RECENT POSTS
Why Go to Hope Heals Camp | Penny in Her Own Words
Years ago, I wrote a piece for the Huffington Post called “Missing Out on Beautiful.” It was prompted by my realization that it was really
7 Things That Happened During Our Week Without Screens
For seven days, our family put down our devices (here’s why we did this). William found a friend to keep up his Snap streak. Marilee
Happy 15th Birthday, William!
Happy 15th Birthday, William! Henri Nouwen once wrote: Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a
Hollywood, via Barbie, Still Doesn’t Know What To Do With Disability
{Keep scrolling for an update to this post.} Our whole family went to see the new Barbie movie on Friday. We loved it. I laughed
Hope Moments: Living Out the Way of Jesus
I want to tell you about every moment from Hope Heals camp. But even with all my words and stories, and even with Ashley Monogue’s
Down Syndrome, Teenagers, and Holy Limits
Having a teenager with Down syndrome puts different limits on our family than having a typical teen. She has needs that other teenagers don’t have.
Who “Deserves” Rewards? | Life to the Full
Modern people are rewarded for hard work, intelligence, athletic ability, and physical appearance. Studies have shown that people who conform to our modern Western ideals
I Don’t Want to Prove Myself
Years ago, I met a man who had argued some cases before the Supreme Court. He had other accolades on his resume. I was excited
Hope Heals: Everyone Lifted Up
In typical American life, some people win and others lose. Some people get the award and others get no recognition. Some people are considered better
All Kids Can Learn
All kids can learn, but when Penny was born, I was told only that she would have developmental delays and an intellectual disability. What if
Scorned for Following Jesus | Life to the Full
Everyone who became involved in the Civil Rights movement under Martin Luther King’s leadership was asked to sign their name to King’s Ten Commandments of
I Didn’t Mean to Go to Another Concert
After we saw Taylor Swift in concert in May, I vowed I would never go to another stadium concert. When William discovered that Beyoncé would
Fun Family Dinner Question
What piece of culture best explains America? I first came across this question–and 17 answers–in the New York Times, but I also asked our family
Camp PALS and Belonging
Penny sent me a text on her first night of Camp PALS: “With my favorite girl at my favorite place.” The next day, the text
God’s Blessing Is a Given | Life to the Full
I’ve been hanging out in Jesus’ words to people of his day that come in Matthew 5. They contain a list of blessings, beginning with
Supreme Court and Affirmative Action
I’m a white woman who went to an Ivy League school. I’m pretty sure my grades and leadership positions in high school meant that I
Emotional Lives of Teenagers
If you are a parent or educator of teenagers, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents needs to be on your
July Introductions
Hi! For those of you who are new around here, I’m Amy Julia. This community grows almost daily, so here’s a short introduction. My husband,
Blessing | Life to the Full
Jesus made this famous set of odd statements about those who are blessed. He started out with these declarations: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
To Tell the Truth on the 4th of July
“He thought enough of this country to tell the truth,” writes Esau McCaulley about Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July! We’ve entered that phase of family life where we aren’t even all together on holidays anymore. Right now, Penny is at
