United Mothers: Childbirth Hurts Like Heck (But The Baby is Bliss)

by Elisa | Aug 29, 2014 | Busy Moms, Children-in-Need, Create Awareness, Global Health, Ways to Make a Difference, Women's Empowerment

I Hate Childbirth, But There Is That Bliss After my first darling was born, I think I went into a form of emotional shock. I was convinced I would have to have years of therapy before I could ever have another child. Sadly, I didn't have the chance to receive...

Wormwood and Other Short Stories: Flash! Friday Fiction

by Elisa | Aug 25, 2014 | Stuff of the Heart

An Aspiring Writer As you might have noticed, I have plunged back into writing fiction. Although essays seem to be more applicable in expressing what I care about, my heart is twined with fiction. Not only do I love to read (which is why I occasionally review for...

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and My Flawed Principle

by Elisa | Aug 23, 2014 | Create Awareness, Stuff of the Heart, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

Nominated for the Epidemic I began seeing signs of this epidemic a few weeks ago. It was spreading. I was cringing. It looked painful. Uncomfortable. And, truth be told, it also looked gimmicky, mainstream, and sportsy. I like to think I am incompatible with all of...

In the Name of Frozen Lasagna, Love Thy Community!

by Elisa | Aug 17, 2014 | United States, Ways to Make a Difference

Why Observing How My Community Made Dinners For New Moms Changed My Perspective (A Community Living Post) A Brief History of the Lasagna You might have thought lasagnas were invented in Italy, but they weren't. They were created back when cavemen took their...

The Tunic in the Night: A Short Story

by Elisa | Jul 30, 2014 | Uncategorized

The Tunic in the Night She traced her fingers over the darkest patch of midnight surrounding the bright fuchsia flowers patterned on her tunic. She wondered how the artists printed them on the swarthy cloth, if by ink, or brush or some other means, as the colors...

If You Use Your Options, Misery Is Optional

by Elisa | Jul 27, 2014 | Children-in-Need, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

Have you ever had one of those not-going-as-planned weeks? The week before last, I did. The Bad Ticket and Everything Else "Mommy, why did the police officer give you a bad ticket?" the kids asked. "Well, he gave it to me because he is an evil bastard trying to up his...

Don’t Be Digital Sex Trafficking Prey: Ten-Steps for How Not to Sext (Or Worse) with Random Strangers

by Elisa | Jun 22, 2014 | Art of Advocacy, Children-in-Need, Create Awareness, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, United States

Have you ever gotten random texts from a stranger? This happened to me the other day, and not for the first time! Even so, this was my first extended conversation with a person I didn't know (I will let you read it below). I wasn't sure it was a stranger at first....

How I Became An Accidental Expert And Then I Resigned

by Elisa | May 31, 2014 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Create Awareness, Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Seeking Justice, Sex Trafficking, Stuff of the Heart, Ways to Make a Difference

Last Day of the Rest of My Life Although I have phased out of acting like a director of this almost-non-profit, the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative (NoVA HTI), in the span of time between my third baby being born and now, today is technically the last...

Ten Ways to End Human Trafficking in NoVA

by Elisa | May 25, 2014 | Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

Want to make a difference locally? Here are some easy ideas! Ten Ways to End Human Trafficking in NoVA 1.) "Like" NoVA HTI on Facebook. 2.) Currently we are looking for 5 people to donate $100 per month for a year to help a sex trafficking survior have a place to live...

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...

Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands

Everyday People Doing Something About Human Trafficking And Refugees

Can an everyday person make a difference for refugees? Yep. They can! Just as I’ve seen it...

Children-in-Need, Clean Water, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Global Health, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States

Should We Participate in Operation Christmas Child?

I’ve been doing Operation Christmas Child (OCC) for years and have encouraged you guys to...

Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking

Why We Need To Start Talking To Our Kids About Modern Slavery

Update 2021: This course is currently offline. Since, it has been renamed Conversations With...

Leadership

When Our Best Yes Meets Humble Service: When Should Changemakers Clean Toilets?

Often Changemakers find themselves doing the faithful background service of doing things like changing toilets. How to we balance our "best yes" with humility?

Spiritual Discipleship

When Our Best Yes Meets Humble Service: When Should Changemakers Clean Toilets?

Often Changemakers find themselves doing the faithful background service of doing things like changing toilets. How to we balance our "best yes" with humility?

Life Purpose, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Productivity

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