A Fully Human Response to a Very Sad Day…
I still remember that cool, clear morning when I heard the unthinkable news. It still haunts us all in one way or another. But there is a better way to observe that sadness, if we have the courage.
A Pastoral Letter to the Disabled Community
The start of the school season brings a strange mixture of anticipation and terror for parents of kids with disabilities. With all of the changes for the worse in the world, this year feels a little scarier. This is a small letter of love and encouragement to my people in that most special community.
People We Don’t See ~ Shonda
My days are full of tasks and demands that put me on a treadmill that’s hard to back away from. But taking a risk and initiating a short conversation with a stranger reminded me of something far more important than getting the next thing done.
An Open Letter to Jesse Tyler Ridgway 
If I find out about a trending social media post, you know it got some traction. This one impacted a lot of the Down syndrome community in not-so-good ways. It happened over a week ago, but I have a few things I want to share with a social media influencer I’ve never met…
A Reminder of the Adventure
In 2016, our church produced a video with Jocelyn’s story of our early journey with Julia. Watching it ten years later, I was reminded again that, though I’ve learned a lot, there is so much more…
A Commitment to Reality…
On this difficult anniversary, there is a special grief that I remember feeling as my understanding of who we were evaporated. But there is the hope of a larger reality we can take part in that can overtake our fear…
Beyond Awareness
My daughter Julia – who you probably already know – has Down syndrome. Consider yourself aware! I humbly invite you into an adventure beyond awareness and into something far more life-giving. Wanna go?
Forward into Five Challenges
I recently invited everyone who serves in the Care & Marriage Initiatives at Kensington Church to celebrate twenty years of ministry together. After a great meal, I shared five challenges that we need to commit to as we move forward into the future. These are the notes for that talk.
Ella Knows a Better Way ~ an addendum 
I got a response to a recent blog post on empathy from a long time and respected friend. He has a good heart and a perspective likely quite different from mine. It was an exercise in self reflection and keeping a conversation going while trying stay respectful.
We have to keep talking to each other – even when it’s hard.
Rest and Take Heart
Heavy day for a lot of us. It was a chance encounter with a sunflower that lifted my spirits a bit.