Art of Advocacy: Waking Up to the Good vs. Evil Plot

by Elisa | Oct 18, 2015 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Create Awareness, Human Rights, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship

The Good vs. Evil Plot Have you ever tried talking with someone else about something you were excited about when it came to helping/loving others, and you were met with indifference? Or were given a weird look and the subject was changed because that cause was just...

If Syria Was the USA: What is Happening in Syria & How to Make it Personal

by Elisa | Sep 27, 2015 | Art of Advocacy, Create Awareness, Human Rights, Refugees and Immigration

Our Collective Son, Aylan A horrific image of a drowned boy came up on my news feed a few weeks ago when the shock value of these images thrust them into the global spotlight. The boy was three--on first glance, he could be my youngest son--and his name was...

Are You a Terrible Parent to Your Sponsor Child?

by Elisa | Sep 19, 2015 | Children-in-Need, Create Awareness, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Poverty, Ways to Make a Difference

The Terrible Parent We all feel like a terrible parent sometimes, right? I know I am not alone in this. Even when we we are on our game balancing the whole family dynamic, sometimes other relationships fall to the sidelines, or fall away all together. It is no wonder...

A Farewell Letter to my Sponsor Child

by Elisa | Sep 2, 2015 | Children-in-Need

They Told Me It Was Time To Say Goodbye Recently I received the news that the humanitarian program for one of our sponsor children is being shut down. Because the organization was gracious, they spelled out clearly what this tangibly meant for us: Yes,...

What is a Homemaker? Transcendence.

by Elisa | Aug 23, 2015 | Art of Advocacy, Busy Moms, Hard Conversations, Identity, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

Have you ever found yourself in an identity crisis? I had been bitterly putting the finishing touches on a lovely dinner when my husband came home from his relaxing day. Our house was in that rare cleanish form, our kids had enjoyed a great time at the pool,...

Art of Advocacy: Decluttering & Simplifying Life

by Elisa | Aug 12, 2015 | Art of Advocacy, Ways to Make a Difference

Why I Began Simplifying Life Although it’s been about two months since I landed in San Diego, I have a couple walls of boxes that are still packed. After living out of a suitcase for over seven weeks (at least three weeks before the move, and four on the...

What Are Do-Gooders and Are You One?

by Elisa | Aug 5, 2015 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Create Awareness

The Official Do-Gooder Definition According to great old Merriam Webster a do-gooder is actually defined as follows: "1.) someone whose desire and effort to help people (such as poor people) is regarded as wrong, annoying, useless, etc . . . 2.) an earnest often...

Summer Movies To Awaken Activism

by Elisa | Jul 29, 2015 | Children-in-Need, Create Awareness, Human Rights, Sex Trafficking

Summer Movies to Create Awareness In Your Life Every once in awhile I throw one of these posts out there--keeping you informed about recent new documentaries you might want to check out. It isn't like these are the "things" as there are hundreds of short documentaries...

Six Steps to Advocate With Credibility: Sex Trafficking Statistics in the USA

by Elisa | Jul 11, 2015 | Art of Advocacy, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, United States

What About The Facts? Sometimes I wonder, are the trafficking statistics I share accurate? A few years ago I was reading about the globally misunderstood plight of women (learn more here) in the foundational book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into...

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...