Trusting God in the unexpected purpose supposed to be trust

In life, we expect to have certain defining moments, but we think we know what they will be: a graduation, a first job, a wedding day, a new baby. But what happens when a new “milestone” pops up and changes the trajectory you thought you had?

In the months after Joey’s Down...

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Remember: God’s faithfulness is on display in our struggles faithfulness god's faithfulness hope purpose remember trust

The day Joey was diagnosed with Down syndrome, we left the geneticist’s office with a book called Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents’ Guide. In the introduction, the editor encourages the parent carrying the weight of the heavy burden to take lots of pictures of their...

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When we don’t know why faith plan prayer purpose question trust why

“I have to admit, Lord, I don’t really understand what You are doing here.”

I walked around my neighborhood, praying as I took in some fresh air. Praying for my husband, my children, some dear friends… and I realized I had been praying some of these same prayers over and...

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Is social media silencing our souls? life

As my head hit the pillow, my brain sprang into action. Worries I had kept in the back of my mind all day suddenly vied for my attention: What if my dad catches COVID-19 while he’s in the hospital for his cancer surgery? How am I going to homeschool three kids? When will I ever find...

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What to do when it’s not yours to fix finding hope helping others pain purpose struggles trust

I couldn’t sleep, I wasn’t eating. A knot twisted my stomach. I couldn’t focus on tasks that required more brain power than folding laundry. I was utterly consumed.

What was wrong? you ask. What hardship were you suffering that so consumed you?

Absolutely nothing.

My...

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When struggling leads to abiding abide down syndrome struggles the worthy walk

Almost a decade ago, I sat at dinner with a friend and wept. Postpartum depression wouldn’t relent, my husband’s business was keeping him busy far beyond the “normal” 40-hour work week, and my infant son had just been diagnosed with Down syndrome. I was struggling but...

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Holiday Survival for Special Needs Parents christmas holidays special needs parenting

We had a wonderfully low-key Thanksgiving this year. Lots of food, lots of fun, and lots of downtime–the perfect combination for this introverted mama. And a recipe for success for Joey, who can get a little overstimulated and a lot grouchy when life is turned on its ear, even for fun...

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The three words that transformed my parenting parenting teens tell me more

“Well, you just need to…”

I stopped mid-sentence.

Matt had been telling me about a project at school that was frustrating him—or to be more specific, a team member for the project who was frustrating him. Matt has big feelings and a crystal clear (in his own mind) sense...

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Sometimes I forget – Now on The Mighty! down syndrome down syndrome awareness special needs parenting the mighty

Sometimes I forget.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually forget my son has Down syndrome. It is with us every day when we slog through reading basic books, every time I struggle to understand what he is trying to say, and every time I wonder if he doesn’t understand...

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Everyday Masterpiece: Or why I do what I do calling everyday masterpiece purpose

You guys, I am gearing up for a new season of ministry. A new website is coming. (Yay!) A new newsletter is in the works. (Woohoo!) And maybe one or two other new things that you’ll just have to wait to hear about……….

And as I prepare for the new, I’m reflecting...

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