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

YouTube & Social: @witnessthewonder

Contact / Speaking Requests: Via ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

💛 Connect with Deena Trocino

YouTube & Socials:

@SpeciallyEmpoweredMoms

Website: SpeciallyEmpoweredMoms.com

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🙌 Support the Podcast

Visit ChristinaSmithOfficial.com for ways to support the show, find more resources, and join the community.

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:
👉 ChristinaSmithOfficial.com (use the contact form)

📺 Subscribe for more God stories, testimonies, and conversations of faith:

All Streaming and Social Media Platforms: @witnessthewonder

⏱️ 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

#WitnessTheWonder #GodStories #ChristianTestimony #AltarsOfGratitude #GodIsFaithful #RememberGodsFaithfulness #ChristianEncouragement #FaithInHardTimes #GratitudeStory #ThanksgivingMessage #ChristianYouTube #GodIsAtWork #EncouragementForToday #MiracleStory #ChristianPodcast #Thanksgiving #Thanksgiving2025 #Gratitude #Thankfulness #Godswonders

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

✨ CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA SMITH

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

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @witnessthewonder

Website: https://www.ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witnessthewonder

🤝 PARTNER WITH WITNESS THE WONDER

If this highlight encouraged you, would you consider supporting the show? Your shares, reviews, and financial gifts help keep these stories going.

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#grief #grieftips #griefsupport #depressionhelp #seasonaldepression #healingjourney #innerhealing #mentalhealthmatters #emotionalwellbeing #takeeverythoughtcaptive #choosingjoy #overcomingdepression #youarenotalone #healingispossible #holidaygrief #mindsetmatters #witnessTheWonder

Joy and grief—can they really exist together?
During the holidays, grief often feels heavier, memories feel sharper, and the ache of who’s missing seems impossible to ignore. But what if joy doesn’t disappear in grief… what if it stands beside it?

In today’s heartfelt conversation, Heather O’Brien (Heal With God Podcast) joins me, Christina Smith, as we talk honestly about navigating holiday grief, emotional triggers, and the unexpected moments where God brings light into our darkest seasons.

I share a personal story from my own journey—hosting our annual family cookie night just five days after losing my mom. In that moment, I discovered something I didn’t know was possible: joy and grief can truly co-exist. God met me in both, and He wants to meet you there too.

Together, we explore how to grieve on purpose, how to take your thoughts captive when emotions feel overwhelming, and how to honor your grief without losing your joy.

If you’re facing the holidays with a heavy heart, this conversation offers comfort, clarity, and hope. God is close to the brokenhearted, and He is with you in every season—joyful or painful.

🌿 What We Cover

• Why grief often intensifies around the holidays
• What “fantasy grief” is and how it keeps us stuck
• Taking your thoughts captive (2 Cor. 10:5) in emotional seasons
• How to plan your grief instead of being overwhelmed by it
• The power of choosing joy even when you’re hurting
• Practical ways to support someone who is grieving
• Healthy ways to avoid isolation when depression whispers “withdraw”
• How God meets us—even in the hardest places

📖 Scriptures Mentioned

Ecclesiastes 3:1 • 2 Corinthians 10:5 • Psalm 34:18
Philippians 4:8 • Romans 8:37

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – “I choose joy.”
00:20 – Can joy & grief co-exist?
01:47 – Christina’s story: holidays after multiple losses
03:06 – Why grief hits harder during the holidays
05:19 – Grieving relationships that never became what you hoped
06:40 – “Fantasy grief” and the lies that accompany it
08:52 – How to grieve on purpose
10:44 – Taking thoughts captive in heavy seasons
14:42 – Cookie night five days after losing my mom
17:32 – Joy & grief as two sides of the same coin
20:35 – Preparing emotionally & spiritually for the holidays
22:44 – Supporting someone who is grieving
25:31 – Heather’s final encouragement
27:18 – Closing reminder: God is always at work

🤝 Partnership: Birch Gold

Looking for a way to protect your savings in uncertain times? Birch Gold makes it simple to diversify with gold and silver. Get your free info kit at:
https://www.ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

✨ Connect with Heather O’Brien

Prophetic Healing Workshops: heatherobrien.net/workshop
Podcast: Heal With God

✨ Connect with Christina Smith, Host of Witness the Wonder

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@witnessthewonder
Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @witnessthewonder
Website: https://www.ChristinaSmithOfficial.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witnessthewonder

💖 Partner with Witness the Wonder

If these conversations have encouraged you, would you consider supporting the show? You can give by listening, sharing, reviewing, or financially partnering. Together, we’ll keep telling stories that remind the world: God is always at work in your story.

Donate:
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=MKYXMV2Q4JS8U

Grief, seasonal depression, and hearing God’s voice—When God woke me at 2 A.M., I didn’t realize He was preparing me for what I couldn’t yet see and giving me a gift I didn’t know I’d need. One week later, a simple voicemail became a lifeline through loss—and a reminder that God is close to the brokenhearted.

Guest host Heather O’Brien (Heal With God Podcast) joins me, Christina Smith, as I share my personal story. We talk about recognizing God’s voice and gentle nudges, walking through seasonal depression, and choosing community over isolation. If you’re grieving or dealing with depression this holiday season, this conversation offers Scripture, practical tools, and the comfort of God’s presence.

📖 Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

🌿 What We Cover

• How God prepares us and speaks through quiet “nudges”

• Processing grief and seasonal depression with faith and scripture

• Taking thoughts captive (2 Cor 10:5) and refocusing our thoughts (Phil 4:8)

• Choosing community when depression says “withdraw”

• Why God feels closest in our hardest seasons

📖 Scriptures Mentioned

2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8; Psalm 34:18; Romans 8:37; James 1:17

Chapters

00:00 Ministry, honesty, and depression

00:46 Birch Gold message

01:09 Welcome + why this episode is different

02:02 Handing the mic to Heather (guest host)

02:08 Setting the scene

02:19 God woke me at 2 A.M.

03:08 Calling my brother in the night

04:45 “I’ll call you back—don’t answer.”

05:32 The voicemail I’ll treasure forever

06:04 One week later: sudden loss

07:00 Seeing God’s fingerprints

08:37 “My sheep hear my voice.”

09:10 Learning to notice the gentle tap

09:43 The last-minute dinner with Grandma

11:13 A final family gift

12:48 Learning God’s voice personally

14:14 Birch Gold message

14:27 Holidays, seasonal depression, and grief

15:23 Learning to actually grieve

18:01 Everyday triggers and letting tears come

20:41 One takeaway for the heavy-hearted

21:22 Taking thoughts captive (2 Cor 10:5)

21:27 Training your focus (Phil 4:8)

21:56 Doing the opposite of isolation

22:52 Catching thoughts before they drop to the heart

23:19 Identity truths that fight the lies

24:57 Simple dopamine wins when you feel stuck

25:21 God is near the brokenhearted (Ps 34:18)

26:44 Every good and perfect gift (James 1:17)

27:41 Birch Gold + closing

Partnership Birch Gold

Looking for a way to protect your savings in uncertain times? Birch Gold makes it simple to diversify with gold and silver. To get your free info kit, visit: https://www.ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

Connect with Christina Smith, Host of Witness the Wonder:

📺YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@WitnesstheWonder

📱TikTok, Instagram & Facebook: @witnessthewonder

🌐Website: ⁠https://www.christinasmithofficial.com⁠

🤝Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/witnessthewonder⁠

💖 Partner with Christina Smith and support Witness the Wonder

If these conversations have blessed you, would you consider partnering with us? You can give your time (by listening, sharing, and writing a review), your talent (by using your creative gifts to spread the message), or your treasure (by giving financially). Together, we’ll keep telling stories that remind the world: God is always at work in your story.

👉 Donate here: ⁠

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=MKYXMV2Q4JS8U⁠

#WitnessTheWonder #SeasonalDepression #depression #grief #griefsupport #GriefAndHealing #griefandloss #unexpectedgifts #depressionhelp #depressionawareness #overcomingdepression #HearingGod #godsvoice #hearinggodsvoice #mentalhealth #GodStories #truestory #Podcast #MiracleStories #FaithJourney #Encouragement #holidays #holiday #healwithgod #mentalhealthpodcast

Moments before her daughter’s car flipped multiple times, Emily Meacham sensed a quiet nudge from the Holy Spirit: “Speak protection over her.” Minutes later, the Life360 crash alert no parent wants to see lit up her phone.

In this powerful continuation of the Faith on Impact story, Emily and her daughter Faith share how God’s peace and prompting before the crash became undeniable proof of His presence—revealing a testimony of His preparation, protection, and power.

If you’ve ever prayed for your child’s safety or wrestled to trust God with what you cannot control, this episode will renew your faith that He goes before you and is always at work, even in the unseen moments.

Scripture

Philippians 4:7 — “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Watch Part 1: Faith on Impact | A True Story of God’s Protection

Learn more: ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

Sponsor

Looking for a way to protect your savings in uncertain times? Birch Gold makes it simple to diversify with gold and silver. To get your free info kit, visit https://www.ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

Chapters

00:00 “God just did a miracle.”00:23 The Life360 setup and the crash alert no parent wants01:07 Sponsor: Birch Gold01:20 Welcome and context for parents02:13 The morning nudge to pray protection04:37 How she knew it was the Holy Spirit06:12 Peace that does not come from circumstances07:17 Processing the trauma and choosing trust08:41 Refusing fear and rebuilding confidence to drive11:21 At the scene: calming others and testifying12:18 Letting go and trusting God with your child14:28 Sponsor: Birch Gold15:15 God prepares our hearts before crisis17:14 Encouragement for parents praying for their kids19:18 You are not praying alone20:25 Listening prayer and being led by the Spirit23:38 Praying God’s will and finding peace25:21 For helicopter parents: leaning into God’s peace26:41 Closing encouragement and promise for parents27:51 Sponsor: Birch Gold

#WitnessTheWonder #parenting #prayer #prayerworks #truestory #miracle #MiracleStory #FaithStory #GodsProtection #Testimony #FaithBasedContent #HolySpirit #EverydayMiracles #christianpodcast #podcast #realstory #lifethreatening #crash #carcrash #carcrashes

Sometimes life can change in an instant.One moment, everything feels normal — and the next, you’re praying for God’s protection.In that moment, prayer isn’t just comforting — it’s powerful.

In this week’s Wonder Story Highlight, Middle School Teacher, Faith Meacham shares how a routine drive turned into a life-threatening crash — and how prayer became her greatest weapon in the middle of chaos.

Her story is a powerful reminder that when everything feels out of control, God is still in control.Prayer isn’t our last resort; it’s our first line of defense.

📖 Psalm 46:1 — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

💛 SPONSOR

Looking for a way to protect your savings in uncertain times?Birch Gold makes it simple to diversify with gold and silver.

👉 Learn more → https://www.christinasmithofficial.com

🌟 WATCH NEXT / LINKS

🎧 Watch the full episode → Faith on Impact | A True Story of God’s Protection

🎙️ Listen to more Wonder Story Highlights → @WitnessTheWonder

🌐 Connect with Christina Smith Your Host → ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

🙌 ABOUT

Welcome to Witness the Wonder — a faith-based podcast sharing powerful, real-life stories that reveal how God is always at work in our lives.

Hosted by Christina Smith, Evangelist, Writer, Speaker, and Life Coach.

New episodes weekly — subscribe for stories that build bold faith and real hope.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 When Life Changes in an Instant

00:45 Sponsor – Birch Gold

00:58 Take Us Back to That Day

01:03 The Crash and Roll-Over

02:14 Processing the Moment

04:33 God’s Present Help in Trouble

05:03 A Prayer That Changed Everything

06:19 Finding Purpose Through the Crash

06:24 What Really Matters Most

07:11 Closing Reflection

#WitnessTheWonder #WonderStoryHighlight #WhenPrayerBecomesYourGreatestWeapon #PowerOfPrayer #FaithStory #GodsProtection #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #FaithBasedContent #EverydayMiracles #truestory #truestories #miracle #miracles #miraclestory #protection #supernaturalprotection #supernatural #prayerworks #prayer #pray #lifethreatening #spiritualweapons #godstories #god #podcast #faith

A routine drive. A sudden impact. A car rolling across the intersection.

In this episode of Witness the Wonder, dancer and middle school teacher Faith Meacham shares how prayer and a calm, God-given focus helped her escape a devastating crash with minimal injury. Her mom, Emily Meacham, reflects on seeing the mangled car and the unmistakable protection of God over her daughter’s life.

You’ll hear how to recognize God’s voice, make space for Him in a busy schedule, and respond to crisis with peace and prayer.

📖 Scriptures: Psalm 46:1 · Psalm 46:10 · James 4:8

🎙️ Host: Christina Smith

⏱️ Duration: 28 minutes

🌐 Connect with Christina at: ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

✨ Sponsor:Now through October 31, Birch Gold is giving back in a big way for Veterans Day. Get a free patriotic silver round for every $5,000 in precious metals purchased — and veterans receive their first year of IRA fees covered.👉 Claim yours at ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

Witness the Wonder is a faith-based podcast sharing real stories that reveal God’s presence in everyday life.

#WitnessTheWonder #FaithStory #GodsProtection #MiracleTestimony #ChristianPodcast #EverydayMiracles