Jerusalem Old City Easter Series

by Elisa | Apr 4, 2021 | Adventure, Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Fully Alive, Hard Conversations, Identity, Life Purpose, Personal Growth, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

Peace Comes at a Price Here's my pic from the alleged Garden of Gethsemane. True, the olive trees in this garden are hundreds of years old. True, they are at the base of the Mount of Olives. And historically true, Jesus spent some of his last hours within a kilometre...

Our Tenth Anniversary with #BOT2021: Faith, Hope & Love

by Elisa | Mar 4, 2021 | Being World Changers, Create Awareness, Family & Relationships, Human Trafficking, Raising Kids, Seeking Justice, Sex Trafficking, Ways to Make a Difference

We believe everyone should be free! This is the TENTH year since I started Blackout Trafficking (formerly the Little Black Dress Project). Over these ten years, we've raised just shy $100K for anti-trafficking organizations, mostly the little guys (whom I am...

How I’ve Been Getting Over Jealousy and Insecurity

by Elisa | Feb 16, 2021 | Being World Changers, Fully Alive, Hard Conversations, Identity, Life Purpose, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Safe Spaces

One thing that I've always really struggled with is a tendency to be jealous and insecure. But recently I've been getting over jealousy and insecurity. Let me tell you how. The Opposite of Confidence Remember that time you felt so awkward that you wanted to crawl into...

Making Kindness Signs #KindnessQuest

by Elisa | Feb 14, 2021 | Adventure, Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Kindness, Raising Kids, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

Love doing intentional acts of kindness with your family and friends too? Check out this simple action, making kindness signs to change the world! Here are the very simple steps to make a difference in this way. #KindnessQuest Bringing a little joy locally by making...

The Old TOMS Shoes

by Elisa | Feb 6, 2021 | Adventure, Being World Changers, Fair Trade Products, Family & Relationships, Giving Back, Global Health, Human Trafficking, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Poverty, Raising Kids, Seeking Justice, Socially Conscious Brands, Ways to Make a Difference

My old TOMS shoes have empowered me become someone, have carried me unique places, have served me best in one specific way, and are evidence of one fact. Check it out.

Sing Freedom With Blackout Trafficking

by Elisa | Jan 31, 2021 | Being World Changers, Create Awareness, Human Trafficking, Seeking Justice, Ways to Make a Difference

Ready to make a difference in the world? Sing freedom, because freedom is the new black.

Everyday People Doing Something About Human Trafficking And Refugees

by Elisa | Jan 15, 2021 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Create Awareness, Fair Trade Products, Family & Relationships, Human Trafficking, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Productivity, Raising Kids, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, Sex Trafficking, Socially Conscious Brands, Ways to Make a Difference

Can an everyday person make a difference for refugees? Yep. They can! Just as I've seen it happen time and time again with everyday people doing something about human trafficking, I am happy to say everyday people can also help refugees. Last year I was thinking about...

Excavation – Farewell 2020!

by Elisa | Jan 1, 2021 | Fully Alive, Hard Conversations, Identity, Leadership, Live Intentionally, Mental Health, Personal Growth, Recovery, Safe Spaces, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

Well, we just celebrated the East Coast NYC Ball drop. In California (You've gotta love that three hour time difference when you want to go to bed early!). It was complete with with sparkling apple cider and thrilled kids--especially the youngest who kept toasting his...

Responses When You’re Privileged

by Elisa | Dec 27, 2020 | Art of Advocacy, Leadership, Personal Growth, Seeking Justice

Are you privileged in one way or another? If so, you’ve probably experienced one of the three main responses to privilege.

Adventure

Swamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights

Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...

Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids

Identity Crisis #3467 – My Messy Beautiful

The other day, my daughter was excitedly expressing her admiration of the teachers and helpers at her school. I usually resist the temptation to to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up because at some point in my...

Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces

Understanding Terms for Poor Nations vs. Rich Nations

Terms of Poverty Whether in public political addresses or in pleas from non-profits, we have all heard some of these terms thrown around at some point or another. But just because we can infer their general meaning, I...