A Little Extra Love

In this episode of A Little Extra Love, Kyle Vermeulen sits down with Joe Butler—husband of 29 years, father of three, dad to Micah, and co-founder of Ability Tree—for an honest, hope-filled conversation about fatherhood under pressure and the faith it takes to keep showing up when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Joe takes us back to the moment disability entered their story: a seizure on a Wednesday night at church, a hospital ride filled with fear, and a diagnosis that brought more uncertainty than answers. From there, he shares what the early years really looked like—therapy schedules, exhaustion, navigating marriage and sibling needs, and the isolation that so many disability families quietly carry.

But woven through every part of Joe’s story is a steady thread of God’s faithfulness: the way the Lord met him in the questions, reshaped his understanding of suffering, and used Micah’s life to open doors for deeper ministry, deeper community, and deeper surrender. This episode is for dads, parents, and church leaders who want something real—something grounded in Scripture, lived experience, and a practical vision of what it looks like to do ministry with families impacted by disability.

1. Joe’s origin story: when disability first changed everything for their family
2. The “first decade blur”: therapies, school battles, exhaustion, and learning how to keep going
3. The difference between trying to “fix” the situation and learning how to embrace the child God has given
4. How Ability Tree was born out of a gap—and why families are treated like family, not clients
5. What dads need most after diagnosis (and what Joe wishes every father could hear)
6. Why the Church doesn’t need to start “something flashy” to be faithful—just a changed posture and willingness to learn
7. How disability reshapes the way we understand suffering, community, and the glory of God
8. A powerful closing prayer over dads, marriages, families, and church leaders

1. Psalm 127:3 — Children are a gift from the Lord
2. Psalm 139 — Fearfully and wonderfully made; God sees what we can’t
3. Matthew 11:28 — Come to Me and I will give you rest
4. 1 Corinthians 12 — Every member is indispensable; gifts for the common good
5. John 15 — Abide in the Vine; stay connected to the life source

1. Learn more about Ability Tree - https://www.abilitytree.org/
2. Life with Micah (Joe & Jen’s book) - https://www.amazon.com/Life-Micah-Joe-Butler/dp/B0C5G4CCZN
3. Follow Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joe_n_butler/
4. Follow Ability Tree on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abilitytree/
5. Follow Ability Tree on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abilitytree

What if the biggest barrier to disability inclusion isn’t budget, space, or staffing… but posture?

In this episode of A Little Extra Love, Rachael sits down with Rebecca Wall, Executive Director of With Ministries, for a thoughtful and deeply pastoral conversation about what it actually costs to move from welcoming to belonging. Rebecca shares how her disability journey began with a first-grade friendship, why inclusion so often fades after childhood, and the “withness” Jesus models—slow, present, returning again and again.

We talk about the pain families carry, the quiet reasons churches keep missing adults with disabilities, and the hopeful truth: the first steps toward belonging are often free… but they require humility, repentance, and proximity.

If you’re a parent who’s been hurt by the church, a leader who feels overwhelmed, or a church trying to do this faithfully—this one will meet you in the tension and give you a next right step.

1. How Rebecca’s journey into disability ministry began at age six through friendship
2. Why inclusion becomes harder as individuals with disabilities age
3. The hidden gap between children’s ministry and lifelong discipleship
4. The difference between welcome and true belonging
5. Why posture — not programming — is the most important factor in accessibility
6. The heartbreaking reality: 1 in 2 families leave churches after disability diagnosis
7. How pastors can begin today without new resources or staff
8. What disability friendships teach us about dependence, delight, and the Kingdom of God
9. Why belonging is formed through presence, not perfection

Website: https://withministries.org/

Equip: https://withministries.org/equip/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withministriesorg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/withministriesorg

What happens when suffering becomes the doorway to calling?

In this powerful in-person episode of A Little Extra Love, Rachael Vermeulen sits down with disability ministry coordinator and advocate Abby Howard, whose life changed overnight after a rare spinal cord stroke left her paralyzed from the chest down.

What followed wasn’t just physical recovery — it was a radical redefinition of mission, obedience, and the Church’s responsibility to the disability community.

Abby shares how God used her story to reveal one of the most overlooked realities in modern Christianity: the disability community is one of the largest unreached people groups, often not by rejection of the gospel, but by inaccessibility to it.

Together, they explore suffering, dependence, advocacy, holy disruption, and what it means to “flip tables with love” so that no one is left outside the Body of Christ.

This conversation is a call to church leaders, families, and believers everywhere: the gospel was never meant to be inaccessible.

1. How disability reshaped Abby’s understanding of calling and mission
2. Why the disability community is an unreached people group
3. The difference between awareness and true belonging in churches
4. What biblical advocacy actually looks like
5. Why obedience often requires discomfort
6. How weakness becomes the starting place of God’s power
7. Practical encouragement for churches unsure where to begin

To connect with Abby and her resources through The Accessible Gospel you can find them here:

Resources: https://stan.store/theaccessiblegospel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaccessiblegospel/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbynothannah

disability ministry podcast, accessible church, disability and the gospel, Christian disability advocacy, inclusive church leadership, disability theology, testimony, Great Commission disability ministry, church accessibility ministry

What happens when your child can’t sleep and neither can you?

Kyle Vermeulen sits down with Jon and Amara Smith, parents of a son with Angelman syndrome and founders of Safe Place Bedding, to talk about the holy trenches of caregiving: chronic sleep deprivation, marriage strain, and the moment God turned an exhausted idea into a life-changing mission.

This conversation isn’t just about a product—it’s about obedience born out of desperation, dreams reimagined, and the way God meets families who are running on empty. If you’re a parent who hasn’t slept through the night in years, this episode is for you.

1. Jon & Amara’s early years of marriage + becoming new believers while navigating diagnosis
2. The grief of “dreams crashing down” and learning to dream new dreams
3. The hidden cost of sleep deprivation on marriage, parenting, and spiritual life
4. The breakthrough moment: realizing enclosed sleep helped—and travel made everything unravel again
5. How Safe Place Bedding was born from a Florida hotel room at 3am
6. Why safe sleep is not “convenience,” but dignity, safety, and sustainability for the whole family
7. Practical encouragement for exhausted couples: asking for help, protecting date night, and staying anchored in Christ

1. Psalm 34:19
2. Psalm 34:18
3. Matthew 25:40
4. Romans 8:37

1. Website: Safe Place Bedding - https://safeplacebedding.com/
2. If you’re overwhelmed or unsure where to start: reach out to their team—they’ll help you navigate options like insurance, grants, and next steps.

What if disability isn’t a detour from God’s plan but an invitation deeper into His heart?

In this episode of A Little Extra Love host, Rachael Vermeulen sits down with Sarah Lowry, CEO of Love That Surpasses, for a deeply honest conversation about grief, redemption, and the transformative theology born through disability parenting.

Sarah shares her family’s journey raising two children with disabilities, autism and Down syndrome, and how God gently reframed her understanding of motherhood, worth, and calling. Together, they explore the powerful framework behind The Leah Inheritance, a redemptive way of understanding disability through Scripture, and why the ministry of disability is not a side ministry but central to the Church’s spiritual formation.

This conversation speaks directly to parents navigating diagnosis, church leaders longing to serve families well, and believers seeking a deeper understanding of holiness, dependence, and the love of Christ that truly surpasses understanding.

If you’ve ever wondered where God is in grief, exhaustion, or unanswered expectations — this episode will remind you that His presence meets us there first.

1. Why disability parenting often begins with grief — and ends in transformation
2. The lie of “normal motherhood” and how God reframes identity
3. Why the Church’s narrative around disability often falls short
4. The biblical meaning behind The Leah Inheritance
5. How disability ministry reveals dependence on the Holy Spirit
6. Why disability families carry unique spiritual insight for the Church
7. How churches can move from accommodation → invitation → partnership

To connect with Love That Surpasses Ministries and Sarah follow the links below:

Love That Surpasses – https://www.lovethatsurpasses.org/

The Leah Narrative Bible Study - https://www.lovethatsurpasses.org/leah

The Leah Kids Resources - https://www.lovethatsurpasses.org/leahskids

Instagram-

Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/lovethatsurpasses/

Ministry: https://www.instagram.com/lovethatsurpassesministries/

What happens when you can’t unsee the gap and God keeps inviting you deeper? In this episode of A Little Extra Love, Rachael Vermeulen sits down with Krystian Caywood, founder and Executive Director of Unstoppable God Ministries, for a conversation about disability discipleship, holy discomfort, and the kind of “yes” that costs something.

Krystian shares the moment her advocacy ignited, why access is only the starting line, and how the Church can move toward belonging and real spiritual formation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). You’ll hear the unforgettable “whole potato” story, what it means to go all in when God calls, and why families shouldn’t have to carry disability advocacy alone inside the Church. Plus, Krystian opens up about leaving her dream job, holding ministry with excellence, and what it looks like to build spaces designed with disciples of all abilities in mind.

If you’re a parent, church leader, volunteer, or advocate who feels tired, unsure, or hungry for hope, this episode will remind you: you’re not alone, and God is moving.

1. Why “letting someone attend” isn’t the same as belonging
2. How to think about adaptive discipleship with theological faithfulness and clarity
3. The difference between inclusion as a program and inclusion as a posture
4. Why disability parents shouldn’t have to do ministry for their child to have a church home
5. What it looks like to keep saying yes to God when you don’t have a roadmap

To learn more about Krystian & Unstoppable God Ministries check out these resources:

Unstoppable God Ministries : https://unstoppablegodministries.org

Unstoppable God Conference (ages 15+ with IDD; summer & fall 2026 dates listed): https://unstoppablegodministries.org/events/unstoppable-god-conference/

Family Weekend Conference:

https://unstoppablegodministries.org/events/family-weekend

Instagram:

Krystian: https://www.instagram.com/krystianalisha/

UGM: https://www.instagram.com/unstoppablegodministries/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@krystianalisha

In this heartfelt episode of A Little Extra Love, host Rachael Vermeulen sits down with Julie Hornok, co-founder of Labeled and Loved, wife of 28 years, and mom of three—including her daughter Lizzie, who was diagnosed with autism at age two.

Julie opens up about her family’s journey through grief, surrender, and surprising joy as God met her in the places she couldn’t control. From the moment she first stepped into a church’s special needs ministry, to navigating the fears and questions of Lizzie’s baptism, Julie’s story shines with vulnerability, redemption, and hope.

Together, Rachael and Julie talk about the labels parents carry, the suffering of our children, and the unshakable faithfulness of God. You’ll also hear the powerful story behind Labeled and Loved, the nationwide ministry creating lifelines for moms of children with disabilities through retreats, sisterhood circles, and support.

Whether you’re weary, carrying labels you never asked for, or just in need of a reminder that God is working even in what feels broken—this conversation will meet you there.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Julie’s journey through Lizzie’s early autism diagnosis and God’s provision along the way.
• The moment of surrender that shifted her motherhood and faith.
• How the church can respond with tenderness and love to families of children with disabilities.
• Wrestling with questions about faith and baptism in children with special needs.
• Holding hope when healing looks different than expected.
• The birth and growth of Labeled and Loved—and how it’s changing lives across the country.
• A reminder for moms: God is working while you rest.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Labeled and Loved Website
• Learn more about the Weekend of Hope Retreat and Sisterhood Circles

Scripture References:

• Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you...”
• Proverbs 3:24 – “When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

Connect with Julie Hornok:

• Instagram: @juliehornok
• Labeled and Loved Instagram

Connect with Rachael Vermeulen & A Little Extra Love:

• Instagram: @alittleextralove
• Instagram: @rachvermeulen
• Website: alittleextralove.com

In this profoundly honest and tender episode, Rachael sits down with Sunita Theiss, an autistic and ADHD writer, advocate, and mother of two neurodivergent children, to explore what it means to be seen by God even when life feels misaligned, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.

Sunita shares how her children’s diagnoses led her to her own, and how, in the midst of that unraveling, she encountered the unshakable presence of God. From her Hindu upbringing to the grief of losing her father, from substance use to late diagnosis, Sunita’s journey testifies to the faithfulness of a God who was present all along.

This episode is an invitation to every weary parent, especially those raising children with disabilities, to remember: you are not alone, and your story is not outside the bounds of redemption.

• Finding joy in small, sensory-centered moments
• Navigating late autism and ADHD diagnosis as a mother
• Reframing disability not as brokenness, but as intentional design
• Letting motherhood reveal God's nature and love
• How spiritual formation looks different in neurodivergent homes
• Dispelling toxic theology around suffering and disability
• Creating support systems rooted in faith, honesty, and mutual understanding
• How prayer and presence can sustain a weary heart
• Embracing God's mercy through healing, therapy, and honest community

“Maybe the brokenness in this world is not your child's disability—but the failure to accommodate.”

“You're not broken, you're being built. Moment by moment, mercy by mercy.”

“God knew before I did. And He called it good.”

• Providence: God’s hand in our lives even before we have language for our experiences
• Imago Dei: The dignity and divine image reflected in neurodivergent children and adults
• Sanctification through parenting: How motherhood reveals and refines our faith
• Theology of suffering: Honest reflection on grief, loss, and the presence of God in pain
• Prayer as regulation: Integrating faith into daily sensory and emotional practices

• Sunita’s Upcoming Workshop: Parenting PDA with a Biblical Lens
• Free Resources for Christian Parents Navigating Neurodivergence
• Virtual Support Group for Christian Moms of PDA Children
• Writing Groups and Creative Support Spaces
• Letter Writing Tool: FutureMe.com

Follow Sunita:

https://sunitatheiss.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sunitatheiss/

Resources:

Low Demand Coaching

Biblical Truths for Neurdivergent Kids

If you've ever questioned how your story fits into God’s plan, this episode will remind you that His faithfulness isn't dependent on your clarity. He is not waiting for you to have the answers—He’s already present in your questions.

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

— Proverbs 16:3

You are not behind. You are not broken. You are being built.

Moment by moment. Mercy by mercy.

Christian parenting, autism and faith, ADHD mom, neurodivergent family, late diagnosis autism, trauma-informed motherhood, PDA parenting, biblical view of disability, faith-based support, gospel-centered motherhood, parenting special needs, motherhood and theology, suffering and grace, spiritual regulation, autism in the church, accommodation and inclusion, theology of parenting

In this heartfelt conversation, Renee Sellers shares her journey as a mother of two autistic daughters, exploring the intersection of faith and disability. She discusses the initial struggles with the diagnosis, the shift from despair to joy, and the importance of celebrating her daughters' uniqueness. The conversation emphasizes the need for church communities to be inclusive and supportive, recognizing the beauty in every individual's story. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Renee highlights God's presence in their journey, encouraging other parents to trust in His love and timing.

Follow Renee Sellers on Instagram

Inclusive Pathways equips churches to create vibrant, inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities and their families thrive. Learn more about Inclusive Pathways here !

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Parenting with Disabilities
• 00:05 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
• 02:41 Reconciling Faith with Diagnosis
• 05:27 The Shift from Despair to Joy
• 08:02 God's Promises and Rainbows
• 10:36 Celebrating Autism and Acceptance
• 13:09 The Role of Church in Disability Advocacy
• 15:36 Feeling Seen in the Faith Community
• 18:10 Trusting God in the Waiting
• 20:45 Encouragement for Moms in the Journey
• 23:25 Closing Prayer and Reflections
• 24:36 New Chapter

disability, autism, faith, parenting, church inclusion, joy, acceptance, God's promises, community support, motherhood

In the first episode of the In His Image - Disability Pride Month Mini Series from the A Little Extra Love podcast, Rachael Vermeulen discusses the intersection of disability and faith, particularly in the context of Disability Pride Month. She explores the theological implications of disability, emphasizing that every person, regardless of ability, reflects the image of God. The conversation challenges traditional views of disability as a flaw and instead presents it as a vital part of God's design, deserving of honor and celebration. Rachael calls for a shift in church culture towards true inclusion and belonging for individuals with disabilities, highlighting the need for communities to embrace interdependence and learn from those who experience disability.

Learn more about Inclusive Pathways here!

Follow Rachael on: Instagram - Facebook - Tiktok

Follow A Little Extra Love on: Instagram - Facebook

Takeaways

• Disability is a vital part of God's design.
• Every person reflects the image of God, regardless of ability.
• The church must honor and include individuals with disabilities.
• Disability is not a detour but a place where God's glory dwells.
• We need to shift from pity to partnership with disabled individuals.
• Celebration of disability is about seeing it as sacred.
• The future is not about erasing disability but revealing it in glory.
• Belonging is central to the gospel and should be prioritized in church communities.
• Disability illuminates the gospel rather than hinders it.
• Communities must reflect the heart of God by embracing interdependence.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Disability Pride Month

01:03 Understanding the Image of God

05:22 Reframing Disability and Suffering

09:10 The Indispensable Role of Disability in the Church

12:29 The Hope of Redemption and Glory

16:17 Celebration of Inclusion and Belonging

21:05 Call to Action for Churches and Communities

Keywords

Disability, Image of God, Inclusion, Church, Belonging, Disability Pride Month, Theology, Community, Celebration, Hope