Hope in the Aftermath

What happens when the mission you’ve prayed and prepared for doesn’t go as planned? When Brooklyn had to return home early from her LDS mission, the heartbreak and disappointment were real—but God wasn’t finished with her story. Alongside her dad, Jon, Brooklyn felt inspired to turn her pain into purpose by creating Returning Stronger, a podcast and website dedicated to coaching, mentoring, and helping other early-returned missionaries find hope and a new way to serve. Hear how God can turn our most difficult detours into unexpected opportunities to bless others and remind us that our mission is never truly over.

She was strong in her faith, deeply rooted in the gospel, and preparing to serve a mission when a relationship changed the course of her life. What began as dating slowly became emotionally abusive, leaving her questioning her worth, losing her confidence, and drifting away from the God she had always loved. But even after years of heartache, she found the courage to break free, rediscover her faith, and let God lead her forward. In time, He brought someone new into her life—a man who loves her for who she is and became the husband she had always hoped for. This is a powerful story of losing yourself, finding your way back to God, and discovering that even when life takes an unexpected turn, He can lead you to something more beautiful than you imagined.

What happens when the family you’ve always dreamed of seems impossible? For this couple, the journey to parenthood was filled with heartbreak, failed adoptions, and unexpected challenges. But through it all, they felt God leading them forward. Against the odds, they eventually adopted six children from several Asian countries, including babies with special needs who seemed to have been placed on their hearts for a reason. In this beautiful story of faith, perseverance, and miracles, they share how God guided them to the six children who were always meant to be theirs.

After 21 years of marriage to someone living a secret sexual life, Marni experienced firsthand the devastating impact of betrayal and the long road to healing. That journey became the catalyst for her work today: supporting, educating, and empowering others navigating betrayal trauma, while helping them rediscover their self-worth, rebuild their lives, and find faith and hope in the healing process.

In this episode, Kyle and Jayden share two completely separate mission experiences and the moments that made their time serving so meaningful. Kyle reflects on some of the most important experiences from her mission and the ways she felt God guiding, teaching, and strengthening her along the way. Jayden shares his resistance to serving a mission that ultimately led to him serving as a service missionary. He shares his own unique experiences and the ways God worked through his service and the people he encountered. Two different missionaries, two different missions, and two very personal stories—but both are filled with moments that show God’s hand and remind us that He can use each of us to make a difference.