

Mackenzly Rose Lohmeyer

Mary-Anne Amelia Rittel

Mateo Sanchez

Meadow Leann Guffey

Micah Sky Billington

Michael/Michelle and Daniel/Danielle Lingg

Michelle Sager

Molly, Ava, Martha, John and Zelie Mersmann

Natalie Ann Rader

Nate Sumit Kandpal

Nicolas Elizabeth Henke

Noah Allen Schneider

Nolan Bryce Holverson

Norah Dawn, Ethan, Zelie, and Rosie Lagaly

Novaleigh Hooper-Wells

NyaLah LaNae Pointer

Phoenix Shove

Phoenix Von and Baby Schriever

Potter Babies and Baby Carascco

Presley Grace Schmitt

Pressley Zeplin Bartonek

Quinton Nicholson

Richard and John Kinya Little, Angel LillyAnne, Angel Hope, and Angel Serenity

Riley, Reagan, and Maverick Lee Hanson

Robert Knight Jr.

Robyn Ann Wells

Rosalyn Sue Renyer

Rylan Michael Crawford

Saint Armani Leija

Salem Ann Lux Williams

Sammie Banner

Samuel Jude Mayers

Sawyer Stang

Shiloh, Jesse, and Catherine Moore

Sky and Star March

Sloan Carolina Estes

Sloane Eloise and Sparrow Steinhilpert

Sophie Christine Hanson

Sophie Joy and Wyatt Baily Dold

Spencer Neil and Grady Grant Vetter

Sterling Cooke & Baby Cooke

Sue Ann Smith

Talia Weaver

Taylor Anne Childs and Baby Childs

Taylor Lynn and  Alicia Marie Williams

Teagan Claire and Emory Rhea Bradley

Theo Camarena

Theodore “Teddy” Laurence Roe

Theodore Bear McBratney

Thomas Stephen Ondrovich

Timber Kai Pavlacka

Trinity Tucker

Tristan Rose King

Violet Bridget McLeroy

Whitfield Babies and Reid Maxwell Whitfield

Willa Mae Mast

William Myron Hilligas & Siblings

Willow Margaret Boston

Yadiel Francisco Torres

Yareli and Jose Mateo Gallegos

Yaritza Carrera

Zuriel Thakker

Brice Basquez: [01:02:49] Well, we wanted to share one final song with you, and I know Ashley referenced this a lot as she was talking, but we thought we would just end with Amazing Grace together. So feel free, stand with us if you want to sing; if not, just stay seated. But we’ll sing this great hymn together.

Worship Band: Lyrics to Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see. 

The Lord has promised good to me. His Word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine

But God, who calls me here below, will be forever mine.

My chains are gone, (my chains are gone) I’ve been set free (I’ve been set free). My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, 

we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.

My chains are gone, (my chains are gone) I’ve been set free (I’ve been set free). My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace.

My chains are gone, (my chains are gone) I’ve been set free (I’ve been set free). My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace.”

Scott Evans: [01:07:52] That was amazing. Let’s give the Christ Church Worship Band one more round of applause. They were fantastic. 

Alright. Thank you so much for taking your Wednesday evening and spending it with us here at the 2025 Wave of Light hosted by Bridget’s Cradles. We hope this night meant something to you. I know it meant something to me.

[01:08:14] If you took pictures and post them to social media, please remember to tag Bridget’s Cradles. Use the hashtag #Wichitawaveoflight. Drive home safe everybody. Thank you for coming. We look forward to seeing you again next year. Thanks.

Ashley Opliger: [01:08:33] Thank you all for listening to this special bonus episode for Wave of Light 2025. I pray that it brought you hope and comfort. I want to thank our sponsors one more time for their generous support in making Wave of Light truly a beautiful night of remembrance. Thank you all for listening to this episode. God bless you and see you next year on October 15th, 2026. 

Ashley Opliger: [01:08:55] Thank you for listening to the Cradled in Hope Podcast. We pray that you found hope and healing in today’s episode. 

Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes when they release each month. You can also find this episode’s show notes and a full transcript on our website at bridgetscradles.com/podcast. 

Be sure to sign up for our email list on our website, so that we can keep you updated on upcoming podcast episodes, support groups, and other hope-filled resources.

You can also purchase my book, Cradled in Hope, wherever books are sold. It’s a biblical guide for grieving moms to find hope after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Written from the depths of my own heartbreak, I share vulnerably about losing my daughter, Bridget, and how God met me in my grief. Through Scripture, theology, and soul-deep reflections, Cradled in Hope offers biblical wisdom, practical guidance, and the eternal hope of seeing your baby again in Heaven through faith in Jesus.

To accompany the book, I’ve also created a companion guide called the Cradled in Hope Guided Journal—to help you process your grief and reflect on your healing journey with Jesus in a personal and deeper way. You can download it for free on my author website at AshleyOpliger.com/Journal, or order the printed version on Amazon if you prefer to write by hand.

Are you looking for ways to use your grief for good? Visit our website to learn how you can volunteer or donate to Bridget’s Cradles in memory of a baby in Heaven. 

Do you want a quick way to make an eternal impact? Share this episode with a friend or leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more grieving moms find the same comfort you’ve received here.

Thank you so much for listening and sharing. Until next time, we will be praying for you. And remember, as Jesus cradles our babies in Heaven, He cradles us in hope. Though we grieve, we do not grieve without hope.