RECENT POSTS
![screenshot of IFS blog post with a graphic of a teen with Down syndrome wearing headphones and text from post caption](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-ifs-raising-a-teen-with-down-syndrome-1024x402.png)
IFS | The Sometimes-Painful and Always-Beautiful Gift of Raising a Teen with Down Syndrome
Is it different raising a teenager who has Down syndrome than a typical teen? Well, yes and no. I had a chance to write about
![Penny stands at the stove making omelettes](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-down-syndrome-lack-of-ego-1024x402.png)
Down Syndrome and a Lack of Ego
When Heather Avis and I talked about being at Hope Heals Camp last summer, she mentioned that what made it so distinctive was the lack
![gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Willie James Jennings, the book cover of After Whiteness, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AJB-featured-season-61560-×-628-px-jennings-1024x412.png)
S6 E4 | The Beauty of Life Together with Willie James Jennings
“The challenge is to trust again the beauty of life together.” Professor and author Willie James Jennings talks with Amy Julia Becker about
![theater seats and closed curtain](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-prayer-behind-the-scenes-1024x402.png)
Peeking Behind the Cosmic Curtain
Prayer is like going behind the scenes with God, like peeking behind the cosmic curtain. We once had a chance as a family to go
![Peter, Marilee, and Penny stand outside with their arms around each. They smile at the camera, and there are green fields and grass behind them.](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-dsa-month-ordinary-days-1-1024x402.png)
Ordinary Life With Down Syndrome
When it comes to Down syndrome, there are two extremes that get represented in our collective imagination most of the time. There’s the exceptional overcomer,
![white blankets](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-healing-is-exhausting-1024x402.png)
Healing Is Exhausting
Healing is exhausting. At least that is what I’ve been thinking as I’m recovering from oral surgery. I’ve needed my ice packs and my smoothies
![Prepare Him Room advent devotional on a white wooden table](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-advent-devotional-prepare-him-room-1-1024x402.png)
Order Your Advent Devotional Today!
Is anyone else out there in a season of waiting? Waiting for healing? Waiting for change? Waiting for your child to get news about college?
![maple keys in contrast with fall leaves](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-healing-spiraling-upward-1024x402.png)
Healing: Spiraling Upward?
What if healing is a process of spiraling upward? I know it’s not really a thing we see in nature. We see spiraling downward. The
![Penny stands at the front of church and is holding a mic](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-penny-at-church-dsa-month-1024x402.png)
Penny Sharing in Church for DSA Month
As a part of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Penny had a chance to share some thoughts in front of our congregation on Sunday. She talked
![open Bible on a rock](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-bible-study-1024x402.png)
A New Name for Bible Study?
I am wondering whether we need a new name for Bible Study. Maybe this isn’t the problem I think it is. But I wonder whether
![Amy Julia takes a selfie outside with a green lawn behind her. She is wearing a bright pink shirt.](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-october-fun-facts-1024x402.png)
October Fun Facts
Every so often, I introduce myself around here for people who are new to this space. I also try to share some things about myself
![dark path covered in fall leaves](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-gods-love-depression-1024x402.png)
God’s Love Is the Answer to Depression
God’s love is the answer to depression. I know that’s the type of declarative statement I’m not supposed to make. I know that religion has
![screenshot of Time essay: Where Are All the Children's Books Featuring Kids With Down Syndrome?](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-Where-Are-All-the-Childrens-Books-Featuring-Kids-With-Down-Syndrome-1024x402.png)
TIME | Where Are All the Children’s Books Featuring Kids With Down Syndrome?
We started a conversation over here a few weeks ago about whether or not there are chapter books with main characters who have intellectual disabilities,
![graphic with 9 picture books and memoirs about Down syndrome](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-down-syndrome-awareness-month-book-giveaway-1024x402.png)
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Book Giveaway
{GIVEAWAY CLOSED} Down Syndrome Awareness Month BOOK GIVEAWAY! Enter to win all 9 books, including all 4 of Heather Avis’ books, my memoir, and favorite
![gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Heather Avis, the book cover of Everyone Belongs, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AJB-featured-season-61560-×-628-px-avis-1024x412.png)
S6 E3 | Down Syndrome and Belonging with Heather Avis
“You belong here, as you are, who you are. Come be in this place with us.” Down syndrome advocate and author Heather Avis joins Amy
![hand holding a copy of White Picket Fences](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ajb-white-picket-fences-turns-4-1024x402.png)
White Picket Fences Turns 4!
White. Economically stable. Cares about other people. Doesn’t like social divisions. Doesn’t know what to do about those divisions. Afraid that trying to do anything
![Penny rests on her stomach on her bed reading a book that is propped on a pillow](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ajb-down-syndrome-awareness-month-1024x402.png)
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Begins
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! It’s a month to celebrate the lives of people with Down syndrome. It’s a month to continue to advocate
![Marilee and Amy Julia sit on a green couch and lean their heads together for a selfie](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ajb-so-middle-school-1024x402.png)
So Middle School
She is the epitome of middle school. Marilee announced last week that we didn’t need to read to her before bed any longer. She just