What do you do when the life you planned suddenly shifts?

In this powerful episode of Witness the Wonder, Christina Smith sits down with Deena Trocino, founder of SpeciallyEmpoweredMoms.com, who shares how a surprise pregnancy at 42 and a Down syndrome diagnosis at birth completely changed the trajectory of her life, her ministry, and her family.

From leading a thriving youth outreach to navigating unexpected grief, identity shifts, and a new calling she never saw coming—Deena’s story is honest, raw, and full of God’s faithfulness in the unexpected.

If your life feels “off script,” this episode will remind you:

God is still writing the story.

What We Talk About

• When your plans and God’s plans collide
• Running a youth center for at-risk teens for nearly 20 years
• The shock of pregnancy at 42
• The silent delivery room and the Down syndrome diagnosis
• Becoming an advocate overnight
• The hidden grief of losing the life you thought you’d have
• The toll on ministry, marriage, and her older children
• How God reoriented her identity and calling
• Encouragement for parents walking through difficult seasons

✨ Scripture

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good…”

🔔 Stay Connected

Website: ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

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YouTube & Socials:

@SpeciallyEmpoweredMoms

Website: SpeciallyEmpoweredMoms.com

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And remember…

God is always at work in your story.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Witness the Wonder, we’re talking about altars of gratitude — the moments where we pause to remember what God has done. In Scripture, God’s people built altars as reminders of His faithfulness. They were altars built to mark the places where He met them, strengthened them, or carried them through.

Today, we don’t build stone altars anymore, but we still need reminders of what God has done so we can hold onto hope when life feels uncertain.

This is also my first solo episode of Witness the Wonder, and I’m grateful to share it with you. It feels meaningful that this moment is anchored in gratitude and remembering what God has done.

✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What altars of gratitude are and why the Israelites built them

• How remembering strengthens your faith today

• The anonymous check taped to our door during a financial crisis

• How God met me personally through a small yellow-and-black bird

• How your Thanksgiving table can become a place of remembrance

• Why looking back helps you trust God for what’s ahead

• Why your story has power to inspire and encourage others

If you’re in a season where you need encouragement, hope, or reassurance that God is still working — this episode will help you remember the places He met you before so you can trust Him for what’s ahead.

📖 Scripture References

• Joshua 4 — Stones of remembrance

• 1 Samuel 7:12 — “Ebenezer: thus far the Lord has helped us”

• Genesis 28 — Jacob’s encounter at Bethel

• Isaiah 38 — Hezekiah’s prayer and God’s response

• Psalm 77:11 — “I will remember the deeds of the Lord”

❤️ Thanksgiving Blessing

As you gather with the people you love, may your home be filled with joy, peace, and reminders of how faithful God has been this year.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends — and remember, God is always at work in your story.

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🎤 BOOK CHRISTINA TO SPEAK OR BE A GUEST

If you’d like me to speak at your event, church, women’s gathering, or be a guest on your podcast, you can connect with me here:
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⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome + Thanksgiving Introduction

01:02 — Travel Reflections & Unexpected Ministry Moments

03:49 — What Are Altars of Gratitude?

06:10 — Biblical Examples of Altars

08:24 — Why We Need to Remember What God Has Done

08:33 — Birch Gold Sponsor (Ad #1)

09:49 — The Story Behind Isaiah 38

10:55 — The Anonymous Check on Our Door

15:54 — When the Story Didn’t Go How We Expected

18:54 — Birch Gold Sponsor (Ad #2)

19:10 — A Personal Encounter With God’s Love (The Tree & the Bird)

23:02 — What Altars Has God Built in Your Life?

24:50 — How to Create Modern-Day Altars

25:55 — A Thanksgiving Invitation for Your Family Table

27:50 — Final Blessing: You Are Loved, Seen & Not Alone

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Grief shows up in unexpected moments — a memory, a place, even something as simple as a family event… especially during the holidays.

In this Wonder Story Highlight, Heather O’Brien, host of the Heal with God Podcast, and I talk honestly about navigating grief, seasonal depression, and what it looks like to feel the emotion, process it, and keep moving forward without staying stuck.

For years, I avoided grieving. I stayed busy, took care of others, and pushed my own tears aside. But as loss kept piling up, I realized I couldn’t outrun it anymore — I had to grieve.

And in that journey, God met me with a closeness I didn’t even know to expect.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How grief shows up in everyday moments

• Why avoiding grief keeps you stuck

• What healthy grieving looks like

• How to take negative thoughts captive before they pull you deeper

• Why community matters when depression whispers “isolate”

• The surprising connection between helping others and emotional healing

• What the Bible actually says about comfort, mourning, and hope

If you're walking through grief or depression, this highlight is for you.

You’re not alone. There is hope.

✨ Watch full episodes on any streaming platform:

YouTube • Goodvue Network • FaithfulStream.com • Spotify • Apple Podcasts
Search: Witness the Wonder — Christina Smith

✨ CONNECT WITH HEATHER O’BRIEN

Prophetic Healing Workshop: https://heatherobrien.net/workshop

Podcast: Heal With God
Instagram: @healwithgodpodcast

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YouTube: https://youtube.com/@witnessthewonder

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Website: https://www.ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

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