Summer Family Challenge Checklist

by Elisa | Jul 10, 2020 | Adventure, Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Giving Back, Life Purpose, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Raising Kids

Now, I could talk about fireworks and freedom, diversity and beauty, or even making a difference in our homes by leading our families. I'm don't feel like making a wise point, though. I just like colors and smearing paint. This summer, we have a massive list of family...

Free School Lunches Empowering Kids to Overcome Privilege

by Elisa | Jul 4, 2020 | Busy Moms, Children-in-Need, Community, Family & Relationships, Poverty, Raising Kids, Seeking Justice

I wanted to knock my kids heads together when we went picked up free school lunches this summer. Little did I know that these free school lunches could empower my kids to overcome their privilege. Do My Kids Need to Be Empowered to Overcome Privilege? This morning...

To Mask or Not Mask?

by Elisa | Jul 4, 2020 | Community, Family & Relationships, Global Health, Hard Conversations, Leadership, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice, United States

To wear or not wear masks? Here’s why I’m struggling as a high-risk for COVID-19 concerning masks. And it isn’t just about loving others.

Not Every Mama Feels Born to Mom

by Elisa | Jun 29, 2020 | Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Family & Relationships, Identity, Life Purpose, Personal Growth, Raising Kids, Safe Spaces

Not every mama feels born to mom . . . when you want to make a difference in the world and be outside your home but are also a parent.

The Honest Truth About Loving Deeper (Art of Advocacy)

by Elisa | Jun 23, 2020 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Giving Back, Global Health, Human Rights, Identity, Leadership, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Poverty, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship, Your Voice on Racism

Loving others seemed good and something to be defined by. Until it was loving the same small group of people deeper. Loving people seems like living a great story. Loving my family was just draining. Loving someone from another culture felt exotic. Loving those I see...

Movement or a Moment?

by Elisa | Jun 22, 2020 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Being World Changers, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Create Awareness, Human Rights, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice, United States, Your Stories, Your Voice on Racism

This is part of the series, Your Voice on Racism. Do you have a story to share? We need to hear it! Consider submitting it here! _______________________________________________________ What is a Movement? A Movement or a Moment? I’ve thought about this question ever...

“The Talk”: For Every Black American Son and Daughter

by Elisa | Jun 20, 2020 | Being World Changers, Family & Relationships, Human Rights, Raising Kids, Seeking Justice, United States, Your Stories, Your Voice on Racism

This is part of the series, Your Voice on Racism. Do you have a story to share? We need to hear it! Consider submitting it here! It was July 13, 2013 as most of the country was watching and waiting for the verdict against George Zimmerman, the man who shot 17 year...

Lament for the American Church

by Elisa | Jun 16, 2020 | Being World Changers, Community, Discipleship Tools, Family & Relationships, Leadership, Personal Growth, Raising Kids, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

Over the last three months, I've been trying to answer one question often--what does it mean to be the Church where I live, through this season? Of course I have ideas, but I don't have the answer. And so I wonder: how can I lead my family and those I influence, if I...

Fallen Marbles: Mourning Another Black Man’s Death

by Elisa | Jun 8, 2020 | Being World Changers

It is the same story again and again: a Black person was killed violently and racism appears to be at the root. Lavender flowers fall to mourn George Floyd. As they have fallen decade after decade before. For who? For those who die violently. For those who die...

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...